What Colours Go With Grey?

Grey is the perfect colour to decorate with if you’re looking for a neutral that brings more to the table than being a blank canvas. When it comes to grey paint, there’s plenty of variety, with everything from off-white shades underscored with a hint of grey, to more intense grey tones like charcoal. 

You can keep things simple with light grey walls in a room that needs a little help making the most of limited natural light. Alternatively, mix things up with multiple shades of grey if you’re ready to embrace tonal decor. 

While grey shades are often considered a contemporary design choice, they can be used well in any home. Use a light grey in a living room that needs freshening up and pair it with crisp white. In kitchens, go for cool grey walls that will accentuate stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. 

Tired of an all-blue bedroom? Reach for warm greys enriched with pink and earthy accents to bring some soothing character to your sleep sanctuary. 

If you want to make a statement with grey, you’ll need to know what colours to pair it with. The good news is that you’re spoiled for choice here. 

The Range of Grey Paint Colours

There are dozens of grey shades to choose from. Pale grey hues are perfect for more contemporary spaces or open-plan areas. Meanwhile, a charcoal grey is an effective choice in more intimate spaces like living rooms. 

While many greys might look similar at first glance, you need to consider those warm and cool undertones. Cool greys enriched with blue undertones are ideal for giving the illusion of space, while darker shades with blush pink character will leave a space feeling warmer. 

What Goes With Grey?

Looking for the best colour to compliment grey decor with? Unfortunately, you can’t really use go-to colour theory here. This is because grey can’t be found alongside primary and secondary shades on the colour wheel. 

Instead, you’ll need to consider the tonal qualities of the grey you’re planning to anchor your colour scheme with. If you’re using lighter paint colours with cooler undertones, think about pairing those grey walls with navy blue. You can even think about using light purple, bright green or jewel tones. 

If starting with warm grey walls, stick to shades like red, yellow and orange. Earthy tones can also be used alongside those warm greys. 

Greens

Green and grey will also make a fine pairing. A green accent colour will bring vibrancy to an all-grey interior, regardless of whether you’re using a light hue or darker grey tones. 

If you’re thinking about a more low-key makeover, use a pale teal like Trade Wind H441. Although this has elements of blue, those minty hues bring a measure of freshness only green can deliver. 

A misty grey like Surf S500 will round things off nicely. Use it liberally in any space, or coordinate with multiple shades of grey for a stylish tonal effect. 

Interested in a more muted colour scheme? Go with a sage green like Serpentine V447. This timeless paint colour evokes the spirit of nature, bringing a little harmony to any interior. 

Avoid darker greys and stick to something lighter if you’re using this green. Necklace F428 will work particularly well here. 

Blues

Cool greys and blue make a classic colour combination. You can also use more dynamic pairings to create contrast. 

If your interiors need freshening up, start with a classic pastel blue like Forget Me Not H353. While you can easily pair this one with crisp white, it looks right at home alongside light grey paint colours. 

Think about using Bungalow G500. This pale grey has unmistakable blue undertones, enhancing the cooling quality of your favourite pastel. 

Searching for something with more colour complexity? Try something like Secret X438. While this falls into the grey category, there is plenty of blue and green to enjoy here. 

Combine this one with an intense grey like Basalt N499. Go bold with dramatic two-tone walls, or save it for a feature. 

Yellows

If your interiors need brightening up, use yellow to bring out the vibrancy of warmer grey paint colours.

If you’re overhauling a larger space, use a pale grey like Bungalow G500. The cool blue undertones will help make a small room feel larger, while also giving you plenty of scope for introducing secondary shades. 

A mid-tone yellow like Banana J302 is a good choice. Bright and uplifting, it plays well alongside the grey and blue pigments alike. 

If you want to go with more intense shades, try Wax J392. This mustard yellow is a richer choice that will leave your room glowing. 

You’ll want to play up to those sunshine-infused shades with a milky cream like Kaolin H497. This grey-inspired shade has yellow undertones of its own, while some subtle hints of green bring added complexity. 

Pinks

A touch of pink will bring warmth and intensity to an all-grey interior. Even if you’re decorating with dark grey, using pink as a secondary colour is something to think about. 

For a more sophisticated interior, start with a dusky rose like Mezeron H417. It’s an elegant choice but can be used to great effect in any space. 

You’ll want to balance things out with an understated neutral. A low-key grey like Cashmere X485 makes the perfect partner to rose-infused pinks and jewel tones. 

Thinking about a more vibrant colour combination? Start with a pared-back pale grey like Necklace F428. Once you’ve painted your walls, you can start thinking about working a more daring shade into the mix. 

A floral pink like Magnolia H320 will bring some uplifting character to any interior. There’s a hint of orange here, which works well in its own right alongside grey and leaves you plenty of options for adding citrus-inspired accents to your room.