Gray color in the interior - combination rules, design ideas

Many people think that the gray color in the interior is dull and inexpressive. This is not entirely true. Using gray can create a fantastically sophisticated, subtle, elegant atmosphere in your home, but you can also get really terrible results.

What is the secret of the attractiveness of gray, in what cases can it be safely used in interior design, and are there any secrets that will help achieve a stunning effect?

The unique properties of gray

Gray color is able to fill the interior with the spirit of calmness and stability. This is a kind of anti-stress therapy for those who live at a frantic pace, in time pressure and competition. Such a psychological impact is enhanced when combined with white and other neutral colors.

In addition, a dominant gray can be a great backdrop for an intense color like red. In this case, it is important to choose the “correct” shade of gray (more on this below!) so that other colors sound advantageous in the interior.

Another psychological aspect of great practical importance. Gray can muffle the flashy "synthetic", unnatural color. You can mix a little gray into the chosen paint - this will make it more calm, comfortable for perception, which is especially valuable in the interior of the house.

Interior in gray - psychological aspects

The perception of color is dictated by the prevailing stereotypes, personal experience and momentary emotional state.

The subjective and mysterious "like" - "dislike" quite accurately reflects our attitude to color. If you go back to gray over and over again in your design projects, then there is a reason for it.

Gray color is attractive for refined natures, far from conservatism. He is able to create an atmosphere of calm, trust, stability.

The leisurely monotony of gray has a depressing effect on those who are prone to depression. At the same time, a house whose interior is decorated in gray can become a real paradise, a quiet haven for those who live at a high pace, “wear and tear”. Probably, it is the high level of stress that can explain the increase in interest in gray.

 

shades of gray

The perfect neutral gray is a mixture of white and black. It leaves a feeling of purity and freshness and blends flawlessly with other colors. If you take the classic gray color as a basis, you will have at your disposal a lot of options for creating a light, elegant interior design.

However, gray can contain other colors. A wide range of shades - from yellowish-brown to bluish or with an admixture of green - allows you to make subtle color combinations, but requires a competent approach. For example, a yellowish gray combined with browns can look quite depressing, especially if it covers more than one wall.

In order not to be mistaken with a shade of gray, you need to see it in the interior next to the other colors that you are going to use.Artistic taste, intuition will prompt the right decision.

Color in an expensive gray frame

An interior that uses only shades of gray is a rarity. Few dare to undertake such an experiment. As a rule, the design includes one or more colors that, against the dominant gray background, reveal unusually bright, even if they are muted. On the contrary, saturated, hard colors, such as purple or electric green, lose their annoying brightness in the neighborhood of gray.

In this case, it is the additional colors that determine the emotional impact on a person, which will be softened by the presence of gray:

• Saturated yellow, orange, red energize, help fight depression;
• Blue relaxes and liberates the fantasy;
• Green is soothing – physically and emotionally;
• Purple brings inspiration;
• Gold restores nerves;
• Black turns chaos into order;
• Lemon green sharpens perception, clarifies consciousness;
• Pink gives openness and love, treats depression.

Let's take a closer look at some classic combinations.

Gray and purple, gray and pink

This is one of the most spectacular, sensual combinations. Purple is more restrained, it is the color of mature passion, pink is rather frivolous and romantic. Suitable for bathroom, bedroom, with care - for the living room and kitchen.

gray and blue

A cool, elegant combination of gray with light blue or blue is perfect for a shared bedroom or living room interior. These colors are devoid of a pronounced masculine or feminine principle - the room will be equally attractive for both men and women. To soften the coolness of blue and gray, you can choose wallpaper with a pattern or elegant ornament.

gray and yellow

It's just a holiday! Yellow color brings a touch of cheerfulness and solar warmth to the gray interior. It shines uncontrollably against the background of gray - provided that there is not too much yellow. Such a joyful contrast is especially good in the living room or in the kitchen.

Gray and red, gray and orange

Quite a sharp, exciting combination. To soften it, it is recommended to use more gray, as well as dilute it with cream shades.

Red is used only as an accent color for accessories and decor. Orange can be presented in more volume, even as an accent wall. Used in a daring living room, a glamorous bedroom or a bold high-tech kitchen interior.

Gray and green

Green does not "light up" on a gray background, unless it is an "electric" color. This is a very calm, relaxing combination, appropriate in eco-style. Wooden furniture organically fits into such an interior. So you can decorate the kitchen, bedroom, living room. The solution is cozy, but rustic, exclusively for an amateur.

Gray and beige

If there is not enough courage for a monochrome gray interior, and you don’t want variegation, a gray-beige option becomes an excellent solution. Beige can be called a warm analogue of gray. In such an interior it is cozy, comfortable, it does not annoy anyone. Gorgeous, elegant design for the living room or any other room. The perfect frame for expensive furniture and elegant accessories.

gray and brown

The combination of gray with dark brown is very problematic, heavy. It can be used in a men's office, it will sound too gloomy in other rooms. A more versatile option is golden-colored wooden furniture against gray walls. Cozy but very reserved.

Gray color in the interior and style

The choice of color to be used in combination with gray depends on the purpose of the room. But even more important at the very beginning of work is to decide on the style of the interior.

Gray is traditionally perceived as industrial. This is the color of metal, concrete structures. However, in the design of residential premises, there are directions in which the interior is unthinkable without gray:

1. Loft;
2. High tech;
3. Urban.

The loft style, embodying the daring concept of adapting industrial space for housing, focuses precisely on the rough, textured surface of gray walls, floors and ceilings. It is in this cold environment that upholstered furniture and a fluffy carpet look especially attractive and cozy. The velvety texture and warm color on a gray background are perceived especially keenly, as an island of security and comfort.

High-tech interiors, embodying our vision of the high-tech aesthetics of the future, can be done entirely in shades of gray. The abundance of polished or brushed metal surfaces, the play of light in shiny plastic coatings will break the monotony of gray. At the same time, the inclusion of one or two colors will enliven the chilly range, add optimism, and allow you to focus on interesting accessories. Additional colors on a gray background will sound especially expressive.

The urban style, glorifying the rationalism of the big city, is also unthinkable without the use of gray in the interior.

Interior design loft, hi-tech or "urban", despite the predominance of gray in them, will only benefit from the presence of other colors in the interior. Bright or muted colors can be highlighted:

• accent wall;
• carpet on the floor;
• doors;
• pieces of furniture;
• textile;
• lamps;
• decorative elements.

It is legitimate to use gray in interiors decorated in a luxurious "old" style. The purity and muted shades of light gray will soften the splendor of classics, baroque and modern. Its elegance is in demand in art deco, minimalism, and softness, neutrality - in the safari style.

interior design in gray

Let us consider in more detail the most common and almost win-win option for using gray in the interior - its combination with one or two colors. What colors are recommended in addition to gray, depending on the purpose of the room?

Stylish kitchen

Gray color in the kitchen - cleanliness, air and coolness. The most concise solution for conceptual design.

The gray color in the kitchen is fresh, but not very cozy. You can soften it with an admixture of a warm shade - yellowish, orange, olive. Or add accents of a different color. Purple and blue are not recommended for the kitchen - they do not contribute to digestion. However, for those who are struggling with being overweight, this is an interesting option.

Brown and gray is a rough neighborhood, but a natural wooden floor will not weigh down the design. But there are very high requirements for wooden furniture in a monochrome gray kitchen: it must be of high quality and either deliberately massive or light, airy.

It must be borne in mind that it is in the kitchen and dining room that it will not be possible to avoid the presence of other colors - food surrounded by neutral gray will seem especially appetizing. In addition, if desired, you can always “dilute” the gray scale with new colors using bright dishes or tablecloths.

Conceptual living room

When decorating a living room in monochrome gray, you should consult with the designer. On the one hand, this is the visiting card of your home, on the other hand, it is a place where the whole family gathers and where everyone should be comfortable. Gray color promotes relaxation, rest, but it is important that the living room does not look dull.

You can play with different shades of gray.Calm and festive gray-blue, warm gray-beige, sunny gray-yellow will allow you to move away from the impassive cold range, create an interior that is not only stylish, but also cozy. A spectacular combination of different patterns and textures - on wallpaper, plaster, stone - will add variety and interesting accents to the exquisite gray palette.

A few large objects stand out with additional paints - a wall or part of a wall, a sofa or an armchair, large pillows, a large panel - try not to create small variegation in the living room. There is no color that would be contraindicated for the living room interior in combination with gray. Spectacular red, orange, lemon yellow, purple. Languidly romantic pink, coral. Elegant grey-blue, turquoise, beige. Warm green, olive, yellow. There should be little additional color in the living room: one large object, one or two medium ones, a compact group of small ones.

The atmosphere of freshness and peace in the bedroom

Absolutely neutral, calm gray is a natural choice for the bedroom. To add lightness, airiness, use light shades. Dark gray enhances the sensuality, sexuality of the bedroom. A combination of multi-scale drawings, the inclusion of white will not disturb the atmosphere of peace and add tenderness.

Additional color in a gray bedroom is often present thanks to colored textiles. By the way, this allows you to unrecognizably change its appearance, depending on the time of year or mood whims.

Real man's room

The design of a man's office or bedroom, made in gray tones - strict and elegant - will appeal to those who are far from conservatism. Several shades of gray can be used, including a fairly dark one, as well as black. From additional colors we recommend heavy dark brown. It is hard to imagine a more severe, brutal interior that helps to distract from the hustle and bustle and focus on solving really serious problems.

Blue accents will help restore strength and unlock creativity. Green color in combination with gray increases efficiency. The man's bedroom, decorated in dark gray with red accents, ignites passion.

Gray in the nursery

It is believed that gray is not suitable for a child's room. Is it so? Air, freshness, space, purity, peace - all this is inherent in gray and all this is necessary for the child.

Light gray in the interior of a child's room is a great alternative to white, which is too sterile to be cozy and practical.

With the dominance of light gray, it is very easy to choose colored accessories that will “grow” with the child. As the daughter grows older, olive or turquoise accents will replace pink, and the overall interior design in gray will not lose its relevance.

Unusual furniture

Gray furniture looks rather unusual. But it is she who is able to "save" a too bright interior. If you went too far with acid colors in the pursuit of creativity, a dark gray shelving unit and a sofa with gray leather upholstery will muffle the riot of colors.

Invisible accessories?

It would seem that exquisite accessories - lamps, frames, sculptures - should attract attention, be bright, contrasting with the background. Why does calm gray sound so advantageous in the design of decor elements? Let's not forget that this noble color is associated with silver, reasonable luxury. Black and white photos are always more expressive than color ones. Silver-gray floor lamps or vases will look advantageous against any background, muffling the overall palette of the interior and “raising” its status.

Lighting

If the interior is made in gray tones, lighting can make the room a few shades darker or lighter. It is believed that gray loves sufficient natural light - then we see the most pure, transparent shades of gray, uplifting.Artificial lighting should be sufficient, even redundant. Gray itself is the color of the shadow, this feature should not be strengthened. Install many light sources - chandeliers, sconces, floor lamps - so that the play of light creates a festive mood.

Go ahead, create an interior design based on the dominant gray color. Do not be afraid of dark gray - it is elegant and creates an intimate, sensual atmosphere. Feel free to use light gray - cool, fresh, creating a feeling of spaciousness. It is risky for an amateur designer to dwell solely on a monochrome option, this is a difficult task even for professionals. To prevent the design from turning out to be dreary, add a few juicy accents - and the gray color in the interior will become a chic elegant canvas for your life.

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