Choosing curtains for a grey room
- Aria Jansen
- Consultant
In short
Grey walls are a timeless, easy-to-style choice, and the right curtains bring them to life. Start by working out whether your grey is warm or cool, then complement it — pair cool greys with blue or crisp white for a calm, sophisticated feel, or add satin and metallic tones for a touch of luxury. Layering with cushions, throws and accessories lets you change the mood without redecorating.
The curtain fabric you choose can totally transform your room. Grey is often trending as a wall colour, it’s modern and edgy yet timeless and classic, making it a well rounded choice. Here are our top picks for curtains when decorating a grey room.
Table of contents
How do I match curtains to my grey's undertone?
Identify the underlying hue of the grey and compliment it with matching curtains. Grey has two main undertones: warm which ranges from reds to purples, and cool which has a blue base. Greys with a green base can be a bit trickier and can appear cool or warm depending on the hue.
Grey and pale blue have always been a team. The colours are similar in tone making them perfect for those who don’t embrace bright colours, giving a sophisticated and subdued feel.
Create this cool, calming look with Pegasus fabric Liberty in the colour Glacier and Resene Scarpa Flow. The Liberty range of fabrics have a number of neutral colours that will match tone on tone with greys, such as Dove, Mineral, Larkspur and Cinder.
How do I keep a grey room soft and neutral?
Keep it neutral by combining white with soft grey. Resene Half Iron is the perfect grey to create a light bright, neutral base complimented by white. This simple look compliments natural wood and copper accents. For versatility it is hard to beat the grey and white palette that is heavily embedded in Scandinavian interiors. This interior scheme is easy to update, allowing you to add coloured accessories easily changing the look and feel of the room on a limited budget.
For a grey bedroom, bright white bedding combined with crisp white curtains is a classic look that never dates. We recommend using a grey with a warm base so that the room doesn’t feel too cold. Combine with a natural fabric for the curtains such as linen to add texture and keep the room soft and inviting.
Can I add a touch of sparkle and glamour?
Create a cool luxurious feeling with soft greys, metallic and vintage tones. A satin fabric such as Couture by Mokum in Pewter or Dove creates an elegant grey on grey look. The fabric has the appearance of hammered stainless steel. This look is all about the use of layers and accessories to add warmth and interest to the room.
Use blush and jewel coloured accent fabrics for cushions and throws, layering in vintage vases and accessories. For additional Hollywood glamour don’t forget your furniture. Updating the upholstery to velvet will add texture and gloss. We recommend Vintage by Mokum to complete the look.
Ready to find the right curtains for your home? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our local consultants will bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a no-obligation quote.
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Guides
Choosing the right curtains for your home
Not sure which curtains will suit your home? Find out everything you need to know with this free guide.
Frequently asked questions
What colour curtains go with grey walls?
It depends on the undertone of your grey. Match cool greys with blues and crisp whites, and warm greys with softer neutrals and natural textures. Pale blue and grey is a classic, calming pairing, while white keeps a grey room feeling light and fresh.
How do I tell if my grey has a warm or cool undertone?
Warm greys lean towards reds and purples, while cool greys have a blue base. Greys with a green base can read either way depending on the light in the room. Holding fabric samples against the wall at different times of day is the easiest way to see which way your grey leans.
Do grey and white curtains date quickly?
No — grey and white is a timeless palette that sits at the heart of Scandinavian interiors. It is also easy to refresh, because you can change the look simply by swapping in coloured cushions, throws and accessories.
Can I use metallic or satin curtains in a grey room?
Yes. Soft greys in a satin fabric create an elegant, luxurious grey-on-grey look, and they pair beautifully with metallic and vintage accents. Layering in blush or jewel-toned cushions and velvet upholstery adds warmth and interest.
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