Gray prevailed in home design for years, offering a neutral backdrop for any decor style. However, experts agree this trend is finally losing its appeal as 2025 approaches. “While gray had a long reign as a neutral, it's time to step aside," Will Brown, principal designer of Will Brown Interiors, says.
Gray will make your home look dated compared to more updated homes on the market—gray is not timeless or trend-proof. Instead, choose a warmer neutral that suits the finishes in your home (hopefully).
Beige is replacing gray as a popular interior color, offering warmth and versatility for various design styles. Sandy beige is ideal for creating inviting atmospheres in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, enhancing overall decor without overwhelming the space.
The consensus is that the gray, black, and stark white hues—which have been trending in recent years—will be replaced with warm neutrals and rich, earthy hues in 2025.
Grey is considered a neutral, so yes it will be in fashion for 2021. There are a variety of tints and tones of grey. Grey can be a warm or cool color depending on the shade you select. If you are doing an entire level, consider using three or four graduated color from a paint deck.
One of the most prominent colours stepping in to replace grey is beige. This versatile shade is celebrated for its ability to brighten spaces while evoking a sense of calm and timelessness. Unlike grey, beige offers a warmer, more organic feel, making it a perfect backdrop for a variety of design elements.
"Agreeable Gray SW 7029 is our most popular gray paint color because it's the perfect hue for any living space, whether it be a family room or bedroom," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
Business Insider asked color experts which hues are on their way out in 2025. Black may seem sophisticated, but it's not a great choice for long-term livability. More people will phase out colors like olive green and mustard yellow in favor of softer hues.
The best cabinet colors that work well with gray walls include white, brown, espresso, dark gray, charcoal, navy blue, and black.
Gray bathrooms are modern yet timeless. Whether as an overall color scheme, in combination with other colors, or as a stylish and understated accent, it's hard to imagine a modern bathroom without any gray.
Beige: The Neutral Backbone of Any Room
This versatile neutral never goes out of style because it effortlessly complements any space while adding warmth and balance. Its ability to blend into different décor styles has made it a go-to for creating cozy, welcoming rooms.
Blue Nova, Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore's 2024 Color of the Year is Blue Nova, a cool and captivating shade of blue with the prettiest hint of violet. The intriguing color choice stems from the desire to travel both near and far — even outer space!
A warmer alternative to the once-popular gray, beige is easy to live with and can make a beautiful foundation for both contemporary and traditional schemes.
So, naturally, the colors that go with gray are nearly endless. Pair it with a light, sage green for a soothing, spa-like interior or go bold with a russet orange for a dramatic room. When figuring out what goes with gray, think about the goals you have for your room.
However, experts say variations of white room ideas can be effective in adding value to your home. 'It may sound boring but classic neutrals in white and off-white colors are the safest bets when trying to increase the value of your home for sale,' agrees Katharine Rhudy, designer at Reed & Acanthus.
Warm, light brown will replace gray as a neutral of choice in the new year.
In smaller kitchens, lighter cabinets and walls can create the illusion of space and make it feel larger and more airy. On the other hand, in larger kitchens, darker cabinets can anchor the space and prevent it from feeling too expansive. Style: Your style is a major consideration in the debate of light and dark.
For a cohesive look, consider the undertones of your gray cabinets. If they have warm undertones, opt for countertops with warm hues like beige, cream, or gold. If your cabinets have cool undertones, choose countertops with cool hues such as white, gray, or black.
Gray is a neutral that's been taking center stage lately in many homes. It often gets categorized as being too cold, but with the right shade, it can work wonders in a kitchen.
Say farewell to boring grays and hello to ravishing reds! Color has never been more personal than it is projected to be in 2025. Trend forecasters, from leading paint companies to color institutions, agree that consumers are forgoing stark whites, dated grays, and cool neutrals in favor of layered colors.
For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute selects PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.
WGSN, the world's leading trend forecaster, joins forces with Coloro each year to unveil the color that will mark the coming seasons. For 2026, their choice was "Transformative Teal", a deep blue-green that embodies both technology and nature. This article has been automatically translated.
This shift indicates a move from cool greys to warmer and more vibrant colors as homeowners seek to create more inviting and personal spaces. Despite this trend, grey walls are somewhat in style. They still offer a sleek, modern look that can be particularly effective in minimalist or industrial-themed homes.
making gray walls work | add warmth
The warmth can come from wood furniture and/or floors, fabrics, and definitely rugs. In our bathroom, which is dominated by cool grays, an antique wool rug brings a pop of warm color and texture to the room. The wood stool also brings visual warmth to add some contrast.
Gray is a fairly forgiving color that will partner with almost any hue. When choosing your gray color scheme, pay attention to the undertones. Cooler grays pair well with blues, purples, and teals, while warmer grays (think mushroom and putty) pair better with reds, oranges, and other warm shades.