Gray has dominated the world of interiors for decades. Color trends come and go, but gray has remained a perennial favorite for as long as many interior designers can remember. However, in recent years, there's been a slow shift in color trends. Our penchant for decorating with gray became a love-hate relationship as many homeowners replaced gray with beige. In 2025, gray is heading for a comeback – but in a more sophisticated and nuanced way than ever before.
So why is gray having a mini resurgance? This sultry shade goes with every color and can be used to add depth and sophistication to any room. The key is to use it in all its variations. The home of the actor-producers, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, designed by Los Angeles-based interior designer Michaela Cadiz, is a wonderful example of how to make a gray living room look anything but boring.
Grey is a color that has its own weather system of light levels and hues. From the gentle grey morning rain of a bright wide sky to the breathtaking drama of dark storm clouds, the scope for creating beautiful interiors is endless. It is a shade with myriad subtle color notes that draws inspiration from beach pebbles and clay, as well as from slate and charcoal. So you see, gray room ideas can be every bit as captivating as any other 'color' in the spectrum. Of all the neutrals, grey is one that instantly brings gravitas.
Gray harmonizes well with almost every other hue, making it a most adaptable neutral and giving good reason for its popularity, says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore.
She says there are three approaches to take when using gray as a base. ‘Tonal greys are perfect for anyone looking to add an accent color, as a complementary gray with a matching warm or cool undertone can be chosen for a harmonious look.’ Alternatively, she suggests layering a gray paint with a green undertone: this is a fool-proof choice, as green grays sit at the center of the color wheel and flatter both warm and cool colors.'
Darker gray tones tend to work particularly well when combined with pops of strong colors. To make more of a statement, pair with cobalt blues and zingy yellows to pack a decorative punch. They work beautifully as an accent to a grey scheme and stop it from feeling too cold.
It truly is all in the detail when perfecting a gray color scheme. ‘I love using this sort of color on walls as it allows paintings and portraits to really sing out,' explains Anna Haines, founder, of Anna Haines Design. 'It feels both calming and quiet and also works as the ideal backdrop for a range of rich textiles, decorative antique rugs, and furniture.’
My favorite detail in Davis and Tennon's living room is the Barnaba Fornasetti cloud wallpaper. Ever popular among designers, the beloved pattern instills tranquility and calm. From a distance, the cloudscape is pillowy and dreamlike – a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
Shop the look
There really is no better way to add a decorative flash of gray than with a decorate and practical vase. Fill with bright blooms and verdant foliage in the summer, and berries, holly and baby's breath in the winter for a year-round spectacle.
Designed with a thick, woven feel and subtle stripe, the bestselling Abbey Silk Fringe pillow cover is the perfect way to introduce a deep charcoal color to your living space. The quality is exceptional – I have five and counting.
Inviting gray into your home is often all in the seemingly minor details. That is why I adore this hand-painted Fornasetti jewelry box. Each Tema e Variazioni box embraces a different version of Lina Cavalieri’s face, making every piece a collector’s item. You will treasure this little heirloom forever.
