23 Timeless and Sophisticated Ways to Decorate With Charcoal Gray

By
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim has over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and content strategy. She held positions at Time Magazine, AOL, and JPMorgan Chase. She is also a home décor and DIY enthusiast who spends her free time decorating (and redecorating) her home.

MyDomaine's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on July 15, 2021
decorating with charcoal gray - charcoal gray modern bathroom

Design: Katie Martinez

If you're deciding between decorating with gray or black, there's one unique option that lands perfectly in the middle: charcoal gray. This rich, moody color can lend a serene and calming vibe to any space. Depending on the undertones, charcoal gray can appear either cool or warm, and it reads as a neutral shade when styled with different types of décor.

Decorating with bold tones can be intimidating, but thankfully, charcoal gray works with an array of styles. While you may have heard the myth that dark colors make a room feel smaller, the truth is that charcoal gray can open up a room while adding depth and dimension. This interior designer favorite can transform any room in your home.

Below, get inspired by design ideas for decorating with charcoal gray in your space.

Choosing the Right Shade for Your Decorating Style

  • Modern: Charcoal gray pairs beautifully with modern décor, particularly in a true neutral with undertones resting between warm and cool.
  • Traditional: Opt for warmer variations with accents like pewter to style an inviting, classic space in traditional homes.
  • Minimalism: Smokey blue undertones in charcoal gray blend well with bright, minimalist rooms featuring white décor.
  • Eclectic: Depending on the shade of your furnishings, opt for charcoal gray with purple or blue undertones for depth in eclectic rooms.
  • Rustic: Perfect for rustic designs, darker hues of charcoal gray can bring contrast and a clean background to earthy, natural décor.
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Pair Charcoal Gray With Blue

Gray kitchen with blue island

Design: Aidan Design; Photo: Robert Radifera

Gray is the new white when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Charcoal gray can create a clean look in your kitchen while maintaining depth. Here, it's paired with a navy blue island to play on the cool undertones of the cabinets, while a warmer gray shade on the backsplash adds contrast and texture to the room.

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Style a Dark, Moody Bedroom

Bedroom with gray walls

Design: Alvin Wayne

A charcoal gray accent wall transforms this eclectic bedroom design. The dark color adds depth by creating a focal point, while large windows keep the space feeling bright. We love the combination of mustard yellow and dark red that pop against the gray canvas.

In your bedroom, opt for the wall behind your bed when choosing an accent wall: It draws attention to your furniture and makes the room feel balanced.

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Keep It Modern

Gray bedroom with abstract art

Design: Black Lacquer Design; Photo: Mary Costa!

Cool charcoal gray is an excellent choice in a monochromatic, modern bedroom. Here, it breaks up a black-and-white color palette to add dimension while blending with the room's hues. This space proves that black, white, and gray are anything but boring.

04 of 23

Add Dimension to the Kitchen

Gray kitchen with white cabinets

Design: Case Architects & Remodelers; Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Style a rich gray hue to break up a white space. Bright kitchens are praised for their fresh, airy look, but can sometimes feel a bit bare. Instead of going all-white with your cabinetry, style an area in charcoal gray—either on your island or lower cabinets, or as a vertical divide like in this modern design.

05 of 23

Transform Your Dining Room

Dining room with large abstract painting

Design: Katie Martinez

The moody paint color completes this formal dining room. Charcoal gray walls add a serene vibe with a hint of blue undertones to bring out its style. While a lighter color could work in this space, the dark walls with metallic light fixtures make it feel personal.

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Consider Gray Wallpaper

Bathroom with gray wallpaper

Design: Brexton Cole Interiors

Wallpaper is a great way to liven up rooms with vibrant patterns, but it can also make a small space feel busy with multiple colors. Charcoal gray keeps it neutral on these bathroom walls. If you're concerned that gray paint will look flat, opt for a patterned wallpaper with gray statement colors.

charcoal gray marble wallpaper
Seabrook Mindy Marble Wallpaper (33 ft. Roll) $76.00 $60.00
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07 of 23

Style Charcoal Gray in Mid-Century Rooms

Bedroom with gray wallpaper

Design: Anne Sage

Charcoal gray is a wonderful shade for mid-century modern designs. It works as a wonderful base color against walnut wood furniture and moody accessories—and we love the Mad Men-inspired vibe. Dress it up with light accents like white throw pillows or fresh flowers.

08 of 23

Add Greenery

Bedroom with gray walls

Design: D Burns Interiors

Few things elevate a room as well as fresh greenery. Add color to your charcoal gray space by sprinkling houseplants throughout the room. The rich colors play well together, and green hues ensure the gray doesn't feel too dark or flat.

09 of 23

Upgrade Your Nursery

Bedroom with gray mural

Design: Ashley Webb Interiors

If you're looking for a sophisticated nursery color palette, consider charcoal gray paired with earthy shades of blue. This atmospheric gray mural is the perfect backdrop for an eclectic design that adds character to any space. Natural wood décor brings just enough warmth to the design for a balanced finish.

10 of 23

Paint Built-In Shelving

Living room with gray built-ins

Design: Becca Interiors

To update your built-in bookshelves, consider painting them to accent your walls. Charcoal gray creates a beautiful contrast against white walls in modern, traditional, and eclectic spaces alike—and we can't get enough of these bookshelves standing out as a focal point.

11 of 23

Transform a Reading Nook

Reading nook painted gray

Design: Becca Interiors

Charcoal gray tones can create a cozy, tranquil space, so it's perfect for an inviting reading nook. Use an alcove for reading, or paint a corner of your living room to separate the space by carving out a dedicated area. On textured walls, this color feels earthy and chic at the same time.

12 of 23

Opt for Hints of Purple

Room with purple gray walls

Design: Erin Williamson Design

Many charcoal gray options appear cool. To experiment with gray and maintain warmth in your design, opt for purple undertones to add subtle pops of color. Paired with neutral charcoal curtains, these walls bring contrast and personality to the room.

Thanks to its neutral hues, charcoal gray paint can pair with virtually any design style: Focus on the undertones to find a color that complements the warmth or coolness of your décor.

13 of 23

Go Gray in the Bathroom

Bathroom with a gray vanity

Design: Grey Hunt Interiors

We love using charcoal gray in bathrooms for a clean, serene look. Consider painting your vanity to add contrast to a white space: This lovely shade of dark gray brings just enough depth to the room while complementing its modern finishes.

14 of 23

Mix With Royal Colors

Bedroom with deep gray walls

Design: Gail Davis Designs

Charcoal gray is an excellent base for royal hues like purple and gold. The deep walls in this bedroom help the vibrant colors pop without overwhelming the space. With a wood bedside table and metallic lamp, the formal furnishings still feel inviting and intentional.

15 of 23

Add Gray Accents

Bedroom with gray headboard

Design: Dwell Aware

If you love charcoal gray but you're hesitant about a full paint job, bring the color into your space through furniture. Here, a gray headboard pairs beautifully with crisp and neutral bedroom hues. A small planter, wall art, and bedding patterns carry the tone throughout the space.

charcoal gray upholstered headboard
Brookside Emmie Charcoal Upholstered Headboard (Queen) $108.00
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16 of 23

Keep It Rustic

Rustic room with dining table

Design: Jersey Ice Cream Co.

Creating a modern rustic space takes extra attention to find the right balance of vintage and new décor. Charcoal gray can add a modern look to the rougher edges of a rustic room: We love the way these dark walls offset the natural wood ceiling and floors for a blended finish.

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Style a Serene Office

Gray office space

Design: JLA Designs

The best office designs feel calming, and charcoal gray sets the stage in this modern space. Its serene vibe blends with white walls and trim while acting as a middle point between light colors and a black office chair—the perfect color scheme for a peaceful headspace.

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Add Moody Rugs

Room with a dark gray rug

Design: Katherine Carter

Another easy way to bring charcoal gray into your home is through rugs. Oversized rugs can balance colors to make bright rooms appear more open and wide. A leather accent chair, tall indoor tree, and earthy wallpaper complete the look in this open living area.

charcoal gray area rug
Ruggable Impasto Greyscale Rug (8' x 10') $439.00
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19 of 23

Pair Gray With Natural Wood

Kitchen with wood accents and gray island

Design: Katie Hodges

Gray works wonderfully with natural wood accents. The hue creates an eye-catching contrast to lighter wood pieces in this kitchen, while wood décor adds warmth. We love how the charcoal gray island stands out for a modern statement against all-white walls.

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Design a Moody Powder Room

Gray powder room

Design: Katie Martinez

Make an impact in a small powder room by going all-out with charcoal gray walls. The dark hue makes this cozy space appear even larger than it is, and elevates the room with a chic flair by accenting the custom wall moldings.

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Make Open Floor Plans Cozy

Gray walls in an open concept home

Design: Kendall Wilkinson Design

We love open floor plans, but they can feel empty without the right color schemes. A moody gray paint is a lovely way to add character to open areas without going overboard on color: With warm undertones, the walls in this space add a bit of warmth and coziness to its modern design.

22 of 23

Style Like a Hotel

Bedroom with dark gray wall

Design: Kendall Wilkinson Design

If you're going for hotel vibes in your bedroom, gray is a winning choice. Charcoal gray looks expensive, and it can create that five-star look right in your own home. Dark trim pairs with rich blue walls in this space, while lighter gray bedding completes the color scheme.

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Upgrade Wood Paneling

Gray wood paneling in den

Design: Lindsey Brooke Design

If you thought wood paneling was outdated, think again. A coat of gray paint on this accent wall adds texture to the den while giving it a classic, high-end feel. We love the use of white cabinetry and wood floating shelves for a modern touch that makes the statement color stand out.

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