Whilst I often get asked for my recommendations for the best white emulsion paints, I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to colours and styles, my knowledge is pretty average.
I’ve had a lot of people asking me recently what the best grey emulsion paint is, and with the above statement in mind, I decided to reach out to Alison Bracey of Bracey Interiors to get her expert opinion on the various different greys available in the UK.
The following guide is heavily inspired by Alison and I would highly recommend listening to her advice on this subject.
Finding the Perfect Grey Emulsion Paint
Choosing the right shade of grey emulsion paint can add sophistication and elegance to any room. Here’s what you should consider when choosing the best grey emulsion:
1. Understanding the Trend:
The trend has shifted from hard grey shades to slightly warmer ones. Brands like Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library offer versatile options. Consider the Little Greene French Grey tonal shades or Little Greene Slaked Lime for a modern touch.
2. Tonal Shades and Easy Coordination:
Little Greene’s advantage lies in their 4 tonal shades of greys, making it easy to mix and match for walls, ceilings, and woodwork. You can confidently blend shades like Dash of Soot, Perennial Grey, Urbane Grey, or Fescue without worrying that they won’t work together (they will!)
3. Consider Room Elements:
Think about other items in the room like furniture or carpeting. If you have red accents, you may want to avoid warmer greys, as they may appear pink. Similarly, Urbane Grey or Fescue could look more blue than desired if paired with blue elements.
4. Trust Your Instincts:
Don’t get overwhelmed by too many tester colours. Often, your gut instinct will lead you to what works best for your space. Remember that everyone’s colour perceptions vary depending on the time of day, how much light a room receives, and the surroundings within a room, so trust what feels right for you.
5. Explore Paint & Paper Library Options:
Paint & Paper Library offers a fantastic range of grey shades with up to 5 different strengths of the same color. This can simplify your selection process and ensure that your chosen shade fits your room perfectly.
So What Emulsion Should You Go With?
Little Greene and Paint & Paper are both luxury paint brands and when I’ve had the chance to use them they have flowed well, had great opacity and were easy to touch up without flashing.
Of course, being luxury paint brands means they come with a hefty price tag.
If you can afford them, I would recommend them based on the fact that you know what you’ll be getting in terms of colour choice.
If you’re a professional decorator on a tighter budget, then it’s worth looking at the option of getting the shades above colour-matched to your usual go-to emulsion. With that being said, you should pre-warn customers that even colour-matched paint isn’t exactly spot on.