Trending Now: Bathrooms in Shades of Grey
See the newest projects Houzzers are uploading and gain a snapshot of the UK and Ireland’s most popular trends right now
We all know Houzz is a pretty special place to find inspiration and ideas, but did you know you can also find out the latest interiors trends on here, straight from industry insiders? All you have to do is click on the Photos tab on the homepage, filter by Newly Featured, pick the region you’re interested in, maybe even the room, too, and see all of the most recently uploaded projects appear before your eyes.
So, what’s on the hot list this week? Grey bathrooms! Grey has been at the top of the trends list for a while now for every part of the home, and doesn’t look as if it’s going to budge any time soon, but this week there’s been a particular influx of bathrooms that beautifully use this flexible hue. Is it time to move away from that old favourite, the all-white wash space? Judge for yourselves.
So, what’s on the hot list this week? Grey bathrooms! Grey has been at the top of the trends list for a while now for every part of the home, and doesn’t look as if it’s going to budge any time soon, but this week there’s been a particular influx of bathrooms that beautifully use this flexible hue. Is it time to move away from that old favourite, the all-white wash space? Judge for yourselves.
Reflect your love for grey
Think you need a generous-sized space to go for a strong version of this colour? Not at all! The grey trend can absolutely work in more compact spaces.
One trick is to do as the designer of this bathroom has done, and make the most of multiple mirrors to reflect light and make the space feel larger. The small hints of grey in the marble are bounced around the room, and are complemented by grey bath linen. This makes for a put-together, finished look.
Oh, and the gold fittings give it a luxe feel, which can trick the brain into thinking it must be in a larger room than it is.
Think you need a generous-sized space to go for a strong version of this colour? Not at all! The grey trend can absolutely work in more compact spaces.
One trick is to do as the designer of this bathroom has done, and make the most of multiple mirrors to reflect light and make the space feel larger. The small hints of grey in the marble are bounced around the room, and are complemented by grey bath linen. This makes for a put-together, finished look.
Oh, and the gold fittings give it a luxe feel, which can trick the brain into thinking it must be in a larger room than it is.
Mix with neutrals
Darker than white but lighter than black, grey comes in a countless number of shades, meaning it can easily complement almost any colour. But don’t think that means you need to opt for a bold, contrasting shade.
In this modern bathroom, neutrals reign, with browns and beiges setting the tone for a relaxing, spa-like space that doesn’t overpower. But it’s good to have a focal point, and here, that striking charcoal feature wall definitely steals the show, while the dark hue is picked up in the woodgrain elsewhere.
When pairing grey with other colours, be clear about the type of hue you’re working with – does it have warm, sandy undertones, or a pinky tinge, or is it a confidently cool colour? Choose your accompanying shades to work with, not against, what you find.
Darker than white but lighter than black, grey comes in a countless number of shades, meaning it can easily complement almost any colour. But don’t think that means you need to opt for a bold, contrasting shade.
In this modern bathroom, neutrals reign, with browns and beiges setting the tone for a relaxing, spa-like space that doesn’t overpower. But it’s good to have a focal point, and here, that striking charcoal feature wall definitely steals the show, while the dark hue is picked up in the woodgrain elsewhere.
When pairing grey with other colours, be clear about the type of hue you’re working with – does it have warm, sandy undertones, or a pinky tinge, or is it a confidently cool colour? Choose your accompanying shades to work with, not against, what you find.
Blend the trends
Although grey is at the forefront of interiors trends at the moment, it’s subtle enough to take a step back and let other key looks enjoy the limelight. Minimalist steel frames are also quite sought-after right now, thanks to the popularity of the industrial look, and can give a smooth finish to almost any space, both inside and out.
The grey walls in this simple bathroom soften the bold lines of the black framing for an alternative take on the monochrome trend.
Check out more ideas for working the monochrome trend
Although grey is at the forefront of interiors trends at the moment, it’s subtle enough to take a step back and let other key looks enjoy the limelight. Minimalist steel frames are also quite sought-after right now, thanks to the popularity of the industrial look, and can give a smooth finish to almost any space, both inside and out.
The grey walls in this simple bathroom soften the bold lines of the black framing for an alternative take on the monochrome trend.
Check out more ideas for working the monochrome trend
Look up…
Dark walls can have a cocooning effect that’s often useful to employ in rooms where light is minimal – the idea being that embracing what you’ve got rather than fighting it can result in the best solution.
This bathroom is lovely and bright, but having a light space is no reason to shy away from deep colours – just use them differently. Here, the owner has taken this trend to the skies by greying up the ceiling instead. And it totally works – the space is kept light and airy, but retains a strong colour scheme.
The ceiling works as one of a number of grey accents, along with the vanity unit, mirror frame and marble veining, which pull the scheme together.
Dark walls can have a cocooning effect that’s often useful to employ in rooms where light is minimal – the idea being that embracing what you’ve got rather than fighting it can result in the best solution.
This bathroom is lovely and bright, but having a light space is no reason to shy away from deep colours – just use them differently. Here, the owner has taken this trend to the skies by greying up the ceiling instead. And it totally works – the space is kept light and airy, but retains a strong colour scheme.
The ceiling works as one of a number of grey accents, along with the vanity unit, mirror frame and marble veining, which pull the scheme together.
…or all around
Here, you can see the other way you might play it: the owners of this bold bathroom have gone all-out, covering every wall with rich grey.
Slate colours can really work in the bathroom, as they have a slight marine feel – just think of wet rocks at the beach, or stormy skies rolling in across the sea.
Even the shower area has dashes of the colour in the tiling (along with pale, seaside blues, continuing the marine theme), but the brightness of the white surrounding tiles, slick, white basin surface and huge, light-reflecting mirror make all this grey not so gloomy after all.
Here are the answers to 11 common questions about radiators
Here, you can see the other way you might play it: the owners of this bold bathroom have gone all-out, covering every wall with rich grey.
Slate colours can really work in the bathroom, as they have a slight marine feel – just think of wet rocks at the beach, or stormy skies rolling in across the sea.
Even the shower area has dashes of the colour in the tiling (along with pale, seaside blues, continuing the marine theme), but the brightness of the white surrounding tiles, slick, white basin surface and huge, light-reflecting mirror make all this grey not so gloomy after all.
Here are the answers to 11 common questions about radiators
Add a dash
This modern bathroom works the grey trend in a different way. Although completely white, the tile grout is grey, which creates a modular look rather than a seamless, flowing space, and an edgy, contemporary effect, rather than one that’s soft and spa-like. Grey grout also has the benefit of not discolouring in the way white grout can. The silver-coloured tile trim adds a metallic sheen to this subtle take on grey.
If you have a plain white bathroom you want to update, why not re-grout your tiles in gunmetal grey? Be aware that if you have small tiles, it will take at least three times as long – and if you have odd angles, for example a herringbone pattern chopped about to fit into your corners, grey will really highlight this, so be sure you’re happy for that to happen before you get grouting!
This modern bathroom works the grey trend in a different way. Although completely white, the tile grout is grey, which creates a modular look rather than a seamless, flowing space, and an edgy, contemporary effect, rather than one that’s soft and spa-like. Grey grout also has the benefit of not discolouring in the way white grout can. The silver-coloured tile trim adds a metallic sheen to this subtle take on grey.
If you have a plain white bathroom you want to update, why not re-grout your tiles in gunmetal grey? Be aware that if you have small tiles, it will take at least three times as long – and if you have odd angles, for example a herringbone pattern chopped about to fit into your corners, grey will really highlight this, so be sure you’re happy for that to happen before you get grouting!
Soften up
Often, the temptation in the all-too-common bathroom with no natural light is to go for brilliant white, to give the space as much brightness as possible.
However, under harsh, always-on spotlights, this can make for a cold, stark space. Grey is the perfect softener, and this bathroom uses it to great effect. Large-format tiles create minimal lines to chop into the space and, in this instance, grey grout to match ensures nothing feels sharp, but, instead, welcoming.
Contrary to what some may think, blue isn’t always a cool colour, either, and this unusual textured wall works well with the grey here, adding depth to the room.
Often, the temptation in the all-too-common bathroom with no natural light is to go for brilliant white, to give the space as much brightness as possible.
However, under harsh, always-on spotlights, this can make for a cold, stark space. Grey is the perfect softener, and this bathroom uses it to great effect. Large-format tiles create minimal lines to chop into the space and, in this instance, grey grout to match ensures nothing feels sharp, but, instead, welcoming.
Contrary to what some may think, blue isn’t always a cool colour, either, and this unusual textured wall works well with the grey here, adding depth to the room.
Aim for elegance
Use grey as a pastel shade and you have the perfect foundation for creating an understated bathroom scheme. Take this fresh, elegant bathing space as an example. The walls have been painted in a pale blue-grey, which helps the room feel spacious and bright, while that statement silver bath and charcoal tray table keep grey front of stage.
Do you have any grey in your home? Are you inspired to create a grey bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Use grey as a pastel shade and you have the perfect foundation for creating an understated bathroom scheme. Take this fresh, elegant bathing space as an example. The walls have been painted in a pale blue-grey, which helps the room feel spacious and bright, while that statement silver bath and charcoal tray table keep grey front of stage.
Do you have any grey in your home? Are you inspired to create a grey bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Grey can be quite the chameleon. Pair it with the right accent colour and it will start to take it on. See the idea in action in this bathroom, for example: is it grey… or mauve?
This grey, in fact, has soft, purple-ish undertones, but these are only brought to the fore because of that carefully positioned lavender dressing gown. Clever. The trick is to choose not only the right colour, but also to pick your accent in a shade of comparable density.
Experiment yourself by trying out vases or towels in different shades next to your grey and see how it changes.