Grey bathroom ideas: how to decorate with grounding, balancing greys

Grey bathrooms are anything but boring, and they don't have to be cold either... here's everything you need to know about creating an inviting grey bathroom scheme

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Published: February 16, 2022 at 4:45 pm

Grey bathroom ideas

Choose a grey roll top bath

Image credit: Bathroom Mountain
Image credit: Bathroom Mountain

Freestanding baths are a total style statement, and what better way to give your bathroom a luxurious edge than with a sleek, grey roll top bath? A grey roll top bath will do a great job of bringing out the old-fashioned charm in a period property, but they'll also inject a bit of classic drama into new build homes too. Victorian-inspired tiles on the walls or floor will complete the look - you can either opt for a pop of colour or create an elegant contrast with black and white.

Opt for a double grey vanity unit

Image credit: Bathroom Mountain
Image credit: Bathroom Mountain

If your dream bathroom is understated but opulent, a double basin vanity in a classic grey shade is your best friend. Not only will the double storage capacity of the unit help you to keep clutter at bay at all times, but the symmetrical design will act as a natural focal point for you space. Complete your sophisticated scheme by hanging a large, round mirror above the centre of your unit, and finish the look with matte black accents to add a contemporary twist.

Team grey with earth tones

Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop
Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop

Many people shy away from using grey tones in their bathroom for fear that it'll end up looking cold or clinical, but if you take a bit of time to construct a colour palette that works with the light and shade in your space, grey decor can actually have a warming, grounding effect. If your bathroom has a naturally cool toned light or is a little bit on the darker side, try teaming grey with a palette of earth tones and white accents - it'll instantly make your space feel soft and soothing.

Use light grey metro tiles

Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop
Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop

Although metro tiles are often the cheapest and easiest tile style to get hold of, this certainly doesn't mean that they can't be used to create a show-stopping impact in your bathroom. The best thing about metro tiles is the fact that you can really get creative with the way you lay them, so you'll end up with a look that's totally tailored to your space. Stack them vertically for Japandi-inspired simplicity, create a herringbone pattern for a more traditional look, or opt for a basketweave design to add extra interest. Don't want to splash our on a totally new set of tiles? Don't fret! You can easily transform the look of existing tiles by painting them with some light grey chalk paint, or use stick on tiles to create the same look for a fraction of the price.

Metro tile patterns

Grey wall panelling

Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop
Image credit: Big Bathroom Shop

Want to add instant character to your bathroom? Why not make and install your own wood panelling? Clad your entire space and paint it in a dark, charcoal shade to transform it into a cosy cocoon, or cover one wall in feather grey panelling to create a subtle yet stunning feature wall. If you need some inspiration, take a look at our favourite wood panelling ideas here - we share our favourite panelling styles, from classic Georgian panels and traditional tongue and groove to contemporary slats.

Create a grey and silver scheme

Image credit: Burlington
Image credit: Burlington

If you're after a bathroom scheme that'll stand the test of time and make a compact space feel bigger, you really can't go wrong with a white, grey and silver colour combination. Choosing dark grey flooring, mid grey half panelling and white walls (as pictured above) is a great way to make your space feel larger than it actually is - the graduation of dark to light tones will trick the eye and create the illusion of height, making your ceilings appear lifted. Silver metallic accents will further bounce light around your room and make it feel open and airy. It's a winner!

Grey bathroom wallpaper

Image credit: Burlington
Image credit: Burlington

Gone are the days where bathroom wallpaper was considered a decor no-go. Now, you can find hundreds of steam and heat friendly designs that'll give your bathroom or ensuite instant boutique hotel vibes! We love this bold grey and gold mystical motif - it works perfectly with classic white sanitaryware, but you can create an even more interesting look by teaming it with sanitaryware of the same grey tone. That being said, choosing your wallpaper is the perfect opportunity to express your own personal style, so you can go as bold or understated as you like... we also love Art Deco inspired sunburst prints and concrete effect wallpapers for a cool, industrial look.

Grey marble bathroom

Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater

Marble interiors are all the rage right now, and if you're keen to embrace the luxurious trend in your own home, the bathroom is a fantastic place to start. Adding grey marble tiles to your bathroom will immediately create a sense of depth and decadence in your home, without looking gaudy or overwhelming. Team your marble tiles with floating grey cabinets for a modern look, or embrace old school vibes with a classic, matching bathroom suite. A monochrome accessory scheme will look cool and laid back, or you can choose to add in splashes of colour with bright bathmats, soap dispensers and towels - we love the look of sage green or blush pink against the cool grey marble!

Grey bathroom paint

Image credit: Fritz Fryer
Image credit: Fritz Fryer

When it comes to decorating there's nothing quite as transformative as a lick of paint, and grey is a fantastic colour for bringing about a sense of balance and grounding. The tone of grey paint you choose for your bathroom will have a massive impact on the overall feel of the room, so make sure you spend some time observing the light in your room and testing out sample colours first - try to opt for grey with a blue undertone if you're after a cool, calm space, and try a warmer toned grey if you want your bathroom to feel welcoming and homely.

Gold and grey bathroom

Image credit: Tile Mountain
Image credit: Tile Mountain

Gold and grey are an interior match made in heaven - the warm tones of gold fixtures perfectly balance out the cooler tones in grey walls and flooring. Throw in an accent colour - like deep teal or emerald green - to really ground the look and prevent it from looking too matchy matchy. We love the look of the teal unit in the bathroom above - it really pops against the grey stone-effect surrounding tiles.

What colours go with grey in a bathroom?

As grey is a neutral shade, it pairs nicely with lots of other colours. Grey makes a fantastic base for bright colours such as teal, fuchsia, mustard yellow and burnt orange, but it also works well with muted neutrals like taupe, sage and terracotta. Of course, grey also looks great against black and white, and can look lovely and soft when paired with blush pink bathroom accessories. In short, the colour combination possibilities are endless!

What colour towels go with a grey bathroom?

Wondering what colours go with grey tiles and paint? Here are some of our favourite towels to accessorise your grey bathroom.

Pink towels

pink towels
Vintage Pink Ultimate Towel, Dunelm

Choose light pink towels to give a grey bathroom a soft, Vintage look.

White towels

Ultimate Turkish Cotton Towels, White Company
Ultimate Turkish Cotton Towels, White Company

White towels make a great addition to a grey bathroom - they'll keep it looking fresh and light, and work particularly well in classic or Scandi style bathrooms.

Teal towels

teal towel
Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel in Dark Teal, John Lewis

Teal towels will bring a fun, coastal look to a grey bathroom. Add driftwood accessories for an ocean-inspired look.

Grey towels

grey towels
Boston 8 Piece Towel Bale, Wayfair

What colour goes better with grey than grey? Choose dark grey towels if you have light grey walls, and light ones if your tiles are dark. Add pampas grass to finish the look with a bit of boho flair!

Looking for more bathroom decor inspiration? Take a look at our teal bathroom decor ideas here, and don't forget to check out our roundup of the best shower curtains too!

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