Guide To Choosing The Right Shade Of Grey

It’s no surprise that grey is one of the most popular paint colours in the UK at the moment. It’s stylish without being showy. It doesn’t discriminate between genders. It’s the perfect backdrop for other, bolder colours. And it can bring a contemporary aesthetic to your home. What’s not to like?

It doesn’t matter if you plan to decorate your bedroom or living room, garden shed or upcycled furniture – or even your office, warehouse or other non-domestic property. Grey is such a stalwart of the paint scene that it’ll bring a reliably smart allure to any environment it inhabits. That’s why it represents an ideal option for home and business owners all around the country.

The trouble is, nothing is black and white when it comes to grey paint (see what we did there?). There are a wide variety of different shades and hues to choose from, each of which will add a subtle but unmistakable contribution to the colour scheme it’s part of. How can you know which is shade of grey is right for you?

If you’re searching for the perfect shade of grey for your unique circumstances, we are sure to have an option to satisfy – and this handy guide can help you narrow down the field of candidates.

Consider The Environment

The first thing that you should take into account when deciding which shade of grey to plump for is the environment it is intended to adorn. Is it a workspace or a bedroom? A living area or kitchen? An outhouse or assorted furniture? The room (or rooms) you plan to paint will have a direct bearing upon the atmosphere you wish to conjure – and as a result, the exact hue of paint which is right for the job.

You should also consider the layout of the room, paying particular attention to its orientation and the amount of natural light it receives. Spaces with smaller dimensions may look very different when painted with the same shade of grey as those with a more expansive or open plan feel.

Meanwhile, north-facing properties are likely to receive less sunlight and thus feel a little colder than south-facing ones, which will experience far more UV rays and thus emit a sunnier feel. Tailor your paint choices to the layout of the room in question to ensure optimum harmony between the paint and the physical surroundings it adorns.

Finally, it’s essential to incorporate the existing décor into your plans. If your home is already awash with bright colours, consider how they might appear next to splashes of grey. In some settings, the neutrality of grey can enhance the sharpness of more vibrant tones, but it’s always beneficial to think things through before making your selection.

Consider The Atmosphere

After the physical attributes of the space you plan to decorate, the next item to ponder is the atmosphere you wish to evoke in it. Is the space to be a restful and relaxing one? Or do you want to create an environment conducive to deep thinking and work? Whichever emotions you intend to inspire, the shade of grey you settle upon will have a direct bearing.

For example, lighter shades of grey such as Grey Pebble and Whistle can be perfect for reflecting the light and creating an illusion of airiness and space, meaning they may be ideal for smaller rooms where space is at a premium. On the other hand, darker hues like Smudge, Panther and Greyhound bring a more dramatic feel in larger rooms and a cosier aesthetic in smaller ones.

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smudge

Whichever style you ultimately settle upon, it’s worth taking the time to carefully consider what purpose you wish the paint to serve and what kind of atmosphere you want it to help create. Armed with that information, you’ll be better placed to make a selection that’ll stand you in good stead for years to come.

Consider The Paint

While you may have learnt in school that black and white come together to make grey, such “true” greys are fairly rare in the world of interior design. Instead, the majority of grey paints contain faint but unmistakable traces of other colours which give them a cooler or warmer appearance.

Don’t believe us? Line up a selection of grey paint cards under natural light and you’ll quickly see what we’re getting at. At Frenchic, we stock a wide variety of different shades of grey that carry subtle undertones of other colours, including our popular Spitfire, Lady Grey and Posh Nelly. Though understated, the accents inherent in these paints can have a sizable effect on their environment.  

With that in mind, it’s imperative that you choose a shade of grey which will satisfy the two previous considerations outlined above – namely, it will complement the physical attributes of the room in question, while working to generate the atmosphere you crave. You can ensure this happens by matching a warmer or cooler grey to the surroundings as you see fit.

For example, a north-facing room which receives a small amount of sunlight would benefit from warmer hues of grey, compensating for the lack of natural warmth by bringing some of its own. Meanwhile, south-facing rooms lend themselves to a far greater palette of greys, though you may want to balance out their heat with a cooler hue.

As for east- or west-facing properties, a neutral grey which looks equally as elegant in sunlight as in darkness is an advisable course of action, though you can experiment at your own leisure using tester cards to strike upon the right shade of grey for your purposes and preferences.

Find The Ideal Shade Of Grey With Frenchic

Why not browse our selection and find the perfect partner for your home’s interior décor? We’re sure you’ll be glad you did.