In celebration of neutrals for furniture & decor

Neutrals and decorating—it’s a pairing as perfect as peanut butter and jelly. And just like PB&J, there’s a reason for its popularity…they’re good together.

Gray is the hottest new neutral and can be found in everything from wall colors to upholstery, such as in the stunning Eaton sectional from Sam Moore Furniture. The beauty of gray is that it can be enhanced with accent colors to create emphasis, drama and “pop.”

For the feeling of starting with a fresh canvas, there’s nothing better than walls painted in a neutral shade. Twenty years ago that meant cream or antique white and more recently the choices have expanded to tan and taupe. Today, gray and shades of greige (grayed-down beiges) are becoming increasingly popular.

These versatile shades are both cool and soothing. Not only do they give a space an updated feel, they also provide an excellent backdrop for accent colors.

From beige with a little gray to gray with a little beige, shades of greige make excellent wall colors. Here are The Decorista’s top 5 greige picks for wall colors:

When you start your painting project, be sure to test a sample on your wall before painting a whole room—you’ll never regret it.

Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter” is one of my go-to paint colors. It’s a lovely, neutral light gray that can be taken in any direction.

Grays are ideal for more than just wall color. Sofas, chairs, end tables and coffee tables are now sporting this versatile hue—with a bit of luck they’ll eventually replace the ubiquitous brown. In addition to hiding dirt and wearing as well their predecessors, gray upholstery fabrics also add undeniable style. Plus they allow for easy updating, for example: add green pillows in the spring for a fresh look and trade them out in the fall for accessories in a shade of orange or navy.

The stylish Fitch chair from Homeware features a steely gray brushed-cotton cover accented with pewter nailhead trim and legs with a silvery finish.

Grays are also increasingly popular in painted furniture and accent furniture, as seen in this round mirrored accent table from the Sanctuary collection by Hooker Furniture.

One of the best features of gray is its versatility. Pair it with others shades of gray and white and you’ve got a classic monochromatic look.

Or, accentuate the look of gray by adding tonal accents of brown and black for an earthy vibe.

This bathroom is eclectic yet unified. Unique choices in materials are tied together by a simple color palette of white, greige and brown.

Looking to nature is the perfect way to find your inspiration for greige. From bold to soft, every variation of this wonderful neutral can be found outdoors. You’ll find more of these color palettes on my Inspired Neutrals Pinterest board.

Soft grays come alive when paired with a vibrant color such as these shades of raspberry pink:

As I think about it, it seems gray has gotten a bad rap in the past. A ‘gray’ day sounds yucky and feeling gray implies being down. Maybe it’s time to makeover gray’s image. After all, it’s the middle ground of black and white, the ideal neutral for decorating, and nature’s flawless transition before dusk and dawn.