Design Dilemma: I Need Ideas for a Gray Living/Dining Room!
See How to Have Your Gray and Fun Color, Too
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor Demon, lifestyle editorial with an edge. http://www.decordemon.com
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"I've a gray living-dining area that needs some pizzazz to avoid looking like my OFFICE," writes Houzz user zazax8. "I'm thinking about injecting some color, which will revolve around a painting, but I'm also worried that the color combination will be too dull. I need advice on drapes, a rug, sofa and a floor lamp." See her before pictures and the painting that inspired her here.
After having just completed two back-to-back projects with transitional gray interiors, ideas were still fresh in my brain. Here are nine ideas to help zazax8 get this room together:
After having just completed two back-to-back projects with transitional gray interiors, ideas were still fresh in my brain. Here are nine ideas to help zazax8 get this room together:
by Amoroso Design
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Gray rooms, when done right, can epitomize designer-grade sophistication. A palette that works amazingly with pretty much any accent color is dove gray, medium gray, white and charcoal. I'd recommend going with solid white draperies so as not to take the focus off what will surely be the star of the room: your art. Pinch-pleated, lined panels from JCPenney are amazingly affordable.
As far as area rugs go, my first choice would be to stick with something plush and white such as thick shag or wool. White rugs can be impractical for busy rooms but can fare well if your room is low-traffic and not used much by children or pets.
As far as area rugs go, my first choice would be to stick with something plush and white such as thick shag or wool. White rugs can be impractical for busy rooms but can fare well if your room is low-traffic and not used much by children or pets.
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| A charcoal rug, either solid or with a large pattern, is a more practical option. Dark gray rugs are great at hiding dust, dirt and imperfections. Trust me, I live in a gray home, and my charcoal rugs have become lifesavers. Whether you go solid or patterned, both will work great with your art; the painting will be on a different visual plane than the carpet, allowing it to remain the star of the space. |
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| As far as sofas for your living room are concerned, you can't go wrong with a low-profile, streamlined, white-slipcovered sofa. KARLSTAD from Ikea is an excellent choice. The light tone against the medium gray walls will allow for your accent color to have major impact. This will also be a big factor in avoiding the dull office aesthetic you're trying to stay away from. |
Since your art has subtle red tones, I'd stick with that as your accent color, but almost any other high-energy hue will work. Just a few small bursts of it will add major impact to the room; consider introducing it above your dining table with a vintage pendant spray-painted red. If you choose the right red, it may pull out some of the same hue found in the art. And instead of sticking with the same exact red throughout the dining and living spaces, layer your reds. The brownish red from your painting can be dominant, then pair it with a mix of muted and high-energy options.
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| If a red light fixture is too much, you may want to consider red dining chairs. Set against gray walls, they really amp up a room's energy. Should red chair frames be too bold, try a textural red fabric on the cushions. Solids to consider are velvet, boucle, mohair or raffia; rich texture is key. |
Dining chair cushions also offer another opportunity to bring in pattern. A medium-scale geometric would work beautifully; this is also something to consider for your throw pillows.
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Layering textures and finishes is another key element to pulling off a sophisticated gray space. I like to introduce rich, darkly-stained wood furniture to add depth. Try to bring in rich browns with media cabinets, console tables or serving buffets. The larger size goes much further than a small side table or accent table. Something else in this photo to consider is a zebra print area rug. The black and white combo will work well with any accent color and the rough texture adds another layer of depth.
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Just one piece of furniture painted in your accent color can help bring the color from the living room into the dining space.
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by Imagine Living
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| Last, your floor lamp! I'm a sucker for an arching Arco-style lamp over the sofa. This just seems to work on so many levels. The original is super pricy; you can also try a similar one like this from Lamps Plus.
Join us on the questions page to add your ideas and see the painting zazax8 is using for color inspiration. Next: Browse hundreds of gray spaces |
Comments
Lily Gahagan Great ideabook! FYI for anyone thinking of getting IKEA's Karlstad: They no longer carry the long white slipcovers! We ended up getting ours on eBay. If you're looking for them, check there.
2 years ago · Like
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Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR I love gray walls. Your accent colors make all the difference. 
2 years ago · Like
ellie48 I love grey walls, from almost-there-grey to a medium grey!! Pictures 1 and 7 are my favorite. Keeping sharing about grey walls!!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 28, 2011.
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