There’s no doubt that grey kitchens are a fan favourite with renovators. You’ll often see this monochromatic shade in kitchen designs from big-name brands, particularly Notle, Leicht and Ballerina. But why?
Grey is often used as a blank canvas, just like white and black. It lays the foundation for building up a colour scheme, and with its cool undertones, grey lends itself well to blue, green and even red accents. There are truly no limits. So, if you’ve been wondering ‘what colour goes with grey kitchen units?’, use Rehome’s guide to grey kitchen design as a sounding board.
What are the benefits of choosing grey kitchen units?
The obvious benefit of grey kitchens is their neutrality.
As part of the monochrome colour palette, they can be matched with a range of shades, light and dark. We’ll dive further into which specific hues work best, but the main thing to know is that grey is the perfect backdrop for a spectrum of colours.
While brilliant for those with an eye for design, grey kitchen units are also excellent for low-maintenance homeowners. If you’re sick of wiping dust, dirt and fingerprints off of your cabinets, grey kitchen units can hide a multitude of messes!
They are less likely to show minor smudge marks, so you won’t have to worry about keeping on top of cleaning as part of a daily routine. Just clean away minor spills straight away and give your grey kitchen units a wipe with a damp cloth: they’ll soon look good as new!


How can I add warmth to a grey kitchen?
Colours from the monochrome palette have a reputation for being ‘cold’. As they don’t display any obvious warmth, like yellows or reds, homeowners with a preference for warmer interiors may steer away from grey kitchen units.
But this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, grey’s cooler undertones can pair magically with blush pinks, buttery yellows and burnt oranges. Simply use them on your walls or purchase a warm red fridge as a ‘feature appliance’.
If re-decorating your entire kitchen is out of the question (and the budget), make some smaller design changes. Wooden elements, like open shelves, oak worktops and even wood-style laminate flooring, can make your grey kitchen units appear much warmer.
Create a contrast with metallic mixer taps in copper, bronze or brass. Tie the grey in with a cohesive scheme, and soon enough, your kitchen will look showroom-worthy!
What wall colours complement grey kitchen units?
So, what colour goes with grey kitchen units when it’s time for a complete makeover? When shopping for paints or wallpapers, keep these colours on your list:
Crisp white
A bright white wallpaper will bring out the natural light in your kitchen. It will make your space feel more open, especially if you’ve chosen dark grey cabinets (which may appear too ‘dark’ in some smaller kitchens).
Pastel blue
Most greys have a blue, green or purple undertone, so it’s no wonder that pastel blues pair so well. An up-and-coming colour in kitchen design, baby blue brings a softer edge to grey’s perceived ‘coldness’.
Sage green
In the opposite way, some sage greens may also have grey undertones. The colour is created by mixing darker greens and lighter greens, so it makes sense that the two feel right at home together.


Which flooring options pair well with grey kitchen units?
We’ve briefly touched on flooring with our mention of wood-effect laminate, but what other colours go with grey kitchen units? Truthfully, all kinds of wood! It just depends on what effect you want to create.
Go light from the ground up with popular species like balsa, pine and white maple. Authentic wooden floors aren’t typically recommended for kitchens (as they absorb moisture, are prone to warping and could be very expensive), which is why wood-effect laminate is such a great choice.
Or, double down with an even darker grey laminate! This grey-on-grey tactic is particularly effective if you balance light grey kitchen units with darker flooring. By building up shades of the same colour, you achieve cohesion without it feeling stagnant.
What are the best accent colours for grey kitchens?
So, what colour goes with grey kitchen units when you’ve settled on your main shade?
At this part of the design stage, you’ll need to pick an accent colour that complements your cabinets, hardware and flooring. If it sounds too tricky, don’t worry: there are more complimentary colours than you might think.
1. Pinks
Fancy adding a playful touch to your kitchen? Blush pinks have a naturally calming effect, something that homes with busy cooks may desperately need! You can add it in simple ways, like with tiling on a backsplash or in seating areas.
2. Greens
Shades of green, such as sage or mint, are very refreshing. These hues complement grey kitchen units and can be introduced through walls or even houseplants.
3. Cool blues
Cool blue accents, ranging from navy to pastel shades, pair well with grey kitchen units. As the darker shades of blue, like navy and royal blue, are of similar depth to dark grey units, this scheme can be a luxurious choice for larger kitchens.
In lighter spaces, where homeowners may want to keep the palette lighter to avoid feelings of claustrophobia, opting for a baby blue will make a world of difference to your natural light levels.
4. Whites
Who could forget white? One step above grey in the monochrome palette, bright whites are possibly one of the best pairings for grey kitchen units.
White walls, tiles or even Corian worktops can provide a beautiful contrast to both light and dark grey kitchen units.
5. Dark shades
To keep things from feeling too dark, shades like black and forest green are best combined with light grey kitchen units.
This way, the design won’t feel too overbearing. In a small kitchen, you can incorporate them with a navy blue kitchen island or a charcoal appliance.
6. Wood
We’ve touched on this before, but we’ll say it again: grey kitchens and warm wood are a match made in heaven. Use wood as part of your flooring or integrate it through design features like a butcher's block or freestanding furniture pieces.
7. Metallic tones
To stop matte grey kitchens from feeling tired, you may need to add a little texture.
Homeowners can do this strategically with a well-thought-out hardware plan. Using metallic tones like silver, bronze, and particularly copper, you can take the atmosphere from 1 to 100.
Should I choose dark grey or light grey kitchen units?
Your choice between dark or light grey cabinets will influence the rest of the space; it’s inevitable! Kitchen cabinets are one of, if not the most important parts of a renovation.
They take up the most space, require the most labour, and will set the tone atmospheric tone. So, your choice of a light or dark base colour will be the foundation around which you build your colour scheme.
Dark grey kitchen cabinets
Dial up the drama with dark grey kitchen cabinets. A sophisticated, classic choice, it’s hard to make anything clash with this monochrome colour. Dark grey units can give your kitchen an up-scale showroom feel, especially when paired with creams and lighter blues.
Plus, this colour is very forgiving of minor stains or damage. One thing homeowners should consider when weighing up a dark grey kitchen is whether their space is large enough. When used in compact rooms, darker colours can make a room feel smaller.
Light grey kitchen cabinets
Smaller homes are better suited to light grey kitchen cabinets. Here, brighter shades take centre stage to reflect more natural light. You can then incorporate darker greys, greens, reds or blues for added depth. This way, you don’t overwhelm the space.
Discover ex-display kitchens at Rehome!
We hope your journey towards a cohesive grey kitchen design goes smoothly!
It’s all about knowing what’s best for your space. Before purchasing any paint, wallpaper or furniture, take a beat to think: will this work with my kitchen’s other elements?
Consider everything, from your appliances to kitchen mixer taps. Making everything work together is a labour of love: something Rehome can help with. If you’re looking for the total grey kitchen package, we’re home to ex-display kitchens from top-name brands.
Shop for approved used kitchens from Rencraft and Rotpunkt for thousands of pounds less than high-street prices. The luxury grey kitchen you thought was out of reach? It’s possible.