Is Gray a Cool Color?

Greenish Blue-Gray

• Slate gray, a greenish blue-gray, is a warmer version of blue-gray than purplish blue-gray, which is a cooler variant. Both blue-grays contrast well with orange, which is blue's complement, or color wheel opposite. Greenish blue-gray also partners well with color wheel neighbors in soothing, analogous schemes. In a bedroom, consider light, greenish blue-gray walls, carpet and bedspread. Curtains in medium green-gray coordinate, as do pillows in blue-gray, mustard and green-gray. A French-finish accent chair with mustard-colored upholstery also relates to this scheme.

Purplish Blue-Gray

• A frequent ground for paintings, purplish blue-gray is formed by mixing the complements bright purple-blue and orange. Medium, purplish blue-gray walls make a good choice for a kitchen. This cool blue-gray provides maximum contrast with orange-brown wood floors and furniture, especially when bright accents in purple-blue are added. A collection of decorative plates in white and bright purple-blue add interest, and white curtains with a blue-gray embroidered pattern connect to this color scheme. A white kitchen island with a purplish blue-gray granite top completes the look.

Cool Purple-Gray

• When a purple undertone is present, grays fall into the category of cool purple-gray or slightly warmer gray-plum. Combined with green-grays and greenish-silvers, purple-gray provides a subtle living room interplay. Try dark purple-gray curtains with light purple-gray walls and whitewashed flooring. Greenish-silver frames relate well to a French-finish coffee table, while dark, green-gray accent chairs provide tonal contrast. Dark purple-gray pillows and lampshades echo the curtains, and a rug in dark purple-gray, green-gray and olive adds cohesion to the space.

Cool Green-Gray

• Warm green-gray, which has yellow undertones, is often referred to as French gray, while cool green-gray has blue undertones. Cool green-gray provides a calming backdrop, and like blue-gray, it has a range of suitable accent colors. In a den, paint the walls in dark, cool green-gray and add rolled window shades in a textured orange-brown. A burnt-orange leather sofa harmonizes with orange-brown flooring and shades, while cool green-gray lampshades and accent pillows make a connection with the walls. A large vintage poster in a plain, distressed orange-gold frame completes the look.