Our article is about how to avoid mistakes and create a truly comfortable space.

No wonder gray is called the «new beige» — interiors in gray can be very comfortable. But when choosing this type of interior for yourself, you must comply with certain conditions (otherwise there is a risk of getting a dull expressionless space).

The interior of an apartment in Moscow: a beautiful comfortable space with a gray base. The author of the project: Sergey Ratchin. Photo: Yaroslav Lukyanchenko.

1. Use different shades of gray

To avoid the «2D» effect, that is, the «translation» of a three-dimensional living space into a flat two-dimensional one, you cannot use one shade of gray everywhere, no matter how much you like it. For example, a person chooses an exquisite pearl-gray (which is very good in itself), and the masters cover the walls in his apartment with pearl-gray paint, lay the floor of oak, painted exactly in the color of the walls. It would still be half the trouble, but when both textiles and accessories are the same, the finale turns out to be dull: the exquisite color is «killed», devalued.

It’s quite another matter when a rich palette of gray shades and cold and warm tones is used. Below are examples of highly artistic performance of this theme. Notice how very light shades of gray dilute the palette. At the same time, they look softer than pure white.

Living room in a country house. The author of the project: Maxim Baskov. Architects: Marina Sipko, Alexandra Al-Tayar. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

2. Don’t avoid black

The second mistake is avoiding black as «gloomy». It is proved that black is a universal accent that works great in a monochrome interior. He will «pull out» significant pieces of furniture and use them to shade others. Thus, you can «kill a lot of birds with one stone».

House in Sochi, dining room.

The author of the project: Asya Zadikyan. Photo: Mikhail Chekalov.

3. Consider different types of color accents

Not only black, but also open green, yellow, red, as well as fashionable complex muted shades are good for an interior in gray. Below are examples of a life—affirming combination with yellow and refined — with dark green and bordeaux.

Apartment in Moscow. In the bedroom, bright, sunny yellow is used as one of the accent colors.

The authors of the project: Elena Tokmacheva, Kathy Ryzhova, peteris Lauchka-Lovchko, Peter Pospeev. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

Apartment in Chelyabinsk, living room area. The author of the project: Yulia Safonova. Photo: Natalia Gorbunova.

Another option is with a pastel palette.

Pastel pink and muted mint are used as companions to gray.

The authors of the project: Oleg Klodt, Anna Agapova. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

4. Create a game of textures

The richness of textures is what saves the laconic interior in color, makes it expressive, unreal. Take a closer look at a variety of textures and textures — concrete, metal, wood, granite, textiles. The interior will only benefit from this.

Bathroom. Onyx porcelain stoneware is used in the decoration.

The author of the project: Svetlana Dikushina. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

5. Use natural wood

Natural wood is an indispensable companion for shades of gray — both in color and texture. The unique «warmth» of this material, about which so much has been said, will help to avoid the feeling of «office» in the interior (and this can sin gray).

House in St. Petersburg, kitchen. The author of the project: Svetlana Dikushina. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

6. Put unusual furniture

This advice is more of a universal nature — a modern interior generally welcomes interesting designer furniture. In any case, you will be able to pick up something close to yourself and make the apartment more personalized.

Interior of the entrance area in a Moscow apartment.

The authors of the project: Oleg Klodt, Anna Agapova. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

7. Engage art objects

Sculptures, paintings, graphics, collectible posters — all these details will help to make the interior unusual.

Apartment in Moscow. Art objects in the interior.

The author of the project: Olga Freiman. Photo: Alexey Naroditskiy.

8. Do not neglect plants

Green is a great companion for gray, and the classic of the genre is a combination of neutral natural shades with foliage greens. House plants will enhance and complete the theme of nature in the interior.

Living room. The palm tree in the corner of the room looks elegant and at the same time enlivens the interior.

The author of the project: Maxim Baskov. Architects: Marina Sipko, Alexandra Al-Tayar. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk.

9. Study different wall coverings

Plaster, paint with different characteristics, natural and artificial stone, plaster panels, wallpaper — the choice of wall coverings is huge. You can find real masterpieces. Study the question to choose the best for yourself and diversify the «landscape» of the space.

Modern wall covering on the wall in the recreation area.

The author of the project: Yulia Safonova. Photo: Natalia Gorbunova.

10. Keep the balance of parts and the whole

This advice applies, in general, to any space, but in a monochrome interior, any planning error and the disproportion of scale will be very noticeable. Therefore, our last piece of advice is about where to start: with a reasonable layout, with balanced functionality, with an understanding of the scale of interior items.

Apartment in St. Petersburg, living room. The author of the project: Maria Cheremukhina. Stylist: Tatiana Kochetova. Photo: Ekaterina Titenko, Anna Chernyshova.

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