Has Gray Had Its Day? 

The Design Connection team hears this question frequently. Neutrals, including gray, have always been a part of our timeless approach to design concepts for our clients’ homes.

Neutrals like gray aren’t back – they’ve never left great interior design! Gray walls are far more varied that you might think. A classic approach leans toward cool grays, and a modern twist incorporates warmer shades of gray and greige. Here, Design Connection, Inc. shares tips for styling a neutral room in grays. Take a peek inside our idea book!

Paint Trends

Warm gray is an ideal wall color in the updated neutral room.  Lighter gray shades are beautiful on walls and create a canvas for building a sophisticated neutral room. Two of Design Connection, Inc.’s favorites are Sherwin Williams SW7028 Incredible White, and SW7029 Agreeable Gray. Both of these colors are warm tonal blends and  work well with a wide range of accent colors.

Design Tip: For modern style, look for grays that have warm undertones, such as green, beige, taupe or brown. For a classic look, cool grays are a good choice. Avoid using a cool gray in combination with a warm gray – they do not blend well.

Light and Airy 

Lighter color cabinets are easy to maintain and work well with a  gray base palette. The gray walls with beige undertones keep the space fresh, and blend well with the taupe floor tile. A well-balanced, neutral room has a timeless feel that feels current, regardless of what’s trending.

Design Tip: Neutral rooms put texture and tones in the spotlight. Choose lighter wood cabinetry, and add interest in the tone and finish when selecting flooring and tile.

Color Accents in a Neutral Great Room

We created this beautiful living space to highlight the client’s colorful art. Warm persimmon and tobacco tones complement the paintings when carried through the leather chair pillow accents and area rug. The custom-designed floating cabinet in zebra wood is a work of art in itself!

Design Tip: Art that incorporates bold color is an ideal accessory for a neutral room. Pick one or two accent colors from the artwork to keep the space cohesive.

Gray with White in the Kitchen

White kitchens aren’t limited to white walls. These cool gray walls give the space dimension and keep the focus on the standout white cabinetry. The gray and white marble backsplash accented with gray dots ties this wall of cabinetry together. Our clients love the cool, contemporary feel of this space!

Design Tip: Love a white kitchen? Incorporate cool grays for depth and interest.

Gray and “Dark Neutrals”

Cool grays are beautiful paired with dark neutral accents, such as saturated greens or deep blues. The gray walls of this dining room pair perfectly with these deep blue chairs and the deep brown wood furnishings. A mirror and chrome lighting finishes fill this space with reflected light.

Design Tip: Cool gray and deep blue? An elegant color combo!

Tone-on-Tone Gray in the Bedroom

This stunning space uses a spectrum of warm grays, which pair perfectly with furniture in a taupe finish. The star of this bedroom is the headboard in a luminous, silvery fabric. Artwork displayed above the headboard creates another tone-on-tone effect in this lovely, timeless room.

Design Tip: Tone-on-tone neutrals are a sophisticated way to transform a space. Incorporate lighter and deeper tones of your wall color into fabrics, furniture, draperies and art to create a cohesive and visually interesting neutral room.

Sitting Pretty in Taupe and Green

This ultra-comfortable, casual sitting area is part of a whole home refresh. We built the color palette with warm grays as the foundation. The walls are very light gray with a hint of beige. It’s a great neutral that allows for splashes of color in the fabric chairs. The wood furnishings in warm chocolate tones blend beautifully with the walls. The chair frames add a structural element.

Design Tip:  Wood furniture adds tone and texture to a neutral room. In addition to a warm finish, look for furniture with structural details, such as chairs with turned frames, or a pedestal table.

Effortless Elegance in the Hearth Room

Another example of a warm gray color palette, this hearth room exudes effortless elegance. The creamy gray walls complement the white ceiling beams and wood floors to open up this room. Fabric chairs and sofa add to the neutral color spectrum. The built-in shelving displays art objects and accessories for a serene and open feel.

Design Tip: Open bookcases are a perfect backdrop for a curated collection of art objects. A neutral palette both showcases these items and makes a room feel spacious.

Warm Grays and Browns in the Dining Room

Warm grays and browns set the stage for this spectacular dining room. Pale gray walls, the tiled bar area and lighter wood floors keep this room layered in neutrals neutral from top to bottom. The fabric chairs add a structural element to the space. Warm brass hardware and lighting finishes add a touch of sparkle to this modern and inviting room.

Design Tip: With warm grays, opt for warm brass hardware and finishes. Cool grays work best with chrome finishes.

Ready to take your home to the next level? We are currently scheduling design projects for winter 2022. Contact us for an appointment to plan your home’s transformation!

Our best to you all,

Arlene Ladegaard and the Design Connection, Inc. Team

Arlene@DesignConnectionInc.com.

We don’t design for what’s next. We design for what lasts.

To see more projects, view the Design Connection, Inc. portfolio HERE – and on HOUZZ