Is Gray Going Out of Style? Here’s the Real Story

Is gray paint totally out? That is the question so many of us are asking. And if you are wondering the same thing, you are not alone. I could have easily titled this post “Is gray home decor totally out?” because gray has been a big player in both paint colors and decorating for the last decade. But when people talk about gray, they are most often talking about gray paint. So let’s start there.

And oh my, what a great topic to talk about! Few colors stir up more opinions, decorating trends, and passionate conversations than gray.

Now, I’m usually a peacemaker. A kumbaya kind of girl. But when it comes to gray, I have to confess… I lean toward being a grayter. Yes, there’s actually a term for people who aren’t exactly fans of gray. That being said, I don’t dislike all gray. In fact, I have touches of it in my own home. But as a general rule, an all-gray room or gray walls just don’t feel quite right to me.

Still, it’s not about what I like or don’t like. It’s really about whether gray paint and gray home decor are still in style. And more importantly, how to use them in a way that works beautifully in your home right now.

My First Encounter with Gray

I remember the first time I really noticed gray in someone’s home. It was about ten years ago, and I was visiting an acquaintance for the first time. When I walked through the front door, I was stopped in my tracks. Everything was gray. And red. Not a soft whisper of gray or a warm, weathered gray with brown undertones. No, this was a strong medium gray with a very noticeable violet cast. It was bold, dramatic, and… not in a good way. That moment made a lasting impression on me, and ever since, I’ve had a complicated relationship with gray.

Now, I do understand that not all grays are created equal. That first encounter was an extreme case. There are beautiful, soft, welcoming grays out there. Some with just enough beige to feel warm and timeless. And many of you who love gray are probably nodding your heads right now saying, “But my gray is gorgeous!” And you’re absolutely right. There are stunning gray paints on the market. But like white, gray is one of the trickiest colors to get just right.

I often compare my aversion to gray to how I feel about lamb. Stay with me here. Years ago, I went to an all-girls Scottish boarding school where I was first introduced to what I thought was lamb. It turned out to be mutton. And anyone who has ever tasted mutton knows it’s very different. Even now, all these years later, I just can’t quite bring myself to enjoy lamb, no matter how beautifully it’s prepared. That faint flavor brings me right back. And gray feels the same way. One strong encounter and it has stuck with me.

So now you know my personal bias. But for the sake of this post, I’m setting it aside. I’ve done my research, looked into what designers are saying, and studied how gray is showing up in homes right now. And here’s what I found…

Gray is still trending. It’s not gone yet. But it’s fading fast.

WHAT IS A TREND

Let’s take a moment to talk about what a trend actually is. Simply put, a trend is a well-educated guess. The design industry—including interior designers, paint companies, and yes, even decorating blogs—looks ahead and makes thoughtful predictions about what colors, styles, and ideas we’re likely to see more of in the coming months or years.

But here’s the most important thing to remember: trends are just that. Trends.

They are not rules or mandates. They’re not a decorating command you need to follow. Just because something is trending or fading doesn’t mean you need to toss everything in your home and start fresh. Not at all.

Every time I write about decorating trends, I get emails from readers who want me to know they love their home just the way it is—and they’re not changing a thing. And to that I say, good! You should love your home. That is always the goal.

If you have a space you feel good in, that reflects who you are and makes you smile when you walk through the door, then you are doing something right.

On the other hand, if you’re someone who loves to keep up with what’s new and fresh—like I do—that’s perfectly fine too. Following trends can be fun and inspiring. It’s like window shopping at your favorite store. You can admire what’s out there, try something on for size, and then decide if it’s right for your home.

Decorating is never about following trends for the sake of being trendy. It’s about creating a home you truly love to live in.

GRAY’S LONG TREND HISTORY

Every color has its moment in the spotlight. They all take their turn being the trend belle of the color ball. And if you’ve been decorating for a while, you’ve seen a lot of them come and go!

In the sixties, it was all about avocado green and vibrant oranges. And of course, harvest gold. Remember that? Get the door—sounds like the seventies are calling and they want their shag carpet back!

Then the eighties swept in with their love affair for mauves, soft blues, and peaches. Oh yes, peach everything. The nineties brought a shift toward rich, warm Tuscan colors—golds, terracotta, and sun-drenched French provincial hues. That phase had us all dreaming of rolling hills and stone farmhouses.

After that came the brown craze. Lots of chocolate, espresso, and taupe. Then the stainless steel everything era, where kitchens gleamed and backsplashes sparkled.

And finally, the last decade has been all about gray and white. Cool grays, warm grays, greige, dove, charcoal—you name it, gray has been the go-to neutral for over ten years.

And you know what? There’s a reason gray hung on for so long. It’s an excellent backdrop for furnishings and accessories (see, no bias here!). It plays well with so many styles—from farmhouse to modern to traditional. And on the exterior of a home? Gray can be absolutely stunning. Crisp, classic, and elegant.

So yes, gray has had a long, successful run. But even the belle of the ball eventually takes off her dancing shoes.

IS GRAY STILL BE POPULAR IN 2025

Let’s get right to it. Gray is not going anywhere. It’s a classic. So if you love gray, you can absolutely stand up and cheer! You are not decorating out of style.

However, gray probably won’t stay in the spotlight much longer. It’s slowly stepping aside to make room for warmer, cozier tones and a bit more color. That’s the nature of trends—they evolve.

But don’t worry. If you’re someone who loves gray, you can rest easy knowing it’s a timeless neutral. Gray will always have a place in decorating. It just might not be the main color everyone is talking about in the coming years.

And if you happen to be a grayter like me, take heart. There are lots of beautiful colors on the rise that may feel more inviting and easier to live with.

See? That wasn’t so hard. Gray is still in, but it’s beginning to make a graceful exit from center stage. And there’s something exciting about seeing what comes next.

WHY HAS GRAY HAD SUCH A LONG RUN

Gray really is a beautiful color. It has a quiet elegance and brings more drama than its ever-popular cousin, white. And just like white, gray can feel timeless when used the right way.

One of the reasons gray has had such staying power is its versatility. It can be warm or cool, soft or bold, calming or moody. It all comes down to undertones. That’s the secret sauce when it comes to choosing the right gray. A warm gray can feel cozy and welcoming, while a cool gray might feel sleek and crisp. Knowing what undertone works best in your home makes all the difference.

And that’s why I often say, there’s a gray out there for everyone. You just have to find the one that suits your space and your style.

Another reason gray has been so popular? Once a color catches on, it’s like a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts slowly, then picks up speed until it’s everywhere. Furniture, accessories, wall paint, tile, rugs—you name it, it’s offered in gray.

I also believe we can thank the blogging world and social media for keeping gray around for so long. Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds have been filled with gorgeous gray rooms for years. And many home bloggers (you know who you are) absolutely love gray. That influence is real, and it definitely helped make gray a staple in many homes.

So between its flexibility, wide appeal, and online popularity, it’s no wonder gray has had such a long and successful run.

WILL GRAY SOMEDAY LOOK… “OH, SO 2015”

I think so. And here’s why.

Just like avocado green screams the seventies and Tuscan golds take us right back to the nineties, gray will eventually be tied to the 2010s. It’s the nature of color trends. When a certain color becomes wildly popular for a long period of time, it naturally gets linked to that era.

Gray has been the “it” color for over a decade. It’s shown up on walls, kitchen cabinets, flooring, furniture, accessories—you name it. And while gray will always be a classic neutral that works beautifully in the right setting, the all-gray, all-the-time look is what’s starting to feel dated.

Trends often become trends because they get used again and again until we just get tired of them. And let’s be honest—we can be a little fickle when it comes to color. Once we see something too much, we start craving a fresh look and something new to get excited about. That doesn’t mean gray is wrong or bad. It just means it’s had its moment in the spotlight, and now it’s stepping back a little.

So yes, one day, certain shades of gray and especially those very monochromatic gray-on-gray rooms may have us thinking, “That looks so 2015.” But that doesn’t mean we have to throw out every gray thing we own. It just means it’s time to look at how we’re using gray moving forward.

WHY THE CHANGE NOW?

It was bound to happen eventually. Every trend has its season, and gray’s long run at the top was no exception. But what made its slow fade speed up so suddenly?

Here’s the short answer: the pandemic.

Isn’t it amazing how something that touched nearly every part of our lives also influenced the way we look at our homes—and even our color choices? During that time, many of us were spending more hours at home than ever before. Our homes became our everything: workplace, school, gathering place, and sanctuary. And as we lived in our spaces more fully, we started to pay closer attention to how they felt.

That’s when a lot of people began to crave warmth and comfort. Gray, especially cooler-toned grays, often reads a bit cold or impersonal. What once felt modern and sleek started to feel a little stark. People were looking for something cozier, something that made their homes feel nurturing and restful.

So naturally, we began to see a shift. Warmer neutrals like beige, creamy whites, soft browns, and taupe started making a big comeback. Beige, which had its big moment in the early 2000s, is back—and in a beautiful, updated way.

There’s something about these warm tones that makes a home feel more welcoming. They’re easy to live with and very forgiving, which is just what many of us wanted during uncertain times.

If you’re curious about the return of beige and how to use it in your home today, I have a helpful post you’ll want to read: Beige And Why It Is A Great Decor Choice.

WHAT IS THE NEW COLOR DARLINGS OF THE MOMENT

This is such a great question. And the answer is really a mix of what’s hot now and what will likely stick around for a while.

Warm neutrals are definitely taking the lead and will probably define much of the decorating style throughout the 2020s. Think creamy whites, soft beiges, mushroom tones, warm taupes, and even gentle blush browns. These cozy hues are making homes feel lived-in and welcoming again. They’re the perfect answer to the cool, stark grays we’ve been living with for so long.

But right now, the trendy darling of the moment is blue. Especially deep, moody, dramatic blues. Navy, midnight, and smoky indigo have made a big splash, and for the past couple of years, we’ve seen them everywhere—from walls to cabinets to accent chairs. Last year especially, blue was b-i-g.

It’s still having a moment, but the blue craze is already starting to slow down. Like most bold color trends, it’s likely to have a shorter lifespan.

That said, blue is one of those colors that never really goes out of style. It’s classic, well-loved, and works beautifully with so many other colors. But when it comes to decorating, especially with bigger elements like cabinetry, timing is everything.

I was just chatting with a member of my Facebook decorating group about her brand-new kitchen. She asked if she should choose a blue kitchen island. And yes, if you’ve noticed a lot of blue islands lately, you’re not imagining it. There’s a huge trend happening around that look. And they are beautiful.

Here’s my honest advice: if you love it and don’t mind it feeling trendy for the next five or six years, go for it. You’ll have a show-stopping island that looks current and stylish. But if you’re hoping for something that will still look fresh ten years from now, you might want to consider a more timeless option. A classic, neutral island can still be just as pretty and won’t feel tied to a specific moment in time.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I LOVE GRAY

Back to gray! If you love it, you’re certainly not alone. There’s no shame in being on Team Gray! As I’ve said a few times throughout this post, gray really is a classic. It’s timeless when used well, and it can still look stunning in any home.

But here’s the key: if you want gray to feel fresh and current, try mixing it with other colors. Gray needs a little company to really shine.

Bring in lots of crisp white to keep things clean and airy. A touch of black will ground the space and give it a little edge. Moody blues, warm greens, chocolatey browns, soft beiges, and even greige (which I love) are all beautiful with gray. Bright accents, like terracotta or a warm blush, can also give gray a whole new personality.

And let’s talk about gold. No wonder warm metallics are back—gold and gray are absolutely beautiful together. They balance each other perfectly. Cool, quiet gray with rich, glowy gold makes a room feel thoughtful and layered without trying too hard.

One reason gray might be feeling tired these days is because for so long, everything in the room was gray. Walls, flooring, furniture, drapes, accessories… all gray. That’s when gray starts to feel lifeless and flat. But when you mix gray with other beautiful colors and textures, it comes back to life.

So if you love gray, keep loving it. Just let it play well with others.

HOW ABOUT GRIEGE

Let’s chat about greige. It’s one of the most popular paint colors right now—and for good reason.

Greige is exactly what it sounds like—a mix of gray and beige. But it’s not just a 50/50 blend. These paints have warmth, depth, and softness that make them much easier to live with than cool grays. Think of colors like Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, Behr Toasty Gray, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, or SW Dorian Gray. These are beautiful examples of warm grays that bring a cozy, toasty feel to a room.

At a glance, many greiges can look like beige or soft brown, but they’re actually gray-based shades that have been warmed up. That’s the magic of undertones. Undertones can completely change how a paint color behaves in your home. These colors are technically gray, but they act like warm, welcoming neutrals.

And there are so many pretty grays out there once you start looking for those special undertones. Benjamin Moore Rodeo, for instance, is a lovely gray with green undertones. Gray Owl is a soft, airy gray that leans slightly yellow, and Classic Gray and Cloud Cover both read as off-whites with a hint of pink. Subtle but lovely.

If you’re drawn to gray but want to avoid that chilly, sterile feeling, steer clear of medium grays with violet, red, or pink undertones—especially on large walls. Save those grays for a throw pillow or a lampshade if you must.

Now, let’s talk about one gray I really do love: charcoal. Deep, dark charcoal grays can be incredibly beautiful. I wouldn’t use them on walls in my own home, but they can be stunning in a bedroom, powder room, or used as a dramatic accent. I dream of having a charcoal linen sofa one day. It’s that perfect blend of moody and sophisticated.

Charcoal can even be used in place of black for a slightly softer look. Downpipe by Farrow and Ball is a great example—it’s a medium charcoal with a moody blue undertone. Magnolia Home’s Curbside is a warm, soft charcoal that feels inviting. Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal is another favorite of mine, thanks to its green undertones. And Behr’s Carbon is a gorgeous, rich, warm gray that is anything but flat.

So yes, I’ve danced around a lot of grays in this post. And the more I look at the beautiful ones, the more I’m reminded that not all grays are cold or lifeless. There are so many that feel soft, warm, and full of personality.

A COLOR ODE TO GRAY

Today’s post is more of an ode than a dirge to gray. There is still so much to love about this classic, chameleon-like color. Gray is praiseworthy, and even though it may be stepping down from its trendsetting throne, it deserves a standing ovation.

Just because gray isn’t the darling of the moment doesn’t mean it’s heading for the dreaded color pile where puce lives. No, gray is here to stay—right alongside beige, navy, and off white. It’s earned its place as a dependable, go-to color in the decorating world.

Gray has been a faithful backdrop for so many styles over the years. From sleek and modern to farmhouse cozy to traditional elegance, it has adapted and shaped itself to fit our homes beautifully.

When I think of color trends in decorating, I’m reminded of that old saying, “what goes around comes around.” And when it comes to gray—that’s certainly true. It’s had its time in the spotlight, and it will circle back again, just like every classic color eventually does.

So if you love gray, keep using it. Use it smartly, mix it well, and enjoy it in your home. Because truly, timeless colors never really go out of style.