How to Actually Use Gray in 2026 – 6 Stylish Schemes That Show Exactly How To Use This Tricky Shade
From painting the walls to decorating with wallpaper, here's how designers are using gray this year in a way that doesn't feel dated
It's fair to say that gray hasn't been the most popular color in recent years, ever since warmer hues came to the fore in an attempt to make neutral spaces feel warmer and more inviting. That said, gray can in fact offer a lot to a room, so it's worth giving this cool, tricky shade another shot in 2026.
While it's true that gray rooms can fall flat – cool tones on cool tones can appear drab – they can also bring freshness, moodiness, and provide a calming backdrop for decor to shine.
The key to using gray in a way that feels right for the direction of design in 2026 – think thoughtful layering, adding plenty of interesting textures, and ensuring soft contrasts. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite gray rooms to give you some stylish ideas, along with tips from designers on how to build your scheme with intention.
1. Choose a Dark, Warm-Toned Gray Paint
Warm-toned gray paints are a modern way to decorate with gray, offering a cozier feel than cool-toned gray.
Dark gray paints are a great way to add drama to a room, especially if you go for one with a warm undertone, so it doesn't feel drab. In this home office designed by Kindred Interior Studios, Sherwin-Williams' Porpoise was used at 70% strength, creating a sophisticated and slightly moody feel.
'This study is a great example of how gray can feel welcoming, layered, and timeless when it’s used thoughtfully,' say the designers Sydney Foley and Emma Legg. 'Instead of a flat or cool-toned gray, we chose a warmer, deeper gray for the walls that acts as a true foundation for the space. It brings in richness and dimension while still reading as a neutral, allowing the furnishings, finishes, and architectural details to really shine without competing for attention.'
'For 2026, we’re loving grays that feel complex and organic,' the design duo adds. 'Tones with warmth, subtle earthiness, and a finish that reads more “strong neutral” than traditional gray. These deeper, warmer grays create a sense of depth and permanence, making a room feel collected and intentional.'
2. Pair Light Gray With Blue and Warm Tones
To ensure light gray doesn't fall flat, layer it with accents of both warm and cool tones.
Knowing the best accent colors for gray is key to a stylish scheme. When decorating with light shades of gray, designers Elizabeth Bennett and Mallory Robins of KOBEL + CO turn to variations of blue and beige to complete the color palette. 'In this space, we brought in soft blues and beige notes to complement the gray-toned walls, keeping the overall room serene but layered,' they say.
Since gray is a cool color, the warmth of beige tones helps to keep the space feeling cozy and inviting, while blue feels harmonious alongside gray, resulting in a calming space. 'To keep a space feeling bright and inviting when decorating with light gray, we'll play within the warm-cool spectrum of a color,' the designers add.
This mounted light combines light blue with brass to warm up light gray walls.
Texture is important when decorating with gray, and this jute pouf adds a tactile feel, along with its warming tones.
Create a serene feel in light gray rooms with this textured throw blanket in a soothing shade of blue.
3. Team White Walls With Light Gray Trimwork
To add subtle depth to warm white walls, paint the trimwork in a light and warming shade of gray.
For a much subtler take on adding gray to your space, take inspiration from this living room, which teams soft white walls with a pale gray paint on the trim and ceiling. 'Trim (baseboards, window casings, doors) is often an afterthought, but by bringing in a small touch of gray, it drew attention to those details and made them a focal point,' explains the designer Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design.
'In addition to the trim, we brought in gray throw pillows and a vintage rug that had gray undertones,' the designer adds. 'The combination of these cool neutrals balanced the more visually dominant warm tones in the space.'
When choosing a light gray paint for your trimwork, make sure to test it to see how it looks as the light changes throughout the day. Light gray paints with warm undertones, such as Farrow & Ball's Ammonite and Benjamin Moore's Classic Gray, tend to feel softer and more welcoming than overly cool tones.
4. Color-Drench a Room With Gray Paint
Teamed with warming jewel tones and rich wood, this gray dining room feels every bit sophisticated.
If you're going to be painting the walls with a gray paint, consider color-drenching the space. While accent walls can feel outdated, a bolder approach where the color is wrapped on all four walls and includes woodwork, trim, and doors tends to feel much more aligned with the latest interior design trends.
This was the direction the interior designer Hannah Blumenthal took in this dining room, which manages to feel both timeless and playful. 'While pale gray walls can feel cold and uninspiring, a room dipped in deeper gray paint feels rich and enveloping – perfect for spaces like dining rooms, which can handle a bit of drama,' says Hannah.
'Dark gray walls are especially elegant when paired with walnut furniture and jewel tones such as those found in the rug and inset cabinet in the dining room of this historic Washington, D.C. home,' she adds.
Take inspiration from this dining room and pair gray walls with the rich warmth of walnut.
Hannah also recommends adding jewel tones to gray rooms. This rug is an on-trend shade of teal and would add instant elegance to dining rooms (it's washable, too).
If you're decorating with gray in a living room, incorporate warming jewel tones with this velvet bolster pillow with a gorgeous floral print.
5. Use Gray as a Calming Color in Living Rooms
Gray walls can be a calming choice for living rooms, but make sure to layer pattern, texture, and color to keep things interesting.
In this living room, gray forms the base of the color scheme, from the bookshelf to the plaid sofa, resulting in a calming space that allows richer colors to be layered. 'Instead of fading into the background, gray takes on a starring role as both a spatial and stylistic anchor,' says the designer Javier Burkle of Burkle Creative.
On the bookcase, Benjamin Moore's Galveston Gray was used, which is otherwise known as Benjamin Moore's Graystone. 'The color’s warm undertone keeps the millwork from feeling stark, allowing it to blend naturally with the home’s softer palette,' says Javier.
'The pattern adds depth and a sense of ease, reminding us that gray shines when it’s layered rather than left alone,' he adds. 'While the homeowners have a deep love of neutrals, this room also nudges them forward with a green sofa that brings in contrast and personality. Gray quietly does the heavy lifting here, grounding the bolder choice and keeping the space feeling calm and cohesive.'
Add plaid to your gray scheme to give the room interest through pattern. This blue colorway feels fresh and would team well with gray walls.
Offset the cool tones of gray with this throw blanket in a warming palette of ochre and pink.
Add texture to your gray living room with this pillow cover in a tactile, warm shade of linen.
6. Add a Whimsical Touch With Gray Wallpaper
Gray wallpaper, teamed with matching gray trimwork and ceiling, adds a whimsical yet sophisticated touch to this dining room.
Decorating with gray isn't just about paint, but wallpaper, too. Since wallpaper ideas can often be bold and busy with intricate patterns, choosing one in a gray tone is a great way to make the whole scheme feel more livable and balanced.
'Gray is still great on walls, especially a purposeful hue,' says the designer Michelle Gage. 'In this farmhouse dining room, we used gray as the primary color within the wallpaper – as well as on the trim and ceiling to really drive the look.'
When it came to choosing the furniture for this room, Michelle extended the gray palette to the dining chairs and rug, while warmth was added to the scheme with the large wooden dining table.
This light gray wallpaper feels quietly elevated with its subtle floral theme – perfect for larger and open spaces.
Go for a darker shade of gray on the walls with this floral wallpaper. With more contrast, it makes more of a statement, and would work well to elevate small rooms.
This toile wallpaper offers a whimsical and dreamy look with its soft print, and would work just as well in dining rooms as it would in bedrooms.
These spaces prove that with a considered approach, gray can be a stylish and sophisticated hue to incorporate into your home. Whether you drench your walls in a moody gray (warm undertones are favored) or add subtle gray accents through furniture and decor, gray can bring the right level of moodiness and contrast to your space.
