Wondering what color curtains go with gray walls and brown furniture? Or… Do gray walls even look good with brown furniture?
Brown is a warm, earthy hue, while gray is generally considered a cool color. People don’t typically pair brown and gray together for this reason.
BUT!
With some forethought, brown and gray can look beautiful together, especially with complementary elements (such as curtains) that help create a cohesive color scheme.
And what color curtains can you combine with these two vastly different neutrals? That’s what we’re here to find out.
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Can You Have Gray Walls and Brown Furniture?
While it sounds tricky, gray walls and brown furniture actually CAN reside in the same space. In fact, my husband and I purchased brown furniture for our first home, and when we bought our second home, it came along with us.
The walls in that house were gray – and not a super warm gray, either. But, for some reason, it actually worked!
We had white cellular shades in the living room, as well as white sheer curtains. But white isn’t the only option! What other color curtains go with brown furniture and gray painted walls?
What Color Curtains Go With Gray Walls and Brown Furniture?
Here are seven of the best curtain colors to look for in a space with gray walls and brown furniture.
1. Charcoal
Charcoal is a deep gray (almost black) color that would look phenomenal with lighter gray walls. While I wouldn’t suggest hanging light gray curtains in a room with gray walls and brown furniture, a dark gray like charcoal is a great choice.
2. White
White is the classic choice because it works with virtually any wall and furniture color. Depending on the undertones of your gray, you might want to go with a warm off-white or even a cool, silvery curtain.
In the house that we lived in with brown furniture and gray walls, we also had sheer white curtains, giving the space a light and airy vibe. Sheers aren’t your only option though! You have solid white curtain choices, too, depending on the look you’re going for.
3. Gold
Yellow brings happiness! Deeper yellow hues like mustard or gold curtains are also good options for spaces with both gray and brown, and they will lend a more autumnal feel to the space.
4. Navy
Along with white, navy is a classic color choice! I consider it a dark neutral hue – an alternative to black, if you will (and one I love to use in my own home!). Navy colored curtains will help to ground the space in your home that has gray walls and brown furniture.
5. Teal
If you’re looking to add some color to your space, consider teal draperies. Teal is a deep blue-green color, so if you prefer greens to blues, then you might prefer it over navy.
6. Black
If you like black, then there’s no reason you can’t use black curtains in your space. Oftentimes, people shy away from using black and brown in the same room, but there isn’t necessarily an “Interior Design Rule” stating you can’t use black curtains with brown furniture. So give it a try if you feel black would work in your home!
7. Burgundy
Burgundy is my final color choice for a room with gray walls and brown furniture. It’s a deep purplish-red hue (and another of my favorites!). If you love fall colors, then burgundy curtains could bring a sophisticated autumnal vibe to your home.
Gray Vs. Grey
Is it “gray” or “grey”? The truth: Both spellings are correct, according to Grammarly. However, “gray” is the standard American spelling, while other English-speaking countries typically use “grey”.
Warm Vs. Cool Gray
Despite gray technically being a cool color, there is one significant difference between warm and cool gray: the undertones.
Cool grays have more blue or purple undertones than warm grays, and you’ll notice some brown, beige, or taupe in the undertones of a warm gray hue. But because it’s still gray – a cool color – warm gray is ultimately a blend of both warm and cool colors.
In fact, if it leans too warm, it might end up in the greige category (“greige” being a blend of gray and beige).
Warm curtain colors, like gold and burgundy, would pair best with walls that have “warm” undertones. If your walls are a “cool” gray, then you might consider charcoal or black, white, or even navy.
Curtains For Light Gray Walls
Now, we’ve discussed a list of curtain colors to choose from when you have gray walls, but we haven’t gotten into specifics. What if you have light gray walls? Will all of the above colors work?
I think any of the listed curtain colors would work great in a room with light gray walls! However, my top choices are as follows:
- Charcoal
- Navy
- Teal
- White
- Burgundy
Of course, because the undertones can vary significantly between light gray paint colors, some of these curtain colors could work better than others, so you’ll have to use your best judgment.
Curtains For Mid-Tone Gray Walls
And now for the list of curtain colors that go with mid-tone gray walls:
- Charcoal
- Navy
- Teal
- White
- Burgundy
- Gold
- Black
Yes, I included all seven colors on the list – but, as I previously mentioned, you’ll have to take the undertones of your paint (and even your furniture) into consideration when deciding on a curtain color.
Curtains For Dark Gray Walls
Finally, which curtain colors work best for dark gray walls? The deeper the gray, the more difficult it could be to find a curtain color. Here are my recommendations:
- White
- Gold
While my list is very short, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no other colors that would work with dark gray walls – it just means that it completely depends on the undertones of your gray wall color.
Also, when considering curtain colors for any room in your home, go for curtains that you love – not what you think you should choose.
Are Gray Walls Still Trendy?
In recent years, gray has been hugely popular. However, as we all know, trends eventually go back out of style. Gray has been on its way back out for a while now – BUT! – it’s not so dated that you have to go repaint your walls just yet (especially if they’re warm gray).
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve covered a list of my top seven curtain colors that go with gray walls and brown furniture, which will you choose?
Of course, you’ll have to consider the undertones of your wall color when choosing curtains for your space, but ultimately it comes down to YOUR personal preference. How does each color make YOU feel, and how does it fit into the ambiance you’re going for?
Deciding on curtains – or anything, really – for your space can get overwhelming when you’re trying to get it perfect. So just go with your gut and choose your favorite. It really can be as simple as that!
Read More:
How to Choose an Accent Wall in an Open Floor Plan
13 Stylish Ideas for Decorating the Wall Behind Your Headboard