Grey has been having a moment in the world of interiors for a long time now, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Grey is a timeless, yet modern colour which makes the perfect neutral background for almost any other colour as well as being a statement of its own accord.Shades of grey can be utilised alongside other colours to create a complex colour scheme, it offers a neutral, reduced glare backdrop which allows accent colours to come to life. You can pick the shade of grey based on the accent colours you plan to use; warmer greys look best with pinks, yellows and oranges whereas cooler toned greys look best when accompanied by colours such as blue and green as well as purples.
There are well over 50 shades of grey available to use in your home, but let’s take a look at some of the most popular and how to use them.
Pewter
Pewter used to be one of the most popular metals used in jewellery making. It has a slightly darker grey tone than silver making it a great shade for interior décor. Pewter is a medium neutral grey shade, usually on the cooler side of the spectrum. It works well with any accent colour as it isn’t extremely cool toned nor warm toned making it a very versatile shade.
Charcoal
Charcoal is a statement grey but can be used as a base depending on how you do it. Probably the closest shade of grey to black, charcoal can seem scary to some, but it can look extremely chic and modern depending on how it is used. Charcoal can be used as a statement wall or perhaps for accent pieces of furniture but is best used sparingly; it also looks great when paired with other shades of grey for a multi-dimensional effect.
Greige
Greige is a fairly new shade of grey which can be seen in both interiors and clothing; the warm mix of grey and beige is a great shade for home furnishings as feels softer and less harsh than traditional shades of grey. It is much warmer than other shades and works best with warmer colours such as pink. It can be used on walls as a base for accent colours and looks great in soft furnishings.
Slate
Similar to charcoal, but slightly lighter in colour; slate works great in kitchens and bathrooms as the material makes a great choice for tiles and work surfaces. Slate makes for a chic and modern colour scheme and again, can be used as a statement colour of its own or paired with another accent colour. Pair with pastel shades of pink or mustard for a contrasting colour palette.
Stone
Going slightly lighter again, stone grey can be open to interpretation. For some, it will a cool toned grey whereas for others it could take on a warmer tint of brown or sand. Whatever you prefer, it makes a good shade for use in bedrooms and living areas as it is that little bit lighter and fresher.
Eggshell
If you’re a little wary of grey, eggshell could be the shade for you. The closest shade of grey to white, this makes a great backdrop for any accent colour and really brightens up a room whilst still being super on trend and staying clear of a more traditional ‘clinical’ white. Eggshell is also a great colour to pair with other shades of grey for a tonal look.
Steel
Going back to the dark side, steel grey is closer in comparison to slate and charcoal but is slightly more palatable. As with the other darker tones, steel makes a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens as well as living areas; its dark and smoky look means it makes a great statement as well as being easy to pair with other colours.
Silver
Silver is probably one of the most popular shades of grey seen in home interiors. It is bright and easy to pair with an array of other colours including pinks, purples and blues. It is an extremely versatile shade of grey and works well in almost any room; especially living areas and bedrooms as it looks great when used in soft furnishings.
As such a versatile colour, grey is bound to stand the test of time as we have already seen; therefore, integrating this chic, modern colour into your home should be no feat. Whether you choose to go all out and create a sleek, slate bathroom, invest in some new pewter bedding or add some chic silver made to measure window blinds; you can be sure that your interior will be on trend for a long time to come.