How does everyone feel about the grey trend?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I have seen some beautifully designed/painted rooms, some awesome DIY projects, etc. that have used this 'light' grey color. 
 
 While I liked it at first.. I was never committed. And now that its been around for awhile, Im beginning to really dislike it. I just feel its empty and cold to me. 
 
 Needless to say I miss seeing warm-tones and rooms designed with color. lol 
 
 How does everyone else feel?

Sia@South 47th · Answer

@KrysFL I for one never liked it. I've had to use it on a few projects, because it's 'trendy' and I wanted to sell those pieces. However I don't care the the 'Look' at all. I think it became trendy when the 'French minimalist Chic' look went viral. Fleur's and grey everywhere. Yawn. But then, I'm an all white for this reno, only because I can spice it up with whatever trendy colours I like, without investing much. Which works for me, because I get bored easily and like change. Your 'Inspiration Room' is lovely!!

Shari · Answer

Before this current popularity of gray, grays (and black) have been my go-to neutrals for many, many years. I do not like beiges and browns at all so my reaction to the brown room above is 'ick.' lol. With that being said, the gray room shown IS cold looking, even to me--a gray lover. (It is so devoid of color that it actually reminds me of a black and white photograph.) Gray does not have to look cold. I think it is far more appealing and inviting when mixed with some other colors. I would be willing to bet you would have a different opinion of this gray room if they had simply used a couple of brightly colored pillows on the chairs, a few colorful accessories on the coffee table and greenery--the room needs a plant or two to bring it to life. (Notice the 'brown' room has lots of plants.)

Lgsmith · Answer

Grays don't have to be cool with a blue cast. Grays now come in warmer colors. Check fabric stores and paint stores. Some grays have a warm green or yellow cast to them. I definitely do not like this gray color scheme or the all brown.

Patricia W · Answer

I think it will bId spice it up with bright colors and patterns. Too much grey is just drab.

DJ · Answer

the Grey needs accents such as Aquas,blues or Yellows in Pillows and Art for a modern style. Another route is a theme such as Farmhouse using gleaming white dishes and real greenery in the tin  or Vintage Paris w wrought Iron. The room looks flat because there is nothing shiny or textural..its not just the flat grey..it is TOO much flat grey.

Lori J · Answer

While I appreciate the sophistication of greys in decorating, it is just not my style.

Rana Saleh · Answer

I liked the second room more, as you said it is warm, relaxing besides being sofsticated. Go with your choice.

Cyndi Moore Tippett · Answer

I like the grey BUT you have to treat it as a neutral and add some pops of color... If you love color like me, I would go for yellow with pops of orange; purple with yellow; several shades from light to dark grey would work and then add some yellow. Red, black and grey can be very pretty especially if you add a bold print. The brown pallet is probably safer and less trendy.

Sandy Bowlin · Answer

I've never cared about gray or blue for room colors unless they are mixed with very warm colors also. There are so many blue colors that greens go so well with them and a bit of yellow looks great too. The gray to me is blah, nothingness!

Patricia Green · Answer

@green p I love blue greys and the green greys. I'm so tired of an all white room, I could scream! That's all you see is shades of white. How can you hate greys and love whites??!! There are just too many beautiful colors in the world to choose from!!!

Gloria Cassavetes · Answer

Just saw this grey theme on TV show called BeingHuman. In a scene  with her decor and walls all having the grey in them . She was dressed in fusha and it looked great on screen but I don't now if I would do that. Ahh bit dull for me

Darlene · Answer

I love gray...but NOT that gray room! It is not the gray that is cold and flat in that first picture, it is the fact that the room totally lacks any real decor. Look at all the plants and lamps in the second room. Where are they in the gray room? And look at the difference in the lighting in the staged rooms. Room decor is so much more than wall color.

Colleen S · Answer

Personally, I do not like gray at all -- reminds me of the first casket I ever saw when I was 5 years old -- I guess that's when I took a disliking to it and haven't liked it since.

Shamrock Hill Designs · Answer

I understand what people mean when they speak of the 'cold, stark' feeling of gray. However, when done properly, it can have a very calming, serene effect. It all depends on the tone of the gray used, and the accessories that accompany the shade. Also, where will gray be used? In wall color, textiles, or accents? What will the companion colors be in the room? I, personally, have always loved taupes because they blend the cool sophistication of gray, with some added warmth of beige. I don't tend to love beige as a standalone color because it casts too much yellow which can look too brassy for my taste. Taupe can be paired with browns, blacks, grays, creams or whites, plus an abundance of bright or muted colors depending upon your color preferences. A newer 'gray' family are the 'greiges' (a hybrid of gray and beige) - these seem to be the answer to the too-cold and too-stark grays as well.

Karen · Answer

To me, grey is cold and drab. However, grey with a hint of blue or purple is something I have seen recently in decorating and think it is lovely, just not for my home.

Ann · Answer

Haven't been crazy about the gray either. BUT, my daughter is. She did her baby nursery in gray with accents of yellow and red. The curtains are gray, walls are greenish yellow and there is a gray chevron stripe throughout and then a very colorful alphabet rug and more accents of yellow and red. When she told me I thought yuck especially the gray curtains. But it is absolutely darling. She is an artist, tho, and has painted different elephant poses on the walls. It is very happy and calming.

Lorah Marquardt · Answer

I used a gray with green undertones on my three season porch. I hadn't planned it but the color blended nicely with the aluminum frames of the windows. You don't even notice the frames anymore. I went with a green accent wall to liven it up a bit more, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Joanna Kucharska · Answer

I think gray may look 'warm and soft' if you use some natural wood in warm colours in the same room. If we do not want to exagerate with gray good idea is to use decorations made of stone in gray colours. Than we have wood and stone- all coming form nature making the room more natural place for us to relax.

Jan Scott · Answer

If it is mixed with bold jewel tones I like it, but mixed with other shades of grey and white etc, it's just cold.  I miss the warm Earth Tones and Jewel tones.  Those are the colors that make a room cozy and warm to me.

Becky--Beyond The Picket Fence · Answer

I love a warm grey--more of a taupe. Pair it with oranges and greens, sea blues--really anything, it is a fabulous neutral!

Shari · Answer

Rooms done in all gray often do come off looking stark and cold but when mixed with other colors, gray can be gorgeous...and quite sophisticated. It's a great neutral because it looks good with just about any color.

Linda B · Answer

Gray has been mt go-to color for 20 years. I hate it when something I love becomes popular.

Gloria · Answer

I agree with Shari just above comment with pictures. The picture shown above is a very poor picture to use as an example. Whereas the pictures shown in Shari's example are so awesome and I would choose any of them to showcase one of my rooms. I agree with the earth tone photo that it is warm and inviting. It just shows how accessories can make or break an interior design.

Debbie Klein Muehr DePaul · Answer

I love gray and was wanting to paint my living/dining areas gray with pops of yellow and white trim. I love the rooms that Shari posted but the original one is very boring and cold.

Tegma · Answer

Gray is definitely very trendy, but a lot has to do with the lighting in the room. If it isn't a sunny room, it's definitely going to be drab! You will need to brighten it up with lots of color in your accessories.... pillows, pictures, lampshades, vases etc. Another idea is that you could make one wall a focal point and do a different color on that wall, or maybe add wood, stone or something to that wall, even a huge picture would work. It could be made from fabric over board if it's out of your budget. Have you already done the room? If not, forget it.... your vibes are telling you something. I don't go with trendy, myself, as that usually outdates more quickly. Choose what is you! You'll be much happier!

Sensible Gardening and Living · Answer

I actually really like grey, I find it very calming. My problem is that I already did that about 25 years ago when we re-did an old fixer upper. Can't quite get into it the second time round, guess I'm showing my age here:)

Karen · Answer

Shari , I think your photo examples fully explain why I don' t like grey. For me, those rooms are not cosy, comfortable, warm ,inviting. But then, I guess that is why there are so many many many color and tone choices for all of us.

Cathy Kurpil · Answer

What I refer to as an institution color :)

Polly Zieper · Answer

What timing!My son just chose gray bedding and curtains for his first dorm room. I have to add some color!I think an entirely gray room would be depressing I'm adding some navy, with a trash can, bins and baskets for his closet(It doesnt have a door, and his desktop organizers. and will now consider turqoise- great ideas, everyone!I think I might sew or gluea vavy or turquoise band along the top and/or bottom of the curtains, I'm covering a bulletin board and looking for a clock.

Polly Zieper · Answer

I'll post pictures when we move him in, in mid-aug.
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