Colour Focus: Grey Is The New Grey

Grey colour, the great support act

The value of grey lays within its versatility. If you have a real hankering to use a funky or bold tone – but don’t want to have it splashed all over the room – grey is the perfect supporting colour, shouldering the burden of colourising the majority of your space.

Grey doesn’t have a forthright personality as such. Because it’s as comfortable in the back seat as it is the front, grey will work with every colour in the spectrum from pure whites to juicy reds and natural green tones – the trick is to find the right tone of grey.

The best thing to remember is, “let your grey tones counter the statement spot colours”. For example, if you’re using a navy blue or crimson, opt for a delicate pale grey that will help frame and enhance the darker colours. Likewise, if you’re using softer, more natural colours including yellows, eucalyptus or sky blue, a mid-grey tone will achieve the same effect.

To support more fluorescent colours, simply go darker again to help it pop.

For those looking to explore monochrome themes but find black a little too gothic or a smidge emo, charcoal grey is a fantastic alternative.

By softening the design statements made throughout the home, grey helps to unify a space and imparts a calm feeling.

If you’re looking for more specific ideas, you can learn which colours go best with grey in our recent blog!

How to get the most from the colour grey in your home

To get the most out of grey you need to first decide what you want it to do. If you are still deciding on a window furnishing, for example, but have yet to pick the material or style, consider how grey can boost the aesthetics of the material and work with the shapes your fitting will offer.

For grey wooden Venetian blinds, be they natural or faux, we find that the earthier grey tones offer the best effect. Because the wood we use is only sourced from responsibly managed forests, sticking with the natural theme will help achieve a wholesome and homely effect. With grey faux wood Venetian blinds, you can even add a splash of vibrant colour to by choosing a contrasting tape!

Grey Curtains offer a wealth of opportunity when you consider the colour. Grey adds elegance and sophistication to a curtain because of the shade cast in the dips when they are open. This 3D effect can make any room feel instantly appealing and snug. What’s more, coupled with a velvet, woollen or linen material, the already powerful statement made by the curtain becomes stronger and stronger. Grey wool or linen highlights and celebrates the texture of the chosen material while velvet interacts beautifully with light adding a bit of a 20s vibe.

To add extra sparkle, you could even consider a metallic grey tone to maximise this effect.

For more angular window dressings – including Roman and roller blinds – you can enjoy the same benefits as listed above while making the most of pattern.

Pattern can be used with any window dressing but due to the flat nature of Roman and roller blinds, you can enjoy a pattern to its full potential. Whether you’re looking for country plaid or a modern glamourous addition to your home, grey is the perfect starting point.