How to Make the Controversial Millennial Gray Trend Look Great
Every interior design movement has its fair share of dissenters; lately, few have been hit as hard as millennial gray. The style, which is characterized by all-over gray hues—from the floors to the walls and everything in between—has become a talking point for Gen Z on social media. The general argument is that, while gray can look beautiful in moderation, it can’t stand on its own without looking somber or lifeless.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for many millennials, who’ve grown fond of the style over the years. As a result, the discourse has created a strong generational divide—but not an insurmountable one. While millennial gray has its fair share of TikTok-savvy critics, there are ways to adapt the trend to suit more contemporary tastes. Here, we tapped designers for a closer look at the aesthetic—why it’s ruffled so many feathers, where it came from, and how to work with it.
History
So how did we get here? In the ’90s, before the dawn of millennial gray, interior design was all about color. Yellow, blue, and red were all the rage, as well as gingham patterns and floral wallpaper. Threads of these trends are now immortalized in the era’s pop culture tentpoles, like the ruby red carpets in Home Alone or the famously purple walls in Monica’s apartment from Friends.
Naturally, at a certain point, there’s always a change in direction. “Millennial gray arose as the converse to warm yellows and reds,” says Sarah Vaile, principal of Sarah Vaile Design. “It became the go-to safe, neutral backdrop color.” And so what was once bright blue became muted gray, a more soothing, calmer tone that reigned supreme in the 2000s.
Millennial Gray Today
Millennial gray may have been all the rage at the time, but these days, the younger generation wants nothing to do with it. Now, we’re reverting back to a bolder color scheme, and skipping out on a more neutral palette. Some of that penchant for experimentation comes from the internet—which has come a long way since the ’90s—and is now a veritable treasure trove of design inspo. With all of that to go off of, painting the the kitchen walls canary yellow doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “Social media allows designs and projects to be exposed to a larger audience,” says Margaret Naeve Parker, principal of M. Naeve Designs. “We’re all getting more creative.”
Naturally, the rise of social media has also prompted a higher level of individual branding and expression. Young people’s online profiles reflect that, and so do their IRL interiors. “People want something unique and special to their homes and themselves,” says Gonzalo Bueno, principal at interior design firm Ten Plus Three. Vaile, on the other hand, has a more sobering perspective on why gray fell out of favor: “Everything good must eventually make way for something new.”
How to Use It
Gray is not the villain. It’s a beautiful neutral color, and can be used in a wide variety of different settings. Moreover, millennial gray isn’t entirely “out,” despite what a quick TikTok scroll may have you think. So how can an all-over gray home be tweaked to feel warmer and more modern?
Texture
Part of the problem with millennial gray back in the day was its reluctance to embrace different textures. Floors were blanched white oak, stone countertops were polished to shine, and furniture was upholstered with same-y fabrics. A change or two can help break up the visual monotony. It’s a problem that Naeve recently solved in her own primary bedroom. “The plaster is millennial gray, and creates this gray envelope that’s grounding and comforting,” she says. “The mohair sofa brings shape and has a camel tone, and the concrete table lamps bring in patina.” If mohair and concrete isn’t your style, we also recommend limewash paint for the walls, bouclé and velvet for fabrics, and more natural, organic wood finishes for the furniture.
Undertones
There’s a full spectrum of color within the gray family. Some hues are warmer, while others skew a bit colder and more austere. We recommend the former rather than the latter. Jennie Bishop, principal of interior design firm Studio Gild, suggests paint colors like Cornforth White, Purbeck Stone, and Worsted from Farrow & Ball, which all have warmer undertones that won’t feel too stark.
Art and Accessories
Like any room in the home, a gray space will look like a blank canvas without art and décor to fill it out. “Infusing pieces with soul, like original artwork and antiques with patina, will help change the ho-humness of an all-gray look,” says architect and designer David Frazier. Art can be a great way to add a subtle pop of color, too, if you really want to break up the monochromatic scheme.
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