Gray Combination Rules

Building interior in gray is one of the most difficult but interesting tasks. Of course, all other colors also have their own nuances, but gray is too sensitive to the colors that are next to it. In addition, it has an amazing variety of shades. But this color has a certain magical appeal, its neutrality and tranquility can make the room unusually comfortable, hospitable and relaxing.

So, before proceeding with the design of the room in gray tones, you need to carefully think through everything, see examples of existing interiors, discuss this issue with specialists and only then begin the implementation of the task. After all, one mistake, one inaccurate step and all - instead of a cozy nest we get boredom and, possibly, even depression. But not everything is so scary, for decades, designers have accumulated vast experience in working with all colors and their combinations. For example, many experts love working with gray color, it can easily be used to correct mistakes already made in the design, you can also balance any color combinations. But with every shade of gray and every combination of it, you need to work differently.

To begin with, let's take autumn shades of gray. Why? Because it’s easier to work with them, they are more neutral and less catchy. We are talking about such tones as the color of the clouds before the rain (but by no means for the ceiling), the color of willow branches and the mouse color.

But these shades should not be used as accents or additions, they can only be background. But you can supplement them with a tree in any of its manifestations or colors under the tree. The most preferred in design work is lightyellow and reddish shades of wood, such as light oak, birch, walnut, beech, acacia, alder.

Choosing this combination for the interior, it is difficult to make a mistake, this is the most win-win option. What should be considered here? Gray should be naturally soft, and white from a sweet palette, for example, the color of coffee with milk, caramel, cream and milky white. Such a magnificent frame will give the gray color lightness and warmth.

How to distribute the roles of gray and white depends on the natural lighting of the room and its size. That is, if the room is large and well lit by sunlight, and most of the day, then, if desired, you can use gray to decorate walls, furniture, doors, curtains, tiles. Otherwise, gloom and visual reduction of space cannot be avoided. Under other conditions, it is better to make the walls white, for everything else you can choose related shades of white or very light gray. Accessories can be in gray, and coffee or milk shades.

The gray-blue interiors are cool but refreshing. Most often they are found in vintage styleAlthough using in other styles is not a mistake.But for a vintage atmosphere, only a certain shade of gray is suitable - light pearl gray with hints of bluish or lilac hues, this shade is called antique gray. In this case, the blue color can be presented in two versions - soft and a little brighter. Such an interior will be refined and sophisticated.

Also, this color union is good for classic styles. But here you need to take their pastel shades. In this case, the construction of the interior will be easier. Based on this, it is possible to give any style, even the most modern, elegance of vintage or classic elegance at the same time, without encroaching on the basis of style.

If you take a combination of saturated tones of gray and blue (of blue or turquoise), then the interior will turn out to be cold, strict, but calm and, one might say, general. Common in the sense that in such an interior neither the masculine nor the feminine will prevail. Well, this combination is suitable for living rooms and, possibly, for the spouses bedroom, taking into account the fact that both will be comfortable in such a cold atmosphere. You can, of course, take this alliance for the dining room or kitchen, but not in large quantities.

To ensure that the situation is not so harsh, you can add a pattern to the walls or furniture. Thus, it turns out that the ornament or pattern with its softness will balance the hardness of blue and gray, giving the interior harmony.

This is a pretty controversial but awesome combination. It is controversial because the colors are in obvious conflict. But! If you correctly place accents and distribute roles, then the yellow color will “burn” on a gray background, like the sun in the sky (on a grayish sky). What is meant by emphasis and distribution of roles? To create the effect of the sun, it is necessary that the yellow color be in a small amount, it should be much less than gray. Otherwise, the effect of "glow" will disappear.

Gray in this combination must necessarily be dominant - walls, floor, ceiling. But not in one solid color, it is better to use several close shades of gray so that the interior is not boring and static (motionless). Furniture in this setting may also be a gray shade, but different from the background, either white, black or wood.

Such a room becomes joyful, despite the gray background. It turns out such an atmosphere as during the summer mushroom rain, when in the sky you can see both gray clouds and bright sun.

This combination can be used in absolutely any room - although it is better to choose other colors for the nursery - but in the kitchen this duet takes a completely different position. It will be too technical environment. The fact is that in the kitchen these colors will be perceived differently: gray, as metal, and yellow as a signal. This is due to the fact that the kitchen has a lot of household appliances, cold parts, closed facades and so on. In general, if you still want to use a gray-yellow combination for the kitchen, then if it is high tech style. And to create a more comfortable and homely atmosphere, it is better to replace the yellow color with a bed palette or wood color.

This combination creates a warm and comfortable atmosphere. But not only. If the room is small, then the gray walls and ceiling visually stretch the room, making it more spacious. And green accents reinforce this feeling and, without focusing on this particular attention.

In general, this combination is not so common in interiors (and in clothes too), but if such a duet is chosen, then it will bring calm and tranquility to the room.

The gray color in the interior does not attract attention, it emphasizes those colors that are “adjacent” to it, thereby making them full.The gray-green combination looks soft and unobtrusive, such an interior will never get bored, regardless of whether bright or muted shades of green and gray are chosen.

The attitude to such a combination is ambiguous. Someone is sure that you cannot combine these two neutral colors, calling them a very capricious pair, others believe that they get along perfectly in one room and it looks interesting. Of course, everyone has the right to their opinion, but there are many examples of design, where gray and brown colors create a wonderful harmonious and balanced pair. You can choose the principle of contrast: gray is dark and cold, and brown is warm and light. You can also play with the background and content, that is, for a gray background, it is better to choose a light brown, even golden furniture. It should be remembered that the furniture should not be heavy, massive, it is better to choose something lighter, for example, from rattan. The gray color will look more noble if the brown furniture has an elegant finish or its forms are slightly unusual. Among other things, for greater harmony, white color can be added to this union, although it is also neutral, but its versatility and practicality will make the interior easier and more interesting.

By the way, there are some shades of gray that combine with brown (as well as with all “earthy”) just fine. This is a palette of mid-gray tones, namely: aluminum, bog oak, gray flannel, tin and ivory. These tones are masculine materials such as slate and granite and have notes of beige and gray-brown tones. That is why, in combination with brown, they give a kindred palette that looks great in the interior. The sophistication, chic and soothing effect of this combination is well suited for the bedroom or living room.

The combination of gray and red has become very popular in the modern world. Most often it is used in high-tech styles, Art Deco and neo-baroque. It is stylish, fashionable and luxurious.

And adding black, we get a modern glamorous style. But red and black will only be in the role of accents - although they will attract all the attention - but for emphasis and enhancement of the effect, the background should be gray.

Red flashes on a gray background will look juicy and unusual in the interior of any room. For example, such a union for kitchen sets is good. And for those who want to make their kitchen saturated, but not too bright, this design is perfect: gray and red accents.

In general, for this tandem it is more successful to use gray as the dominant, and red as the complement. The fact is that this is still a bit pulsating and difficult to understand combination. Therefore, this role distribution softens the sharpness a bit. Also, white color is often added to this union, which, as you know, is very versatile and is an excellent “neutralizer”; in addition to white, cream color can be added. All this helps not only to soften the general appearance, but also to prevent the room from visually decreasing, due to the presence of red color.

This is a great couple, successful from all sides. Since gray is an intermediate color between white and black, it blends perfectly with any of them. In such an interior there will be no frills, catchiness and pretentiousness.Only laconicism, light severity and grace. With the help of black and gray combinations, you can perfectly emphasize the form, as well as remove the excess aggressiveness, if there are still other bright colors.

Gray interiors, both on their own and in combination with other colors, are a great solution for people who want to emphasize their prosperity. It has long been proven that people with low incomes try to make their interiors bright and flashy. But more successful ones prefer black, white and gray. Such designs look moderate, respectable and sophisticated.