For many years, beige and cream were the warm neutral shades everyone seemed to use in their homes. Times change, and so do interior design ideas. Move over warm neutrals and say hello to slate gray and silver. Of course, there are many different shades of grey you can consider. As you can probably see, we are spelling gray with both an “a” and an “e.” There is no right or wrong way to spell the color grey.
Grey interiors are versatile. You can use varying shades of gray hues on your walls, including light gray paint and blue-grey paint which will bring out different emotions and accents in a room. Silver textured or patterned wallpaper can also make a room pop. Grey bedroom furniture is often soothing for improved relaxation. Furnishings, light fixtures, and accessories in shades of silver and gray offer exciting contrasts.
What Is the Meaning of Gray or Silver in a Room?
Gray colors are neutral, cool, balanced, calming, often emotionless, yet also contemporary, sophisticated, intelligent, conservative, and practical. Dark, slate gray picks up on the mystery and strength of the color black while lighter gray brings in the purity of white. Light gray has a feminine feel while dark gray conjures up masculine images.
When used in the home or office, grey offers a steadying effect on other colors. It can tone down colors that are too strong or bright or illuminate soft colors. Gray is actually not a color – you wind up with gray by combining primary colors.
Silver, on the other hand, is fun and lively. We often view silver as elegant, sophisticated, and ornate. Silver symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and richness, and possesses feminine energy. Silver can help restore equilibrium, which is why it works well in bedrooms. If you are not in the market for new silver bedroom furniture, a silver comforter and pillows will work wonders on your bed.
Because gray goes well with other colors, it blends well into many color schemes. As you can see in the gray living room below, the use of slate gray furniture goes well with the neutral walls and brown wood shelving. The rug brings in shades of gray and coral that carry through to the accent pillows.
Other gray living room ideas are shown in the next photo, where a lighter gray for the furnishings and window treatments makes this a calm and relaxing place to catch up on the latest movies or television dramas.
Silver fits well into many room styles. It does not overpower, so it can be used in large or small doses. Silver contrasts stronger colors and compliments whites. Silver is an excellent complement to the chrome we typically find in kitchens. You can see how accents of silver bring a light and airy feel to the kitchen below.
A simple silver accent piece can also brighten any room. The vase in the photo below shows how just one unique piece can make a statement of its own.
Our final look at slate gray is in this home office. The room is inviting, and the many-colored knickknacks (aka sports memorabilia) stand out against the cool, gray backdrop.
You can learn more about incorporating colors into your home in our blog about Basic Color Theory.
Find out why residents in Coral Springs, Parkland, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and throughout South Florida turn to HK Interiors for all their interior design needs. To discover how our interior design services can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire, call 954-401-8542 today.