I just got a great question frommy friend, Megan. She’s getting married and starting to decorate their new home. They have a tan Pottery Barn sofa and wants to paint the walls gray and asked my advice.
This brings me back to the age old question that I have pondered time and again and have truthfully, struggled with. Can tan and gray go together? Can black and navy go together? Can black and brown go together?
For a long time, I would’ve said no. But, now, I’m all for it.
I have seen so many amazing rooms combining any number of odd color combinations that all work great!
But, my favorite has become tan, gray, and white.For so long I would have said that this just doesn’t work. Tan and gray clash. But, so many inspiration images I have found tell me otherwise.
Who wouldn’t want to eat in this dining room? And, yet it has gray striped walls with tan furniture and tablecloths.
This shot has so many different tan and gray tones that all compliment each other and join to form the most beautiful neutral palette!
Emily from Jones Design Company is so good at combining these two colors in her home.
Here’s her entry:
Yep, that’s a gray painted mirror (Rushing River by Sherwin Williams, to be exact) and gray accessories with very tan walls. I think it works so well, right?
Her living room (this is a great shot for you, Megan!):
Gray walls with a very tan sofa and chairs. She even has tan paint above the gray paint!
And my absolute favorite of all, her office:
Tan walls against a very gray dresser (Rushing River again – I love that color!) Here’s a straight on shot:
Wow.
Go check out the rest of Emily’s office post here. That room still takes my breath away. So unique and creative!
So, I think the answer is yes. Tan and gray can absolutely go together!
I’ll be back the rest of this week to show you how I’ve used this color combo in our own home.
FAQs
Why, yes, they can! The key is to keep the vibrancy, or chroma, of the colors uniform. Bright colors pair with brights, and muted (toned down) colors pair with other muted colors. We can all agree that gray and tan are relatively muted, but some are slightly more vibrant than others.
Can you put gray and tan together? ›
Tan and gray can absolutely go together!
What accent color goes with gray and tan? ›
Gray, golden tan and white create a restful and serene bedroom space. I'm loving those gorgeous amber lamps. They look totally elegant surrounded by gray walls.
Does charcoal GREY and tan go together? ›
While tan and grey are both considered colors due to their relative neutrality and the ease with which they can often be paired with other colors, dark grey and tan don' t really mix. Grey and tan go great together.
Do tan and grey go together in clothes? ›
One of my favourite colour combinations lately has been the oh-so pleasing pairing of grey and tan tones. It's definitely not for everyone, but I love how they instantly make any outfit look really Seventies/retro inspired.
What color do beige and gray make? ›
Greige is simply beige plus gray. The addition of gray to beige creates a richer color, one that will work in both cool and warm color schemes. Greige typically appears more gray than beige, however, it has beige's warm yellow undertones.
Do grey and brown go together in a living room? ›
Who doesn't love grey and brown? It's the classic combo. We reached out to our interior stylist Aneta Skoczek and asked her to share her top tips for creating a fabulous grey and brown interior. If you've got your sights set on a relaxed and chic grey and brown living room, read on…
What color cushions go with a greige sofa? ›
Gray upholstery also provides a lovely base for neutral color schemes. Depending on the undertone, a gray sofa can fit well with white, beige, black, sepia, and wood tones.
Do cream and grey go together in a living room? ›
Cream is considered a warm neutral, and as grey is a cooler colour, this is why the two balance each other well.
What greens go well with grey? ›
Complement your grey with sage green for a modern look
Sage green can also act as a neutral thanks to its muted tone and is an updated and more popular alternative to beige.
A good combination would be to pair a softer gray with either a richer tan or a darker brown. Also, it's okay to pair two lighter shades as long as there is enough contrast–and if your brown and gray are similar in color, you can still create contrast with a texture.
Is charcoal grey warm or cool? ›
Even the richest charcoal shades can be surprisingly warm. Despite the name, Cool Charcoal won't leave your interiors feeling cold and sterile. Hints of gingerbread will spice up your palette, while a greige profile makes it easy to select complementary paint colours.
What does charcoal grey look like? ›
Color: Charcoal grey is a deep, nearly black shade of grey. It is considered a neutral color in fashion, meaning it can be paired with a wide range of other colors. Versatility: Charcoal suits are incredibly versatile.
Does tan look good with grey hair? ›
The iconic grey hair and tan skin duo
Not only is the look striking, but the glow you'll get from self-tanner helps offset your hair's lack of pigment and helps make you look vibrant from head to toe!
Does GREY and Brown work? ›
Brown and gray can work together to create a moody living space that's perfect for cozying up with a good book or movie.
Does grey go with tan skin? ›
Like those with medium skin, for girls who are dark toned, light gray is also a good choice. “If a color is too close to your skin tone, it just won't flatter as much,” explains Tierney. She also notes that cooler colors are harsher on darker skin and can bring out gray undertones, which you want to steer clear of.
What color shows off a tan best? ›
Citrus colors will enhance the glow your skin has picked up from a tan, whether you got the tan naturally or unnaturally. Fruity colors like watermelon, melon, and berry will also do a good job of contrasting your tan. Look for coral and warm shades of pink. Coral and warm pinks do a good job of adding a rosy glow.
