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Which grey to choose for your home?

Many people have been led to believe that grey and white work with every other colour. Right? Wrong! Choosing which grey to use is more involved than you may have firstly estimated. In this short video below I show you how to determine which grey to choose.

Does grey really work with everything?

Recently I had a friend from overseas staying with me. One day she said: “Look Martina, I understand you’re a colour consultant, but who actually needs a colour consultant because we all know grey works with every colour”. And this was my response that I replied to her.

“Be mindful of different colour bases”

I showed her three colour samples of three greys each with a different base tone.

Grey with a purple base (left), with a green base (centre) and with a turquoise base (right) — The left swatch has a purple base, the centre one a green base and the right one a turquoise base. They are all grey but each portray a different feeling and match other colours in a certain way. So now do you begin to see that grey is not just grey.

Which grey to choose depends on their undertones

Both the grey and the white have a purple undertone — Both the grey and the white (above) have a purple undertone.

An example: You have a sofa in the above purple based grey and are looking for a white paint colour for your walls. I would recommend to choose a white that shares the purple undertone as to best accentuate your space. This way all the chosen colours look and work beautifully together achieving a harmonious look. When you wish to add scatter cushions e.g. to your lounge go again for the purples, this way it all ties together.

Which grey to select for a harmonic colour scheme

Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine it with a turquoise sheer curtain — Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine them with turquoise accessories like a turqoise sheer curtain

Another example: We have now (above) a grey sofa that has a turquoise undertone, and are looking for white paint colour. You may wish to go for a crisp white in this case. Bring more turquoise in through your decorative items, such as sheer curtains. Therefore creating a harmonic colour scheme.

If you need further inspiration on your colour palette, why not have a look at the magazine’s Home Beautiful best interior colours for Winter 2019.

Deciding on which grey to choose

When deciding on which grey to choose access your space and try to determine the undertones that are existing or that you would like to create. Don’t forget about other contributing factors though such as space and light.

For more ideas and information have a look at my other post about choosing paint colours for your home.

Also be mindful that colours in photos and on screens may turn out differently.

If you find that colour matching belongs in the too-hard-basket, take advantage of our colour consulting services where we recommend a beautiful palette that brings the best out of your home.

For any questions you might have, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. Alternatively, you can also use this handy contact form.