Jefferey Pouros
Use pale greys on the walls when cupboards and bathroom storage cabinets are made from rustic materials, for a truly homely feel,' says Sarah Spiteri, Editorial Director. From cool, light shades to warm, dark tones with depth and drama, gray is a versatile choice that is easy to work with, offering you the freedom to create rooms stamped with your own personality and style.
One of the best ways to add individuality is to layer in highlights and pretty accents that will lift the overall scheme and make the room your own. When considering bathroom colors, opting for a single, muted shade in an eggshell finish for walls, paneling and window frames will create a blank canvas, allowing furniture and curios to stand out.
A match made in heaven, cool shades of gray bring out the warmth and beauty in natural wood. Shades of gentle gray, off-white and natural earthy tones can be used to create a simple and classic backdrop that is calm and easy to live with.
Large format tiles in neutral shades mean fewer grout lines, so they can be a great way to boost the sense of space and make a small bathroom look bigger. Introduce layers of texture in tiles of similar tones for simple elegance, add depth and character with warm wood and natural stone finishes, or team neutrals with striking furniture and richly coloured accessories to create a balanced and sophisticated scheme. 'I’m a huge fan of dark gray walls because I think it’s the easiest of all the grey shades to live with.
It works in both daylight and electric light, and most colors look striking when set against a dark, charcoal gray.' What's more, marble is naturally water-resistant and adds a luxurious spa-like feel to a bathroom whether you have a modern space or a more traditional one. The color gray is a short cut to sophistication, so ramp up the ethereal charm by teaming it with thinly-veined marble for grey and white bathroom ideas that have a lighter touch than all-gray.
A smart black bath with aged brass taps anchors the scheme, reinforcing the classic look. While they are bright and spacious, white bathrooms can sometimes lack depth and interest – adding in gray furniture can be an effective way to create a focal point within the room that will help anchor the scheme. Painted in Farrow & Ball's Downpipe, this gray bathroom vanity idea also features a dark marble top which brings added luxury to the space.
(Image credit: Interior Design + Architecture: Finkernagel Ross with Bute bath in a painted finish by Drummonds) 'Timeless and neutral, gray bathroom schemes can offer longevity as well as being a relaxing sanctuary,' explains Helen Shaw, UK director at Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab). In this luxurious blue and gray bathroom designed by Finkernagel Ross, the gray wall color features a subtle hint of blue which pairs beautifully with the inky tones of the Drummonds Bute bath and the warm metallic touches.
'Make your gray paint pop by teaming it with darker tones of sea foam greens and metallic accents such as cast-iron radiators. Pick out areas such as skirting boards, windowsills and even a painted bath to contrast against the darkness of the grey walls. 'Choosing a warmer tone,' such as Little Greene's Livid shade, pictured here on this Omnia bath, 'will stop the gray from feeling too cold,' he says. Practical yet aesthetically pleasing, hand-poured cement tiles feature subtle variations in color and tone creating a fabulous textured effect when laid.
Yellow, pink, coral, navy, green and teal are just a few colors which pair nicely with gray. Also, remember that pale grays are good for creating a serene atmosphere while darker shades give a more industrial, urban feel.
