How to bring warmth and cosiness to large grey rooms when you can't decorate

[Denyite]

We're moving to a rented property for at least a few years which we can't decorate. Large Victorian house with high ceilings, lots of windows and has been given a fairly contemporary makeover with psinted grey walls and dark floors in living areas.

It's not unpleasant but is cold and not homely. Empty at present so hard to envisage it being cosy and to get heads around proportions.

We need to get some furniture, large pieces so they don't get lost - sofas, dining table and chairs, other pieces to fill it up (?).

Probably second hand and looking at pieces that will make it look more warm and comfortable rather than a back drop for a showhome.

I'm thinking natural textured colours - sludgy aubergine? Yet really haven't a clue as not gifted in interior design knowhow and have never lived in a house of such large proportions Or of this era.

Would you offer some tips and tricks to help us understand to basics of making our lounge and dining room into homely spaces and some guidance on colours would be welcome. Thanks.

Would this style work for you?

I just looked up “Victorian room grey walls Pinterest” and a few choices came up.
some I do find too cold for my own taste, but this seems to work for me.

I think the Pop of red/orange make a big difference.

MoveToParis Thats lovely. Our walls are much lighter and the floors much darker but something like this is inspiribg. Also quite densely packed with furniture which creates cosyness

Hello - there are a few variables here that it might be useful to know. What kind of grey - light or dark? Do you have young kids - will help to decide what kind of material for sofa and chairs. Grey walls are a great neutral and can be a good background for colour. So the trend for a lovely coloured sofa could work well - but may not be ideal with small kids with sticky hands. Another option could be a tan leather sofa - will warm up the space a bit. When you say the room has dark floors, what are they - wood, carpet, etc? If wood, definitely a big rug. What's the lighting in there - is it a central bulb? If so, you could get a fab big statement shade but you'll also want some side lighting (standard lamp, a couple of table lamps) around the room to create some ambience. Sounds like it could be a lovely space once you've settled in and made it feel like 'home'.

I have a neutral coloured sofe but lots of cushions and blankets/throws in dark blues and greens.

My room also has a gas fire which when lit makes it cosy.

I put lots of bookcases and all my books in which really breaks up the grey.

My daughter’s rented accommodation is like that, dark grey floors and grey walls which are lighter. Its furnished so she also has the joy of a dark charcoal sofa. It was very cold indeed. Functional

the landlord was ok with pics up with command strips. So I bought her some large colourful wall art. A large cream rug, a blush pink throw, some side lights with pale taupe shades, and lots of scatter cushions with pinks and greens and a couple of large fake plants in nice copper and gold pots.

it has worked, and it looks much warmer, so I’d say add warm colours and it brightens and softens.

cushionfiend To answer your questions:
It's a light grey, definite grey not a 'hint of a tint' grey
No DC
The floors are a good quality laminate - dark wood effect
There's a large fancy Victorian (?) pendant light in each room - high ceilings

I'd add random colours, so red and orange cushions, green throws, look for second hand furniture in your area. Pictures on walls, curtains with patterns.

Octavia64
It does feel as though the grey needs breaking up. Bookcases are a possibility

Lots of textiles, rugs, cushions etc.
Warm lighting, plants, artworks.
As you say, a good amount of furniture and 'things' in a room warms it up.
Furniture which is cosy looking, eg plump sofas rather than mid-century style.

Grey is the new magnolia, I sympathise!

oopsupsideyourheadisayoopsupsideypurhead · Today 08:51
I'd add random colours, so red and orange cushions, green throws, look for second hand furniture in your area. Pictures on walls, curtains with patterns.

I like the idea of a pared down version of this but worry I don't have enough knowhow to make it look stylish and cohesive, rather than a jumble sale.
Struggle to know how to put patterns together and if colours go together. Realise brown /tan would be 'warm' but in my head they doesn't go with grey

Chocolatebuttonsandprosseco
What a fabulous Mum you are

swings and roundabouts I think she’d say 😀

badgerpatrol
I'm realising that the thought of warmth and cosiness will have to be at the heart of every furnishing decision made and this could help guide me

Unsure what sort of bulbs are in the lights but putting 'warm' ones in would help

If you’re on Instagram look at goodboneslondon x

Maybe if you can find curtains and/or a rug in rich warm colours you can use that as a guide for other items rather than being really random?

I'd go for lots of wood and woolly textures, and a big rug that fits under at least the front legs of all your furniture, leaving just an edge of the floor visible. That means you can sit on the sofa with bare feet or socks and not be too cold with feet on the floor.

And like a PP said, low lamps around the room - don't use the overhead lights much at all.

I’d not do brown or tan, but it doesn’t need to go with grey as such, that will lead you down the dreaded mustard road.

but yes warm colours is where it is at.soft blush pinks, warm yellows and greens, gold, copper. Nothing too bold unless that’s your thing.

here is some examples of warm things that could tie in. Obvs look at the front not the back which is showing,,😂

https://voyagemaison.com/products/heligan-printed-fringed-feather-cushion-fuchsia?_pos=2&_sid=d5cb26867&_ss=r

https://iloverugs.co.uk/collections/multicoloured-rugs/products/carnaval-car104-multi-bright-rug

https://www.johnlewis.com/laura-ashley-hamilton-throw-antique-gold/p6031706

I liked your sludgy aubergine thought, as I think it looks fab with greys. But I’d want some pops of mustard and orange as well, to really warm it up.

If you can't paint, you might be able to use non destructive wall hooks to have fabric hangings in warming colours, or maybe get some huge fibreboard or similar and paint some do it yourself Rothko look alikes, in warm colours.

I think darkish greens - forest, even more vibrant greens can work with dark grey and white, I'd avoid sage...it's horrible with grey - so depressing.

Go for cosy textures - knots, weaves etc.

Could you put a rug down?

Also some low lighting might help - lamps, candles etc.

Also, good clutter - coffee tables, book shelves, etc

I would be going for textures such as velvet in jewel colours , raspberry reds, teal, ochre,peacock blues,
Chenille /woollen throws in similar colours and/or neutral sludgy shades ,i also agree with big rugs and lamps.
Reflective objects such as mercurial glass -vases , hurricane lanterns and warm white fairy lights , ones with clear wire ,i think these always 'warm' a room up.
Assuming that there is a big fireplace you could lean a big mirror on it.
Grey isn't a colour i would choose but i think you can do a lot to make a lovely room with it.

I think grey is a good background for a lot of colours and when used like that is still classy, it's just the Mrs Hinch grey on grey look that is horrible.

Lighting can make an amazing difference. My DDs' room is painted brilliant white but it feels cozy because of the lighting. I put a long fabric cord (girls chose the colour, a lovely forest green) on the central light and hooked it above the desk so it lit that rather than the whole room. And the DDs have adjustable wall lights above their beds. As soon as we changed the lighting it made a massive difference to the feel of the room. So get lots of lamps at different heights to create pools of light, it'll make a big difference.

I also like the idea of aubergine for sofas. velvet or linen to add some warm texture.
Pair with huge jute rugs for warmth of colour and again more texture.
Warm lamp shades on warm colour lamps again will help
https://www.pooky.com/collections/neutral-lampshades/products/20cm-empire-lampshade-in-natural-vellum?variant=40924095611085

Old //aged brass overmantle mirrors.
Can you add a photo so we can give more tailored suggestions?