Decorating Color Color Schemes 20 Gray Color Schemes that Showcase the Timeless Neutral See how various colors work with this timeless neutral and get tips for using gray in your home design. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 21, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Annie Schlecther Whether decorating a bathroom, living room, kitchen, or bedroom, you can't go wrong with a gray color scheme. The versatile color can ground a space, serve as a backdrop for more vibrant colors, or become the main attraction in a neutral room. Gray is a fairly forgiving color that will partner with almost any hue. When choosing your gray color scheme, pay attention to the undertones. Cooler grays pair well with blues, purples, and teals, while warmer grays (think mushroom and putty) pair better with reds, oranges, and other warm shades. To keep things from looking flat, experiment with textures and tones—and don't be afraid to try multiple shades of gray. Gray Color Schemes Kim Cornelison Far from boring, gray is the neutral of choice for many designers. More complex than cream or white (and typically not as yellow or glaring), gray comes in a variety of shades and tints to provide a soothing backdrop or set the perfect scene to showcase an accent color. Whether mixed with a dab of black, green, or blue, the range of gray color schemes is endless. Top 20 Expert-Recommended Gray Paint Colors, Plus How to Pick One 01 of 20 Bold Gray Color Scheme James Nathan Schroder Iron Gray + Fuschia + Gold Introduce bold personality to your gray color scheme with accent furniture and decor in vibrant tones. In this living room, a dark gray accent wall is lifted by doses of fuchsia, periwinkle, and dusty blue. Metallic gold appears on the coffee table legs, an ornate hanging picture frame, and a side table to brighten the space. What Colors Go with Pink? 16 Pretty Pairings to Try 02 of 20 Soothing Gray Color Scheme Kat Teutsch Steely Gray + Honey Yellow This primary bedroom uses a soothing blend of cool grays and warm golden-honey hues. The harmony of these tones is perfect for relaxation. Gray walls and an upholstered headboard set the stage for the room while the golden notes enter through accent pillows and a throw at the end of the bed. Striped bedding sets steely gray against bright white, repeated on floor-to-ceiling drapes. 03 of 20 Dramatic Gray Color Scheme Annie Schlecther Charcoal Gray + Blush Pink + Brass Charcoal gray wraps this closet nook in coziness. Set against a dark background, pink and shiny brass seem even bolder and brighter. The warm brass accents and pink velvet upholstered chair stand out vividly against the cool gray color on the walls and built-in vanity area. The contrasting colors form a dramatic, unexpected gray color scheme. 12 Clever Ways to Customize a Closet for Less 04 of 20 Vintage-Inspired Gray Color Scheme Nathan Kirkman Antique Pewter + Warm White + Weathered Wood Bold cement tiles with a vintage feel inspired this kitchen's gray color scheme. The pattern pairs warm white with a midtone shade of pewter, repeated across several banks of cabinetry. Walnut base cabinets and open shelves introduce rich wood texture that adds depth to the palette. 05 of 20 Rich Gray Color Scheme Charcoal + Emerald + Teal Dark charcoal walls set a rich, sophisticated tone in this living room. Intense jewel tones—including emerald, teal, and berry—brighten the look. Watch and see the secrets to successfully pulling off a dark wall color. 06 of 20 Earthy Gray Color Scheme Edmund Barr Nature's Gray + Red-Orange + Cream Using the gray and brown tones in the stone fireplace as a guide, this room goes natural with its blend of earthy hues and varied materials. A wing-back chair is covered in chic gray flannel, while the two-tone sectional sofa introduces leather. Rich shades of red-orange, dispersed throughout the room on pillows, throws, and the upholstered ottoman, accent the rustic spirit. 07 of 20 Neutrals with a Gray Color Scheme Neutral tones combine to create soothing, simplistic color schemes. But it's not always as easy as throwing together a few browns and grays. Watch and learn the secrets to a perfect living room color scheme. 08 of 20 Industrial Gray Color Scheme Werner Straube Charcoal + White + Cream With its bright white ceiling and trim set against charcoal gray walls and floors, this room takes on the feel of a vintage black-and-white photo. To soften the room's contrasts, the design also introduces cream in the linen sofa, Roman shades, and rug. 09 of 20 Punchy Gray Color Scheme Emily Followill Gray-Brown + Orange + Coral This gray, brown, and orange bedroom exudes elegant yet playful sensibilities, like a fine woolen jacket paired with a patterned tie. The upholstered headboard is covered in a business suit check and accented with just enough pattern and color for interest. For extra personality, the color of the side table, which leans more toward coral, is a few steps off the orange on the pillow. 23 Pattern Trends We Love in Home Decor 10 of 20 Eclectic Gray Color Scheme Robert Brinson Weathered Gray + White Walls + Vibrant Brights Gray makes a beautiful backdrop for bolder colors. Here, white walls and quiet washes of gray on doors and window sashes take a backseat to the vibrant kaleidoscope of color supplied by the room's rug and hot fuchsia accents. To maintain interest elsewhere (and refrain from competing with the rug), the designer layered weathered and woven textures in furnishings and accents. 11 of 20 Modern Gray Color Scheme James Carriere Mushroom + Brown + Navy This gray-green wall color has just enough warmth to work well with brown and neutral tones. A distressed leather armchair and floor lamp made from spindly driftwood give depth to this woodsy hue. Deeper hues (such as black and navy) offer bold contrast to the muted walls and light wood finishes. A fiddle-leaf fig tree provides a pleasant punch of green, adding to the natural feel. 27 Inspired-By-Nature Color Palettes for a Beautiful Home 12 of 20 Warmed Up Gray Color Scheme Ray Kachatorian Putty + Warm Red and Orange When decorating with gray, it is important to look at the undertones. Deep enough in tone (and tinted with the perfect amount of green), this warm gray complements the deep red coverlet and orange hues in the drapery. Opposite each other on the color wheel, green and red are complementary colors and naturally look good together. The eclectic scheme includes a gallery of artwork in varying frames and styles that stand out against the rich neutral. 13 of 20 Peaceful Gray Color Scheme Lauren Krysti Pale Gray Blue + Charcoal + Pink A soft gray with sky-blue undertones makes this wall color the perfect choice for a sunroom. Dark charcoal gray patterned fabrics on the sofa and ottomans add weight to the upholstery and showcase lighter accents. White offers a quiet visual landing spot, and punches of pink bring in a sweet accent. 14 of 20 Simple Gray Color Scheme Robert Brinson Linen Gray + White Linen, in varying shades of gray, shows off simple prints that play well with the fabric's loose weave. The sleigh bed grounds the room with its solid upholstery. A creamy gray linen panel adds height to the headboard. On the bed, a vintage flour sack-turned-pillow shows off farmhouse style. A bench at the foot of the bed sports Billy Goat legs for a lighthearted touch that plays to the room's rural aesthetic. All other furniture, snagged from flea markets, is painted crisp white. Orange accents add the right amount of punch. 15 of 20 Chic Gray Color Scheme Emily Followill Soft Gray + Hot Pink Hot pink is a standout against warm gray walls and white linen. The uncluttered aesthetic of this bedroom combines just enough ruffles and pleats with contemporary motifs for a sophisticated retreat. Small doses of color take precedence over frilly accents. To maintain the crisp feel, walls are upholstered in the same fabric as window drapery. The bright pink tufted headboard makes an elegantly dramatic statement. 39 Pink Room Decor Ideas to Use Throughout Your Home 16 of 20 Shades of Gray Color Scheme Werner Straube Cool Grays + Dusty Lavender With shades of gray infused with tints such as green, khaki, putty, and slate, this home proves that layer upon layer of tonal grays gives even more interest to this favored neutral. A muted shade of purple shows up in throw pillows and complements the cool gray undertones. The diamond-pattern doors, brick floor, striped rug, and variety of pillow fabrics add texture and interest, creating a monochromatic scheme that is anything but dull. 17 of 20 Relaxing Gray Color Scheme Dominique Vorillon Cool Gray + Crisp White Contrast reigns in this neutral bathroom, where cool gray walls mingle with crisp white trim and furnishings. The rich wall color creates a luxurious environment that's perfect for relaxing after a long day. Shimmering chrome fixtures echo the gray walls. 18 of 20 Cool Gray Color Scheme Kim Cornelison Industrial Gray + Brown + Chartreuse Concrete gray walls set the tone for midcentury modern style in this dining room. The cool hue works in harmony with the edgy furniture, bold patterns, and blocky black shade. Chartreuse green (with cool blue undertones) perfectly complements the vintage-style decor. 19 of 20 Art-Inspired Gray Color Scheme Brie Williams Antique Pewter + Historical Hues Every color scheme needs a starting point. For this dining room, antique artwork provided inspiration. Gray shades such as mushroom, khaki, blue-gray, and cream show up in the chandelier shades, sisal rug, and off-white trim. Striped chairs and a vibrant bouquet of orange dahlias play to the secondary colors in the artwork. Wallpaper in an oversized paisley pattern animates the soft gray walls without overpowering the art. 7 Creative Ways to Display Art, According to an Antique Dealer 20 of 20 Metallic Color Scheme Ryann Ford Metallic Gray + Cool Red + Steel Metallic gray with silvery undertones is an appropriately modern color choice for this contemporary kitchen. The dark red streamlined subway tile backsplash also works well in this space because of its blue undertones. Metal accents, including the barstool legs and stainless-steel hood, add to the monochromatic look, making the striking red backsplash even more of a statement. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit