Here we share colors that go with gray floors to help you create the perfect interior design.
Gray is easy to coordinate since it’s a neutral color. Choosing a neutral flooring color opens up the opportunity for furniture, decor and artwork to take the spot light and be multiple colors. Gray flooring can be used in pretty much any setting including: living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
Creating a Color Palette That Works with Your Gray Floors
We asked interior designer Danielle Porter, her thoughts on the best color palette to go with gray flooring and here are some of the methods she uses in her day to day work:
When it comes to interior design, gray is one of the most versatile colors to work with when developing a color palette. In particular, gray floors, provide a neutral base for any design style. The true beauty of gray floors is their ability to be paired with virtually any color – warm or cool – to create a cohesive aesthetic.
Before jumping to color selection, you should first determine if your floor is warm or cool, as this may make a difference in your decision.
Cool grays will have an undertone (or a hint) of blues, greens, and purples while warm grays will have undertones of red, yellow, and brown/orange.
There are some grays that live in what I like to call the “Greige” family, meaning they have warm and cool tones integrated into them. In these cases, you have the option to pull the colors in either direction – giving you maximum flexibility over time. When in doubt, search for some examples online to guide you or consult a professional for guidance.
Beige. A classic neutral that works well with warm grays, beige brings warmth and depth – especially if you use multiple tones of it. It also pairs well with wood accents in general, so if you have natural wood as well, beige will help tie it all together.
Room Idea: In a living room with warm gray floors, consider using a beige sofa, throw pillows, and curtains to create a cohesive look.
Cream. As a soft and bright color, cream adds an air of softness to any room. It works well as a base color and with virtually all design styles. Luxe aesthetic? Pair it with metallic side tables and details. Bohemian vibe? Add some soft textures and loose patterns.
Room Idea: In a bedroom with gray floors, go for cream bedding and curtains with natural wood nightstands and headboard for a calming, ethereal aesthetic.
Terracotta. Terracotta is warm and earthy and adds a pop to a room and pairs well with natural materials like wood and stone. In a kitchen with warm gray floors, consider using terracotta tiles for a backsplash or incorporating terracotta-colored accessories like dishes and vases.
Room Idea: Terracotta tiles themselves are traditional in kitchen spaces – if you have gray tile floors in your kitchen space, but want a more transitional vibe, try out natural wood cabinets with neutral warm white colored counters and a patterned backsplash with terracotta-colored details.
Then bring that all in through accents like your dish towels, plants, etc. It’s an easy way to create an earthy and natural kitchen space.
If you’re working with a floor that is in the cool gray family, it’s easy to pull in colors that create modern vibrancy or a more serene and calming atmosphere. Some of our favorite color combinations are:
Navy Blue. Navy blue is known for its timelessness and neutrality – it can be paired with virtually any color to create a distinct and unique palette. Pairing navy blue with gray floors can bring depth and contrast, particularly when combined with a tertiary color or finish like metallics or gold/yellow tones.
Room Idea: For a living room with gray floors, bring in a wallcovering with a light background and accents of navy and gold and then choose pillows and other accents to make more saturated statements of navy.
Green. Green is an invigorating and refreshing color that pairs well with cool grays. Particularly when paired with wood tones, it adds a sense of earthy and naturalness to a room.
Room Idea: In a dining space with gray floors, bring in a soft, textural, and patterned area rug with hints of green, a natural wood table, and chairs with green upholstery. Integrate some brushed metals and plants on wood shelves on the wall for an earthy look.
Plum. Plum can bring drama and luxury to any space. Because of it’s cool tones, it pairs well with cool gray floors and can either contrast or complement the space, depending on the saturation you choose.
Room Idea: In a more cozy living or TV viewing room, if you have a gray carpet or area rug, you can integrate plum tones to add depth. Try choosing a sofa that is charcoal, or at least darker than your carpet, and bringing plum in through accent pillows, art, and window treatments.
There are one-million-and-one ways to style a room with gray floors – just remember to always determine the tone of your gray before jumping into any decisions.
If you work in a color and don’t know where to go next, try pairing a neutral tone, wood or metallic, and maybe add a color a shade lighter or darker than your selected hue to really create depth in your space.
Wall Colors That Go With Gray Floors
It is important to really identify what sort of gray you have in the flooring. Whether there is a cool or warm tone to the gray to properly know what to coordinate with.
You can try using a paint color app to help match your color and find others that are complimentary. Some of the sets of wall colors that go with gray floors are described below.
Neutrals
Neutrals are something that can work in any space, especially with the gray flooring. Using a darker or lighter shade of gray than the flooring can help with creating dimension within the space.
Pairing gray walls with gray floors gives a soft and light feel to the space – adding light décor with it can spice it up while still keeping the design aesthetically pleasing to anyone who may use the space. – interior designer Savannah
Lighter neutrals give a softer more serene feel, while darker gives a more sophisticated and cooler appearance.
These colors can be used in darks and lights as long as the gray have warmer tones. This also includes pairing with woods and stones that usually give off at warmer appearance.
Neutral Paint Colors for Gray Floors
Here’s are selection of paint colors that go best with gray floors for a variety of design styles:
Farrow and Ball Wimborne White no 239
Pure White SW 700
Dormer Brown SW 7521
Benjamin Moore Guilford Green HC-116
Benjamin Moore Shakerbeige HC-45
Cool Tones
As mentioned previously after knowing the tones of grays, cool grays mesh best with cool tones. Blues, Purples, and greens (and all the shades in between) are the cool colors and can be coordinated great with gray flooring.
Cool tones go very well with different types of metal for any non fabric finishes. These colors mixed with grays give a very calming environment and keeps spirits up.
Cool Tone Paint Colors for Gray Floors
Benjamin Moore 2066 70 Light Blue Paint Color
Warm Tones
Warm colors such as reds, oranges and yellows are best used with warmer looking gray colored flooring. While this is commonly the case, there are some situations where one will be looking for a feeling of contrast.
This is accomplished by using cooler floors with muted warm tones as accents. This would be recommended with orange and it is the contrast of blue which is typically a base of a cooler gray undertone.
Warm Tone Paint Colors for Gray Floors
Matching Gray Floors with Walls
To match your gray flooring to your walls select a flat gray paint that is the same shade or lighter in color for best results. This will help avoid the space from appearing too dark.
Other wall colors that work well with gray flooring are sand, honey, light green and pale yellow. Try to avoid using pure white as it can be too much of a contrast.
Paint Colors for Matching Gray Floors with Walls
What Colors Go With Light Gray Floors?
For more information about colors that go with gray floors in the kitchen, check out our page on gray kitchen cabinets color psychology.
I have gray tiled floors all throughout me open concept- kitchen (with white cabinets) & want to paint my kitchen area red. But I have no idea what color to paint the remaining walls. The trim is white on doors & baseboards. Help
How bout the gray blue (sort of grayer than a country blue) as an accent wall? Depends on your red shade though.
In my washroom I have light grey floor tiles and dark grey vanity with light grey quartz counter top which colour goes on wall
Light grey should go on the walls.
I have a home that has grey concrete floors. The home has been with repurpose stone from the lot. The stone is beige, greige , dark taupe and some hints of rust here and therearound the living room bar area amd stone fireplace. It Definitely gives of a rustic feel but I don’t believe it measures with the gray concrete floors. Is there anyway I can bring these two together? By the way, my cabinets are brown I had planned on painting them white possibly. Any ideas on that would be appreciated. TIA
I am not color oriented. I have a light/medium gray floor in a small office with dark blue office furniture, what color should I paint the walls?
I also can paint the office furniture, what color would you recommend?
Thank uou
French silver.
I have gray laminate flooring , white kitchen cabinets for the basement with very less natural lighting , what colour I can paint for the wall?
Will grayish blue work? any suggestion?
Thanks