Graphite Is a Designer-Loved Neutral—How to Decorate With It in Your Home

When searching for a grounding neutral to add to your space, look no further than the tip of a pencil—the color graphite is the moody shade of gray that will take your home to the next level.

In the design world, graphite refers to a specific shade of gray with or without metallic present. It is slightly deeper than a pewter gray, but a bit lighter than charcoal.

In this guide, we'll touch on the specifics of the color graphite, plus ideas for using it in your home.

What Color Is Graphite?

Graphite is a dark to medium gray. Although it's a neutral color, it typically contains slightly cool undertones. In the interior design world, graphite surfaces sometimes feature a shimmer.

What Colors Go Well With Graphite?

Warm, muted colors contrast nicely with the cool undertones present in graphite. Variants of blue further highlight those undertones. Natural colors such as greige and tan lend a laid-back and organic flair to modern graphite accents.

10 Ways to Use Graphite In Home Decor

Install Metallic Backsplash

If you look at graphite in its physical form, you'll notice a metallic quality. Certain tile glazes can also give off a similar shimmer, so tile is a great avenue for incorporating graphite into your home. When you apply dark gray metallic tile as a backsplash, the light will reflect off of it and highlight the finish.

Opt for Dark Stone

Graphite is technically a mineral. While it's too soft to use as a countertop or tile material, you can choose a stone that features similar dark minerals. One example would be Nero Marquina marble.

Paint Your Cabinets Dark

Dark and moody kitchen cabinets have been in vogue for a while now, and there's no sign of their popularity fading. Applying dark graphite paint to your cabinets can help ground an all-white kitchen.

White marble with dark gray veining looks stunning with dark cabinets, and this material is another way to work in a touch of graphite. Lastly, you can add a little warmth to the space via wood and brass accents.

Combine Various Shades

Graphite can range from medium to dark gray. You can combine a range of shades into one space and create a little extra variety with pattern and texture. For example, medium gray tile with a shiny glaze creates a subtle contrast with matte gray marble countertops.

Use it as a Gallery Wall Backdrop

Graphite is a wonderful color choice for rooms with gallery walls. Art framed in with white matting really pops against graphite, and so do black, brown, white, and gold frames alike.

Pair It With Earth Tones

Graphite is neutral, so it plays well with nearly any color family. However, it pairs exceptionally well with earth tones like burnt orange and terracotta. These colors are muted, so they contain a little bit of gray. Additionally, their warmth pops against the cool tones present in graphite.

Apply Dark Limewash

The mineral graphite contains a little light variance. So rather than applying the color graphite as a solid paint color, consider using a limewash version. It will add a feeling of texture to the space as well as a bit of a patina.

Put it Next to White

Graphite accents with a little bit of shading variance go well with white accents. The pure white color will help highlight the lighter tones present.

Use It as Flooring

If you're hesitant to paint your walls graphite, consider using it as a flooring color. You can still achieve a light and airy look by pairing it with white walls, and the dark ground will add a little depth and dimension to the space. Use slate tile, which is a natural stone flooring option that commonly comes in the color graphite.

Paint It on Beadboard

To add just the right amount of moodiness to your space via your walls, you don't need to take the color graphite all the way up to your ceilings. Installing graphite wainscotting or bead board to the bottom one or two-thirds of the wall is a way to add a little drama to the room without making the space feel too dark and enclosed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is graphite the same as dark gray?

Graphite is a shade of gray, specifically a dark gray. You could use the terms interchangeably.

Is graphite a warm or cool color?

Graphite is a neutral color, but it contains cool blue undertones.

Are graphite and charcoal the same color?

Charcoal is similar to graphite, but charcoal is slightly darker.

What color is close to graphite?

Graphite closely resembles the color charcoal gray.

Read the original article on The Spruce.