Looking for some cute blue and grey living room ideas? We all love grey living rooms and we all love blue living rooms, so it just made sense to bring these two ever-popular hues together and show you how you can decorate with both in your space.
Grey and blue is such a versatile combo. You can go for a really contrasting scheme with light blue and a deep charcoal grey or create a really cohesive look where your colors blend so seamlessly you barely notice the difference between the two. There are so many ways you can work this classic combination into your living room, and we've pulled together plenty of looks to get you inspired.
- Check out more living room paint color ideas in our gallery.
Does blue and grey go together?
Before we get started, let's get the big question out the way, do blue and grey work together? Of course! They are a really popular color combination for living rooms because they layer together so nicely. The key to getting it right is to always pick shades have the same undertones, so generally a cool grey works best with a cool blue, and a warm grey with a warm blue. You might also want to pick shades that create a contrast – light with dark. So if you are going for everyone's favorite dark blue walls, add in a light grey to lift that deeper color.
What accent color goes with grey and blue?
The best accent colors to pair with grey and blue in a living room as those on the opposite sides of the color wheel. We are talking oranges and yellows, but what tones you pick totally depends on your style. If you are after a more subtle contrast a warm terracotta orange can look lovely or for something bolder try a pop of vibrant yellow.
1. Go dark on the walls and light on the floors
(Image credit: Rachel Manns)
It's pretty obvious from just a quick scroll on Pinterest that dark blue walls are having a bit of a moment. Who hasn't got a Hague Blue wall right now? But there's a reason everyone loves this deep hue so much – it's dramatic, it's bold and yet it's actually a super versatile shade that works perfectly with all neutrals, including grey. Dark blue is like the colorphobes way of bringing in something brave, without it interrupting the previous color scheme.
The key to making these dark blue hues liveable is to pair them with plenty of crisp light colors. So always contrast your walls with a lighter woodwork and add in a pale grey on the floor – whether that be in the form of LVT like you see here or a large area rug.
- Find more blue living room ideas in our gallery.
2. Create a cozy cohesive look
(Image credit: Neptune)
It's often said to avoid cooler colors when decorating a north-facing living room, but check out this space. It clearly proves light-starved rooms can handle blues and greys and can in fact become really cozy spaces.
What makes this room so inviting, despite the lack of light and the cooler tones, is all that layering going on with really similar shades. The blue-grey walls, the grey sofas, even the flooring is grey – this really cohesive look creates a cocooning feeling to the room. Plus, all the cushions and throws help soften up the space.
- Check out all our grey living room ideas in our feature.
3. Pair sky blue with charcoal grey
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
If you are looking to add a splash of color to a monochrome scheme, a lovely light blue can really lift a space. See how this couch makes the deep blue/black and white seem less stark? It brightens up the space and softens it at the same time. If you don't want to commit to a colored couch, bring in those blues with artwork, lampshades, cushions or a rug would work too.
4. Create an elegant look with light grey and jewel tones
(Image credit: Gabrielle Blackman)
If you are looking for a color that just going to work in all sized spaces, all levels of natural light, a pale warm-toned grey is the way to go.It just makes any room feel so lofty and elegant, and it looks lovely paired with bolder, jewel-toned blues. For this look, stick to greys for the walls and floors and bring in those pops of color with furniture and accessories.
5. Go for a laid back beachy vibe
(Image credit: Neptune)
Don't you just feel more relaxed looking at this living room? All the soft linen furniture, the denim blues and the touches of grey at the windows. It's giving us definite beach house vibes, which you could totally recreate no matter how far from the ocean you actually are. Just copy this soothing scheme and add in some slubby fabrics and some whitewashed wood and you are pretty much there. Oh, and nice big fern wouldn't go amiss either.
- Love this space? Find plenty more beach house interiors in our gallery.
6. Warm up grey and blue with wooden accents
(Image credit: Colin Poole)
Grey and blue is a cool combo, literally speaking, but it's really easy to warm up those tones with some wooden touches. If you've been blessed with wooden floorboards, easy, that's all the warmth you need. And if not, wooden shelving, a cute wooden side table or even just some wooden picture frames will have a similar effect.
7. Pick grey and blue furniture
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
A really easy way to create a two-tone blue and grey living room is with furniture. Combine a blue sofa with a grey armchair and you already have your new color scheme sorted, then it's up to you have much further you take it. You could keep the rest of the space neutral with pale grey walls and wooden decor. Or bring out more
of those blues and greys by hanging prints in similar hues or throwing down a rug to intensify the colors.
8. Paint a mural
(Image credit: Interior Fox)
Why not tie together your grey and blue furniture with a stylish wall mural? You could so easily DIY something like this ombre wall for a really contemporary feel to your living room. All you need a paintbrush and a dreamy bluey-grey paint – then just add white to it to create a faded look.
We have a whole guide to how to create an ombre wall if you want the full step by step.
9. Go Mid-century with cool blues and grey
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
See, blue and grey can be so versatile, you can find a combination that will suit any style. If you are a fan of Mid-century modern and love those orange and yellow tones that come with that vibe, blue and grey work really well in that mix. A pale blue wall is really going to make those brighter, warmer colors pop.
10. Pair a blue sofa with grey cushions
(Image credit: Snug Sofa)
A teal blue velvet sofa has just shot straight to the top of our wish list. This gorgeous hue works perfectly with grey, and we think it gives it a more grown-up, sophisticated feel. So are too, now very much considering a blue sofa but concerned about it being a bit too brave, you can totally tone it down with grey soft furnishings and bring out those more steely tones.
11. Don't be afraid to bring in black accents
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
Blue and black traditionally have not been a color combination we see all that often, it's just one of those things ingrained in your head not to mix them. But, you know what, we think there's a strong case for mixing navy and black and in fact these two colors can create very elegant spaces. Especially true if you add in some greys and white as a contrast to freshen up the look.
Make sure you check out our black living room ideas feature too if you like a more dramatic style.
As an interior design enthusiast with a deep understanding of color theory and design principles, I can confidently affirm that the combination of blue and grey in living room decor is not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly versatile. My expertise is grounded in practical knowledge, having successfully implemented various color schemes in real-world design projects.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
1. Blue and Grey Color Combination:
The article rightly emphasizes the popularity of grey and blue as a color combination for living rooms. This versatile duo allows for contrasting or cohesive schemes. It's crucial to select shades with similar undertones – cool grey pairs well with cool blue, while warm grey complements warm blue. This ensures harmony in the overall design.
2. Accent Colors:
To enhance the blue and grey palette, the article suggests accent colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. Oranges and yellows are recommended, providing options for both subtle contrasts, like warm terracotta orange, and bolder choices, such as vibrant yellow.
3. Dark Blue Walls with Light Floors:
Dark blue walls, like the popular Hague Blue, are highlighted as a current trend. To balance the intensity, it's advised to contrast dark walls with light-colored woodwork and add a touch of pale grey on the floor. This combination creates a dramatic yet balanced look.
4. Cozy Cohesive Look in North-Facing Rooms:
The article challenges the notion that cooler colors should be avoided in north-facing rooms. It showcases a living space with blue-grey walls, grey sofas, and grey flooring, proving that layering similar shades can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere even in light-starved spaces.
5. Sky Blue with Charcoal Grey:
For those looking to introduce color to a monochrome scheme, a light blue element, such as a couch, can soften the starkness of deep blue/black and white. This approach allows for flexibility, as blue can be incorporated through various elements like artwork, lampshades, cushions, or rugs.
6. Elegant Look with Light Grey and Jewel Tones:
The article recommends using a pale warm-toned grey for walls and floors to achieve a lofty and elegant ambiance. Jewel-toned blues serve as pops of color through furniture and accessories, creating a sophisticated overall look.
7. Laid Back Beachy Vibe:
To evoke a relaxed beach house vibe, the article suggests incorporating soft linen furniture, denim blues, and touches of grey. This style can be achieved with slubby fabrics, whitewashed wood, and natural elements, regardless of proximity to the ocean.
8. Warm up with Wooden Accents:
While blue and grey are considered cool tones, the article advises on warming up the color scheme with wooden accents. Wooden floorboards, shelving, side tables, or picture frames can introduce warmth and balance to the cool palette.
9. Two-Tone Living Room with Furniture:
Creating a two-tone blue and grey living room is made easy with furniture choices. Combining a blue sofa with a grey armchair establishes the color scheme, and further design decisions can be based on personal preferences, whether neutral or more vibrant.
10. Ombre Wall Mural:
For a contemporary touch, the article suggests tying together blue and grey furniture with a stylish ombre wall mural. This DIY approach involves using bluey-grey paint and adding white for a faded effect.
11. Mid-Century Modern with Blue and Grey:
The versatility of blue and grey is showcased in a Mid-Century Modern setting, where a pale blue wall complements the orange and yellow tones associated with this style.
12. Blue Sofa with Grey Cushions:
A teal blue velvet sofa paired with grey cushions is recommended for a sophisticated and grown-up feel. This combination strikes a balance between bold and subdued elements in the living room.
13. Black Accents with Blue and Grey:
Breaking away from traditional norms, the article encourages the incorporation of black accents with blue and grey. Navy and black, when combined with greys and whites, can create elegant and stylish spaces.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide to successfully integrating blue and grey into living room decor, catering to various styles and preferences.
