If you havenât heard of the paint color greige, youâve most definitely seen it. Greige is a warm gray paint color thatâs like beige paint from the 90âs and todayâs more modern gray paint had a baby creating a gray beige color we now call greige! Greige paint colors have become a very popular choice because they coordinate with a lot of different colors. Whether your home color palette includes warm colors, cool colors, or both, greige colors go with all of it.
The Problem with Beige Walls
Now I hope Iâm not offending, but the problem with beige paint is that itâs really hard to pick the right one and oftentimes people end up choosing a beige wall color that turns out looking pinky beige, or even orange! You know what I mean? Just like we avoid light thatâs too yellow or orange because itâs not attractive, we need to avoid wall colors with those same undertones. When youâre not careful here these beige paint colors can make a room feel outdated or even a little bit dingy.
The Problem with Gray Walls
On the same note, gray paint colors can also be really unattractive because they often end up looking too blue or even purple. And often the complaint about truly gray painted walls is that they can make a room feel cold or uninviting. Greige color paint solves that problem.
Why Greige Paint Colors Are A Beautiful Choice
Greiges are the best of both worlds because they have both warm and cool undertones. They take gray, which gives a current and updated feel, and add just enough brown (or beige) to it to give it a warm and inviting feel when applied to your walls. Because a greige color is essentially a perfect mix of brown and gray, itâs considered a warm gray and literally goes with everything, which is the key to a really great neutral.
Easy Steps To Find The Right Greige Paint Color
Remember that weâre trying to find the perfect grayish beige paint color for your specific space. How much brown you want to have in your greige color palette is totally up to you. Regardless of whether you choose from Sherwin Williams greige paint colors or another brand, these steps will help you figure out the right shade for you.
1. Use the darkest shade on the swatch as your guide
The first step to finding the right color greige is to look at the darkest shade of the color on the color strip. This will give you an idea of the true undertones that will show up even in the lighter shades of the gray beige paint color.
Pro Tip: As youâre looking at the swatch, look for a dark gray paint with brown undertones to find the right greige color. Avoid colors with red or orange undertones, as these can make your walls look pink or peach.
2. Find a dark greige color with the perfect balance of brown and black undertones
Using the darkest colors on the swatch, look for a dark gray paint with brown undertones to find the right greige color. As an example, look at the colors below (moving left to right). The first brown has lots of red in it, so itâs not a good choice. The next one has a lot of purple show up in the darkest shade, so itâs not a good choice either. But the final two have a lot of black in the darkest hue, so these will read more gray with brown undertones.
Bonus Tip: Pay attention to the undertones of the color, even if itâs a lighter shade. If you see a lot of red or orange undertones, itâs best to avoid that color.
3. Determine if you want a light greige color paint or a deeper shade of greige
Once youâve narrowed down your search based on the darkest color to identify the true undertones, youâll move up the swatch to determine the greige color youâll use on your walls. Remember, you can see the underlying undertones even in the lightest shades. So if you want a warm greige color, look for one with brown undertones. If you want a cool greige color, look for one with black undertones.
Extra Insights: Donât be afraid to try out different shades of greige paint colors. You can even use paint samples to test out the colors on your walls before committing to a specific shade.
Examples Of A Greige Color Palette In Real Homes
The greige walls in my home are Requisite Gray by Sherwin Williams. I used this neutral color on most of the main living spaces and hallways in my home and itâs acted as the perfect backdrop for my homeâs color scheme.
Pro Tip: When choosing a greige color palette, consider the natural lighting in your home. If you have a lot of natural light, you may want to choose a lighter shade of greige. If you have a lot of artificial lighting, you may want to choose a deeper shade.
What Colors Go With Greige Walls?
As youâve seen, greige paint goes with both warm colors and cool colors, so itâs a great neutral paint color regardless of what accent colors youâre using in your home. Greige interior paint can give a cool color palette just enough warmth to not feel stark or cold and a warmer color palette just enough coolness to give it a really updated feel.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the difference between beige and greige?
A: Beige is a warm, light brown color, while greige is a mix of gray and beige, giving it a more neutral tone.
Q: Can I use greige paint on my walls if I have a lot of natural light?
A: Yes, greige paint is a great choice for homes with a lot of natural light, as it can help to bring out the warm tones of the light.
Q: What kind of undertones should I look for in a greige paint color?
A: Look for a greige paint color with brown undertones for a warm, inviting tone, or black undertones for a cooler tone.
Q: Can I use greige paint in a bathroom?
A: Yes, greige paint is a great choice for bathrooms, as it can help to create a calm and spa-like atmosphere.
Q: Can I use greige paint in a bedroom?
A: Yes, greige paint is a great choice for bedrooms, as it can help to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere.
Q: Can I use greige paint in a kitchen?
A: Yes, greige paint is a great choice for kitchens, as it can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Tips for Using Greige Paint
- Use greige paint on all four walls to create a cohesive look.
- Combine greige paint with warm colors like beige, brown, or taupe for a cozy atmosphere.
- Â Use greige paint with cool colors like blue, green, or purple for a calm and soothing atmosphere.
- Â Donât be afraid to add pops of color to your greige walls with furniture, rugs, or accessories.
- Â Consider using a lighter shade of greige on the ceiling to create a sense of height.