Jonatan Weissnat Jr.
And it makes sense, grey is so versatile and comes in so many different forms it’s a shade that can suit all styles and all sizes of bathroom. As with any room, there is the potential for the wrong shade of grey to totally wash out a bathroom, making it feel dull and grey is known for being a particular cool shade that can make more practical spaces like bathrooms feel slightly clinical. Tiles, wallpapers, flooring, hardware and of course decor can all work towards ensuring a grey bathroom remains chic and elegant, without appearing stark and cold.
We’ll cover all that here, from how to choose the right tones for your space (there are some really simple rules to follow to ensure it always works) and bringing in a second shade or tone that’s going to work with a grey scheme to choosing the finishing touches to reflect your personal style.
Helen Shaw, director of Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab) says, 'Timeless and neutral, grey bathroom schemes can offer longevity as well as being a relaxing sanctuary. In rooms with copious amounts of light you can be less picky, but we'd always recommend ordering plenty of swatches and samples, whether that be for tiles, paint or flooring, so you can see what different greys look like in your space.
The hexagonal tiles in this bathroom designed by Marie Flanigan (opens in new tab) combined with the polished plaster wall add so much texture to the space, creating interest despite the monochrome grey scheme. It's lovely how in this space that cool-toned grey has been balanced out with the warmer tones of the wooden floor too.
A grey floor in this space, with the white walls, would definitely risk feeling very cold but the ashy wooden toned balance it out.
We recently created a bathroom and used tiled flooring in this way in a herringbone pattern which made the space feel more interesting.
Also using a patterned floor black and white for example is really effective in a bathroom of any size and works well with a grey backdrop.' Now it might not be the most practical thing to drape your bath in a Designer's Guild jacquard velvet fabric but it does look so luxurious in this simple light grey bathroom, and you could always ditch the shower and create a similar look around a freestanding bath to create almost a canopy that looks lovely and adds privacy too (just make sure your bathroom is well ventilated).
While paint is a really simple option, we are all about concrete walls, bringing in loads more texture and interest. 'The use of different materials, tiles, stone, metal, brass all can work in areas like splashbacks, back of niches, cistern tops for instance. These areas are a good way to bring in a material you may not always expect to be in a bathroom to give the space a unique feel.'
In fact, you can recreate a very similar look with paint if cladding a wall with concrete isn't an option for your space. It's a look you can DIY too, just use different shades of matte grey, applying the paint with a mix of brushes, damp sponges and crumpled newspapers – remember it's meant to look rustic and unfinished so don't be too neat with it. If you like a more traditional look, copy this grey bathroom idea and opt for a soft light shade, paired with off whites and weathered copper.
For something more dramatic we'd go really dark, almost black with the wall panels and pair with some equally bold patterned floor tiles. If you are concerned about them looking too flat, pick a gloss option that will give them more texture and they just feel more luxurious.
If you are sticking to solely grey, make sure you add interest not only by bringing in a few different shades but by adding plenty of texture too.
'To create a serene, relaxing atmosphere which echoes a spa-like setting, opt for a neutral palette.
Cool or warm greys mixed with other neutrals such as off-white and taupe can help create this.' A neutral palette is perfect for accentuating different textures, such as stone with grey marble veins, or light wood grain.
When choosing tiles for a grey bathroom a lovely way to make the space feel exciting, despite it being monochrome, is to mismatch patterns and textures. The color scheme is really simple, just whites, light greys and charcoals, but there are lots of lovely textures going on with the marble tiles in a chevron pattern, the concrete sink, the geometric floor tiles, even the terracotta pot and wooden stool throw in extra depth – lots of really inspiring grey bathroom ideas going on here. Loving all the soft hues, but after some grey bathroom ideas that offer something more... dramatic? Word of warning though, these bold dark shades won't work in every bathroom. The cool light of a north-facing room might just tip this over into dull grey territory. Tiling halfway up the walls with a deeper grey, and painting the rest with a lighter shade really adds height to a small bathroom.
They obviously look so elegant together, but gold or brass is perfect for warming up an all-grey space, preventing it from becoming cold and un-inviting, which is always a risk with grey rooms. This helps to soften the space and to create an eclectic combination so the bathroom does not feel too contemporary.'
Simple, chic, and more often than not, grey, this new alternative to tiles gives a bathroom an industrial edge. It works perfectly with the simple white sanitaryware and black details in the grey bathroom.
Another match made in interior design heaven, blue and grey go together in pretty much every shade. It's usually quite a cool combination and blue normally instantly brings out the coolest of any grey shade you pair it with, but this bathroom is breaking the rules.
It really grounds all the softer hues going on in this grey bathroom and adds a focal point too. 'Combine a dominating mid-tone and light grey with muted olive greens, yellows, blues and reds.
Painted ceilings are an emerging trend and they work particularly well in bathrooms if you don't want to add bold color on the walls.
Plus bathroom walls are usually at least partially tiled so taking paint to the ceiling makes sense. It creates a really cocooning feeling, especially when paired with matching floor tiles and lots of greenery. Stop the room from looking too flat by adding plenty of well-curated decor, as can be seen with all the dreamy pottery here, a gorgeous contrast with the modernity of the bathroom.
As a general rule, look to the undertones to help you decide, if a grey has a warmer undertone pair it with warmer colors (pinks, reds, oranges, corals) if it's a cooler grey go for the opposite side of the color wheel (blues, greens, lime yellows). Even in small areas like a splashback, using accessories, artwork or a tiled feature at the back of a niche for instance is a good way to bring in another color palette and varied textures.'
