- 1). Experiment with the shades of yellow and gray to find the right shades of each. For example, yellow can become almost neon on the brightest end of the spectrum or lean closer to the dull shades like butter yellow. Gray, on the other hand, runs the gamut from steel gray to silver.
- 2). Decide which color you want to emphasize as your main color and which as the accent color. A backdrop of gray with accents of yellow will take on a more modern look whereas yellow as the base color with gray accents reflect some country or retro styles.
- 3). Paint the walls with one of the colors. Avoid semigloss or gloss gray paint unless you want your room to take on an industrial feel. You can also choose one wall to be the accent/ focal wall by painting it one of the colors. For example, paint one wall gray and the surrounding walls yellow. Hang black and white pictures in yellow ceramic frames on the gray accent wall
- 4). Find accessories that have both colors in them. This will help you tie the color combination together. They don't have to be big accessories; items like throw pillows, curtains and rugs that feature the two colors together are sufficient. However, it's also OK to feature these two colors on a larger scale. Hanging a yellow and gray striped wallpaper on one wall would be a way to introduce the colors together as well.
- 5). If you've painted your walls gray, use plenty of lighting to avoid wash out. One way to take care of this problem and introduce some yellow into the decor is to use light fixtures with yellow lamps or shades. For example, a pair of matching ceiling lamps with modern yellow shades or some decorative yellow wall sconces hung in your picture gallery will light the area and bring color.
- 6). Choose large yellow pieces like a couch to really make a visual impact in an all gray room. Deep, rich yellows promote a modern look in a room.
- 7). Emphasize grays and use yellow accents for a more subdued, almost nostalgic room. Choose traditional patterns like paisley or a gray and yellow toile for the curtains, upholstery, wallpaper and other decorative elements.
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