What Colors Go With Gray? – Beautiful Gray Color Schemes to Try

The color gray is known to be the epitome of modernism. Want to add a modern twist to your interior? Add gray. Want to keep your interior neutral, but not sterile? Add gray. Do you like an industrial look? Add gray. The 20th century introduced gray to interior design through industrialism, and it has been so popular that it has been pulled through into the 21st century. Throughout this article we will be looking at the history of the color gray, the emotions that it evokes, the color theory behind gray, the different types of grays, as well as what colors go with gray when it comes to interior design.

Gray Color Combinations

You would think that color theory doesn’t apply to gray, as gray doesn’t seem to have any color present. However, gray is full of color that peeks through its undertones. These undertones, whether they are cool-toned or warm-toned, play a large role in the deciding factor on what colors go with gray.

When referring to bright, distinctive colors, we would usually be making use of the color wheel with all its various color theories at this point. Different color theories are based on the position where each color code sits on the color wheel in relation to other color codes. Some color theories include complementary colors, split complementary colors, triadic colors, analogous colors, monochromatic colors, and square colors. Although these theories are not obvious when it comes to assessing what colors go with gray, it is still important to keep them in mind by referencing the undertones of different grays.

Note that there are many undertones of gray, but for the sake of simplicity we will be applying color theory to two gray color codes: blue-gray (cool gray) and red-gray (warm gray). Keep in mind that these color theory exercises can be applied to any gray, including green-gray, brown-gray, purple-gray, and so forth.

Complementary Colors of Gray

What are accent colors for gray? Complementary colors are considered great accent colors, even for gray. Complementary colors are positioned directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Although complementing, these colors are usually stark contrasts and can be very straining on the eyes when both are used in equal quantities and their most saturated values. 

Make use of these color combinations sparingly.

Split Complementary Colors of Gray

The colors that sit directly on each side of a color’s complementary color are considered the split complementary colors of the original color. These color combinations usually make for interesting color pallets. It is best to choose one focal color and use the other two colors in small quantities.

Monochromatic Colors of Gray

When a straight line is drawn from a color’s most saturated value to the center of the color wheel, every color code that sits on this line can be considered a monochromatic color of the parent color. 

Monochromatic color combinations are very satisfying to look at and are a great solution for creating interest in a room without adding additional colors. 

Triadic Colors of Gray

As the name suggests, triadic colors form a perfect triangle with 60-degree angles on the color wheel, with the center point of the color wheel also being the center of the triangle.

Analogous Colors of Gray

Consider the line that is drawn from the center point of the color wheel to the specific color code as an analog arm. Wherever on the color wheel, this length analog is placed, that color can be considered an analogous color of the parent color. 

Analogous colors tend to imitate rainbow-like color schemes, which is great if a playful color scheme is desired. 

What Colors Go With Gray?

In short, pure gray (#808080) can be created by mixing equal parts white and black. The more white is added to the mixture, the lighter the gray will appear, and the more black is added, the darker the gray will appear. Technically gray can also be created by mixing 50% red, %50% green, and 50% blue together. Adding more of either one of these colors will start to create distinctive undertones in the gray, which is referred to as warm gray (red-gray), neutral gray (green-gray), and cool gray (blue-gray).

Why is the color gray so popular when it comes to interior design? Although not the most lively of colors, some think it’s because gray creates a sense of balance in an interior, being the in-between color of white and black. Besides the balance of gray, something must be said for the versatility of the color. Gray can be paired with almost any color if the specific gray color code’s undertone is considered. Even with no knowledge of color theory and how to assess the underlying tones in colors, it would be hard not to create a good match, at the very least, for the color gray.

Keep in mind that although a great neutral, backdrop color to incorporate in your interior, too much of gray can create a sense of gloom, which is something to keep in mind when considering what colors go with gray. It’s for this reason as well that it is important to choose saturated colors to pair with gray and stray clear from monochromatic gray colors.

When trying to determine the undertone of a gray color, consider these two colors: blue (cool), and red (warm).

Chances are good that the undertone leans more toward either one of these. If your gray has a prominent cool undertone, be sure to consider the color theories of blue while making use of the color wheel. Complementary, split complementary, analogous colors, and so forth, of blue will most likely be a perfect match for your cool-toned gray.

In the table below is a compilation of the exaggerated varieties of warm gray, neutral gray, pure gray, and cool gray color palettes. Note that there are also many versions of “pure” gray, however, the example below is the most saturated version that doesn’t lean more towards a cool or a warm side.

Another popular shade of gray that is worth noting when it comes to interior design trends is greige. Greige is the combination of gray and beige. In some lighting, it looks more beige, and in other lighting, it looks more gray. The “beige-ness” or “gray-ness” is also highlighted depending on which colors you choose to pair with greige. Pairing it with warm colors will naturally bring out its beige undertones while pairing it with cool colors will highlight its gray undertones.

Warm Gray and Dusty Pink

Pink is such an understated way to warm up an overly gray interior. Because dusty pink is a monochromatic color of red, it tends to have a warm undertone, which means this combination works best where a warm gray is involved, whether it be a dark shade of gray or a light shade.

Gray and Red

Gray and red can be seen as the contemporary version of the combination of red, black, and white. This combination works particularly well when gray is the background color, which it usually is in most cases, and red is introduced through pops of color through furniture, décor pieces, and floral arrangements. 

Because red is an obvious warm color, pair it with pure gray or warm gray instead of cool grays to create a well-balanced gray color palette. 

Gray and Navy Blue

What is the best color combination with gray? Most people will answer with “blue”, seeing as gray usually has a very cool undertone. The calmness and relaxation of blue is a great combination for gray. Most blues could look great next to gray, but navy blue in particular, with its dramatic undertones, will look especially captivating. Because blue is cool-toned, it is important to pair it with a cool-toned gray to create a cohesive interior.

Gray and Terracotta

This color combination is very similar to the above combination of warm gray and dusty pink. However, if you wish to create a statement, and truly warm up an interior by making use of color, then this combination is best. Because terracotta is such a rich and saturated color, it can look great with cool gray as well as warm gray. 

This color combination works particularly well in a kitchen. 

Gray and White

Gray is the perfect neutral to pair with a white interior. The reason being is that it isn’t as contrasting and distracting as black, which is the most obvious neutral that people tend to go for. The great thing about white is that it can be paired successfully with any type of gray, whether it be a neutral gray, cool gray, or warm gray.

Gray and Green

Gray is not the most natural of colors, meaning that it is not a color that people associate closely with nature or their immediate natural environment. Luckily, green pairs very well with gray. This is such an easy color scheme to incorporate into an interior, especially if you already have a gray canvas to work with. Adding greenery in the form of indoor plants will immediately make the space feel more alive. 

You can also incorporate green through artwork and large furniture pieces.

Gray and Brown

Do gray and brown go together? This question comes up regularly when it comes to interior design, seeing as most furniture pieces are wood (brown), and gray is one of the most popular wall paint colors. You will be happy to know that the answer is a resounding yes. With this color combination the undertones of the gray and brown you are working with plays a vital role in whether the pair will work well together. Cool-toned browns should be paired with cool toned gray, and vice versa.

What are the best gray color schemes? This question is almost impossible to answer, as the number of colors that go with gray are endless. Most arguably the most versatile color of them all, there is a color somewhere on the color wheel that matches every shade and tone of gray. Not many colors can supply an interior with a neutral backdrop while introducing so much depth and contrast into the space as gray does. Luckily gray is the epitome of modernism and it doesn’t look like it is going anywhere anytime soon. Embrace it by adding perfectly toned colors with it to create the interior of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Colors That Go With Gray?

What are colors that go with gray? The answer to this question depends heavily on the undertone of gray. Warm gray that has a red tint goes well with colors that have the same warm hues like blush pink, terracotta, and red. The inverse applies to cool gray: cool colors like navy blue, green, and purple pair well in this case.

What Are Colors That Go With Light Gray?

What are colors that go with light gray? Colors that go with gray depend more on the undertone of the gray than its saturation. A warm-toned light gray goes well with other warm-toned colors and a cool-toned light gray will pair well with other cool-toned colors.

What Colors Complement Gray?

What colors complement gray? Depending on the undertone of the gray, almost all colors could complement gray. Colors that complement gray tend to be colors that have the same tonal value as gray. Colors like red, pink, yellow, and orange complement warm gray, whereas blue, purple, and green complement cool gray.

What Is Gray’s Complementary Color?

What is gray’s complementary color? If the specific gray has a cool undertone, warm colors like orange, terracotta, mustard, and pink can be considered complementary colors of that gray. If the gray color code has a warm, red tint, then colors like green and purple are considered complementary. However, because gray is considered neutral, it is best to pair it with colors that have the same undertone, unlike traditional complementary color pairings.

What Is the Best Color Combination With Gray?

The best color combination with gray tends to be colors that have the same undertone as the gray you are trying to match. A cool-toned gray looks good when combined with other cool colors such as purple and blue. Warm-toned gray works well when combined with other warm-toned colors such as red, orange, and pink.

What Are the Best Gray Color Schemes?

These tend to be schemes where all the colors involved have the same undertones of either warm or cold. A cool gray color scheme can include blue, green, and purple, whereas a warm gray color scheme looks best when red, orange, pink, and yellow are included.

Do Gray and Brown Go Together?

If both neutral colors have the same undertone, then gray and brown go together quite well. A warm brown goes with a warm gray, and cool gray goes with cool brown. This combination works well for wood furniture pieces against a gray backdrop.

What Are Accent Colors for Gray?

Because gray is a neutral color, any color can act as an accent color for gray. Accent colors for gray include black, red, blue, and yellow.

Kylie Deyzel( Interior Designer )

Kylie Deyzel is an interior designer and sustainability enthusiast from Cape Town, South Africa. She has a passion for writing and educating others on various interior design topics. Her favorite interior design topics include interior design theory, interior design history, and most of all: sustainable interior design.

She received her B-tech degree in interior design from the University of Johannesburg in 2018 and has worked at various interior design firms since and had a few of her own freelance interior design clients under her company name binnekant.

Learn more about the Art in Context Team.