Gray is one of the hottest trends, so of course you want to add this elegant yet natural color to your home. However, what do you do with the brown leather sofa you’ve invested in, and there is no way it’s leaving? Ahhh..the gray and chocolate dilemma.

But is it really a dilemma? Gray and chocolate is a color combination seen in nature. Think of the black sand beaches or the trunks of maple trees. If creation has this color combo, then why are we so culturally worried about combining the two? No worries! Thanks to today’s trends and products available, it is quite okay to combine the two colors which we were once forced to choose between. When combining the two, keep the following in mind:

Choose One Dominant Color
It’s a good idea to choose one dominant color, in this case, gray or brown.  Allow the dominant color to be in ⅔ of the room while the secondary color is in the remaining ⅓ of the room.

Photo: Pinterest

Keep a Consistent Undertone
Not all grays have the same undertone.  There may be a brown, olive or purple hue to the gray. It’s important to keep the undertones in your grays consistent as well.

Brown and gray hues from Benjamin Moore

Pull It All Together
Choose 3 to 5 key items to pull the color scheme together. Throw pillows, lamps, rugs, ottomans and small accents are all easy ways to create harmony.

Moxii's Tia Throw in chocolate is a great addition to a couch or chair.

Moxii's Charcoal Vivacious Hook Rug combines both gray and chocolate in its design.

Stick with Your Style
Most of us have settled into a design style we feel represents who we are as a person. Don’t compromise your style when combining gray and brown or any color scheme for that matter. Stick to who you are and the style you appreciate.  Keep in mind you will see the perfect shade of gray accessory, but this doesn’t mean that lamp is the perfect fit for your space.

Use various shades of chocolate accents within your style against a gray backdrop.

Photo: Decor Pad

Structured and striking, each piece works well together.

Photo: Pinterest

by Katherine Bailey

Katherine is a licensed interior designer and co-founder of moxii. Her style tips can be found here on the moxii blog and B Metro magazine blog. She and her team offer their design services all over the Southeast.