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Are you the type of person who always sticks to neutrals—who can’t seem to escape the siren song of the best white paint colors or the best brown paint colors? We don’t blame you! These colors are classics for a reason, and they go with almost every color. The color gray is versatile enough to stand on its own, but why? It comes in so many different shades from a light cloud to a deep charcoal that can pair with an array of other colors to really make your room shine, whether you’re going for a soft, airy look or a cozy, rustic feel. Here, we share the best color of furnishings to pair with gray walls and the best paint colors to pair with gray furniture.
We urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and set yourself up for some gray-ter expectations (sorry, we had to!), which is why you shouldn’t shy away from pairing your well-loved neutral interiors with pops of bold colors, patterns, and textures. We know it can be difficult to leap before you look, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gray-hued rooms that will reassure you that gray, gray paint in particular, can be paired with tons of fun colors. From lime green to cobalt blue, you’ll be so inspired to try out these color combos, you might just break out the paint brush this weekend!
For more paint color inspiration, check out these stories:
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Crisp White
The dark gray exterior with crisp white trim pairing on this 1920s cottage sets the perfect scene against the forest of Sycamore trees behind it. Homeowner Bambi Costanzo has been renovating her tiny home and filling it with vintage treasures for over 25 years. The front porch originally extended all the way across the house, but Bambi co-opted one half to get extra room for a new library inside.
Get the Look:
Siding Paint Color: Evening Hush by Behr
Trim Paint Color: White by Glidden
RELATED: 80+ Tiny Houses That’ll Have You Trying to Move in ASAP
Denim Blue
The gray-washed wood plank walls of this bedroom provide the perfect backdrop to let the vintage denim-and-white pieced quilts stand out. An antique bobbin nightstand and stool in other shades of blue add charm. The locally made rag rug brings the blue, gray, and white tones together.
Get the Look:
Wall Paneling: For similar, Gray Skinny Planks Wallpaper
RELATED: Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy Space for Company
Varying Shades of Gray
In this large lakehouse kitchen, designer Thom Filicia expertly paired light gray cabinetry with darker charcoal gray subway tiles and soapstone countertops. Silvery gray galvanized light fixtures complete the gray trifecta.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin-Williams
Backsplash Tile: for similar, Charcoal Subway Tile from Lowe’s
RELATED: Our 100 Favorite Kitchen Decor Ideas to Create the Most Welcoming Space in Your Home
Weathered Wood
Architectural designer Nancy Fishelson swears by using neutrals in her work. Although she mostly chooses white paints with subtle black or gray undertones, for this pretty dining room, she used a light gray paint color on the fireplace mantel to add some contrast against the white walls. The weathered wood dining chairs add grounding so the whole room doesn’t feel too one-note and floaty.
Get the Look:
Mantel Paint Color: Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams
Sky Blue
The gray weathered shingled walls of this beach shack are freshened up with trim painted in a crisp seaside-appropriate blue.
Get the Look:
Trim Paint Color: Vast Sky by Sherwin-Williams
Butter Yellow
The bright and cheery guest bathroom features butter yellow V-groove paneling installed on a diagonal. The slate vanity top that adds contrast.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Lucent Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
Bold Red
Tomato red really makes a bold statement when used with a mix of white and softer grays on the walls and textiles. Plus, the twin beds are not an exact match, but painting them the same hue makes them the perfect “pair.”
Get the Look:
Bed Paint Color: Stop by Sherwin-Williams
Wall Paint Color: Origami White by Sherwin-Williams
Slate Black
Homeowner Bambi Costanzo considers the paint color of the cabinetry in her laundry room the perfect not too cool, not too warm gray-green. We concur and especially love it paired with the slate charcoal countertops and backsplash
Get the Look
Cabinetry Paint Color: Retreat by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Tour more of Bambi’s charming little cottage.
Indigo Blue
In this coastal bedroom of designer Loi Thai, layers of bold blue bedding in stripes of all sizes stand out against a gray painted Jenny Lind bed.
Get the Look:
Gray Spindle Bed: “Louisa” Bed by Birch Lane
RELATED: The Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for a Restful and Inviting Space
Bright Yellow
This home’s medium gray siding is reminiscent of a cloudy day. A pop of fun yellow serves as the umbrella keeping things on the sunny side.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint Color: Cheerful by Sherwin-Williams
Siding Paint Color: Steel Wool by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: The Best Exterior Paint Colors To Give Your Home Inviting Curb Appeal.
Soft White
A pretty bird-patterned wallpaper transforms this awkwardly shaped space under the eaves into a dreamy bedroom in the trees. The airy white and gray colorway keeps the room feeling ethereal instead of claustrophobic.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: A-Twitter by Schumacher
Lime Green
We have to admit—this pairing is quite unexpected! But a pop of lime green against off-white walls and dark gray doors is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who walks through the front door. Homeowner Matthew Gleason says the bright color evokes the color of the treetops in early spring.
Get the Look:
Floor Paint Color: Chic Lime by Benjamin Moore
Door Paint Color: Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: 25+ Brilliant Painted Floors Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm To Your Room
Classic Red
A stained gray exterior allows this gray house to blend in with its wooded surroundings, while bold red trim gives it major curb appeal. Tip: If you want a more natural look, opt for a semi-transparent stain that allows the wood grain to peek through.
Get the Look:
Siding Paint Color: Drift Gray by Behr
Window Trim and Door Paint Color: Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: 50 Beautiful Front Door Colors to Give Your Home an Inviting Entry
Cobalt Blue
The beauty of gray is that even when it’s used subtly—as in the case with these painted chairs in the home of designer Caitlin Wilson—it still stands out, especially when paired with bright colors like this cobalt blue Oushak-style rug.
Get the Look:
Rug: Soleil Rug by Caitlin Wilson
Wall Paint Color: Super White by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: See More of Designer Caitlin Wilson’s Dreamy “Tree House” Family Retreat
Wrought Iron
In this serene bedroom, a black wrought iron bed offers contrast to the light gray bedding.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: 40+ White Bedrooms To Inspire Your Own Totally Serene Sleeping Space
Barn Red and Black
If you think “neutral” is only synonymous with “white,” think again. A timeless gray is the perfect hue for kitchen cabinetry, and a nice alternative when you want something light, but different than white. This soft gray is a lovely match for a bold pattern like the quilt-block like tile floor in this kitchen by designer Grant K. Gibson.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Grayish by Sherwin-Williams
Flooring: for similar, Patterned Tile Decals by FloorPop
Copper
Brighten up a subdued tone on tone palette with touches of highly-collectible copper. The warm, metallic finish adds a sophisticated layer of shine to this North Carolina kitchen that also features a hand-painted tile backsplash.
RELATED: See More of This Charming Cottage That is Proof that the Best Things Come in Small Packages
Soft Yellow and Bright Blue
Is there a better sight on a gray day than when the clouds part and a glimmer of sunshine peeks through? In this modern bedroom, a gray upholstered bed gets a kick of color with a sunny yellow coverlet. The bright sky blue rug makes the room even happier.
Get the Look:
Yellow Quilt: Yellow Coverlet from The Company Store
Verdant Green
A mix of indoor potted plants and cut branches brings pops of fresh, verdant green against this living room’s dark grays, blacks, and browns. Mismatched pillows in various shades of gray add another layer of visual interest.
Get the Look:
Indoor Plants: for similar, Potted Plants from EasyPlant
RELATED: 20+ Indoor Plants to Add Color and Beauty to Your Home
Natural Woods
No one can deny how great a medium gray sets off white shiplap, and, as this room shows, gray and white also make a pretty pairing on a bed. But to keep the look from feeling too one-note, mix in wood pieces in a lighter tone. The warm wood gives your eye a place to land without distracting from the rest of the room.
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