Playing with monochromes: colours that go with grey

Grey holds the power to transform your bedroom into one of sophistication and tranquillity. Join as we explore the best grey palettes for your interiors.

Grey serves as the ideal canvas for a multitude of captivating bedroom colour combinations. From the calming embrace of teal and grey to the high-end allure of plum paired with charcoal hues, the possibilities are endless.

So, embrace the versatility of this most flexible colour, let your imagination run wild, and create a bedroom that reflects your unique style and personality. We’ll begin by touching on grey colour theory before presenting our favourite colours to pair with grey.

Grey is flexible and works with dreamy hues and bright tones alike. Whether you’re opting for a two-tone colour palette or something with more layered colourways, grey is the perfect anchor.

The most common advice for using grey is to pair lighter, cloud-grey tones with soft pastels across the rest of your palette. If a deeper grey is your preference, couple this with deep, rich tones like burnt orange and mustard yellow. Softer palettes help create an oasis of peace where you can unwind after a long day. Alternatively, combinations with deep charcoals or slate greys make for opulent, palatial master suites.

It’s also worth considering what variety of hues you use. Layering different tones of one colour creates intrigue and adds a sense of movement and fluidity to a bedroom’s design. Draw attention to traditional features or intriguing artwork by layering greys to direct the eye towards these spots of interest.

1. Teal and grey

Teal’s sophisticated charm gracefully complements the subtlety of grey for a serene bedroom design.

Teal, with its calming yet sophisticated aura, pairs effortlessly with grey to create a bedroom oasis. Picture soft grey walls adorned with teal accents in the form of throw pillows, curtains, and a plush under-bed rug.

Teal’s rich hue provides a contrast against subdued backdrops and grey bed frames, offering a perfect blend of serenity and style. To complete the look,  incorporate white walls or bedroom furniture to add a sense of light and energy into the space.

Uberbrand.com identify how teal’s makeup, a mixture of blue and green, can bring balance to a space.

Teal and its cyan cousins are the children of colours holding positive associations: feelings of nature, friendliness and happiness. Somewhere between blue and green, teal is a balanced colour that carries a feeling of stability and harmony. There’s a sense of the ideal to teal – the best of both worlds.

Credit: @number1_thecountryside

2. Grey and olive

The earthy warmth of olive green adds natural energy to a grey bedroom design.

For those who appreciate an earthy aesthetic, look to olive greens. This palette is grounding and helps create a soothing bedroom atmosphere. Paint your walls in a soft, warm grey tone and introduce olive through textiles like curtains, bedding, or even a feature wall.

To further the organic feel, incorporate wooden furniture and shelving. Our Northwood wooden bed frame works great with olive tones, wickers, and botanical-inspired decor, such as potted plants or leafy artwork.

3. Grey and plum

Lavish and alluring, this is a combination of kings and queens.

Indulge in that royal feeling by pairing deep plum with grey in your bedroom decor. For a subtle approach, consider white or cream walls and drop in notes of plum and grey through bedding and accessories. If it’s drama and opulence you’re after, establish a sophisticated base with a plum wall and layer in deeper grey hues of iron or pebble.

With notes of red and purple, plum is also a romantic colour and therefore great for inspiring connection and trust between loved ones. For more advice, check out our post on how to make your bedroom more romantic.

4. Lilac and light grey

Light grey acts as the perfect backdrop for lilac’s dreamy charm.

Ethereal bedrooms work beautifully if you pair soft lilac with grey. Start with light grey walls to create a serene atmosphere, and then bring in lilac accents through bedding, curtains, or decorative accessories.

This pairing exudes a sense of calm and femininity, making it perfect for a peaceful bedroom retreat. To enhance the dreamy ambience, incorporate mirrored or glass furniture pieces to reflect light and add a touch of glamour. Take a look at the palette above and start to imagine how you can work these gorgeous colourways into your room’s design.

5. Sage and grey

Energise a grey bedroom palette with feel-good sage tones.

Similar to olive and grey, if you crave a bedroom that feels both calming and rejuvenating, consider the combination of sage green and grey. Sage is slightly cooler and lighter than olive, as identified by The Paint Color Project.

Olive greens are usually more warm toned, while sage greens are typically cool toned. So, look at the undertone of your fixtures (flooring, tile, furniture, art) and pick which best coordinates. Sage greens are often more light toned, while olive is more common to come in both light and dark shades.

Coat your walls in a soft grey hue, then infuse the space with sage through bedding, upholstery, or even wall art. You can bring in other colours, like browns, to add to the natural, spa-like design. Go one step further with botanic art prints and bedroom plants like monsteras or ferns for a considered, natural-world design.

6. Indigo and dark grey

Indigo’s profound richness weaves an enchanting tapestry with dark grey.

Embrace the duality of royal indigo and grey with a deep grey on your walls, then introduce indigo through luxurious bedding, drapes, or an accent wall.

Together, these two colours create an aura of timeless elegance and opulence. To complete the regal look, add touches of silver or brass to your decor and accessories.

Credit: @at.home.with.konnie

7. Burgundy and grey

Named after one of France’s most iconic wine regions, burgundy and grey bedrooms are rich and flavourful.

Combine moody burgundy with grey for a deep, mysterious vibe. It’s also a combination perfect for fans of dark academia and the macabre. Dark grey walls provide a dramatic backdrop, while burgundy can be introduced through bedding or an upholstered headboard.

Complete the look with plush textures like velvet and faux fur or a woven patterned blanket to add extra depth and cosiness.

Credit: @_home_atno5

8. Light grey and blush pink

Blush pink’s delicate femininity finds its ideal partner in light grey.

For a touch of romance without the richness of burgundy or indigo, combine the timeless elegance of blush pink with grey.

Opt for soft blush bedding and curtains against a backdrop of pale grey walls. Or, as in the image above, paint a floral mural above your headboard. When opting for such a focal point, be sure to balance with block colour curtains and bring in touches of white to reduce sensory overload.

For a more masculine design, layer in metallic accents of rose gold or brushed silver. Small lamps, picture frames, and drawer handles might be enough.

9. Mustard and charcoal grey

Charcoal grey provides a dramatic canvas for the warmth of mustard yellow.

If you’re drawn to a more dramatic bedroom scheme, consider the rich pairing of deep charcoal grey with mustard yellow. This duo exudes warmth and depth, making it perfect for cosy and intimate bedroom settings.

Just remember, with tones like mustard, it’s important to balance and work the colour into your design. Here’s some advice from wallpaper and interior experts, Graham & Brown:

One great way to start incorporating mustard yellow into your home is to use soft furnishings […] to compliment wooden furniture, such as a yellow rug on a wooden floor or yellow table runner on a wooden dining table. Natural shades of brown are beautifully complimented by the warm shade of yellow.

Credit: @homeongingerbreadlane

10. Sandy tones and light grey

Sandy hues and grey unite to paint a coastal dreamscape in your bedroom.

Imagine sandy walls adorned with subtle grey accents through plush bedding, drapes, or upholstered furniture. The fusion of these tones transports you to a seaside retreat, where the gentle ebb and flow of ocean waves become the backdrop to your nightly dreams.

To enhance this maritime mood, consider incorporating natural materials like weathered wood and woven textures, evoking the organic allure of a beachside haven.

The sandy and grey union not only speaks of coastal comfort but also creates a sophisticated canvas for your personal haven of repose, where you can unwind in style.

The epitome of neutrality and balance, grey offers a versatile canvas for artistic expression.

In the world of colour psychology, grey emerges as a symbol of balance and neutrality. Its unique charm lies in its harmonious position between the purity of white and the depth of black. While some might associate grey with melancholy or absence, it also possesses a quiet elegance and understated beauty.

At first glance, greys can often seem muted and cool. However, once you start exploring the myriad of grey hues, you’ll quickly realise there is plenty of variety to help you create the bedroom of your dreams. And don’t forget, as grey is a neutral colour, you can personalise your interiors with three and four-colour palettes. Just be sure to focus on balance – less can often be more!