Gray doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to our homes, but it shouldn’t be that way. It's a surprisingly versatile shade thanks to its chameleon-like qualities, shifting from cool to warm to muted, depending on the light. But while this opens it up to more opportunities, working out what colors go with gray can be challenging.
“When decorating with gray, you’ll have greater success if you choose colors that match the undertones of your gray,” explains Livingetc’s editor, Hugh Metcalf. “So, putting warm-toned grays with warm-toned color pairings, and cool-toned grays with cool-toned matches.”
You also need to consider the specifics of your space. Things like how much natural light the room receives, whether it gets warm west- or south-facing light, or cooler north- or east-facing light, as well as the look you’re going for: do you want it to feel warm and inviting, or chic and sophisticated? To help you pick the perfect color pairing, we asked designers to share what colors go with gray.
16 GRAY COLOR COMBINATIONS
1. GRAY AND RED
Gray works as a color that goes with red for its ability to tone down the intensity. For a bold red sofa, consider a lighter gray wall if you want to ensure the interior is light and breezy. But if it's drama you're looking to create, go all in with a charcoal gray and a fiery red.
"Gray and red create a striking contrast when paired together," says Saba Kapoor, co-founder of Nivasa. "The key to an effective combination is selecting shades that complement each other. For example, pairing a light gray with a bright red can create a visually balanced and harmonious contrast. Light gray serves as a neutral and sophisticated backdrop, allowing the vibrant red to stand out."
"To create an effective pairing of gray with red, embrace the power of contrasts," says Meera Pyarelal, founder and interior designer, of Temple Town. "Opt for a cool-toned gray that exudes modernity and sophistication. Complement it with a bold, warm-toned red for an eye-catching and dynamic effect. Strive for a balanced composition by allowing gray to dominate larger surfaces like walls and furniture, while red takes center stage in accent pieces and decorative elements. "
2. GRAY AND BLACK
When it comes to colors that go with black, gray ranks high on the list. The two extreme neutrals can offset each other and create a deep, moody interior that's hard to ignore. Plus, the colors allow a third tone to slip in, without throwing off the room's balance.
"Just because gray and black are very similar does not mean they can't be used together," says interior designer Lindye Galloway, founder of Lindye Galloway Studio. "Utilizing dark or light gray with black can create a gorgeous and bold monochrome space. If the space feels too cold, you could consider accenting it with pops of color via paintings, pillows, and curtains to create more dimension against the dark background without detracting from the bold impact."
3. GRAY AND CREAM
"Achieving a serene and calming interior with gray and cream involves embracing subtlety and softness," says Meera Pyarelal, founder & interior designer at Temple Town.
"Choose light and muted shades of gray and cream that emanate tranquility. Layer different shades of gray and cream in textiles, such as curtains, throws, and cushions, to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Consider incorporating natural materials like wood and stone to add warmth. Avoid using highly contrasting colors and patterns, focusing instead on creating a seamless and harmonious environment that promotes relaxation and comfort."
If you're worried that decorating with neutrals will make your home feel too one-dimensional, then consider layering in more textures for a cozy, tactile mood.
4. GRAY AND CLAY
If you've been searching for gray bathroom ideas, you'll probably know by now that it's one of those colors that can make a space feel smart, but cold. This is where the most muted of natural tones can be introduced to bring warmth to even the coolest of gray schemes. And it's a gray color combination that needn't be limited to a bathroom.
"Soft earthy shades, such as the palest terracotta, the most washed-out plaster and even just-pink grays can be a wonderful match for gray in almost any room," says Livingetc's deputy print editor Ellen Finch. "It's a color combination you'll often find in the most beautiful marble, such as in the bathroom above. It fits my design motto: 'If it works in nature, it works in design'. The beauty of these colors is that they will sit well with both warm- and cool-toned grays, so you really can pick both the gray you love and the accent color you love."
5. GRAY AND BLUE
If you're looking for colors that go with blue, look no further than gray, especially if it's a more calming interior you want to create. From light gray to even charcoal gray, these velvety tones go brilliantly with dark blue. In a dark, earthy interior like this, other organic tones and materials fit perfectly well. Perhaps add a wooden vase, or a jute hanging light to the scene.
"I like to pair gray together with other cool tones such as teals and blues," says Grace King, design director at Studio Rey. "This creates a feeling of warmth and also lays the grounds for more texture and layering, plus the inclusion of subtle contrasts."
6. GRAY AND BROWN
"One of the best colors that go with gray is brown," says Livingetc's news editor Lilith Hudson. "But let me be specific: when I say 'brown', I generally mean within wooden finishes, whether furniture or flooring.
"Matching gray with woody tones makes for a wonderful contrast: flat vs grained, cool vs warmth. When I'm looking for gray living room ideas, I am mostly drawn to those with a warmer contrast in wood because it can make even the coolest of rooms feel inviting."
7. GRAY AND YELLOW
When it comes to colors that go with yellow, gray will help level out the energy. This combination can create different yet equally interesting looks. If you choose a bright yellow and pair it with a dark gray, you'll get an interior that is lively, upbeat, and refreshingly modern. Choose the lighter tones of both, and you get a subtle, soothing space. Yellows that have a brown or gray undertone usually do better with neutrals and are also easier to live with.
"There's a famous quote describing gray as the queen of colors, and I concur – it's an ideal neutral," says Robin Gannon, founder of Robin Gannon Interiors. "As for pairing partners, it goes with just about everything. And when you have a box of crayons, why pick just one or two? Don't be afraid to go a bit bold."
8. GRAY AND SAGE GREEN
Gray is amongst the safe colors that go with sage green, as both tones are dipped in nature's palette, and therefore come together to create the most soothing setting. The two tones can be used liberally together as neither overwhelms. What you get is a layered, soft interior.
"Sage green with gray remains very popular amongst homeowners and one we suggest as a versatile and timeless color combo that won't go out of style quickly; not to mention it complements a variety of design styles," says designer Cat Dal, founder of Cat Dal Interiors.
9. GRAY AND WHITE
You can pair a barely-there gray with a crisp white for a bright and airy space or contrast white with deep, moody charcoal. In this white bedroom, a touch of gray in the side table and headboard helps to add depth to almost all white space.
As simple as this paring is though, not all white shades are going to work with any gray shade. The undertones need to work together, so warmer whites are likely to work best with warmer grays, and, cool-toned grays with purer whites.
"Opt for light and subtle shades," says Saba. "Light grays with cool undertones and warm creams and whites work well together to create a serene atmosphere. Layering different shades of gray with neutrals will add depth and visual interest to the space. Consider incorporating various textures, such as soft fabrics, natural materials, and tactile elements like cushions or rugs, to enhance the overall cozy and comforting feel."
"Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a calming ambiance," says Saba. "Soft, warm lighting can enhance the relaxing effect of the gray and white color scheme. Additionally, adding accents of other soft colors, such as pastel blues or greens, can introduce subtle pops of color and prevent the design from feeling monotonous."
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10. GRAY AND PINK
Pink and gray living rooms are so soothing — the tones feel welcoming and restful and also on-trend. "Gray and pink is a classic color combination," says Grace King, design director at Studio Rey. "Why not try combining a soft pink paint with a combination of light and dark gray fabrics and soft furnishings in various textures to create a calming scheme? Don’t be afraid to add in some pops of bright color such as a bold teal blue as an accent."
"Opt for a light, cool-toned gray as the neutral backdrop and pair it with dusty rose or blush pink," adds Saba. "This combination evokes a sense of tranquility and sophistication. To achieve a balanced look, use gray as the dominant color in larger areas like walls or furniture. Introduce pink as accents through textiles, such as throw pillows, curtains, or rugs. Consider incorporating patterns that combine both gray and pink elements, such as floral or geometric designs, to create visual interest. These patterns can be applied to wallpapers, upholstery, or decorative accessories."
11. GRAY AND PURPLE
Several colors go with purple but one that balances it and makes it a more livable hue is gray. Purple, with a spectrum stretching from the deepest aubergine shades and striking royal purples, through to lavender, mauves, and soft lilac, can sometimes feel like an overwhelming shade, and can do better with a little help from warm neutrals.
"I’ve used purple on upholstery and decor pieces," says Kim Armstrong, interior designer and founder of Kim Armstrong Interior Design. "I think this shade effortlessly blends with so many colors, but my favorite colors to blend with purple are gray and blue. These colors together are soft and watery, and very easy on the eyes."
Thanks to their similar cool undertones, gray is a color that goes with lavender particularly well.
12. GRAY AND GRAY
When designing a gray bedroom, if a pure monochromic color scheme is more your vibe, you can pair gray with gray. Perhaps that sounds a bit...dull but layering gray on gray can create just as interesting a space as pairing gray with any other color. The key is contrast and texture.
You don't want your gray shades to be too close in color and you'll want to have some varying tones going on too as that will add interest. So pick grays from across the color spectrum, even if you want a room to be light gray overall, add some middle-ground grays and some dark tones too.
"You can pair shades of gray together in a room but try to pair cool gray shades with other cool tones such as greens, teals, and blues and warmer grays with warm shades such as pinks, burnt orange, or mustard," says Grace. "If you are pairing grays with grays I would also make sure to bring in varied, layered textures to create subtle contrasts."
13. GRAY AND ORANGE
Many colors go with orange, but a combination with gray, in particular, is sure to bring freshness into any scheme. There are plenty of orange tones that are perfect to pair with gray — be it light, mid-tone to reddish-orange — so you can go bold or as subtle as you like.
Burnt oranges paired with a mid-gray for example could be the perfect rustic scheme, whereas a charcoal gray and bright tangerine hue will be more modern and striking. Whatever look you go for, introduce a clean white into an orange and gray color palette to up that contrast and make the orange stand out.
"Select a mid-tone gray that complements the richness of the orange hue," says Meera. "For a contemporary approach, opt for a light gray with pops of orange."
14. GRAY AND PEACH
In a similar vein to orange, gray is also a color that goes with peach. The pairing helps make the modern pastel feel more sophisticated and chic, helping to steer it away from anything too sugary or juvenile.
"We are utilizing gray in combination with warmer neutrals, earthy shades, and even pops of vibrant colors to create spaces that feel both inviting and dynamic and not too big a jump from the former all-white trend," says Christiane Lemieux, author and founder of homewares brand Lemieux et Cie. "This approach helps maintain the calmness and neutrality of gray while enhancing it with textures and tones that add depth and warmth. It also helps clients explore and get to their next decorating place."
15. GRAY AND TEAL
It's already been established that blue and gray work together, but it's worth noting that gray is a color that goes with teal particularly well thanks to their cool and complementary undertones.
"Teal can pair perfectly with gray because it has a blue undertone, but you’ll need to be shade-conscious to keep it grounded," warns Livingetc's global brand director, Sarah Spiteri. "A bright teal and pale gray will feel overly clean and modern, so look for darker pairings with more warmth (think greige over grey)."
16. GRAY AND CHROME
Stainless steel kitchens have been trending for a while now, and if you're looking for colors to pair with chrome or silver-toned finishes, you can't go past gray for a space that feels both contemporary and sophisticated.
"I have a gray kitchen with plenty of silver accessorizing – including cabinet handles and accessories," says Livingetc's content director Lucy Searle. "The room is a sunny, busy space, so this toned-down color palette allows the space to feel smart and streamlined too. I have mitigated this gray-silver color pairing with warm wood flooring and touches of deep rust on accent walls and soft furnishings."
FAQs
What colors go with gray walls?
"The first colors to consider when matching to gray walls are those of your ceiling and floor," explains Lilith Hudson. "The colors you choose for these will be very dependent on the effect you want to create. For example, if you want the room to feel taller and airier, you should pick either a white or a lighter gray than that of the walls; if you want the room to feel cozier, I would suggest wrapping the gray of the walls right up and across the ceiling, bearing in mind that the darker the gray, the moodier the room will feel.
"As for flooring, the same rules apply, but remember that it's important to create contrast within a room, so I would choose a different color to the walls and ceiling for my flooring. Again, what you choose will really depend on the effect you want to create: warm colors that are darker than your chosen gray will make the room feel inviting but perhaps smaller; lighter floor colors can make the room feel larger but perhaps also a bit cool.
"Finally, to accessories, accent walls and furniture: my favorite colors that work best with gray are those that are warmer, from earthy yellow to rusty terracotta, always with an eye to matching the tones of the gray to the tones of the accent color."
How does natural light impact gray color pairings?
As mentioned earlier, gray can look completely different depending on the light, so it's important to keep that in mind when selecting color combinations.
"If the room has a lot of natural light, or has southern exposure with all day light, any size room should be successful using a wall color like dark gray," says Amy Krane, architectural color consultant and founder of Amy Krane Color. "Keep in mind the color of the floor, the trim, and the ceiling greatly affect how it will look as well as the color and value (lightness/darkness) of the furnishings.''
If you're looking for colors that go with dark gray, you'll find shades like taupe, blush pink, butter yellow, royal blue and burnt orange will work. Metallic tones like bronze or silver also look particularly interesting inside these warm-toned rooms.
Alternatively, choosing colors that go with light gray is an excellent way to temper the light reflected around sunny rooms; in cool, north-facing rooms, it can feel a little cold on walls, unless you choose a gray with a yellow-ish undertone. The best colors to match with light gray are those that tend to be bolder: yellow, orange, terracotta, deep royal blue and even red.
Though in recent years, many have been seeking out colors to replace gray, it's undeniable that its popularity endures and will continue to do so, simply because it is so versatile as a neutral.
"Gray is gaining popularity again as the bridge out of the ubiquitous “all white bouclé interiors" of the last five years," says Christiane Lemieux. "We are using warm grays mixed with stronger palettes to help our new clients add dimension to their spaces. It’s a color but not too much."
Subtle gray is the latest gray to be on trend, so if you are looking for a gray to match with another color, this barely-there shade is a great place to start.
