Get in the Mood With Fifty Shades of Grey
The raunchy blockbuster is out now, so let's slip into something a little more comfortable and peruse 50 rooms that look gorgeous in grey
Emily Hutchinson
12 February 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
Countless fans (some out and proud, others a little more secretive) of the cult fiction novel Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James are flocking to cinemas to see it play out on the big screen. Will the movie be as R-rated as the book? How will Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan weigh up as Anastasia Steele and the mysterious Christian Grey?
To put a bit of a Houzz spin on all the hype, here are 50 homes in various shades of grey to set the mood.
To put a bit of a Houzz spin on all the hype, here are 50 homes in various shades of grey to set the mood.
In the bedroom
Grey in the bedroom is a beautiful choice, whether it’s on the walls, on the bed or both! Interior designers see it as one of the best colours with which to paint your bedroom walls.
This room is designed by interior design blogger Nelly Reffet, who has skilfully made the space look larger by not taking the paint all the way to the roof. She also embraces the home’s lack of natural light by using a moody grey. “The front rooms (bedrooms) were even darker, but I decided to embrace their darkness and make them cosy and moody with a colour palette of grey and green on the walls,” she says.
Grey in the bedroom is a beautiful choice, whether it’s on the walls, on the bed or both! Interior designers see it as one of the best colours with which to paint your bedroom walls.
This room is designed by interior design blogger Nelly Reffet, who has skilfully made the space look larger by not taking the paint all the way to the roof. She also embraces the home’s lack of natural light by using a moody grey. “The front rooms (bedrooms) were even darker, but I decided to embrace their darkness and make them cosy and moody with a colour palette of grey and green on the walls,” she says.
A similar technique has been used in this vaulted ceiling boudoir, using a light and airy palette. Notice how the paint has been taken right to the border of the ceiling, which highlights the architectural elements.
Wall paint in ‘Moore Owl’: Benjamin Moore
Wall paint in ‘Moore Owl’: Benjamin Moore
With darker hues, the main battle you will face is the absorption of natural light. This homeowner has lifted the room by not only painting the ceiling white, but with the use of a sparkly chandelier, too.
Wall paint in ‘Down Pipe’: Farrow & Ball
Wall paint in ‘Down Pipe’: Farrow & Ball
This bedroom in the Netherlands worked the grey and white colour palette into the entire home.
Take a look at the rest of this home
Take a look at the rest of this home
Charcoal is a chic hue for bedroom walls. Interior designer Chloe Stacy warns against using greys with purple or pink undertones. Painted on expanses of wall, these tones can really come out and disappoint people hoping for pure charcoal walls. Yellow or red flowers stand out beautifully against a dark wall.
Wall paint in ‘Tristan’: Dulux
Wall paint in ‘Tristan’: Dulux
This dark grey feature wall works well in a tri-colour scheme of orange, grey and white. The grey wall is also just the thing to show off a stylish lamp and bedside table.
A photo mural like the one here keeps grey fun in a teen’s bedroom.
Grey on grey, anyone? Don’t just leave it to the walls, bring grey to the bed. The contrasting greys in different textures tie the space together.
The good thing about light palettes of grey is that they are neutral enough to accompany your favourite colours.
Interior designer Camilla Molders of Camilla Molders Design used grey in this light-filled bedroom to add depth. “Grey is a great wall colour as it isn’t too heavy and allows other colours to pop against it,” she says.
Wall paint in ‘Strap’ (painted on a Haymes Paint base): Dulux
Wall paint in ‘Strap’ (painted on a Haymes Paint base): Dulux
No need to go overboard – you can add a touch of grey with a blanket, cushion or lampshade.
In the bathroom
Don’t hold back on bringing grey to the bathroom – it was recently named one of the big bathroom trends for 2015.
The vanity echoes the deep grey of the tiled floors in this enviable bathroom. A couple of splashes of red is all it needs to bring it to life.
Don’t hold back on bringing grey to the bathroom – it was recently named one of the big bathroom trends for 2015.
The vanity echoes the deep grey of the tiled floors in this enviable bathroom. A couple of splashes of red is all it needs to bring it to life.
Grey granite on the vanity does the same thing in this smart bathroom.
If you’re worried about grey looking too drab, consider injecting texture to make things a little more interesting. The staggered grey tiles of different sizes on this bathroom feature wall is a standout.
You could also continue the grey tile from the wall to the floor. When the rest of the bathroom is white, there’s no chance of it being gloomy.
To spice up a mostly grey bathroom, add a feature wall in an unexpected colour or texture.
Grey and timber? A match made in heaven! Cool grey walls look fabulous paired with the warm tones of natural timber.
This suspended timber cabinet is a subtle way to break up the dark walls.
If you have marble in the bathroom, consider continuing the monochrome theme with grey floor tiles. A deeper tone on the floor will help ground the space.
Vertical timber painted grey adds layers of interest to this bathroom in Brisbane, and helps define zones when a bedroom is open to the bathroom.
In the kitchen
Grey in the kitchen is an on-trend option for those wanting something a bit different to white.
If you’re going for an industrial-style kitchen, consider going with concrete. Make it homely by adding splashes of colour and artwork like this homeowner in Sorrento has done.
Grey in the kitchen is an on-trend option for those wanting something a bit different to white.
If you’re going for an industrial-style kitchen, consider going with concrete. Make it homely by adding splashes of colour and artwork like this homeowner in Sorrento has done.
The grey splashback tiles in this home in Melbourne draw the eye into that gorgeous kitchen.
A similar grey splashback style works wonders in this fresh, white kitchen.
Grey fixtures such as these pendant lights can be a fitting touch for a contemporary kitchen.
The grey kitchen island is just the thing to add interest to an all-timber kitchen.
The grey front of this kitchen island is framed nicely in white to accentuate its dimensions.
How about some Steele (couldn’t resist) in the kitchen? All-over stainless steel cabinets and cooktops add a sleek demeanour to this decor.
A very Christian Grey looking kitchen! Grey tones blended with black add masculinity. The cream cabinets and timber features soften this look.
In the living room
Grey doesn’t need to be dominant in a room; it has a soft side and can be subtle and even cosy.
This grey sofa paired with green and black shows its versatility – it goes with just about anything!
Grey doesn’t need to be dominant in a room; it has a soft side and can be subtle and even cosy.
This grey sofa paired with green and black shows its versatility – it goes with just about anything!
This custom-made couch in an airy Brisbane abode sets off the vibrant blues on the cushions.
Grey is, of course, ultra-chic, but also has the ability to create a calming atmosphere in the living room.
This cleverly designed apartment uses cool grey to differentiate zones in the home. Green plants go beautifully with this dark colour palette, and help make them stand out more.
Wall paint in ‘Tuna’: Resene
Wall paint in ‘Tuna’: Resene
This tone-on-tone apartment exemplifies how you can experiment with different tints, tones and shades of grey for interest.
I really love the subtle use of grey in this room – the sofa and rug contrast beautifully with the timber and sunny yellow.
A light and airy hue like this one can be paired with white for a fresh and cheerful living room.
With a dark shade you can really make your wall features sing. These antlers, plants and pendant light become the focal points of the room.
Grey fabric on the sofa is a stylish solution for high-traffic use as the colour can mask spills and grime.
Harmonise the room by pairing the grey furniture with the wall paint, as seen here in this Sydney home.
On the stairs
This family home in Dublin has used grey on the bannisters for a sophisticated touch. If you do choose to use grey on the bannisters, make sure it is a durable, high-gloss paint that can be easily cleaned.
This family home in Dublin has used grey on the bannisters for a sophisticated touch. If you do choose to use grey on the bannisters, make sure it is a durable, high-gloss paint that can be easily cleaned.
The grey on the bannisters has been complemented with a grey runner. The fun yellow trim makes the colour combination less severe.
This is a clever use of grey on the stairs – the grey on the riser of each step contrasts with the timber used on top, making it less hazardous for those trudging up and down.
A dark charcoal grey on the walls highlights the clean lines of the blonde timber stairs and white wall sconces.
Outside
Using grey indoors can run the risk of making a space feel small, but outdoors grey can accentuate the size of a home.
Using grey indoors can run the risk of making a space feel small, but outdoors grey can accentuate the size of a home.
Notice that by painting the corrugated steel of this home in grey, the metal element is accentuated while the surrounding landscape and foliage soften the overall look.
Exterior paint in ‘Woodland Grey’: Dulux
Exterior paint in ‘Woodland Grey’: Dulux
You can decorate your outdoor entertaining area with grey furniture as it is still a good neutral palette but will be less likely than white to show common outdoor stains and dirt.
The light grey tone used on this classic weatherboard cottage in Sydney works beautifully with the white shutters and lounge that has a similar grey tone.
Dark grey can disguise imperfections on walls and highlight the surrounding landscape features of a garden, as seen here with this charcoal concrete wall.
The grey shade on this wall is so dark that it’s almost black.
TELL US
What do you love about grey? What did you think of Fifty Shades of Grey, the movie?
MORE
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TELL US
What do you love about grey? What did you think of Fifty Shades of Grey, the movie?
MORE
Colour Splash: Give Your Walls a Lift Using Houzz’s Most Popular Hues
The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
5 Fool-Proof Steps to a Spot On Colour Scheme
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Grey is a versatile colour that works well with other current colours. Is it s@xy? No. When you walk into a pale grey bedroom does it put you in the mood for lurve? Not unless you pair warm colours with it.