Refresh Your Living Room With On-Trend Light Grey Paint
If your living room is looking drab or dated, a fresh coat of light grey paint can give it a stylish facelift. Grey is having a major moment right now as a sophisticated, versatile neutral that pairs well with many decor styles. The right shade can make your living space feel more open and airy or cozy and chic. Read on to learn why you should consider using on-trend light grey paint to refresh your living room along with tips for choosing the perfect grey, prepping for painting, application techniques, design ideas, and aftercare.
Painting your living room walls a light grey is an easy and affordable way to instantly update the look and feel of the space. The popularity of grey stems from its versatility as a neutral base color that provides a clean, modern backdrop for decor and furniture. While white can sometimes feel stark, grey offers a softer alternative that feels elegant without being too dark or dreary.
Choosing the Right Shade of Light Grey
Grey paint comes in an endless array of shades ranging from cool greys with blue undertones to warm greiges with brown or taupe hues. The specific grey tone you select can dramatically impact the atmosphere your living room exudes.
Cool greys with hints of blue tend to feel more sleek and contemporary. They pair nicely with modern decor and chrome or silver accents. Warm greiges offer a more relaxed vibe that complements traditional styling and natural wood tones.
The depth of the grey shade is another important factor. Light to medium tones open up smaller spaces and reflect the most light to create an airy feel. Darker charcoal greys can feel moody and intimate, ideal for rooms with ample natural light. For the most versatile shade that suits any decor, style, and room size, stick with a light to medium neutral grey without yellow or pink undertones.
Factor in Room Size and Lighting
Take the size and layout of your living room into consideration when selecting a grey. Darker greys can feel oppressive in small spaces but anchor larger open layouts. Rooms with limited natural light benefit from very light greys that won't absorb too much light.
Likewise, check how the grey pairs with your existing flooring. Dark greys suit light wood or carpet while lighter greys allow dark tile or hardwood to stand out.
Test Grey Paint Samples
Never choose a grey paint color based on the tiny sample chip. View sizable swatches in your room during different times of day. You want the grey tone to complement your existing decor and furnishings while setting the desired mood.
Preparing to Paint Your Living Room
Achieving an attractive, polished look with your light grey living room requires diligent prep work before painting. Proper preparation leads to smooth application and long-lasting results.
Start by thoroughly cleaning walls and removing any dirt, grease or residue. Fill any cracks or holes with spackle and sand any glossy areas so the paint properly adheres.
Cover floors, baseboards, trimwork, and any furniture that remains in the room with tarps or drop cloths. Use painter's tape for clean edges around ceilings, door frames, windows and moldings.
Priming provides an even surface for paint to stick to so consider applying a primer like Zinsser's Bulls Eye 1-2-3 before painting. Make sure to use high quality paint that provides good coverage.
Gather all necessary painting supplies like angled trim brushes, roller covers, paint trays, extension poles, and clean rags or paper towels. Keep a bucket of warm soapy water on hand to quickly clean any spills or drips.
Application Tips for Painting Your Living Room
Employ proper technique when rolling light grey paint onto your living room walls for flawless results. Use a high density roller cover with a smooth nap. Fully load the roller in the tray to prevent uneven application.
Cut in edges and corners with an angled sash brush. Then roll the walls in 3 to 4 foot sections using a "W" shape rolling pattern to ensure even coverage. Apply the paint generously without overspreading.
Allow the first coat to fully dry for at least 2-4 hours before applying a second finish coat. Check walls closely under bright lighting to catch any missed spots that need touching up.
Maintain a "wet edge" by painting from wall to wall or corner to corner without breaking. Use painter's tape when needed for super sharp edges around trimwork and ceilings.
Avoid Common Paint Mistakes
Pay close attention to proper technique when painting or you could end up with an uneven finish, drips, brush marks or mismatched tones.
Fully prepare surfaces, apply two coats, and check for coverage in all lighting. Buy quality paint and supplies that won't create a splotchy mess.
Design Ideas for a Light Grey Living Room
When decorated thoughtfully, a light grey living room can take on many stylish looks from coastal casual to urban modern. Grey provides a versatile neutral backdrop for building your room's unique character.
Incorporate tactile surfaces like woven jute rugs, velvet pillows and rattan or wooden accents to prevent an all grey room from feeling flat. Layer in multiple complementary grey tones through accent walls, furniture and decor.
Use your fresh grey walls as a gallery to really showcase colorful artwork, prints and photography. Try pairing with blue and green tones pulled from images.
Add warmth through wood furniture pieces, live plants and flowers. Incorporate task lighting like sleek floor lamps or sconces to create a relaxing ambiance perfect for reading nooks.
Play with metallic accents and accessories which modernize a light grey living room. Chrome side tables, silver vases, mercury glass lamps and gold frames feel chic against grey.
Make a Grey Living Room Feel Cozy
While some associate grey with cold and sterile spaces, a light grey living room can absolutely exude coziness with the right furniture and accessories.
Add lush, woven area rugs in natural fiber tones like jute or sisal. Layer rustic wood coffee tables and woven baskets. Drape cozy knit throws and add plush cushions to soften grey sofas.
Incorporate warm white LED or incandescent lighting. Position floor and table lamps strategically for soft glows throughout the room. Add houseplants like succulents or snake plants for an inviting, lived-in look.
Mistakes to Avoid with Grey Paint
While grey is very forgiving, you still need to exercise care when choosing, prepping and applying it. Avoid these common grey painting pitfalls:
- Choosing the wrong undertone - go for neutral medium greys
- Failing to adequately clean and prime walls
- Only applying one coat of paint for insufficient coverage
- Using poor quality budget paint more prone to flaws
- Not catching drips or properly cutting in edges as you paint
Take time to correct any painting mistakes as you go to prevent having to repaint an entire grey wall. Proper prep and application techniques upfront save you work in the long run.
Caring for Your New Light Grey Painted Room
While grey paint is fairly low maintenance, take steps to care for your freshly painted living room walls:
Gently dust walls and use a microfiber cloth to wipe any smudges or dirt to avoid paint scuffs over time. Immediately touch up any nicks or marks in the paint before they worsen.
Minimize rubbing, furniture contact and sun damage on accent walls painted grey. Strategically arrange furniture and artwork.
Deter fading over time by installing curtains, blinds or solar window film to filter intense light. Avoid hanging or installing anything that may scratch or peel paint.
By caring for your light grey painted living room properly, you can enjoy the stylish, refreshed look for years before needing to repaint.
A light grey paint job offers an easy yet dramatic update for tired, dated living rooms. The right shade can make the space feel more open and airy or intimate and cozy depending on your goals.
Follow the steps above to prep properly, apply two smooth coats, and decorate in ways that enhance your light grey walls. Avoid common mistakes and care for the fresh paint to keep your living room looking spectacular.
Embrace this stylish, versatile neutral trend to enjoy a living room as relaxing and chic as your favorite luxury hotel lobby. Grey works in virtually any decorating style from modern to cottagecore. Achieve the living room of your dreams by taking the plunge with on-trend light grey paint.