How to decorate with grey - 10 of the best ideas

Give depth to a neutral scheme by using clever style ideas and subtle variations in tone and texture.

By Tamara Kelly
last updated

Give depth to a neutral scheme by using clever style ideas and subtle variations in tone and texture. The low shape and soft lines of this simple sofa typifies the quiet, unobstrusive elegance of Japanese design.

Sofa
Aram Store

1/10 Floor lamp

living room with floor lamp

(Image credit: Katya De Grunwald)

Gino Carollo for Calligaris

2/10 Hallway with muted grey metallics

hallway with staircase and muted grey metallic walls

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Create drama on a staircase with a sophisticated metallic wallpaper. A disco ball overhead ups the glam factor.

Wallpaper
Castellani range Designers Guild
Mirror ball
DZD
Vases
LSA

3/10 Living room with subtle grey hues

living room with wooden flooring and white door

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Play with expectations by painting the floor and adding texture to the wall. Use fabric for pared-back elegance.

Wallpaper
De Le Cuona
Similar rug
The Wool Company
Chair
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz-Hansen at Republic Of Fritz-Hansen

4/10 Grey home office with hot orange accents

home office room with blue wall and wooden shelves

(Image credit: Polly Wreford)

All-over grey can be cool and restful, but a home office space also needs to offer moments of inspiration. Here, hot orange accents like the desk lamp and the paint inside the open shelving, are used to spice up the scheme.

Paint
Sanderson
Desk and table lamp
Geoffrey Drayton
Storage unit
The Dormy House

5/10 Bedroom with grey textured fabrics

bedroom with white stool and bed with pillows

(Image credit: James Merrell )

Layered textures on the wall, headboard and bedding in multiple shades of grey create a luxe effect in this modern bedroom.

Wallpaper
Designers Guild
Headboard fabric
Andrew Martin

6/10 Modern monochrome bathroom

bathroom with grey wall and bathtub

(Image credit: James Merrell )

Love grey but don't want to paint a whole wall? Why not go for a metallic bath? The freestanding metal bath has an uneven, dimpled surface that reflects a flattering soft light. A bold, dark feature wall gives the overall bathroom design strength and depth.

Bath
Brissi
Mirrored drawer unit
Alexander & Pearl

7/10 Dark and dramatic grey walls

room with photoframe on grey wall and wall clock

(Image credit: Richard Powers )

A deep shade of grey paint provides a great backdrop for hanging paintings, prints and photographs. Choose a dramatic grey shade for the walls and decorate with a pinboard of images that inspire you.

Similar wall paint
Flint Gray from Eico

8/10 Bedroom in shades of grey

bedroom with wooden flooring and bed with pillow

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

The restful and elegant atmosphere in this bedroom is achieved with the use of soothing shades of grey and white.

Lamp
Tripod lamp at Habitat
Basket
Rockett St George

9/10 Living area in subtle greys

living room with whie bowl and table with grey chair

(Image credit: Ben Anders)

This bench and table combination is teamed with a sleek grey padded settle for a modern twist in the living room. Exotic ornaments provide a finishing flourish.

Sofa
Habitat
Table
Natuzzi

10/10 Bold yellow in a child’s grey bedroom

bedroom with white chair and yellow cabin bed

(Image credit: Jeroen Van Der Spek )

Grey works well in a child's room when teamed with bold furniture and colourful accessories. The map and bright yellow bunk bed add interest to this boy's bedroom.

Sleigh bunk bed
BUMP
Similar wall art
Dandy Star

Find more design ideas and interiors inspiration on our blog Lifestyleetc

Tamara Kelly
Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street. 

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