8 grey living room ideas: a shade to suit every style

Hello monochrome: a guide to using grey in your living room

Ready to add some style and sophistication to your living room? Then it’s time to go grey. When you think about it, there isn’t a colour under the sun that doesn’t look good next to grey. You can pair it with orange, teal, pink, yellow, green... the list goes on and on. Whether you’re going for a sleek, contemporary look or you prefer a cosy, traditional vibe – this popular shade can work absolute wonders for your décor. So, if you’re thinking of giving your living room a grey makeover, carry on reading for some inspiration. From dramatic dark charcoals to silver tones, there’s a shade out there to suit every style.

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• Use shades of orange to add warmth
• Add interest with patterned wallpaper
• Create depth with different tones of grey
• Stand out with grey wall panelling
• Make a statement with a dark grey feature wall
• Pair with green for a fresh contrast
• Create a timeless look with grey and white
• Add a pop of colour with yellow

1. Use shades of orange to add warmth

Grey and orange are a match made in heaven. These two colours complement each other wonderfully, and when used in interior design, they create a warm and inviting space. Why not paint your walls in soft grey and use orange as an accent colour? You can do this with cushions, curtains, or a piece of statement furniture like an orange sofa or armchair. From shades of apricot and peach to burnt orange and deep saffron – there are so many options when it comes to creating an orange and grey living room.

2. Add interest with patterned wallpaper

Grey doesn’t have to be boring. You can have plenty of fun with this monochromatic shade. From bold botanicals and geometric prints to glamorous art deco design – there are so many different grey wallpaper styles to choose from. Whether you want to bring some romance to your living room with delicate florals, or you want to create an elegant feel with 1920s inspired prints – take your pick from our wide range of grey living room wallpaper.

3. Create depth with different tones of grey

If you ask us, you can never have too much grey, and this stylish lounge is living proof. Create depth and dimension in your living room by layering different shades of grey for a monochrome scheme. Combine charcoal-grey cushions, greige décor, and silver accessories and furniture for a cohesive look. If you’ve got a small living room, consider painting it light grey. A pale shade of grey will bounce light around the room, making the space appear bigger than it is.

4. Stand out with grey wall panelling

Want to make a statement? Wall panelling has become a huge trend in recent years, it’s a sure-fire way of adding character and dimension to a plain room. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate DIY wood panels in your home. From shaker style to shiplap, read our guide to find out everything you need to know about wall panelling. We love this classy grey living room, with wood panels covering the lower half, and metallic effect wallpaper on the upper half of the walls – it has the best of both worlds.

5. Make a statement with a dark grey feature wall

If you’re looking for a way to add some drama to your living room, then a dark grey feature wall is the way to go. Transform a plain room into a space that exudes character and personality. A dark charcoal feature wall provides a stunning backdrop for all your furniture and home accessories. There are plenty of ways you can create a grey statement wall in your living room, from gunmetal grey wallpaper to pewter paint - we've got everything you need. And since you’re only decorating one wall, it’s super quick and easy to achieve the look you want.

6. Pair with green for a fresh contrast

If you’re worried about grey being too dark or gloomy, you can always add in plenty of bold and bright furniture and accessories to keep the space feeling fresh and airy. For an energizing living room, pair green and grey together. Add dashes of green with cushions, curtains, houseplants, and rugs. The shining star of this green and grey living room has got to be the velvet effect teal sofa. The light wooden floor and pale grey leaf effect wallpaper allows the sofa to really take centre stage.

7. Create a timeless look with grey and white

White and grey is a classy combo that has been loved for decades, and will continue to be loved for decades more. If you want to keep your décor scheme plain and fresh, then pair white and grey together for a neutral look. There are plenty of ways to create a grey and white living room. You could paint your walls white and use grey paint for all the woodwork, such as the window frames and doors. By keeping your décor simple, you can show off your personality with bold accessories, soft furnishings, and wall art.

8. Add a pop of colour with yellow

Elevate your living room with the ultimate dynamic duo: grey and yellow. The coolness of grey balances beautifully with the warmth of yellow, creating an inviting space to relax in. Go bold with a yellow and grey patterned wallpaper or use golden accessories to add a cheerful pop to the room. With white floorboards and light grey furniture, this yellow and grey living room is light and cheerful – the ideal place to come home to after a long day.