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HOW TO UPDATE A GRAY ROOM

Posted on September 22, 2023 by KylieMawdsley

5 WAYS TO MAKE A COOL GRAY ROOM LOOK WARMER

While I won’t say that gray is entirely outdated, it sure as heck isn’t today’s trendy choice for walls or cabinets. Sure, some darker grays are still kickin’ around, as are warmer versions, but gray is no longer the go-to color for homeowners and Designers.

The challenge is that the gray trend had people committing REALLY HARD to gray. This means that I often have to look outside the paint can when it comes time to warm up a gray room…

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Living room, staircase, white spindles. Sherwin High Reflective White, Stonington Gray paint color on walls, Gray sectional. Kylie M Interiors diy online paint color consultant

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

The following rooms are the biggest challenges regarding WARMTH and BALANCE…

 

ROOMS WHERE MORE THAN ONE MAIN SURFACE ARE GRAY

It’s one thing to have a gray countertop. Add in gray carpet, tile, or maybe even cabinets, and your chances of transitioning to something warmer aren’t gray-t.

Painted warm gray light greige cabinets, Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist, marble glass chevron herringbone backsplash tile, granite countertop

NORTH-FACING ROOMS THAT ARE PAINTED GRAY

A room with northern exposure already has a cool gray natural light. Painting the walls a gray paint color can further enhance the gloomy look rather than counteracting and complementing it.

Bathroom, free standing tub with pebble tile floor and gray porcelain. Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, virtual, online paint colour expert

Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray

A room like this next one could easily fall flat and cool. However, the homeowner made some smart choices…

 

DARK ROOMS THAT ARE PAINTED GRAY

You’ll have many shady-looking areas in a room with low light. Shadows are gray – ’nuff said.

Dark room, bathroom with the best paint colour Dior Gray, Benjamin Moore. Clawfoot tub, porcelain tile floor. Kylie M E-design, color expert

Benjamin Moore Dior Gray

ROOMS WITH NO NATURAL LIGHT

It’s the same problem as the above room, except we don’t have ANY natural light to play.

 

ROOMS WITH NO WARM COLORS OR FINISHES

This goes back to the first point about rooms with more than one gray surface. And it’s SO PREVALENT that, like Britney Spears, I’m hitting this baby one more time

The challenge with the gray trend of 2015 (give or take five years) is that it was SO overdone. It’s one thing to have gray countertops, but top that off with gray carpet, backsplash tile, and paint colors, and your home is stuck in 2015 for eternity.

A room with too much gray doesn’t have any warmth to balance out the cool colors. Add the previously mentioned north-facing light to that, and you may as well invite Elsa to move in with you (for all you Frozen fans).

Bathroom vanity painted Metropolis Benjamin Moore gray. Caesarstone Bianco Drift greige quartz countertop, Moen Glyde faucet and porcelain tile flooring by Kylie M Interiors

See this WHOLE BATHROOM REMODEL

Now, you might have your own special situation with gray. But it doesn’t matter what you’re dealing with; these five ideas will surely get your creative juices flowing…

 

1.  ADD WARMTH WITH TEXTURE

Texture is a fabulous way to add warmth to a cold-looking gray room. In this next dining room and bedroom, you’ll see a RANGE of textured finishes, adding interest and warmth to balance the cool gray paint on the walls…

Large farmhouse wood sign in dining room. UPholstered bench, wood table. Kylie M E-design

Benjamin Moore Steel Wool

Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray, linen headboard. Kylie M E-design, online paint colour, decorating consultant

Benjamin Moore Dorian Gray

 

HOME DECOR IDEAS TO ADD TEXTURE TO YOUR COOL ROOM

  • THROW BLANKET. A well-placed throw can be an invitation on a chair, couch, or end of the bed.
  • BEDDING. Rather than choosing plain cotton, find something with a bit of texture; it doesn’t need to be patterned to add some visual warmth and interest!
  • TOSS CUSHIONS — a mild obsession of mine, amongst many other things, including Cornuts, white wine, and Ryan Reynolds (in no particular order).
  • HEADBOARD OR BED FRAME. An upholstered headboard instantly warms up a bedroom, regardless of the color/type of fabric.
  • DRAPES. Draperies soften a room and warm up hard edges and are a great way to add texture or pattern (or both).
  • LAMPSHADES. Avoid lampshades with a bit of sheen, and find some with a nice slub, linen, or lightly textured look.
  • AREA RUG. As long as it’s a rug, it will add texture to a room, but don’t be afraid to ‘shag’ a little – particularly in the bedroom (wink wink)
  • BRANCHES OR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS. Curly twigs are softer looking than straight branches. Flowers are good as long as they look reasonably real and aren’t reminiscent of the local funeral parlor (NO 1990s FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, LADIES!)
  • WOVEN HOME DECOR SUCH AS BASKETS & TRAYS. Great for throws, books, plants, and more.

Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray, Cambria Summerhill quartz countertop, similar to Alabaster painted cabinets

Texture can also come in the form of permanent finishes, not just home decor…

Formica 180FX Calacatta Marble laminate countertop with hexagon marble accent tile and Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray painted cabinet by Kylie M Interiors

Believe it or not, this countertop is a laminate one by Formica– it’s not real marble!

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The hexagon backsplash and countertop are both cool-toned. Still, the visual texture and variety of gray tones warm the room considerably – and a little greenery never hurts, either!

These next two photos show GREAT examples of adding balance to a gray-inspired space…

Open concept great room, living room, wood burning stove, stone fireplace, Sherwin Williams Repose Gray warm gray paint color on walls, gray sectional, light wood floor. Kylie M.

Open concept great room, kitchen, living room, Sherwin Williams Repose Gray on walls, light wood floor. Kylie M

  • brown leather bar stools add a grounded warmth
  • the brown of the TV cabinet and sofa table add warmth and visually connects with the counter stools
  • the wood pieces are considerably textured
  • textured poufs under the sofa table
  • the decor pieces have very visible texture
  • a dog ALWAYS makes a home feel homier; if you asked this lil dog-lovin’ Ginger
  • even the visual of unlit candles can soften a cold space

 

2.  WARM UP A GRAY ROOM WITH GOOD LIGHT BULBS

Lighting is often underrated when, in fact, it’s one of the most important parts of decorating a room.

Kitchen with mural in eating nook. Ca

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CREATE A TRIANGLE OF LIGHT

You can create this decorative triangle using two table lamps and a floor lamp or three table lamps. When you draw a line between the three (not literally), it should create a triangle. This way, most of your room has light, and there’s a connection between the sources.

Open layout living room, kitchen, gray sectional, Stonington Gray paint colour, rustic wood furniture, navy blue accents. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour, design expert

USE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE OF BULB FOR YOUR ROOM (KELVINS)

This subject is NEAR and dear to my heart (but so are the previously mentioned fetishes). Choosing the right KELVINS to suit your paint color is a great way to control a room’s visual temperature and ambiance.

Sherwin Williams Colonnade Cambria Summerhill Quartz countertop, pendant lights, wicker counter stools. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, Karly Parker hard finishes

How KELVINS & Light Bulbs Affect Paint Colors

USE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF LIGHT FOR YOUR ROOM

You need to figure out how much wattage your room needs, especially if it has reduced natural lighting. A well-lit room can support a variety of colors and depths, regardless of whether the light is natural or artificial.

Learn about How Much Light Your Room Needs

 

3. ADD WARMTH TO A COOL GRAY ROOM WITH ACCENT COLORS

People often ask what COLORS warm up a cool gray room. Assuming your walls are already gray, adding accent colors is undoubtedly one of the BEST ways to add warmth to a cold, gray room.

COOL COLORS are blue, green, purple, and neutrals with these undertones.

WARM COLORS are yellow, orange, red, and neutrals with these undertones.

You can play around with ALL of these colors (maybe not all at once) to add warmth and interest to a cool gray room.

 

WARM ACCENT COLORS

Warm accent colors, such as red, orange, and yellow, help to offset the chill of gray, adding some balance to the visual temperature of the room.

In this next room, if you take that ONE ORANGE CUSHION away, the room’s vibe will be thrown off-balance…

Living room with high ceiling, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray walls, greige taupe paint colour, oak floor, navy blue sofa. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, client photo

COOL ACCENT COLORS

Accent colors don’t necessarily need to be WARM to add warmth to a room. While cool colors will always be cool, they can look a bit warmer when they have more depth and life to them (saturation).

Some of my favorite cool colors to accent a room are teal, navy blue, and dark green.

Sherwin Williams Light French Gray, s

In this next foyer, the strong blue in the area rug and its texture add an inviting vibe to the space. The wood door is another important element in making this space look warmer and more balanced…

Solid wood custom front door, Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray paint color on walls, oak floor, High Reflective White (Sherwin) trim and board and batten in foyer entryway. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

Are Gray Paint Colors Still Trendy on Walls, Cabinets & Exteriors?

TONE-ON-TONE ACCENT COLORS

You can also help gray look more inviting via a tone-on-tone palette, taking your gray into the medium and dark charcoal depths. Depth often leads to warmth, so don’t underestimate the value of darker neutrals; just don’t expect them to work as well as the warmer end of things!

Benjamin Moore Silver Chain, best gray paint colour. Red cherry furniture wood. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consultant. Low ceiling bedroom

Benjamin Moore Silver Chain

In the above photo, while the linens and rug certainly add texture and offer a tone-on-tone approach, the warmth of the wood furniture and golden hue in the bedding do the REAL heavy lifting.

BTW – ALL of the photos on this blog post are from my client’s homes, local and online! 

 

4.  WOOD TONES WARM UP A COLD GRAY ROOM

When adding balance to a cool-looking room, NOTHING does the job better than wood.

Why?

  • most wood stains are in the red, orange, or yellow family (our previously discussed ‘warm accent colors)
  • the right wood stain not only adds WARMTH to a space, but it also adds TEXTURE

Small bathroom or powder room. Black fixtures, concrete look countertop, penny tile, gray hexagon floor tile. Benjamin Moore Stormy Sky best dark gray color. Kylie M Edesign

It doesn’t need to be a MAJOR piece of wood, as shown with the above bathroom vanity; there are many ways to add wood to your space…

  • small piece of furniture like a stool or table
  • picture frames
  • decorative bowl or vase
  • cutting boards leaning against the backsplash

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White in bedroom with Stonington Gray in hallway with wood sliding barn door to closet. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting

We saw this next bathroom previously, looking icy cool, and unwelcoming. But look at how it shifts when we add a bit of wood and textured, colorful artwork to the scene…

Bathroom, freestanding tub, pebble tile floor. Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online decorating blog and virtual design

I mean, I wouldn’t say it wraps me up in a warm blanket of coziness, but these small touches definitely soften the space. Here are a few more things that could help…

  • a textured white bath mat hanging over the side of the tub
  • staining the wood stump a slightly warmer hue
  • add some textured sheers to the window, softening the edges of the space and adding texture
  • put a candle on the stump, as even the visual cue of a candle is inviting
  • put a different frame around the art, as the silver is quite cold

 

5.  EXPAND YOUR COLOR PALETTE IN ADJOINING ROOMS

If you want to warm up the perception of a cool room, try painting an adjoining room a warm paint color, creating a balanced BACKDROP to your gray room.

In this next home, the cool of Gray Cashmere (eating nook) is balanced by the subtle warmth of Ballet White in the living area. And just LOOK at all of that gloooorious texture! COME TO MOMMA!

Best cream, beige neutral paint colours. Living room and kitchen, Benjamin Moore Ballet White and Gray Cashmere with White Dove trim and fireplace. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consulting and advice blog

While Benjamin Moore Arctic Gray is a cool blue-green-gray blend, painting the dining room Silver Satin helps add a subtle warm balance to the overall space…

Benjamin Moore Imperial Gray, green-blue paint colour, Silver Satin, warm gray in dining room. Kylie M Edesign, client photo

And it’s not just the dining room that warms up the above space; it’s the oak flooring, warm-toned furnishings, and the influx of warm natural light from the dining window!

READ MORE

Are Gray Paint Colors Still Trendy on Walls, Cabinets & Exteriors?

How to Redecorate Your Living Room Without Leaving Your Home

The 12 Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colors

Can I Paint My North-Facing Room Gray?

How to Accessorize a Mantel

NEED HELP?

Check out my E-design & Online Color Consulting packages!

E-design, virtual online colour consulting expert. Kylie M Interiors. Paint color ideas. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams circle (14)

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2016, COMPLETELY UPDATED IN 2023



Comments

  1. Hello Kylie, I am so glad I found your blog…I’d like to introduce a grey color. Since we have an open floor plan, I thought in the dinning room to paint 2 walls on either side of our dinning table with a warm grey with undertones of yellow/brown.
    All the other walls are painted in rich dark chocolate brown. The ceiling, trims, fireplace mantel and window treatments in clean crisp white. The wood floors and dinning table and chairs are in dark walnut, the upholstered furniture fabric has brown/golden yellow/red tones. I have tried the Benjamin Moore, Himalayan Trek, too “muddy”, so then I tried the Spring in Aspen, but too yellow. The Collingwood color seams to be right in the middle, but I’d like another suggestions in the Benjamin Moore line?

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  2. Kylie, New home, blank slate and I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong color (non-color) decisions. My daughter is a fan of white walls and pale greige trim. I like the idea, but getting the right ones is scary. Looking at BM Dove White for the walls and BM Ashwood for the trim, doors, upper cabinets, etc. Have looked at SW Thunder Gray, Rock Bottom and Iron Ore for the lowers. Any suggestions?

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