Bathed in Color: When to Use Gray in the Bath
Go for elegance and sophistication without going overboard on coolness, using these gray bathroom paint picks and inspirational photos
Jennifer Ott
June 10, 2013
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's work has been featured in many print and online publications. Her recently-published book, "1000 Ideas for Color Schemes," is a beautifully illustrated and easy-to-navigate guide that takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect color palette for your home or special event. For more information on Jennifer Ott Design, visit http://jenottdesign.com/.
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's... More
Gray is a popular neutral to use with more attention-grabbing hues, but I’ve been seeing gray stand all on its own more and more in residential interiors. The trick to working with gray is to counterbalance its coolness so that it doesn’t end up feeling sterile and institutional. You can do this by adding warm wood tones or by choosing a shade of gray on the warmer end of the spectrum. Of course, if you live in a hot climate, a predominantly cool gray bathroom can feel soothing.
Here are some gray paint selections that run the gamut from light to dark and cool to warm, along with seven stylish examples of how to use gray in a bath.
Here are some gray paint selections that run the gamut from light to dark and cool to warm, along with seven stylish examples of how to use gray in a bath.
Gray paint picks for bathrooms (clockwise from top left):
1. Slip of Silver 139-3, Mythic Paint
2. Shadow Gray 2125-40, Benjamin Moore
3. Timeless Gray 29-23, Pratt & Lambert
4. Seattle KM3923-1, Kelly-Moore Paints
5. Dovetail SW7018, Sherwin-Williams
6. Vessel Gray 4005-2A, Valspar
7. Feldspar 554-4, Pittsburgh Paints
8. Gray Area 770F-4, Behr
1. Slip of Silver 139-3, Mythic Paint
2. Shadow Gray 2125-40, Benjamin Moore
3. Timeless Gray 29-23, Pratt & Lambert
4. Seattle KM3923-1, Kelly-Moore Paints
5. Dovetail SW7018, Sherwin-Williams
6. Vessel Gray 4005-2A, Valspar
7. Feldspar 554-4, Pittsburgh Paints
8. Gray Area 770F-4, Behr
I adore the dramatic shade of dark cool gray on this vanity. It really pulls out the gray veining in the marble floor tiles. If your bathroom is cramped or underlit, take a cue from this space’s white walls, accessories and floating contrasting-colored cabinet to make your room feel larger and airier.
Shop gray vanities
Shop gray vanities
Try mixing warm and cool shades of gray for a modern yet timeless look. This handsome bathroom features a nice variety of colors, materials, sheens and textures.
If you opt for medium or dark gray wall and floor tiles, try selecting tiles of different sizes, shapes and shades to keep them from looking monolithic and overbearing. Also, these tiles are in a warmer shade of gray — heading toward taupe. They make for a nice neutral background that isn’t too cold.
There's quite a bit of cool gray tile in this bathroom, but the rich pecan-clad cabinets help to break it up and warm it up. The soft grayish-green walls add just a whisper of color without competing with the other elements.
Gray and white unite in this space, creating a calm, cool and sophisticated feel. There's a nice balance of light and dark here.
Keep it clean and simple with large-format gray tiles and a gorgeous big white bathtub. This cool and contemporary bathroom has a minimalist spa vibe that I find appealing and tranquil. If your budget doesn’t allow for tile-clad walls, paint your walls a fetching shade of gray in an eggshell or semigloss finish instead.
What a gorgeous assortment of tile! Transitioning from tile to drywall or from one tile type to another can be tricky — especially if there are no bullnose trim pieces available or you are seeking a clean, contemporary look. By cladding the entire wall in one tile, you won't have to deal with awkward or unfinished-looking transitions.
Tell us: Have you warmed to using cool gray in the bath?
More ways to go gorgeously gray
Tell us: Have you warmed to using cool gray in the bath?
More ways to go gorgeously gray
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