The Grey Dilemma
Grey reached the height of its popularity in the 2010s. It is a colour made from a mixture of black and white. Often referred to as neutral and inoffensive, grey can serve as a fantastic base when used correctly, allowing other colours to shine. However, grey is often perceived as a wishy-washy colour, a blend of two extremes that ‘falls in the middle’. Think of the phrase ‘grey area’, where everything is less clear and undefined. When used in isolation in interiors, grey can lack personality and warmth. Many interiors were dominated by grey walls, furnishings, and decorations, possibly reflecting the minimalist trend and YouTube videos featuring neutral backgrounds with high contrasts. We became overly enthusiastic about paring things back, inadvertently stripping our spaces of personality. I vividly remember visiting a friend's house, and after an hour or so, I felt completely drained. Was it the grey carpet, grey walls, grey sofa, grey curtains, or grey décor bringing me down? It felt as though the abundance of grey was sapping my energy and life force. This might sound dramatic, but let's consider human history and our natural habitats, which directly influence our environments and behaviour today.
We are naturally drawn to landscapes such as the sea, countryside, and savannah. These environments create a sense of ease within us due to several factors, and you'll notice that grey is not usually a prominent colour in these scenes. While grey does appear in nature—in rocks, pebbles, and cliffs—it is always complemented by other colours, such as green grass, running water, the ocean, and blue skies. The most significant presence of grey in nature is perhaps on a cloudy day. A blanket of grey clouds can dull everything beneath it, making us yearn for the sun. The lack of sunlight can lead to conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and when there is no sun, there is only grey cloud. This colour in isolation affects our mood deeply.
Think of it in terms of food—variety is key to a healthy diet. Imagine being served a bowl of gruel from Oliver Twist; we would all be unhappy with a plate full of grey. We crave the opposite, a rainbow of foods. Grey lacks nourishment, richness, information, character, and depth. This is why it can make an excellent base for other colours to shine. Grey takes a back seat, allowing other colours to stand out, but balance is crucial. Too much grey and the scheme will fall flat. Grey works best in harmony with other colours and textures to make a space radiate with personality and character.
Relying solely on decoration pieces to add colour to a grey base is risky, although not impossible. Using grey as the foundation for every element—walls, floors, furniture—and expecting the scheme to come to life with a few colourful cushions or vases isn’t going to hit the mark. However, a grey foundation with a bright piece of furniture can be wonderful, think of a vignette of a bright umbrella on a gloomy, rainy day, the trick is that the colour needs to be proportionate in the space. If we want interesting, characterful spaces filled with depth and layers it's easier to create it by layering more than two colours (At least implement the rule of three!) Think of those pebbles again, nestled between the blue sky, white clouds, a pop of yellow from the sun, or grassy hills in the background. Perhaps a colourful bird perching for a rest. Nature can be a great inspiration for colour palettes and schemes. At UNPAGED Studios, we love finding inspiration in nature because it was our original home, and these scenes and landscapes affect us on a behavioural and emotional level too.
So, if you’re considering an all-grey scheme, pause and think about how a cloudy day makes you feel. Do you really want to bring that inside with you all the time? Add some colour, fun, and personality to your space. If you’re already living with more grey than you desire, try slowly incorporating your favourite colours and patterns, perhaps through accessories or upcycling furniture. You can also try adding natural materials in to the scheme with warmer tones such as woods, ceramics and stones. Another way to bring life in to the space is to physically bring life into the space with plants. They add the texture and colour you need to stand out against grey.
Remember, just because someone online says you should have it a certain way doesn’t mean you should throw everything away and start from scratch. Look at what you already have and be creative. Find inspiration around you and experiment. Implement slow and sustainable changes to your interior.
As we move out of the grey trend and into a post-modern, funky, eclectic maximalist phase, it's tempting to rush into new trends without thinking. See how you can use what you have and consider buying new items, especially fast furniture, as a last resort. This approach saves the planet and your bank balance.
For more tips on how to transform your space with thoughtful design, follow us at UNPAGED Studios. And if you need personalised advice, book a discovery call with us today.
Images courtesy of Unsplash & Canva
