Grey is an incredibly versatile colour with a breadth of base tones. There are many shades of grey to choose from to create your perfect scheme. To add warmth, consider warm greys, such as ‘Perennial Grey’, or for a cooler scheme, explore greys with a blue undertone, such as ‘Inox.’
Grey is a colour that can be combined with a myriad of tones to create completely different atmospheres within a space.
Grey and blue are timeless colours that we feel very comfortable with because of their association with our natural surroundings. Here, our expert colour consultants have answered common questions about using grey paint in your scheme.
The beauty of grey paint colours is how versatile they can be. With such a breadth of base tones, there are many shades to choose from to create your desired effect.
Whether you are considering a complete refresh or you want to highlight a focal point, consider the undertones of your chosen grey before selecting a complementary colour.
If you are looking to create a harmonious scheme, pair colours with similar undertones for a coordinated palette.
If you want to add a colour highlight, consider pairing a cool grey with hot pinks, yellows or oranges. The blue-toned ‘Grey Teal’ works fantastically with a highlight of bold ‘Marigold’ orange, whilst the cool ‘Urbane Grey’ combined with a pop of sunshine yellow ’Trumpet’ adds instant impact. Accent colours can be used to highlight and work in tandem with the base shade, rather than against it.
When browsing our greys, consider the selection of colour combinations offered on each paint page. Our Colour Consultants have hand-selected whites, neutrals and darks for every shade, alongside coordinating hues and contrasting accents.
Explore our grey design scheme inspiration galleryIf your grey walls appear blue, it’s likely that your chosen grey features a blue pigment. Small amounts of different pigments in our greys will affect their overall undertones and how they work alongside other colours. Blue pigments may be accentuated by the lighting or furniture within your space.
Read more about the impact of natural and artificial light on painted walls, to avoid any unexpected tonal variations.
For a paint with no blue undertones, consider warm neutrals with a hint of brown or yellow, like Portland Stone. Greys with a hint of pink, like Rubine Ashes, add warmth and cosiness.
Descriptions of ‘warm grey’ shades tend to refer to paints with pink, yellow or brown pigments. These bring an inviting atmosphere and a touch of cosiness. ‘Cool greys’ on the other hand tend to feature blue or green undertones, offering a contemporary look ideal for use in apartments or urban settings.
Explore our full collection of grey paint colours grouped by their main undertones on our Grey Paint Colours page.
The correct undercoat colour depends on the surface that you are painting. For most surfaces, we recommend Intelligent All Surface Primer (ASP) tinted to the same colour as your chosen topcoat.
However, for unpainted, friable walls, choose our plain white Wall Primer Sealer to prevent patchiness. If you’re using grey paint on new or resinous woodwork, seal any knots with Aluminium Wood Primer before applying your primer.
For further details, read our comprehensive guide to choosing the right undercoat for your project.
Grey can be combined with a myriad of tones to create many different atmospheres. Grey furniture offers a neutral base around which to plan your colour scheme.
Create contrast and add depth to your space by pairing dark grey furniture with lighter hues, such as Slaked Lime and Joanna.
Dark greys like ‘Scree’ work well in a monochromatic contrast with pale neutrals such as ‘Slaked Lime’. For something adventurous, shades like ‘Carmine’ ‘Trumpet’ or ‘Orange Aurora’ on skirting, woodwork or dado rails can liven up a scheme with instant impact.
For additional help and advice, we offer a bespoke colour consultancy service to guide you through the process of selecting colours for your scheme. Alternatively, read our advice on choosing paint colours for living rooms.
Explore our living room inspiration galleryIf you have any further questions about using grey in your scheme, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team via our livechat.
Alternatively, browse our grey paint collections and grey design scheme gallery for inspiration.
