What Colors Can be Used to Compliment Slate Flooring?

Rustic Scheme

• For a rustic design centered around multicolored slate tiles, examine the hues in your chosen tiles for inspiration. Colors you can pull from the tiles include gray, purple, black, bronze, rust, green, charcoal and white. Complement the floors with a charcoal wall color and pops of other hues found in the flooring. For instance, medium wood tones paired with green draperies and black accents will create a palette drawn from the slate. Use other types of stone and add potted plants to further the nature driven rustic elements of the room.

Modern Scheme

• Complement a room with all black slate flooring with red and gray for a modern style. Paint the walls oxblood red and use bold, graphic black and white prints for the draperies and other textiles. Look to patterns such as damask, chevrons, honeycombs, geometric designs and botanical patterns to add visual interest and help complement the flooring. Have the black tiles laid in a herringbone or basket weave pattern, depending on the size of available tiles. Substitute other bold colors for the red, like purple, orange or lime green.

Neutral Scheme

• For slate with a beige undertone, create a neutral color palette with soft neutral hues. Paint the walls taupe, cream or beige. Bring home a selection of paint swatches and hold them next to the slate if it has already been installed, or take a tile with you to the paint store to find a color match. Add chocolate furniture upholstered in oatmeal, wheat and pale browns. Mix and match textures to create a visually appealing room to complement the variegation in the stone.

Other Ideas

• For purple slate tiles, create a blue and purple color scheme with hints of violet and pops of periwinkle. Use black and white for contrast and to provide visual interest. Paint trim in white, and add black pieces of furniture to the room. Or, create a masculine room with shades of dark green, burgundy and chocolate to complement darker types of slate tiles. Another idea is to experiment with the size, shape and style of the slate. Slate is also available for counter top applications for kitchens and bathrooms. Consider choosing two different complementary colors of slate to complete your kitchen or bathroom.