A home is a reflection of the occupant’s personality. Even in a rental space, the furniture, textiles, and lights are choices that make a difference in how the space and the occupant are perceived. Color is a huge part of that personality that a home creates. From vibrant bohemian hues to the stark white of some minimalist spaces, color choice is critical in interior design. We can think of the color grey as being a bit non-committal and even a cop out of a color choice, but the truth is that grey has its own personality, as you will see in the homes featured here.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect
Visualizer: Lucia Ivancov  

The first home does not simply build a space around a single grey element, but instead takes on many shades of the color — venturing all the way to white — to create a unique and unified look.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

According to color psychology, grey can be a color that makes people feel calm, safe, and secure.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

By using so many shades of grey in the main living area, this home is saying to guests that this is a place that it is safe to be. Come in, relax, and enjoy your time with friends and family.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Of course, some grey choices have practical implications as well, with grey flooring being an option that can easily hide dirt, for example.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

This particular design calls further attention to the choice of grey walls with a large wall clock design element that actually uses the wall itself as the face of the clock.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

In the kitchen, soft grey dining room pendant lights diffuse light over the breakfast bar while wood cutting boards reflect the natural aspect of grey in stone, and clouds.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

A fruit bowl is a simple decorative element that unifies the butcher block countertop with the grey theme and can hold seasonal fruits for a pop of color.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The dark grey of the kitchen cabinetry trends towards the idea of grey as an industrial color.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Because these industrial spaces are not meant to be seen, acting as purely functional, grey can be a way for them to disappear.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The bedroom, where grey can become depressing, is kept white and bright with bedside lamps.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Here, grey is used sparingly in heavy curtains and a soft seating cushion tucked underneath the vanity.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

White linens and a subtly grey wall that is in the blue spectrum of grey are calming elements without getting too dark.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The bedroom has a bit of rustic feel as well with a natural wood vanity and shelving, as well as the grey wood flooring that carries through from the living room.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The recessed area above the headboard is a creative shelving choice, perfect for keeping books in easy reach.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The closet continues with the rustic theme, using bare wood shelving and white paneled drawers.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Both shelving and hanging space are critical to keeping any closet organized.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

In the home office area, enough monitors for a 2 person workspace sit atop the white desk, but just one chair indicates that both of these monitors are for one productive person.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The home office space incorporates both white and grey, providing enough balance that the color should not stifle creativity.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The dark grey accent wall is another blue-tinted choice that is quite soothing and should calm the stress of working at home.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The grey theme is so strong in this home that even a decorative vase is filled with haunting grey tulips.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

While grey can sometimes indicate the absence of sunshine, that’s not the case on this enclosed balcony.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

In the bathroom, tiles are a more brown shade of grey.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The tiles along with an oversized white sink and white cabinetry further the rustic feel.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Simple soap and lotion dispensers find a cozy home on the stark white countertop.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Built in shelving offer an out of the way place for those bathroom necessities that can clutter up this room.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect
Visualizer: Nastya Ivanchuk & Marina Tsishyna   

In addition to being a calming shade, grey can also be quite sophisticated, as indicated in this next space.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The oversized art piece in this living room, coupled with the many tones of grey, create a simple elegance that would be difficult to manage with any other color palette.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Like other neutrals, grey has a distinct ability to highlight other colors, as seen here with this dark rusty red and even the green of the house plant.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Grey is a lovely choice for window treatments, creating a soft, cloud-like effect against the windows in this upper level apartment.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

A greyish marble coffee table allows whatever knickknack, book, or fresh cut flowers you want to highlight to really shine.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Even the bright flicker of a modern fireplace is made that much brighter by its grey tile backdrop.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Grey is also an effective choice for allowing the beauty of unique art pieces and natural wood to shine through.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

To truly take advantage of the beauty of grey, you must add pops of color at regular intervals, such as this bright red dining chair.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The eye is drawn immediately to the red and then allowed to hop to black, white, and grey in these mismatched modern dining chairs, which are Kartell Masters Style Chairs.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The natural wood table appears very elegant against the grey curtains and cabinetry.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Even the soft green of the cut greenery on the table is brightened up by the surrounding scenery.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Creative overhead lighting in black has a very modern feel, adding to the overall elegance of the interior.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

The open floor plan benefits from the shades of grey, making in easy transition from one space to another.

2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

Finally, where wood is used, it calls attention to the beauty and craftsmanship because the warm color is so surprising.

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2 Modern Homes the Use Grey for a Calming Effect

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