Great Grey Living Room Ideas
This collection of inspiring schemes shows how versatile this neutral yet dramatic shade can be
Dark grey is enjoying its moment on feature walls right now, but have you considered the many other shades that are available in this classic hue? We’re happy to confirm there are more than 50, and that’s just paint colours! Now add all the accessories, flooring and furnishing options too, and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Take a look at the inspiring living room ideas below, and start discovering just how show-stopping grey decor can be, with looks ranging from tough, earthy accents to the softest dove-grey furnishings.
Take a look at the inspiring living room ideas below, and start discovering just how show-stopping grey decor can be, with looks ranging from tough, earthy accents to the softest dove-grey furnishings.
Add your favourite colour
Grey is a hero in the home, as it goes with everything and is happy to take a supporting role. This is especially useful if you tend to get carried away with another colour. Take the mustard-yellow pieces in this room: matched with the dark and medium greys on the walls, furnishings and details, they are toned down and helped to shine, not overwhelm.
If you like a cohesive, put-together look, invest in a single item that ties your colours together, as nicely demonstrated by this rug.
Welcome yellow into your home
Grey is a hero in the home, as it goes with everything and is happy to take a supporting role. This is especially useful if you tend to get carried away with another colour. Take the mustard-yellow pieces in this room: matched with the dark and medium greys on the walls, furnishings and details, they are toned down and helped to shine, not overwhelm.
If you like a cohesive, put-together look, invest in a single item that ties your colours together, as nicely demonstrated by this rug.
Welcome yellow into your home
Give it an edge
The flipside to fluffy clouds grey is the dark and stormy shade we know and love (the trend for this moody hue is still going strong across Houzz). It’s a bold and dramatic look, yes. But this masculine take on the trend can also be soft and homey and, as seen in this living room, it can look surprisingly vibrant when it’s paired with a white floor and ceiling. If you can make use of a well-positioned window or two, all the better.
The flipside to fluffy clouds grey is the dark and stormy shade we know and love (the trend for this moody hue is still going strong across Houzz). It’s a bold and dramatic look, yes. But this masculine take on the trend can also be soft and homey and, as seen in this living room, it can look surprisingly vibrant when it’s paired with a white floor and ceiling. If you can make use of a well-positioned window or two, all the better.
Mimic nature
So much of what comes to mind when we think ‘grey’ is weather-related, so if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, bring the colour inside using slate or stone (or a lookalike) flooring alongside wooden details, neutral walls and animal hides or faux-fur rugs. Plenty of light, space and a vaulted, beamed ceiling is a bonus, of course, but this look would also work well in a smaller, cosier room.
So much of what comes to mind when we think ‘grey’ is weather-related, so if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, bring the colour inside using slate or stone (or a lookalike) flooring alongside wooden details, neutral walls and animal hides or faux-fur rugs. Plenty of light, space and a vaulted, beamed ceiling is a bonus, of course, but this look would also work well in a smaller, cosier room.
Channel modern minimalism
Even for those who love clutter-free living with a limited or non-existent palette, white can get a bit samey. Going just one tone darker and adding pastel details gives a minimal room maximum appeal by creating depth and visual layers. Run with the pared-back vibe and capture the grey trend in one buy with a corner sofa like this. And if you don’t have the space or budget for a stylish fireplace, candles and lanterns make gorgeous alternatives.
Liven up a minimalist room
Even for those who love clutter-free living with a limited or non-existent palette, white can get a bit samey. Going just one tone darker and adding pastel details gives a minimal room maximum appeal by creating depth and visual layers. Run with the pared-back vibe and capture the grey trend in one buy with a corner sofa like this. And if you don’t have the space or budget for a stylish fireplace, candles and lanterns make gorgeous alternatives.
Liven up a minimalist room
Keep it cosy
There’s no getting away from the fact that grey isn’t always the warmest of colours. If your plans lean towards stark materials, with limited furnishings and blue- and lilac-looking greys, it may leave guests feeling cold. Warm things up with faux-fur blankets, cushions, pleated full-length curtains and rugs.
There’s no getting away from the fact that grey isn’t always the warmest of colours. If your plans lean towards stark materials, with limited furnishings and blue- and lilac-looking greys, it may leave guests feeling cold. Warm things up with faux-fur blankets, cushions, pleated full-length curtains and rugs.
Temper the industrial trend
This image shows how far grey furnishings can go in softening what we’re more used to seeing in an industrial-style room. We may not all have gorgeous open-plan warehouse conversions to do up, but textured grey concrete floors such as this are also within reach, even if you live in a Victorian terrace (seek professional advice to see what’s possible).
More achievable still is leaving any exposed metallic piping on show. But if you’re just too tidy for that, add an instant room updater – such as a selection of grey and stone-coloured pendant lampshades – to nail the look in a flash.
This image shows how far grey furnishings can go in softening what we’re more used to seeing in an industrial-style room. We may not all have gorgeous open-plan warehouse conversions to do up, but textured grey concrete floors such as this are also within reach, even if you live in a Victorian terrace (seek professional advice to see what’s possible).
More achievable still is leaving any exposed metallic piping on show. But if you’re just too tidy for that, add an instant room updater – such as a selection of grey and stone-coloured pendant lampshades – to nail the look in a flash.
Make a statement with metallics
Let’s not forget grey’s luxurious and elegant side. If bling is your thing, then try glitzy metallics and a hint of sparkle, satin and sheen to create a classy reception room ideal for entertaining.
12 rooms with magical metallics
Let’s not forget grey’s luxurious and elegant side. If bling is your thing, then try glitzy metallics and a hint of sparkle, satin and sheen to create a classy reception room ideal for entertaining.
12 rooms with magical metallics
Play with texture and pattern
Without the many grey tones on show here – on the sofa, blanket, patterned cushions, fluffy rug and chunky knitted footstool – this room would come off as impressive in size, but pretty bland in style. Embracing contrasting textures and shades will help you to pep up large rooms that seem to lack a focal point.
Where better to steer attention in a living room than to the sofa? It’s all in the details, and often there’s an easy fix if you’ve already tried grey and aren’t yet convinced.
TELL US
Have you tried grey as a hero in your colour scheme? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
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Get in the Mood With Fifty Shades of Grey
5 Easy Steps to a Lovelier Living Room
Without the many grey tones on show here – on the sofa, blanket, patterned cushions, fluffy rug and chunky knitted footstool – this room would come off as impressive in size, but pretty bland in style. Embracing contrasting textures and shades will help you to pep up large rooms that seem to lack a focal point.
Where better to steer attention in a living room than to the sofa? It’s all in the details, and often there’s an easy fix if you’ve already tried grey and aren’t yet convinced.
TELL US
Have you tried grey as a hero in your colour scheme? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
7 Moody Colour Alternatives to Black
Get in the Mood With Fifty Shades of Grey
5 Easy Steps to a Lovelier Living Room
Dove grey is white’s sophisticated sister. It’s a clever choice in that it creates the same blank canvas as a backdrop for treasured items, but offers more of a considered look. The lightest grey tones on furnishings, carpets and walls give that airy, spacious feel, plus they create tonal shadows that instantly soothe.
Try adding textured materials such as granite or dark wood to the mix as seen here, to balance all that snowy-sky softness. Extending a pale grey carpet into the hallway and other rooms will create unity in your home, while still giving you an interesting neutral base to build on.