Gray has long been a go-to color choice in the design world. It’s a safe pick for walls, furniture, rugs, decorative accessories, you name it. But now? Interior designers say enough is enough. Gray is on its way out!
It makes sense since so far, 2025 has been a year of living boldly. More and more people are taking the opportunity to express themselves freely through color. Considering this shift (and the fact that I follow design trends for a living), I couldn’t help but poll some interior designers to find out exactly why they’ve had enough of all things gray.
Why is gray no longer trending?
The answer is simple for interior designer Gail Davis of Gail Davis Design. “While gray is a neutral and soothing for some, we live in color,” Davis says. “I want to live where color saturates a space, and I share this with clients. Color is exciting, and we should be excited to live life.”
Tiffanni Reidy, founder of Reidy Creative, shares a similar sentiment, noting that “exciting design choices are making a comeback” and homeowners are no longer afraid of choosing bold interior colors, even if they intend to move or sell their property down the road. “People were hesitant to personalize their space, ignoring tiles they were excited by, cabinets they preferred and furniture in colors they love because of a future ‘what if.’ The all-gray aesthetic is used by teams that renovate homes to sell, and developers constructing new homes. The idea that if a home is entirely gray it can be for anyone, is akin to the idea that if a home is painted black it’s suddenly ‘modern.’ The argument simply doesn’t hold up.”
“Gray has been a neutral, versatile color in design for nearly a decade,” adds Autumn Pochiro of Autumn Dawn Design. “However, the hue has overstayed its welcome as a foundational color for walls, furniture and cabinetry.”
What do designers prefer instead of gray?
Designer Blair Britt of Bella B Home Designs says people are leaning into colors that are “warmer, cozier and more dramatic, such as warm neutrals, browns, olives, even pops of color.”
Stephanie Brown has noticed the move to earth tones as well — but not just when it comes to paint color choices. “The shift towards these warmer shades has been noticeable in everything from marble and tile selections to rugs, furniture and decor.”
“The cool gray neutral base is being replaced by a warmer palette of creams, blues and greens, accented by a striking contrast of color,” says Pochiro.
If you’re really up for experimenting, designer Matthew Williamson says pink is a visually appealing option. “I’ve been using a soft plaster pink on the walls at home, and I find it to be the perfect balance. It’s warm without being overwhelming, and it offers a level of sophistication and depth that gray lacks. This soft, neutral pink feels like a fresh alternative, more interesting than beige and white but still incredibly versatile. It’s a new neutral for today’s interiors.”
But if you just can’t bring yourself to part ways with gray, by all means feel free to use it in your space. After all, your home is about you and what you really love. “If gray complements the overall aesthetic of a space, I will use it regardless of trends,” says Amy McCoy of McCoy Design Studio.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
