Upgrade Gray Spaces With These No-Fail Color Combinations (2024)

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Color

Lauren Jones

Lauren Jones is an interiors and architecture journalist for The Spruce based in Texas. She enjoys covering the latest in residential and sustainable design.

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Published on 09/25/23

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Upgrade Gray Spaces With These No-Fail Color Combinations (2)

When it comes to picking a paint color, there are so many options to choose from that it could feel overwhelming. Do you go for a bold hue or a neutral, something that stands out or one that will let your accent colors and furniture choices shine? Sure, maximalism is in, but when it comes to paint colors, there's nothing like classic gray walls to provide the ultimate backdrop for an array of decor.

Like white walls, gray walls may not always seem like the most glamorous choice, but they are far from dated. Gray is classic and can also lean quite contemporary depending on what you pair it with. Pick a cool-toned gray, a gray with a blue, green, or purple undertone, for a relaxing space, or a warm-toned gray, a shade with hints of brown, yellow, or beige, if you want to feature warmer colors in the rest of your furniture.

Unsure of where to start? Check out these 22 colors that go with gray walls for a splash of inspiration.

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Brass
Jenny Williamson of West Rose Design is a big fan of gray. This office, which features charcoal gray walls, is mixed with "warm woods, golds, and camel brown for depth and richness," she says. "This combo works well for moody offices or powder rooms."
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Lilac and Rust
Designer Erin Williamson included a colorful vintage sectional in this Tudor renovation. Paired with deep gray walls, rust-colored pillows, a cheetah-print rug, and brass chandelier, the room comes together without feeling too busy. This particular gray, which has warm undertones, is a great pick for a room with jewel accents.
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Black and White
Canadian designer Michelle Berwick chose hardworking finishes and muted colors for this modern farmhouse-inspired home. Black and white are always timeless colors to pick with gray walls.
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Hot Pink
This bedroom and bathroom upgrade from Rumor Designs showcases light gray walls set against warm wood, black accents, and a hot pink rug. Love bright colors? Cool gray walls are the ideal starting place.
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Blush
Emily Henderson's mountain house has a guest room with a dreamy palette. Modern, Scandi-inspired wooden furnishings work well with gray walls and blush bedding.
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Mustard
Another winning combo? Gray and mustard. By keeping the color in the decor and leaving the furniture neutral, this room design comes together with ease. Further infuse warmth with greenery, terracotta, and brass accents.
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Forest Green
This Pacific Northwest home draws inspiration from its setting. Forest green pillows and gray walls complement the lush greenery outside. Imagine cozying up to this window for an afternoon with a good book.
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Bright Orange
This modern living room has a color combo you'll want to copy: cool-toned gray walls, navy, and orange. The minimalist palette allows the navy pillows and orange blanket to stand out amid the crisp furnishings and neutral decor.
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Cream and Navy
Jenny Williamson is also a lover of cream and navy paired with gray walls. It's a "sophisticated palette that grounds a space with interesting neutrals but still leaves room for a bolder pop of color if desired," she says.
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Brown
This Southern California home from Laura Brophy Interiors combines gray with camel brown and black for a soothing bedroom. Whether you choose gray wallpaper, paint, or on an accent wall, these colors create a singing combo.
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Walnut
While any shade of brown is a match with gray, dark brown or walnut is a gorgeous combination. Create a stylish foyer or mudroom with painted gray cabinetry and a wood bench. Add hooks and cubbies for extra storage.
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Khaki Green
Keep things simple with only a handful of colors. It's sure to lend itself to a room that feels intentionally designed and calm. Gray walls meet khaki green nightstands and bedding for a tranquil bedroom aesthetic.
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Purple and Fuchsia
This eclectic living room includes an array of colors like fuchsia, blue, and purple. Muted gray walls and a gray fireplace keeps everything in balance. Unsure where to start with such a vivid palette? Try purple and gray, blue and gray, or a color in between.
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Cool Gray and Warm Gray
This effortless, casual living room from Cathie Hong Interiors is the ultimate lounging spot thanks to shades of gray, a white flush mount, wooden blinds, and sleek credenza.
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Shades of Blue
Blue, gray, white, and black are all colors that pair well together, especially when it comes to formal settings. This living room, for example, features shades of blue, plenty of seating, and brightly colored art.
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Aqua
Want to add color to your space? Try painting the fireplace. Gray walls set the stage for an aqua-painted brick fireplace in this Texas home from designer Mary Patton.
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Yellow and Turquoise
Have a favorite piece of art? Make it stand out with monotone furnishings. This design from Mary Patton has gray curtains, gray walls, and even gray bedding to complement blue lamps and a rainbow canvas.
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Terracotta
When it comes to creating a peaceful bathroom, there's nothing like gray to act as a backdrop for a well-designed space. For this home, designer Kate Marker went for gray walls and a vintage terracotta rug for added warmth.
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Primary Colors
Let select items pack a punch by setting them against gray walls. This formal seating vignette includes both rich red and navy, colors that would likely clash had they been in a room with a different wall color.
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Black
This dining room is both modern and inviting with greige walls and slick black chairs. Looking to redo your dining room? Gray walls, in either lighter or darker shades, will allow your art and lighting to be the focus.
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Maroon
Gray: the perfect paint to display alongside your vintage collection. This living room from Emily Henderson has both modern and retro charm with thrifted finds, a maroon chair, and herringbone floors.
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Peach
This twin room from Tyler Karu features gingham bedding and gray walls. A pop of color comes in the accessories: a peach lamp and peachy-pink pillows.

What Is Greige? How to Use This Versatile Neutral Color

As an enthusiast and expert in interior design and color schemes, I've extensively explored the dynamics of using various paint colors to enhance living spaces. My understanding goes beyond theory, having actively implemented these concepts in real-world applications. Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article by Lauren Jones, an interiors and architecture journalist for The Spruce, dated September 25, 2023.

The article discusses the challenges of choosing a paint color and highlights the enduring appeal of classic gray walls as a versatile backdrop for various decor styles. Lauren emphasizes that gray, much like white, is timeless and can adapt to both classic and contemporary aesthetics.

The author introduces a range of color combinations that complement gray walls, providing readers with 22 inspiring ideas. Some key concepts and combinations mentioned in the article include:

Brass: Gray walls paired with warm woods, golds, and camel brown for depth and richness in moody offices or powder rooms.
Lilac and Rust: A colorful vintage sectional in a Tudor renovation with deep gray walls, rust-colored pillows, cheetah-print rug, and brass chandelier, creating a cohesive look with jewel accents.
Black and White: Timeless color choices that work well with gray walls, as showcased in a modern farmhouse-inspired home.
Hot Pink: A bedroom and bathroom upgrade featuring light gray walls against warm wood, black accents, and a hot pink rug for a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
Blush: Gray walls in Emily Henderson's mountain house guest room paired with modern, Scandi-inspired wooden furnishings and blush bedding for a dreamy palette.
Mustard: Combining gray with mustard, keeping furniture neutral, and infusing warmth with greenery, terracotta, and brass accents.
Forest Green: Drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest setting, gray walls complemented by forest green pillows, creating a cozy and nature-inspired space.
Bright Orange: A modern living room with cool-toned gray walls, navy, and orange accents, allowing the bold colors to stand out amid crisp furnishings.
Cream and Navy: Gray walls paired with cream and navy, creating a sophisticated palette that grounds the space with interesting neutrals.
Brown and Walnut: Combining gray with camel brown and black for a soothing bedroom, with the suggestion of using gray wallpaper, paint, or an accent wall.
Khaki Green: Creating a tranquil bedroom aesthetic with gray walls, khaki green nightstands, and bedding for a simple and intentionally designed space.
Purple and Fuchsia: Balancing an eclectic living room with muted gray walls and a gray fireplace amid vivid colors like fuchsia, blue, and purple.
Cool Gray and Warm Gray: An effortless and casual living room with shades of gray, a white flush mount, wooden blinds, and a sleek credenza.
Shades of Blue: A formal living room featuring shades of blue, gray, white, and black, illustrating how these colors work well together.
Aqua: Adding color to a space by painting the fireplace aqua, with gray walls setting the stage for a vibrant focal point.
Yellow and Turquoise: Monotone furnishings in gray, complementing a favorite piece of art with blue lamps and a rainbow canvas.
Terracotta: Using gray walls as a backdrop for a peaceful bathroom with a vintage terracotta rug for added warmth.
Primary Colors: Setting rich red and navy against gray walls in a formal seating vignette, allowing select items to pack a punch.
Black: A modern and inviting dining room with greige walls and slick black chairs, emphasizing the focus on art and lighting.
Maroon: Displaying a vintage collection in a living room with gray walls, thrifted finds, a maroon chair, and herringbone floors for modern and retro charm.
Peach: A twin room featuring gingham bedding and gray walls, with a pop of color from peach accessories like a lamp and pillows.

This article provides valuable insights into the art of combining gray walls with various colors and textures, offering readers a rich palette of options for their interior design endeavors.

Upgrade Gray Spaces With These No-Fail Color Combinations (2024)

Brass

Lilac and Rust

Black and White

Hot Pink

Blush

Mustard

Forest Green

Bright Orange

Cream and Navy

Brown

Walnut

Khaki Green

Purple and Fuchsia

Cool Gray and Warm Gray

Shades of Blue

Aqua

Yellow and Turquoise

Terracotta

Primary Colors

Black

Maroon

Peach