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17 Curtain Colors That Will Effortlessly Complement Gray Walls

what color curtains go with gray walls

Blakely Interior Design / Photo by Greg Premru

If you have gray walls in your home and aren't sure what color of curtains to pair with them, know that you have an array of viable options to choose from. A number of colors—from classic to neutrals to bright and bold hues—look beautiful alongside gray walls. Read on to see 17 different curtain color options in action, some of which you may have not considered yet.

  • 01 of 17

    Lavender

    Lavender curtains in gray living room

    Christina Kim Interior Design / Photo by Raquel Langworthy

    Best for soothing spaces

    For a soothing look that isn't too muted, pair gray walls with sweet lavender curtains. This pretty purple pairs nicely with neutrals while adding a colorful flair to the space.

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  • 02 of 17

    Chambray Blue

    Gray bedroom with chambray blue curtains

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Bethany Nauert

    Best for a casual, cozy space

    For a casual, cozy look, try chambray blue. Soft and comforting, the color pairs nicely with other shades of blue and gray, as seen in this sleep space. Add some warm wooden furniture pieces to bring in an extra dimension.

  • 03 of 17

    Olive

    gray headboard and mural in bedroom

    Louis Duncan-He

    Best for nature lovers

    Olive green has been trending for years and doesn't appear to be going out of style anytime soon. The earthy color is ideal for those looking to bring the outside in. Green and gray are a perfect pairing in nature, so it's no surprise they shine inside of the home, too.

  • 04 of 17

    Pink

    gray bedrooms

    Studio Peake

    Best for light gray walls

    Don't assume that pink curtains are only for overly bright and colorful rooms. Rather, they can serve to provide some pep in an otherwise more muted space, like this bedroom with light gray walls.

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  • 05 of 17

    Ivory

    window valance ideas

    Erin Williamson Design

    Best for pairing with colorful textiles

    Ivory curtains and gray walls pave the way for bolder colors to shine inside the room like on the bed in this sleep space. If you're someone who likes to change up your decor often, keeping your walls and curtains simple will make it easy to embrace various color and textile possibilities whenever the mood strikes.

  • 06 of 17

    Blue Multi

    gray dining room walls and blue patterned curtains

    Victoria Bell Design

    Best for pattern lovers

    If you find it hard to pick just one color, say hello to a mixture of blues and whites. Since gray is a simple color, feel free to go bold with some patterned curtains to add some flavor to your space without worrying about things looking too busy.

  • 07 of 17

    White

    gray walls and white curtains

    Gray Space Interiors

    Best for classics-lovers

    There's nothing wrong with sticking with classic white window coverings. These will help to brighten up any space and are timeless and versatile, making them a foolproof pick no matter your design aesthetic.

  • 08 of 17

    Gray Multi

    gray walls and gray and white curtains

    Design by Rachel Cannon / Photo by Jessie Preza

    Best for a mod, sophisticated look

    Try tone on tone, but with a bit of a twist—throw some gray patterned curtains into the mix for a modern look. The ones shown here play nicely alongside the gray textured wall in this sophisticated sitting room.

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  • 09 of 17

    Brown

    brown bamboo curtains and gray walls

    @willsdesignassociates / Instagram

    Best for an organic touch

    Bring an organic touch into your home with brown woven roman shades like these. They'll add some beautiful texture to your space and are great for transitional style rooms in particular.

  • 10 of 17

    Brown and White

    gray walls and brown and white curtains

    Design by Gray Walker / Photo by Dustin Peck

    Best for creating a focal point

    Brown, white, and gray make for an outstanding combination. These patterned curtains add an artful touch and help the oversized window really become the focal point of the living room.

  • 11 of 17

    Orange

    blue gray walls and orange curtains

    Studio Peake

    Best for going bold

    Shine bright with orange window treatments that will add major wow-factor to your bedroom. These vibrant orange curtains prove that gray can truly go with any color of the rainbow, whether you're looking to go bold or stay subtle.

  • 12 of 17

    Multicolor

    gray walls and multicolor curtains

    Studio Peake

    Best for pattern mixing

    Multicolor curtains add a playful touch to any space. These are more toned down than other options and complement the variety of patterns already at play in this space. Don't be afraid to thoughtfully mix prints in your home.

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  • 13 of 17

    Yellow

    blue gray walls and yellow curtains

    Studio Peake

    Best for a dose of cheer

    Maybe you love pops of color here and there but don't want to go all in with something ultra bright. Cheer up your home with a dose of yellow; yellow and gray balance each other out nicely to provide the best of both worlds.

  • 14 of 17

    Ecru

    Gray living room with beige furniture

    Mindy Gayer Design Co.

    Best alternative to plain white

    If you're not feeling a super crisp white, try ecru instead. This cream color suits gray fabulously, and the two hues will shine in all spaces, ranging from contemporary to modern farmhouse to traditional.

  • 15 of 17

    Blue

    A modern coastal bedroom, adorned with white plaid blankets, blue pillows, and blue paisley curtains

    Tyler Karu

    Best for a coastal space

    There's nothing like a happy bright blue color. Try gray walls with blue curtains in a coastal style home, weaving in textural pieces made from cane and rattan as well to celebrate your surroundings.

  • 16 of 17

    Silver

    Modern bedroom with gray curtains, bedding, and accents

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Best for a luxe and moody look

    Pair light gray walls with moody silver curtains that will add a luxe, moody, hotel-like feel to your bedroom in no time, whether your furniture leans classic, mid-century, or beyond.

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  • 17 of 17

    Mint

    living room rug ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Best for a sweet surprise

    If you're into green but want to go with a curtain color that's more eclectic, go ahead and freshen up your space by bringing in some mint. These are sure to add a sweet touch to any room with gray walls.

Best Tips for Styling Colored Curtains with Gray Walls

  • Go monochromatic for a calming look. Becky Shea, founder of Becky Shea Design, encourages pairing gray walls with gray curtains for a "seamless, cohesive feel" which she also finds adds a serene touch to any space.
  • Make it moody by adding contrast. If you crave a moody look, bring in curtains that contrast your gray walls, opting for saturated tones such as navy blue or plum, suggests Janelle Blakely Photopoulos, founder of Blakely Interior Design.
  • Work in some earth tones to warm up a room. Photopoulos is also a fan of pairing gray walls with curtains in earth tones, including beige, terracotta, and mustard yellow, noting that these shades add warmth to any space.