Shea McGee uses this unpopular paint color in her home office – but color experts say it's actually the perfect shade for a calming working environment

Every year we witness a newfound appreciation for certain paint shades and it seems that this year is no different. With warm neutrals dominating the Color of the Year announcements and many designers and homeowners alike shunning the once-loved gray, we've seen a real shift in the tones that are on trend.

Designer Shea McGee has long been a fan of warm nudes and has been incorporating them in her homewares and design projects since her studio was founded in 2014. But it seems that Shea is still a lover of gray despite what color trends say, and has chosen the unexpected shade for her own office, ignoring its recent unpopularity and proving it can be a beautiful shade to work with.

The designer recently took to Instagram to show off her chic office space that's been designed with a cool grey color scheme. We were pleasantly surprised by Shea's unexpected use of the shade, but speaking to color experts we've delved deeper, understanding gray's calming qualities and why it's the perfect choice for a home office.

Shea has gone for a refined, soothing vibe that couldn't be more appropriate for an office. Cool-toned gray is the perfect calming shade that makes you feel relaxed and at ease, inspiring you for the week ahead.

Emily Moorman our Paint and Color Editor at H&G shares her thoughts on decorating with gray and why it's an apt color for an office. 'While there seems to be a never-ending appeal for warm colors right now, especially warm neutrals, you shouldn’t rule out cooler options, especially in rooms like home offices. Cool paint colors, from gentle grays as seen in Shea’s office to delicate blues, are known to be amongst the most soothing, making them a great choice for home offices where we want to feel calm and focused.'

After admiring Shea's office, it seems that she's matched her decor and furnishings to the large central cabinet that's finished in a sophisticated light gray. She's gone for neutral furnishings to allow the gray to shine, choosing a light wood desk and a natural linen armchair. Sticking with the gray scheme, she's selected a vintage-style gray repeat pattern wallpaper that brings some pattern and coziness to the room.

Choosing the right paint shade for your space is crucial as it will heavily dictate the feel of your space. Emily says, 'While cool neutrals can appear dull with the wrong paint color or in the wrong setting, soft and delicate light grays can be incredibly effective as a calming backdrop color for 2025.'

Shop Shea's office look

Grey is a perfect background color as it's neutral yet elevated, allowing for all styles of decor and furnishings to be introduced. Shea's cool-toned color choice is clever as it's subtle yet feels refreshed and polished.

Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball says that gray is ideal to use for a clean and calming vibe. 'Whilst gray may have fallen from our consciousness as the only color to decorate with, it’s still very much part of the painting repertoire and a great choice for a clean and uncluttered look. For best results, i.e. with a note of warmth, choose a browner-based grey such as Ammonite or its darker sibling Purbeck Stone.'

Shop some of H&G's favorite gray paints

While gray has been unpopular as of late, it's clear the shade is perfect for a home office as it's inspiring yet neutral. Shea's scheme is perfectly considered, showing that she knows best when it comes to practical yet beautiful design.