The predominantly gray trend is out, in favor of brighter and warmer hues

As more modern architecture and design made its way into mountain homes, replacing the dark, ornate furnishings of the 1990s, gray became the “cool” new color for everything from walls, finishes and cabinetry to furniture and flooring, as well as exteriors of homes and buildings. 

It all began in the early 2000s, as if a new millennium also meant more industrial, or urban-appearing, design. But now, gray — particularly the cooler blue-toned gray — is on its way out, in favor of more warmer tones. Many call what’s replacing it “greige,” a warmer gray-beige that includes lighter and darker variations of beige. These beiges differ from the browns and the beiges of the 1970s, as they are more natural looking and less imposing. In addition, cleaner, bright whites and other colors are replacing gray altogether. 

“Designers are leaning toward warmer and cozier spaces, which is what is ultimately responsible for the decline in the use of gray,” said Kelly Newman, owner of 714 Home in Edwards.  

But homeowners who love gray need not fear. As Yvonne Jacobs, owner of Jacobs + Design Interior Design in Edwards, points out: Gray is not totally disappearing. But it is leaning toward warmer and more natural ways of incorporating the basic shade. 

“I think it was so overemphasized over the years that it didn’t become special anymore — it just got overdone,” Jacobs said. “The days of all gray rooms and all gray wood is gone, gone, gone for sure. People are getting more sophisticated with the way they use it. Now, we’re hearing clients wanting warmer tones — maybe a gray and beige mix.” 

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Natural grays, such as those found in stone and concrete, are still fairly popular, but painting wood gray is definitely going out of style, since, as Jacobs points out, there aren’t many gray woods that are natural. However, when it comes to blending gray stone, for example, on a countertop, “I’m all over it,” she said. “But when you want to stain wood gray, it doesn’t come off as well because it’s not a natural tone.” 

Mountain design has always leaned toward more natural aesthetics, which is another reason the more urban-tone of gray is on its way out. 

“You’re in the mountains, and, for so long we did the contemporary modern (look), but there has always been an underlying current of wood in alpine climates,” said Oshi Gardarian, lead designer at Slifer Designs. “When you wake up in your beautiful home in Vail, you want to know you’re waking up in the mountains, not in some city like Miami.” 

It’s no surprise that homeowners began trending away from cooler grays after the pandemic hit. The bleakness of societal fears and despair combined with staying at home more led people to yearn for warmer tones. 

“Often, changes can be a reflection of what is happening in the world,” Newman said. “Currently, and in the past few years, the world has seen much unrest. This may be part of the lean towards the need to feel cozy with a softer and earthier color scheme.” 

Major paint manufacturers and companies like Pantone select colors of the year after analyzing trends, often derived from cinema, fashion and social and political changes. In 2024, the Pantone color is Peach Fuzz, “a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul,” according to the company. 

The last few homes Jacobs has worked on have favored a bleached oak (not blonde) look for flooring. On walls, she’s been turning to Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin, a “beautiful white with a slight gray tone that works for so many (applications). You don’t walk in and say it’s a gray room.” 

Kasia Karska, owner of Kasia Karska Design, likes Sherwin-Williams’ Dorian Gray, which changes with the light, as well as White Dove and Solstice.  

“They’re still not drastically off from gray, but people like more clarity and more defined ‘answers,'” Karska said.  

Clean, warm whites on walls, along with white linen tones on sofas are becoming the norm. 

In terms of exterior colors, she says grays and beiges are no longer popular. 

“People are going for brighter white, and off-white is really big,” she said.  

To complement the neutral beiges and whites, all kinds of accent colors are popping up, including greens, ivory, rust, yellow and subtle blues or cobalt blue. In addition, charcoal gray and black are being used more. Designers are replacing chrome and nickel finishes in kitchens and bathrooms with black faucets and finishes. 

Newman suggests several economical fixes without redesigning your entire home to move away from gray: 

• Warm up your space with pillows and throws. 
• Add a few plants and pottery for the earthy component. 
• Consider changing your cabinet hardware to a warmer muted brass or black. 
• Employ art to add color. 
• Choose wallpaper: Many easy-to-apply peel-and-stick options are available. 
• If your cabinets are gray, a different color on the walls and floors make a much more inviting, less cold, place to relax. 

“Some trends will speak to your personal style, and some will not. If you are unsure, keep trends in smaller doses. It is not cost-effective or environmentally friendly to completely change décor every year or so,” Newman said. “Select trends to suit your style.”