If a person is dull, we call them grey. If the day is cloudy and overcast, it’s a grey day. Yes, the colour grey comes with a decidedly negative slant.
If this is the case, however, then why do decorators and homeowners still swear by grey sofas? Grey equals dull, doesn’t it? Surely that’s not the look we’re going for.
If this has been your quandary and you’ve given some consideration to buying a grey sofa, then we need to talk. You see, being in the business of crafting the best custom-made sofas we see many happy clients ordering one of our many shades of grey when choosing their upholstery colour. And here’s why.
The Magic of a Grey Sofa
Grey sofas are like jeans; they go with everything. Don’t believe us? We have listed just 10 reasons why a grey sofa is a great idea.
Versatile
Grey is a neutral shade. Therefore, when you are choosing that large piece of furniture for your living room, you want it to be able to work with what you already have, as well as with future décor choices.
An article from Houzz makes confirms this, saying, “It’s the most neutral neutral. Because grey is a mixture of black and white, with little or no specific colour undertone, it is the most neutral hue possible, meaning it can anchor absolutely any colour scheme.”
Works with all sofa styles
Whilst people are certainly getting bolder in their combinations of colour, texture, pattern, and sofa style, grey can work with any furniture design. Grey fabric on a sleek, minimalistic sofa with a low back and firm cushions looks just as awesome as it would on a traditional-style wingback chair.
Grey vs white
Yes, we love the clean look of a white sofa, there’s no doubt about that. But it may not always be the most practical choice if we share our home with children and animals. A shade of grey in a durable fabric can still offer us the same light and gentle tone without the stress of constant cleaning.
Grey as a colour scheme
It’s funny – when we think of colour schemes we seldom think of grey. Perhaps, like white, it doesn’t fall within our concept of a colour scheme on its own. Yet, as décor trends shift and change, we see many decorators and designers using a monochromatic colour palette (like grey, or white) and making use of texture to add interest and fun.
“Living room ideas with the same colour but in different shades? Yes! Who said you can’t use different shades of grey in your living room? If you are afraid that this will make your place look very dull and boring, hear us out! This is one of the most chic options you can make for amazing home decor. You can spice it up, alternatively, with some neutral coloured pillows or frames that will break the monotony of the grey shades. However, a soft tone goes well with a darker one.” (Source)
Going corporate
Grey is universally recognised as a corporate colour, and that can work too. Do you entertain clients in your home? Are you looking for a sofa for your office? A grey sofa is a perfect blend of professional and personable.
Easy to accessorise
Knowing that grey goes with – quite literally – every other colour, it really doesn’t matter how eclectic your decorating choices are. Many choose a grey sofa as a canvas for bright turquoise cushions or floral throws, safe in the knowledge that there will be no visual noise to detract from the beauty of the room.
Decoholic weighs in on this thought, commenting, “Some might think that a grey sofa is boring or unimaginative. I tend to disagree. The ever-popular grey sofa has more decorating potential than any other furniture in a home. It’s the ideal base colour for endless styles and combinations.”
Minimalism
If your décor style tends towards minimalism, then the clean lines and gentle uniformity of grey sofas are your best friend. Not as cold as white, grey will still appeal as a simplistic yet comfortable central piece to complement your space.
Play with tones
Choosing an exotic wallpaper on a feature wall or making use of a deep charcoal or rich russet as a backdrop is still very much an option when teamed with a cool grey sofa. The interplay between bold colours and gentle grey can be quite exhilarating.
Going industrial
Loft apartments with raw brick and exposed pipework are cool and edgy, and increasingly popular. Why not include a contemporary iron-metal grey sofa to complete the look?
Your choices in this area are enormous.
Consider what one decorating channel had to say:
“Thanks to the popularity of rustic industrial homes, there are now a good number of furniture manufacturers that have embraced the rustic industrial concept and produced living room furniture pieces that have a rustic appeal in them.
“Most of these furniture pieces are made from simple materials with minimal detailing. Wrought iron chairs can be made more beautiful by adorning it with attractive cushions and throw pillows. Pairing lighting fixtures with similar designs and implementing monochromatic colours are some of the best ways to bring in the rustic industrial interior design to your living room space. If you’re trying to come up with a grey industrial living room, you can invest in furniture pieces with a monochromatic grey theme.”
Starting with grey
Your tastes, budget, and family circumstances will almost certainly change over the upcoming years. Knowing this, many families have chosen to use a classic grey sofa as a starting point to build their décor around. A custom-built, top quality sofa in a neutral shade will never go out of style and is an excellent foundational piece.
Choosing the right fabric
It’s clear that a grey sofa will work for most homes, no matter your style or circumstances.
Once you’ve decided on what shade of grey you prefer, then comes the exciting task of choosing the best fabric for your sofa.
Again, your lifestyle will dictate whether you’re going for an opulent velvet or a hardwearing synthetic fibre. Grey leather is a wonderful option too and will wear gently like a fine wine as it ages.
You’ll be thrilled to know that we offer a choice of over 3000 fabrics and over 60 sofa styles, and even within this range, we can customise for size, shape, and comfort. We always recommend having a chat with our team who can talk you through each element of your custom sofa and explore the myriads of variations that you have to choose from.
Please feel free to visit one of our showrooms or book a consultation with us by calling 03300 564 111. We look forward to assisting you with this important investment.
