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Committing to a color palette is hard no matter the space. But few areas are as difficult to decorate as the family living room.

Neutral colors are ideal for central spaces like the living room. Yet few homeowners want to recuse themselves to white walls and finishes. Gray offers a subtle deviation from this plain color scheme without the risk of overpowering.

Check out the gray living room ideas below to learn how to include this versatile shade in your own interior design.

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1. Optimize Your Apartment with Gray Tones

Decorating an apartment is a challenge all its own. While few apartments allow for dramatic renovations, a surprising number of leases and condo associations permit painting.

A gray palette can be a welcome change to the plain white seen in many move-in ready apartment units. Shopping for furniture is easy — your gray-toned items will match almost any future living room.

Accent colors can be a powerful addition to an all-gray living space. Primary colors are a wonderful choice. Opt for statement artwork or furniture to introduce these shades.

2. Create a Boho Chic with Gray Accents

Many homeowners assume that gray decor is limited to contemporary- and modern-inspired spaces. But it’s just as possible to create a stylish boho living room with this color scheme.

Giving your gray living room Bohemian appeal is largely about adding organic elements to the space. Potted plants and woven wicker are prime examples that pair beautifully with both light and dark shades of gray.

To make your gray living room feel as inviting as possible, stick to warm-toned grays throughout the design. This will ensure your furniture and decor looks alive rather than overly sterile!

3. Add an Edge with Concrete Walls

Concrete wall finishes are a big trend in interior design right now. This project can add texture to any space but works particularly well for creating an accent wall in a living room.

A concrete-covered wall is a great option for an industrial-inspired aesthetic. However, this material can also contrast excellently against more traditional design elements.

Actually constructing a concrete wall is a delicate process — you shouldn’t attempt to DIY this idea unless you are 100% confident in your skills. Fortunately, you can easily mimic the look of a concrete overlay with texture wallpaper or even paint.

4. Embrace Contemporary Style in Gray

Gray has been one of the most popular interior design colors of the past decade. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that this shade has a tight-knit association with contemporary decor.

While gray has been a go-to living room color for a long time, the ways it’s being used are constantly changing. Today’s contemporary interiors favor light or dark shades of gray over mid-toned ones. Texture is another important factor to consider.

Too much of the wrong shade of gray can make a space look washed-out. Incorporating warm metallic finishes — gold, copper, brass, etc. — is a great way to counter this while utilizing contemporary trends.

5. Select Gray Furniture for Versatility

You can’t have a great living room design without some cozy furniture. Fortunately, gray living room furniture is both widely available and incredibly easy to style.

Gray furniture does not need to be exclusive to a gray-themed living room. These pieces are extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide range of color schemes and interior design trends.

Change up your living room decor with a fresh set of throw pillows or decorative blankets. A gray sofa or armchair will also pair beautifully with accent furniture. These are both low-investment ways to bring some color to the space.

6. Achieve Glamour with Gray Foundations

On its own, gray isn’t exactly a glamorous color. But it can be the perfect backdrop to a trend-forward living room design that will make all of your guests envious.

One of the best ways to make a gray living room design pop is to use stark white to create contrast. Incorporate a gray statement wall into your living room using textured wallpaper or a decorative overlay.

Add dimension to your monochromatic color scheme with reflective finishes. Hanging mirrors, light fixtures, and accent furniture can all be used to bring this contemporary decor trend to life.

7. Incorporate Gray into Industrial Design

Industrial decor is a bold take on the modern aesthetic that has found its way into many urban lofts and bachelor pads. It’s rare to see an up-to-date industrial living room that doesn’t incorporate gray in one way or another.

With so many interesting materials cohabiting in the average industrial living space, gray furniture can be a welcome palate cleanser. Opt for warm-toned grays, especially if your living room features exposed brick or wood paneling.

Don’t be afraid to reinterpret your gray living room to include metallic finishes. Exposed ductwork is a classic element of industrial design. If your space lacks these architectural quirks, add your own using statement light fixtures or wall art.

See more industrial living room ideas here.

8. Elevate Luxury with Gray Elements

Luxury interior design is all about striking a balance between simplicity and intricate details. And gray acts as the perfect bridge between basic neutrals and more bold finishes.

For a luxury aesthetic, your gray decor should not be the main attraction. Instead, it should act as backup for more elegant elements like natural wood, dramatic light fixtures, or stunning scenery.

The last thing you want is for your gray finishes to come across as flat. Include several similar shades of gray in the form of throw pillows. Or select materials with natural texture and variation for a high-end appearance.

9. Craft a Minimalist Look with Gray

When creating a minimalist living room, every single detail counts. That includes the colors you utilize within the space.

Gray wall paint offers a softer appearance than plain white. Once your living room is fully arranged and styled, though, the paint color will fade into the background just as easily.

Minimalism utilizes lots of contrast to add intrigue in place of physical items. Experiment with using light and dark grays throughout your living room to play up this contrast — you can look at black-and-white room designs for inspiration.

10. Modernize with Gray Highlights

Modern decor is often inspired by home interiors from the mid-20th century. While gray is far from the most common color in modern design, this shade can be used to great effect to boost contrast and add a present-day touch.

Gray wall paint is a great choice for any modern living room design. Consider using multiple shades of gray to emphasize the different angles within your home’s floor plan — modern architecture is all about these details.

When it comes to selecting modern furniture, color is much less important than overall shape. As long as you opt for the right sofa or coffee table silhouette, a gray finish will fit right in with the rest of the space.

See more moderin living room ideas here.

11. Design a Monochrome Gray Space

Many homeowners believe that a varied color palette is the secret to effective interior design. But, with the right eye for detail, a monochromatic living room can be just as stylish as a multi-colored one.

Don’t just blindly choose different shades of gray to fill the space. Think about which items will be next to each other and how you can best use contrast throughout your living room.

While other colors are out of the question, you can still add intrigue using patterns and textures. If your monochromatic gray living room ideas seem to be missing something, a few patterned throw pillows may be just the ticket.

12. Blend Neutrals with Gray for Warmth

Vibrant shades of yellow, red, and blue are not the only options when it comes to adding variety to a gray living room. Neutral shades like cream, tan, and brown can also bring a bit of energy to an all-gray space.

Not all neutral colors are created the same. If you find that two neutrals are clashing, it may be because they have opposing undertones. Stick to warm- or cool-toned shades for better harmony.

Neutral materials are a valuable resource that can add much-needed texture. Look for ways to include brick, stone, natural wood, and more in your living room design.

13. Rustic Charm Meets Gray Elegance

Gray may not be the first color that comes to mind when you picture a rustic-style living room. But the shade actually feels right at home alongside distressed woodwork and organic textiles.

To narrow down your palette, reach for grays found in nature. Draw inspiration from sources like the bark of a birch tree, hide of an animal, or weathered river stone.

As with many home decor trends, texture is just as significant as color in rustic design. And there’s no shortage of materials to choose from — i.e., leather, brick, shiplap, metal, etc.

See more rustic living room ideas here.

14. Scandinavian Simplicity in Gray

Scandinavian decor is a subsect of the larger modern aesthetic. It is largely defined by minimalism combined with organic elements.

Function is just as important as form when designing a Scandinavian-inspired living room. The space should include little more than the essentials.

The best backdrop to a Scandinavian living space features warm wooden floors and light-colored walls. A dark gray sectional sofa or couch will contrast perfectly against these finishes. Experiment with using muted shades of green in your design where you would normally reach for standard gray.

15. Gray Walls: A Neutral Canvas

Gray wall paint is a welcome departure to other neutral shades. Light gray is a wonderful alternative to white paint. And dark gray is a softer take on straight black.

Furniture that matches your gray walls can open up the space visually. Meanwhile, investing in a contrasting couch or area rug will ensure your living design is well-defined from top to bottom.

Lighting and paint color share a delicate relationship. Gray, in particular, can take on different hues depending on how the room is lit. This isn’t necessarily a downside but should be taken into account when selecting other finishes for your living room.

“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong.”  –  John Denver

The word “country” has long signified a place that’s comfortable, unpretentious, and home-like. Like the rolling hills and blue skies of the countryside, country home decor draws us to a kinder, simpler existence.

Beneath the larger umbrella that is country style, several specific decor flavors exist. Coastal, cottage, and farmhouse are American standards, while French, Tuscan, and Scandinavian styles introduce European flair. You’ll be amazed by the variety of cozy living room concepts as you browse our collection of the best country living room ideas.

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1. Seaside Serenity: Coastal Country Living Room

Some of the coziest country homes are located near the beach. They embrace everything about the seaside aesthetic, with pale, calming colors and weathered wood surfaces. The coastal living room is meant to remind you of relaxing on vacation and is a great place to showcase collectibles from your travels.

Various soft hues of blue are a must in a coastal country home as they bring the sea and sky indoors, but darker blues, greens, and browns are also welcome. A nubby jute rug adds a rope-like nautical element to your coastal country home. Substitute an old steamer trunk for a traditional coffee table to complete your nod toward all that’s good about traveling.

Read more: 65 Coastal Decor Ideas

2. Shabby Chic Cottage Country Living Room

Cottages were traditionally smaller houses built on large estates, comfortable little homes that received all the hand-me-downs from the main house. Decorating a comfy cottage is more about creating an aura of warmth and light than sticking to a certain design manual.

The beauty of cottage decor is that it reflects your personality and preferences. Pretension is unwelcome in a cottage inspired room. Because it is genuinely you, the people who love you automatically feel comfortable and welcome in this space.

A cottage-inspired country living room can include shabby chic decor. This casual, ultra-feminine style includes lace, stripes, and large floral prints in soft hues of pink, white, and cream. Beaded chandeliers and chippy paint finishes are also fitting in shabby cottage design.

3. Add Cozy Country Decor Elements

Country decor used to mean lots of quilts, lace, and heavy wooden furniture pieces. Now it can include a diverse range of textiles and materials, but they must share certain common denominators. Country decor is generally considered the epitome of coziness paired with livability.

Fresh flowers, whimsical paintings, rustic metal light fixtures, and candle chandeliers are common country and farmhouse living room elements.

A large area rug often anchors the space and provides a soft place for bare feet to land. Persian rugs are classic country living room accents, but other types of rugs fit well into country style. Oversized checks, simple stripes, and colorful plaid rugs work well in country spaces.

4. English-Inspired Country Living Room with Warm Elegance

An English inspired country living room has a warm, dark color palette and is a bit more formal than cottage style. Textiles include chintz, a colorful fabric with a shiny finish, often showcasing plaid or floral patterns. The sofa must include a generous throw pillow collection and a knitted wool afghan.

Plush wing chairs and wooden Windsor chairs exhibit classic English style. These chairs make great filler pieces in family room or dining room corners.

Don’t forget to anchor the space with a generous area rug in deep, warm hues. An English living room is centered around a heat source, so if your home lacks a fireplace, consider installing a wood stove to achieve that by-the-fire ambiance.

5. Farmhouse Fusion: Blending Traditional Country and Modern Style

Farmhouse design combines traditional country elements with contemporary style. For example, open shelving, or floating shelves, are as great in farmhouse style as they are in more modern spaces. Vaulted ceilings with decorative beams are one of the more rustic hallmarks of farmhouse decor.

White walls and an open concept floor plan are common features in a farmhouse living room. Offset the white with plenty of natural wood surfaces.

Use plenty of black accents as well, such as throw pillows, wall art, and picture frames. Add baskets, metal light fixtures, and stone bowls to elevate the room’s natural elements.

6. Rustic Elegance: French Country Living Room Decor

A French country living room melds the elegance of French style with more rustic comforts. Designed after homes in Provence and the rest of the French countryside, French country decor includes lots of botanical themes. These appear in French country design as toile fabric, artwork, wallpaper, and accessories.

As in other country style living rooms, French country style relies heavily on natural materials such as wood and stone. However, they often have a weathered appearance. Furniture is still more refined than rustic, but its subtle distressing provides a lived-in, well-loved vibe. Traditional and modern French country furniture shuns minimalist lines, preferring natural curves and softer boundaries.

7. Simplified Charm: Modern Country Living Room Decor

Modern country decor can be described as a more simplified type of country decor. Somewhat eclectic in nature, it combines elements from vintage, industrial, and coastal country decor and conveys a naturally relaxed vibe.

A coffee table in this style may combine a stocky wood base with a modern glass tabletop.

Modern country decorating ideas mix new and old pieces into each room. In this way, it shares similarities with modern farmhouse style. But unlike a farmhouse living room, a modern country style living room often incorporates plenty of bold colors.

8. Neutral Elegance in Country Living Room Decor

Neutral colors are a common element in country living room decor. Pale neutrals can make a small country living room feel bigger and brighter, especially when used on the walls, rug, and sofa. Offset neutrals with warm wood tones and black or metal touches in your artwork and accessories.

Farmhouse style relies heavily on a neutral color palette, as does Scandinavian cottage style. A cream or white sofa provides a large neutral base in a country style living room and can support any sub-style in the country genre.

9. Rustic Harmony in Country Living Room Decor

Rustic style is a natural partner with country decor ideas. Rustic living room ideas include sturdy, industrial-inspired elements with a strong masculine flavor. A leather sofa and a heavy wood coffee table set on top of a cowhide rug are all great illustrations of rustic country style.

Organic wood paneling warms up any rustic living room. A room-width stone fireplace flocked by leather wing chairs is a comforting centerpiece in many a country living room. Hang mounted taxidermy skulls over the mantel—something preferably made from a single heavy beam of reclaimed wood.

Read more: Top 53 Rustic Living Room Ideas

10. Scandinavian Serenity in Country Living Room Decor

Scandinavian design emerged in the 1950s and remains popular for its clean minimalism and functionality. A suitable addition to modern or country decor, Scandinavian furniture’s simple lines designate basic comfort—something inherent to country style.

Unlike rustic or farmhouse style, which can become a bit cluttered, a Scandinavian approach to country decor includes all of the comfort with none of the clutter. This doesn’t mean that it’s a boring living room idea, however. Scandinavian decor often includes interesting patterns and bright pops of color.

11. Vintage Charm in Traditional Country Living Room Decor

Traditional country decor is based on interior design preferences that were common in old farmhouses. As such, it usually includes plenty of antique furniture and vintage collectibles.

It’s best if some items show gentle wear and tear, so don’t be afraid to use distressing techniques when finishing repurposed pieces.

Traditional country textiles include ticking stripes, toile, gingham, and plaid. As with furniture, fabrics that appear gently worn are more at home here than brand-new materials. Wainscoting, beadboard, ceiling beams and other natural wood accents add traditional country details to the room.

12. Tuscan Tranquility – Classic Country Decor Inspired by Italy

Classic Tuscan country decor hails from the sunbaked region of Tuscany, Italy. Its Mediterranean style centers around rustic surfaces, a warm color palette, simple furnishings, and plenty of iron accents. Terra cotta must be included as well as other natural stones devoid of any glaze or sheen.

Rough hewn wood ceiling beams are common in Tuscan living room decor, especially paired with white or beige plastered walls. As in other country decor, a stone, brick, or tile fireplace is a welcome living room focal point.

Arched door openings and bookcases are another authentic country Tuscan touch. Tuscan-inspired fabrics feature rich, earthy colors in a variety of botanical prints and tile-like patterns.

Read also: The Top 47 Country Bedroom Ideas