A restful bedroom designed in serene shades of grey and white provides the perfect retreat after a long day. The calming, neutral color palette creates a soothing backdrop for sleeping and relaxation. While classic, the combination also allows for plenty of style options from modern to bohemian. By layering natural textures, adding sleek furnishings and incorporating pops of color, you can design a grey and white oasis that feels wonderfully peaceful.
Follow these tips to create a bedroom that will help you relax and unwind every night.
Choose the Right Shades of Gray
With so many options for grey paint colors, it’s important to select the right tones to complement the white trim and furniture in the space. Cool-toned greys with blue or purple undertones are soothing and promote relaxation. Warm greys with brown, red or yellow undertones can feel too stimulating for a bedroom.
Light greys are ethereal and airy, while medium greys nicely balance light and dark in the room. For more drama, choose a dark charcoal grey on the accent wall behind the bed. Mixing various grey undertones and depths throughout the room adds appealing visual texture.
Popular grey paint colors for bedrooms include:
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl – light grey with cool blue undertones
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray – light warm grey
- Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray – medium grey with slight green undertone
- Benjamin Moore Thunder – dark charcoal grey
No matter which shades you choose, grey provides the ideal subtly neutral backdrop for a serene modern bedroom.
Add Texture and Natural Materials
While grey and white look beautiful together, sticking only with those solid colors can make a room feel flat and stark. Layering in various textures instantly adds depth, dimension and visual interest. Plush bed linens, thick shag rugs, cable knit throws and woven blankets enhance the tactile appeal.
Natural materials like wood, rattan, clay, linen and cotton bring warmth and coziness to the cool grey and white color scheme. Wood nightstands, woven pendant lights, ceramic table lamps, linen bedding and rattan storage trunks incorporate organic texture. Touches of nature energize the calming neutrals.
Include Pops of Color
Pops of color enliven a grey and white bedroom, providing eye-catching focal points. Vibrant art, fresh flowers, glass lamps or ceramics in bold shades like sunflower yellow, turquoise blue or emerald green brighten up the space.
Small touches like patterned accent pillows, books or colorful glass bottles on the nightstand also add interest without overwhelming the neutral palette. For drama, opt for colored velvet window treatments or a vibrant painted accent wall or headboard.
Use Clean-Lined Furniture
The sleek, contemporary lines of modern grey and white bedrooms call for furniture with simple silhouettes. Platform beds with neutral upholstered headboards create an uncluttered look. Nightstands and consoles in wood, metal or leather suit the pared-down aesthetic.
Look for pieces without ornate carved details or embellishments to complement the soothing minimalist style. A polished concrete side table or acrylic Chair in the sitting area enhance the modern vibe.
Designate Spaces with Area Rugs
Floating area rugs help define spaces within the open-concept grey and white bedroom. Anchoring a rug at the foot of the bed pulls together the sleeping area. Another rug in the sitting nook with two chairs and a floor lamp delineates a separate lounging zone.
Area rugs provide plush texture underfoot and introduce color, patterns or material variations to hardwood or tile floors. Natural fiber rugs like jute, wool or cotton suit the laidback modern style. Choose a low pile height for easy under bed vacuuming.
Add Modern Lighting Fixtures
Thoughtful lighting elevates a grey and white bedroom, creating both function and flair. Combine ambient, task and accent lighting for a well-illuminated space.
Mount swing arm sconces on bedside walls for easy nighttime reading. Install recessed lights overhead for general illumination. Hang a stunning ceiling pendant over the sitting area or above the bedside for dramatic effect. For additional atmosphere, incorporate LED strip lights behind the headboard.
Opt for fixtures in satin brass, polished chrome, glass orbs or vintage filament bulbs to enhance the modern grey and white style.
Keep Wall Decor Simple
Wall decor makes a big impact in a mostly neutral room. Yet in a pared-down grey and white bedroom, it’s best to avoid over-accessorizing and clutter. There are chic, minimalist ways to infuse personality and color through carefully chosen wall accents.
Hang an oversized black and white photography print for an instant focal point. Arrange a stylish gallery wall with a mix of black frames. Floating wood shelves display books and green succulent plants. A large circular mirror expands the feel of the room.
Embrace Neutral Bedding
Bedding creates a plush haven in your grey and white retreat. Stick with neutral linens and layer on texture with duvets, woven blankets and quilts. Luxurious fabrics like Belgian linen, cotton percale and wool breathe elegance.
White sheeting keeps the look light and bright, while pale grey sheeting adds subtle contrast. Stacked mix-and-match shams introduce organic texture. Downplay patterns and prints to let the graceful color scheme shine.
Crisp white bedding always looks fresh, but off-white linen lends a relaxed vibe. Light grey or oatmeal bedding warms up the cool backdrop. A textured knit throw at the foot provides cozy comfort.
FAQ
What colors complement a grey and white bedroom?
Colors like light blue, sage green, pale pink and yellow work beautifully to lighten up a grey and white space. Navy blue, emerald and mustard yellow inject drama. Metallics like brass, gold and silver glam it up.
How do you decorate a small grey bedroom?
In small grey bedrooms, maximize space with a wall-mounted or floating bed. Add mirrors to visually expand the room. Multifunctional furniture like storage ottomans and bedroom benches add seating and hide clutter. Floating shelves provide display space without bulk. Focus on minimal, streamlined furniture.
Should you have grey walls and white trim or vice versa?
Grey walls with crisp white trim is a popular combination because the grey recedes while white draws the eye, creating contrast. White walls with grey trim lends a beachy, coastal vibe. Either approach looks chic and timeless.
What flooring works with a grey and white color scheme?
Grey wood or tile flooring complements grey walls nicely. For contrast, white washed wood floors pop against grey. Wide plank hardwood adds natural warmth. Simple patterned vinyl flooring makes a budget-friendly option. Large sisal or jute rugs work atop grey floors.
What kind of decor suits a grey bedroom?
A grey bedroom adapts beautifully to various decors. Iron, wood and marble add elegance. Natural fibers and greenery lend a relaxed vibe. Pops of vibrant art, lighting or bedding inject personality. Choose decorative accents in natural hues to complement the soothing grey backdrop.
Creating a peaceful grey and white bedroom sanctuary is simple with the right blend of chic neutrals, cozy textures, clean-lined furniture and modern accents. After picking a restful grey palette, layer on dimension with bedding, area rugs and window treatments. Keep wall decor minimal and lighting subdued. The result is a sophisticated, welcoming space for unwinding and restoring.
Your grey and white bedroom should reflect your unique personality too. Accent with colorful artwork, live plants or whatever makes you happy. Craft the soothing retreat you’ve been dreaming of for a better night’s sleep.
