23 Colors, Patterns, & Textures To Pair With Gray
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Are you the type of person who always sticks to neutrals—who can’t seem to escape the siren song of the best white paint colors or the best brown paint colors? We don’t blame you! These colors are classics for a reason, and they go with almost every color. The color gray is versatile enough to stand on its own, but why? It comes in so many different shades from a light cloud to a deep charcoal that can pair with an array of other colors to really make your room shine, whether you’re going for a soft, airy look or a cozy, rustic feel. Here, we share the best color of furnishings to pair with gray walls and the best paint colors to pair with gray furniture.
We urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and set yourself up for some gray-ter expectations (sorry, we had to!), which is why you shouldn’t shy away from pairing your well-loved neutral interiors with pops of bold colors, patterns, and textures. We know it can be difficult to leap before you look, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gray-hued rooms that will reassure you that gray, gray paint in particular, can be paired with tons of fun colors. From lime green to cobalt blue, you’ll be so inspired to try out these color combos, you might just break out the paint brush this weekend!
For more paint color inspiration, check out these stories:
•All Our Paint Inspo in One Place
White
The gray exterior and white trim pairing of this cottage sets the perfect scene for the forest of Sycamore trees behind it. Bambi Costanzo has been renovating the home and filling it with vintage treasures for over 25 years.
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Siding Paint Color: Evening Hush by Behr
Trim Paint Color: White by Glidden
RELATED: See how another home rocks a similar exterior color scheme.
Black
Homeowner Bambi Costanzo considers the paint color of the cabinets in her laundry room the perfect not too cool, not too warm gray green. We concur and especially love it paired with the slate charcoal countertops.
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Cabinetry Paint Color: Retreat by Sherwin-Williams
Darker Gray
In this large galley kitchen designer Thom Filicia expertly layered shades of gray with soapstone counter tops, charcoal subway tiles, and galvanized light fixtures. The muted palette let's the nature outdoors steal the show.
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Cabinetry Paint Color: Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin-Williams
Back Splash: Charcoal Subway Tile
RELATED: Our 100 Favorite Kitchen Decor Ideas to Create the Most Welcoming Space in Your Home
Butter Yellow
The bright and cheery guest bathroom features intricate paneling designed by Thom Filicia, who chose custom millwork throughout the house. He chose a slate countertop that adds contrast to the space.
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Wall Paint Color: Lucent Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Best Small Bathroom Ideas to Spruce Up Your Space
Sunny Yellow
This home's gray siding is reminiscent of a cloudy day. A pop of fun yellow serves as the umbrella keeping things a bit cheerful. Yellow is just one of many colors that goes with gray walls.
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Front Door Paint Color: Cheerful by Sherwin-Williams
Siding Paint Color: Steel Wool by Benjamin Moore
Weathered Wood
Architectural designer Nancy Fishelson swears by using neutrals in her work. Although she mostly chooses white paints with strictly black or gray undertones, she used a light gray paint color on her fireplace mantel, as seen here, to add some contrast against the white walls.
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Mantel Paint Color: Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Best Dining Room Ideas to Make Your Entertaining Space More Inviting
Sky Blue
The weathered shingle walls of this shack of tidied up by a frest coast of sky blue paint.
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Trim Paint Color: Vast Sky by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Best Beach House Color Palettes
Bold Red
Bold red is able to stand out against softly patterned gray bedding, the plaid rug, and the walls. Plus the twin beds are not an exact match, but painting them the same hue adds a level of cohesiveness to the bedroom.
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Bed Paint Color: Stop by Sherwin-WilliamsWall Paint Color: Origami White by Sherwin Williams
Black
The black wrought iron bed and black bedside sconces offer contrast to the room's soft, gray elements.
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Wall Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
Bedding: Gray Coverlet
RELATED: White Bedrooms for a Totally Serene Sleeping Space
Indigo Blue
The bold, blue bedding choices stand out against the simple spindle bed frame. A soft colored rug keeps everything tied together, and the floor is painted gray underneath. Blue is just one of many colors that goes well with gray floors.
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Floor Paint Color: Pebbled Path by Behr
Gray Spindle Bed: Alleghany Bed by Birch Lane
RELATED: Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for a Restful and Inviting Space
Lime Green
We have to admit—this pairing is quite unexpected! But a pop of lime green against off-white walls and dark gray doors is sure to put a smile on your face as you walk downstairs every morning. Make sure to get the paint in a finish that is made for floors or extra durable so it holds up nicely.
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Floor Paint Color: Key Lime by Behr
RELATED: Best Painted Floor Ideas
Bright Red
A stained gray exterior allows this house to blend in with its wooded surroundings, while bold red trim gives it major wow factor. TIP: If you want a more natural look, opt for a semi-transparent stain that allows the wood grain to peek through over a solid finish.
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Siding Paint Color: Drift Gray by Behr
Window Trim and Door Paint Color: Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: 50 Beautiful Front Door Colors to Give Your Home an Inviting Entry
Cobalt Blue
The beauty of gray is that even when it's used subtly—as in the case with these painted chairs—it still stands out, especially when paired with bright colors like this cobalt blue Oushak rug. There's lots of colors that go with gray furniture.
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Rug: Soleil Rug by Caitlin Wilson
Dining Chairs: Abigail Side Chair
RELATED: Best Dining Room Ideas to Make Your Entertaining Space More Inviting
Bold Patterns
Here, an attic with a steeply slanted roof could have made for an awkward bedroom, but the white and gray accents and bold bird wallpaper come together for an airy, comfortable space that guests will never want to leave.
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Wallpaper: A-Twitter by Schumacher
RELATED: Small Bedroom Storage Ideas
Red, White, and Black
If you think "neutral" is only synonymous with "white," think again. A timeless gray is the perfect hue for kitchen cabinetry, and it's a lovely match for a bold palette like the one in this quilt-like floor tile.
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Wall Paint Color: Grayish by Sherwin-Williams
Flooring: Patterned Tile
RELATED: Statement Floors are Having a Moment in Kitchens Across the Country
Copper
Brighten up a subdued palette with touches of highly-collectible copper. The metallic finish adds a sophisticated layer of shine to this North Carolina cabin kitchen which is featuring a hand painted tile back splash.
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Pots and Pans: Copper Cookware
RELATED: Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas
Soft Yellow
Is there a better sight on a gray day than when the clouds part and a glimmer of sunshine peeks through? Apply that aesthetic to a bedroom with gray upholstery and yellow bedding, and you'll start every day in the right frame of mind.
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Headboard: Rosalie Bed
Bedding: Yellow Coverlet
RELATED: Our Favorite Cozy Farmhouse Bedroom Ideas
Bright Green
Pops of fresh, verdant plants and natural stone textures complement this delightfully neutral living room, while mismatched pillows in shades of gray add a layer of visual interest.
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Indoor Plants: Potted Plants
Sofa: Elias Sofa by Six Penny
RELATED: Lots of Living Room Ideas You’ll Love for Classic, Rustic, Traditional, and Modern Family Spaces
Natural Woods
No one can deny how great grays look next to a white shiplap, but the hue also shines when paired with natural-stained pieces like the rustic door, bench, and floor in this peaceful bedroom.
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Armchair: Ziki Chair by Six Penny
Blanket: Pure & Simple Wool Blanket
RELATED: White Bedrooms for a Totally Serene Sleeping Space
Rusty Red
Gray millwork pops against white walls in this fun bunk room and sets the stage for red accents found in the coverlets, artwork, and blankets.
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Trim Paint Color: Gray Sky by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy Space for Company
Icy Blue
Would the gray Swedish clock look good in any setting? Of course. But does it look even better when keeping time against a pretty blue wall and surrounded by blue accent pillows and rug? You bet.
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Clock: Swedish Clock
Wall Paint Color: Light Blue by Farrow and Ball
RELATED: Pretty Living Room Paint Colors for Walls, Trim, Ceilings, and More
Pink
Looking for an easy way to become the toast of the neighborhood? Up your curb appeal by taking on a gray exterior and adding a pink front door. Pair with happy green landscaping, and you're probably a lock for yard of the month.
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Front Door Paint Color: for similar, Little Bow by Behr
Siding Paint Color: Origami White by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: The 40 Best Exterior Paint Colors To Give Your Home Inviting Curb Appeal
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