Jon and Ro's beautiful office desk jumps out of the dark wall. Photo: Apartment Therapy
Gemma Ahern's entire apartment is painted dark gray, including floors, radiators, shelves and doors. Photo: Design*Sponge
It seems there happens to be a mini-trend in paint: floor to ceiling dark gray walls. And I'm talking the moldings, too. And not just gray, deep dark charcoal gray. I would think that this is probably a risky decision, so I decided to ask an interior designer about this phenomenon to find out if gray is really go.
I spoke with Mollie Chalk of Pineapple House and asked her a few questions about these smoky interiors.
When should you consider painting a room in a dark shade of gray or any dark color?
Although painting a room a dark color is not typical, there are many reasons why you might consider it. It can add drama and visual interest to any space. Before you paint your walls a dark color, make sure that you have other elements of your design that help support and balance the impact.
I prefer using a dark color in a room that can handle the drama. There is no real reason why you would have to be restrictive of dark colors if you like them. The most important thing when planning a room with dark colored walls is to make sure you have plenty of natural light and a variety of textures to make it cohesive and inviting. The simplest way to get texture in a room is by utilizing fabric. Because of the diversity of textile fibers, as well as the advancement in weaving technology, fabrics can offer an endless variety of textural surfaces that absorb and reflect light in different ways.
When should you perhaps consider not going dark?
If the space is relatively small with low ceilings you should consider going in another direction. Often times, small dark rooms feel claustrophobic. No amount of artificial light and texture can help a dark room if it's too small. I would avoid common everyday areas. Lighting would be a big reason why. Most commonly used spaces need not only natural light, but also a lot of task and ambient lighting. Lighter colored walls work best when you need a lot of light.
Designer Mollie Chalk says the key to a dark room is light & texture. Photo: Pineapple House
Having natural sunlight is ideal when painting with dark colors. Use different types of task lighting. Don't limit yourself to table lamps. Consider floor lamps, pendant lights, and/or sconces. When picking shades, go with something more translucent so that more light can be distributed. If you have recessed or track lighting, try to aim the light at a specific area or focal point. To keep the walls from drowning the space, add texture wherever possible. The more interesting surfaces you have in a dark room the better.
Another tip: Use mirrors. Mirrors are a great way to help open up a dark space by creating more refractory light and visual interest. Consider mirrored surfaces on furniture and of course wall mounted mirrors. For the real drama seekers, an accent-mirrored wall would be a wise choice not only for the appeal, but the amount of light it helps create in a dark space.
Mollie also offered two distinct design options when decorating around dark painted walls:
1) Work with that color and create a monochromatic palette - make sure to incorporate texture! You could even paint the ceiling the same color so that the room disappears. This creates an infinite backdrop for the wonderful things you use to personalize your space.
2) Use contrasting colors to make it stand out or "pop" against that dark wall. It's important when picking a contrasting color to a dark color that they have a similar hue and saturation.
One last tip: Make sure you plan the entire room before you get started. The most successful design occurs when all of the components were thought out as a whole.
So dear reader, What do you think about gray walls? Leave us a comment.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 4)
I like the dark gray, don't dig the white, white moldings though. Why can't moldings be a different color - even off white? The color doesn't necessarily have to be dark, it could be red for instance. Red all over an apartment could be neutral, and looks a lot better than the horrible Accent Wall. I like the moldings being painted the same color as he walls. When the trim color is a semi-or satin sheen it will look slightly different than the walls. It helps to use a good quality paint. Farrow and Ball and Pratt & Lamberet are two manufacturers not used as much as they should be. Their colors have depth (especially Farrow and Ball) and interest, which means they change slightly with the play of natural light and add considerably to a darker, richer color when being used as a "neutral" or base for the rest of the decorating.
ReplyPaula Douglas
The paint companies have to be behind this :-) I'm a Manufacturing Efficiency Consultant. I once did some work for a major paint manufacturer outside of Chicago. At the time, they supplied Walmart's interior latex as well as many other brands. Walmart, of course, forces returns on their suppliers, and "truckloads" of mis-mixed, returns, etc, came back. They had an area that opened, and dumped into large vats based on four or five main color groups. End result, they laughed and talked about, "if only 'Battleship Gray' were popular". They could mix a little 'blues' in with dark base, etc, but what they mostly ended up with were tons of extras mixed together which made 'grays'. Just thought some may find this interesting.
I'm not fond of the gray color, as it almost seems reflective of the depressive economy and somber mood of today. Once the economy improves, I feel this color will be history! For me, white, or light colors, with maybe a bold accent wall, brightens my spirit.
ReplyI can't believe that little old 60 year old me is a trend setter !!??
ReplyI painted the walls in one of my bedrooms gray over a year ago. And I live in Columbus, Ga.
If I want to feel like I live on a battleship, I'll join the Navy.
ReplyI agree that Gray is depressing on walls & clothes.
ReplyI just painted one wall in the dining room a shade of Burgundy. When I put the 2 masks back up & the picture that were there before they jumped out at you. What a great look.
I know want to color one wall in each room & thinking of purple in the master bedroom & avacado in the office or guest bedroom wall.
Even the hallway entrace could use a color lift on 1 wall.
I know it has been the trend for years but I am just getting around to it.
I have been wearing colorful clothes for years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't mind some gray in clothes, or bath towel sets, but not on the walls. Perhaps one accent wall in a lighter gray might look fine, depending on what is placed there. It's a thinker!!!!!
ReplyD - E - P - R - E - S - S - I - N - G !!!
ReplyI agree.
Gray walls are great! I was even named after a gray wall. Actually it was my Dad that was named after the gray wall and I was named after him, both are middle names. This was a long time ago as if my dear Daddy were alive he would be 82. My grandmother had just had him and all the kids were sitting around her trying to think of a name, they didn't want a Jr., but wanted the same initials as my grandfather. They needed a "G" name and my aunt looked at the walls and they were gray! Thought I'd pass along a neat story about gray walls! Back to decorating, blues are sometime a hard color to get right in a room, even light blue can be too blue. We painted my daughters room, a light gray and it was the prettiest shade of "blue".
ReplyGrey is soooooo depressing. I think this is a sign of the times. Even most the cars are dark dull colors. I can not imagine spending much time in those rooms. I would have to go on Prozac or something. Bring back the light happy colors.
ReplyI agree with mostly everyone here too. Gray is Definately NOT for me! In any room....not even a closet! That is the most depressing color to put on any wall in someones home. It just reminds me of rainy dark days.
ReplyI know it was pretty popular in the late 80's early 90's, when all the black furniture started making it's popularity with the whole "futuristic" look. And many of my friends were painting their bedrooms gray and had black furniture. Even people who really didn't have a nack for decorating or for picking out colors, were painting their living rooms and dining rooms gray and naturally paired it along with all that BLACK furniture again! For the people that didn't have a decorating talent in their bones, that was the easiest way to do it... it was too simple... gray walls, black furniture, and splash it up w/ some Red highlights!
Yes, it was pretty cool in the beginning because it was like walking into a room on the Starship Enterprise sometimes. But PLEASE... don't bring back that dreadful color again!! People who don't know how to decorate, and just go with whatever is the latest rage, will be depressing themselves everytime they walk into a room they painted gray! It's dreary and dark and down. Nothing appealing about it at all...
Of course that is just MY opinion though!
I'm not too fond of these gray walls myself. It makes me think of prison or a dungeon. But to each their own, right?
Replyuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggllllllllyyyyy!!!!!!!
ReplyIf you have a lot of artwork, the gray walls can really make it pop. Same for bright accessories, curtains, etc. I love the look myself.
ReplyI have a small room that was my daughter's nursery for the first 2 years of her life. It was pink and white. After we switched her to a larger room, I painted the walls a deep grey. There is lots of wood in this small room; 2 doors, one full and one half-sized window with small panes, high baseboards, a radiator, and now, coarse lace cotton cafe curtains. All of these are bright white. The rug is red. There is a small white wicker chair and matching table. I always feel happy when I walk by or into this sweet little room. I keep my ironing board up in there at all times. The silver cover on the board blends well.
ReplyI have just noticed some new comments on the color, deep grey. It does not strike me as a depressing color at all, but a warm, comforting color. White as a contrast, brings out the dark color, and adds the welcome brightness the room deserves.
ReplyNewest "IT" color??? I saw this "new trend" in Verandah magazine two or three years ago...I painted my living room and hall "Foggy Day" by Sherwin-Williams the weekend after I saw it in the magazine...Come on people, catch up! HAHAHA!
ReplyI don't really like the dark walls either...but with that bright pink table & way yellow pic & accents, it works. The yellow pic really pops.
ReplyI have always loved most shades of grey. I have been using it for years in all my different homes. Cool and uncomplicated, easy to accessorize. But I can tell you most people do not feel as I do. I paint huge abstract horses and flowers, grey is involved sometimes if my mood is such. They sell but my horses painted with turquoise infused backgrounds and lime, carrot and lemon wild lines are my best sellers. Kathy
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