Leyla Sawyer
A grey roll top bath will do a great job of bringing out the old-fashioned charm in a period property, but they'll also inject a bit of classic drama into new build homes too. Victorian-inspired tiles on the walls or floor will complete the look - you can either opt for a pop of colour or create an elegant contrast with black and white.
If your dream bathroom is understated but opulent, a double basin vanity in a classic grey shade is your best friend. Not only will the double storage capacity of the unit help you to keep clutter at bay at all times, but the symmetrical design will act as a natural focal point for you space. Complete your sophisticated scheme by hanging a large, round mirror above the centre of your unit, and finish the look with matte black accents to add a contemporary twist. Many people shy away from using grey tones in their bathroom for fear that it'll end up looking cold or clinical, but if you take a bit of time to construct a colour palette that works with the light and shade in your space, grey decor can actually have a warming, grounding effect.
If your bathroom has a naturally cool toned light or is a little bit on the darker side, try teaming grey with a palette of earth tones and white accents - it'll instantly make your space feel soft and soothing. The best thing about metro tiles is the fact that you can really get creative with the way you lay them, so you'll end up with a look that's totally tailored to your space. Stack them vertically for Japandi-inspired simplicity, create a herringbone pattern for a more traditional look, or opt for a basketweave design to add extra interest. Clad your entire space and paint it in a dark, charcoal shade to transform it into a cosy cocoon, or cover one wall in feather grey panelling to create a subtle yet stunning feature wall. If you're after a bathroom scheme that'll stand the test of time and make a compact space feel bigger, you really can't go wrong with a white, grey and silver colour combination. Choosing dark grey flooring, mid grey half panelling and white walls (as pictured above) is a great way to make your space feel larger than it actually is - the graduation of dark to light tones will trick the eye and create the illusion of height, making your ceilings appear lifted.
Silver metallic accents will further bounce light around your room and make it feel open and airy. Now, you can find hundreds of steam and heat friendly designs that'll give your bathroom or ensuite instant boutique hotel vibes! Marble interiors are all the rage right now, and if you're keen to embrace the luxurious trend in your own home, the bathroom is a fantastic place to start. Adding grey marble tiles to your bathroom will immediately create a sense of depth and decadence in your home, without looking gaudy or overwhelming. Team your marble tiles with floating grey cabinets for a modern look, or embrace old school vibes with a classic, matching bathroom suite. A monochrome accessory scheme will look cool and laid back, or you can choose to add in splashes of colour with bright bathmats, soap dispensers and towels - we love the look of sage green or blush pink against the cool grey marble!
When it comes to decorating there's nothing quite as transformative as a lick of paint, and grey is a fantastic colour for bringing about a sense of balance and grounding. The tone of grey paint you choose for your bathroom will have a massive impact on the overall feel of the room, so make sure you spend some time observing the light in your room and testing out sample colours first - try to opt for grey with a blue undertone if you're after a cool, calm space, and try a warmer toned grey if you want your bathroom to feel welcoming and homely.
We love the look of the teal unit in the bathroom above - it really pops against the grey stone-effect surrounding tiles.
Grey makes a fantastic base for bright colours such as teal, fuchsia, mustard yellow and burnt orange, but it also works well with muted neutrals like taupe, sage and terracotta. Of course, grey also looks great against black and white, and can look lovely and soft when paired with blush pink bathroom accessories. Choose light pink towels to give a grey bathroom a soft, Vintage look.
Take a look at our teal bathroom decor ideas here, and don't forget to check out our roundup of the best shower curtains too!
