Soft Complementary Tones for Grey Kitchens
A timeless classic in interior design, a grey colour scheme has become a hallmark of refined taste and modern sophistication. Subtle yet bold, versatile yet distinguished, grey kitchen units serve as a neutral canvas upon which you can create countless kitchen styles. We will help you to make beautiful interior design choices for your kitchen whichever shade of grey you have chosen - light or dark, warm or cool.
Walls in Limestone™ No.55, Cabinetry in Egyptian Grey™ No.154
Which kitchen colour schemes pair with grey?
One of the reasons that grey has become such a popular choice of late is its versatility. Its wide range of undertones mean that shades of grey vary, from soft dove grey to the warmer taupe or dark grey. Cool greys have blue undertones, whilst warm greys contain brown. When choosing your grey colour scheme, it is important to consider how you would like to make your kitchen feel.
Do you favour a sleek, clean, modern aesthetic? Or do you want your kitchen to be the warm welcoming heart of your home? All of this and more is possible. Using complementary colours that sit closely on the colour wheel can make your kitchen feel serene and calm. Complementary colours include light blue and blush pink.
But if you want to feel energised and upbeat in your kitchen space, you should opt for contrasting colours. Warm cherry red or hot pink make a striking contrast with grey kitchen units, for example.
Darker colour schemes work better in larger kitchen spaces which do not need a light and airy colour palette to make them feel bigger. Similarly, if your space lacks natural light then light grey shades will make it feel less oppressive then dark grey tones.
Walls in Limestone™ No.55, Cabinetry in Egyptian Grey™ No.154
What accent colours go with dark grey kitchen cabinets?
There are many colour combinations that work exquisitely with dark grey kitchen cabinets. These are some favourites.
Golden yellow and dark grey
There are many colour combinations that work exquisitely with dark grey kitchen cabinets. These are some favourites. Yellow is always an uplifting colour, even when you use more muted tones. Earthy mustard yellow or soft gold make a tasteful yet eye-catching colour combination with dark grey. Think of the sun’s rays emerging from behind a storm cloud. It is a colour pairing that works. The yellow brings a vibrant, positive energy to the room without being overwhelming.
The Kitchen cabinetry in Chambers Gate™ No.85
Pink and dark grey
Different shades of pink can be used as complementary colours with dark grey units. Pink hues will stand out against the dark grey and bring some visual interest.
This colour can also bring elegance and softness to an otherwise austere dark grey kitchen. In this kitchen, the dark grey on the kitchen cabinetry, Blackout™ No 41, pairs seamlessly with eye-catching patterned pink tiles on the backsplash and flooring. The tiles bring personality and make a beautiful focal point.
Cabinetry in Blackout™ No.41
Earthy red and dark grey
Bring the essence of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with warm hues like terracotta, burnt orange or tomato red. These rich, earthy red tones bring vibrancy and warmth, contrasting beautifully with the coolness of dark grey. As in nature, earthy reds sit harmoniously with stone grey. Look for shades of grey with brown undertones to amplify the feeling of warmth.
Organic green and dark grey
Another earthy colour choice to team with grey is green. Green paint colours like emerald, olive or forest green bring a rich, organic quality to grey kitchens. These green tones have a timeless quality. To create a more modern kitchen style, pair your sleek cabinetry with metallic accents. In this photo, glimmering gold artwork provides a striking focal point alongside the dark grey units.
Neutrals and dark grey
Neutral or soft white walls are a classic colour combination to provide lightness against dark grey cabinets. It is a popular choice for a reason. Grey and white, or a pale neutral shade, looks chic and sophisticated. The addition of grey infused marble countertops enhances the luxury look. To prevent this feeling too bland or clinical, introduce tactile natural elements. A stone or wooden floor will add visual interest and texture. In this kitchen, the rattan bar stools add natural softness and texture to the neutral interior design layered, and elegantly unexpected.
Cabinetry in Oratory™ No.237
Grey and Light Grey
If you love grey, team your light grey kitchen cabinets with darker shades of grey. Layering different shades of grey adds a depth of visual interest. In the image above, dark grey kitchen cabinets are paired with grey painted walls and an eye-catching marble grey countertop to exquisite effect.
Cabinetry in Hoxton Grey™ No.72, Walls in Whitehall™ No.9
Soft pastel colours and light grey
Bring some romance and elegance to your kitchen space with beautiful pastel colours. For a refined colour palette, team your light grey kitchen cabinets with blush pink, dusty lavender or light blue. Pastel colours are a good choice in small kitchens as they enhance the natural light. They also bring a gentle warmth to cool kitchens. In this photo, the soft grey cabinetry and open shelving are complemented by the pale pink backdrop, evoking a sublte warmth.
Walls in Palmerstone Pink™ No.243
Navy blue and light grey
Navy blue, like grey, has become a popular choice for kitchen design. Dark blue shades like navy, indigo or even teal pair effortlessly with light grey cabinetry. Dark blue brings a touch of drama and depth. It is a perfect contrast, adding definition to a kitchen space. For a refined, luxurious and modern look, team your navy blue and grey kitchen with marble countertops and polished chrome hardware.
Green and light grey
Soft sage green has silver-grey undertones. It makes a sophisticated partner to light grey kitchen units. The two colours work in harmony. Sage green is evocative of nature. As such, it can make your kitchen feel comforting, tranquil and calm. For kitchens that lead out to the garden, sage green helps to bring the outdoors in. To add to the natural style, incorporate warm wood worktops, flooring and/ or furniture. This colour combination complements traditional Shaker kitchen cabinetry particularly well hardware.
Find your ideal kitchen colour combination
Choosing your kitchen colour scheme takes careful consideration. You need to consider the natural light, desired design aesthetic and the way you would like to make your kitchen feel. Grey kitchen cabinets lend themselves to myriad design styles and colour combinations. Thinking about the evocative elements of your desired kitchen will really help you to decide which direction to take. It is not simply about colour combinations though. Texture is a key element to kitchen design too. Metallic accents will elevate the look and enhance the grey cabinets. Similarly, natural materials like wood or stone work well with grey and add another dimension, be that on flooring, countertops or accessories. Look through our grey paint ideas for your home for further inspiration.
