Grey bathroom ideas – for a versatile colour scheme that will look good in any space

Looking for grey bathroom ideas? Get this delightful tone in your home with a few helpful hints and tips. Like any neutral it can wash out a room, but get it right in your bathroom and you'll see why grey is the colour trend of the decade. Pick the right shade and know exactly how the light works in your room - in gloomy spaces, pale greys can look too chilly and dark greys will appear too black

Thought grey was too cold for bathrooms? Never! Grey can be a really soothing shade when paired with the right hues. Most palettes work well with grey but, stick to one or two colours for a considered, designer scheme. Learn how to layer greys for a calming effect, or combine them with other colours to add extra punch to your design scheme.

Check out our bathroom channel for more bathroom ideas and design inspiration

The current trend is to use strong, vibrant colours which will really sing out against a neutral backdrop. By using the same colour, but in both its palest and deepest incarnations, you can create a rich, contrasting look that is still harmonious and coordinated. Apparently there are 50 shades of it so if you need some help using the colour grey in your home take a look at our pick of the best grey bathroom ideas.

1. Add colour with accessories

Think grey is cold and clinical? Think again. This cosy bathroom scheme proves that grey is anything but. This grey-brown colour enhances the sense of warmth, making it a perfect choice for cosy light-filled rooms. Warm pale greys add sophistication and can be very versatile. Use candles and colourful accessories to add further interest and comfort.

2. Go for grey tiles in a wet room

Floor-to-ceiling tiling can turn a functional bathroom space into something far more appealing. Choose a colour that will stand the text of time, and one that all the family can live with. Go grey all over: put it on all four walls, but stop the colour looking flat by positioning white fittings and fixtures against it and a few glistening chrome accessories for striking contrast.

3. Give it a country feel

Give your bathroom space a fresh-faced new look with a lick of grey paint. Colour is enormously evocative. Discover how paint is the key to establishing the style, mood and personality of your decorating scheme. Choose a dramatic grey shade for the wall and decorate with pale and interesting accessories. The on-trend mid grey matt-finish paint used here makes a mellow contrast to white roll-top bath.

4. Keep it calm, clean and serene

The colour grey is a short cut to sophistication, so ramp up the ethereal charm by teaming it with white-gloss pieces and classic fittings and fixtures. Introduce subtle hits of pattern, as shown here on the polka dot lampshade. For a wash of country warmth, bring in a few coloured accessories, such as autumnal tones.

Planning a new bathroom? READ: Planning a bathroom – everything you need to know about designing your perfect washroom

5. Paint with a pale grey

Who says grey can't work equally well in a country scheme? The restful and elegant atmosphere in this bathroom has been achieved with the use of soothing shades of grey and white. One of the hottest trends in home design is the use of natural wood accents and textures. When paired with grey walls, this striking combination really comes to life. Don't be discouraged when sourcing salvaged wood - even when damaged, wood can often be restored to its former glory and any marks become part of the patina of age.

6. Opt for a grey slate wall

This charcoal grey slate adds elegance and interest to a minimal room. Hard-wearing and available in a wide choice of styles, tiles are tried-and-tested material for bathroom walls and floors. If you want enduring beauty and individual character, look no further than stone. All natural stone is porous so it must be sealed and may require further treatment on a regular basis but, properly installed and cared for, a stone surface should last a lifetime. Also, a simple slate is great if you're on a budget.

7. Create an urban feel

Break up areas of grey with co-ordinating pattern or colour. The pale grey metro tiles in this bathroom are calming, gender-neutral and a natural complement to wooden cabinetry. When tiling whole walls stick to a pale grout to prevent the space closing in.

8. Go for all-out grey

As a rule of thumb, if a tile is suitable for the floor, it's also suitable for the walls, but the same is not true the other way round. A type of ceramic, porcelain generally makes the best flooring. Because it is fired at a much higher temperature than ceramic, it's super-hard, almost totally non-porous, and is resistant to scratching and staining, making it a good, low-maintenance, choice for a busy bathroom. Here, large format tiles in grey, give this space a hotel-chic vibe.

9. Make grey glamorous

Pigment-rich paint will make this heavy grey even more intense. Choose a finish with a slight shimmer and team with sea-foam green and metallic accents for an ethereal, luxurious look. Avoid bold colour contrast and stick to tone-on-tone and harmonious patterns that are barely there. Don't be afraid to go for deeper, more intense grey tones. The beauty and balance here comes directly via a smart use of colour and accessories.

10. Make it your own

Grey doesn't have to spell drab. Work classic metro tiles to half height, (you can repaint above the tiles as often as you like), then add a pop of colour or some personal art to bring the scheme to life.

Love these grey bathroom ideas but want more colour? READ: Bathroom colour schemes to upgrade your bathing space

Will you be using these grey bathroom ideas to add this popular neutral hue to your bathing space?