Which Colours Go With Stone?

Softer and gentler than a bright white or cool grey, stone colours make a great neutral choice, but there's more to stone than you might first think, a calming shade drawn from nature that can bring a relaxing, comforting ambience to your home. Stone isn't a single hue; depending on its undertones it can span blue, yellow, green and earthy brown, making it warmer than the cool grey neutrals so popular over the past decade.

It isn't shy and retiring, though, being strong enough to match vibrant shades as well as other neutrals, wonderfully versatile and a brilliant companion in interior design. So if you want timeless, sophisticated yet inviting décor, stone schemes are ideal. Here we share the best combinations to go with stone.

What are the undertones of stone?

First, it helps to understand what we mean by stone. In nature, stone varies from pebble grey to sandstone and much in between, spanning cool to warm neutral via mid-tones. Stone can have yellow undertones, bringing a sunny warmth that's welcoming and comforting, though in a particularly sunny room it can tip the balance too far, in which case balance the sunshine with an off-white or a stone with green undertones.

Yes, stone can have green undertones too, bringing an earthy, natural quality, often leaning towards khaki or sage; Mylands' Alderman™ No.60 is a good example of a soft, neutral stone with green tones. Stone with grey undertones can reflect natural colours from light pebble grey to dark granite, and you'll likely know the term 'greige', a blend of grey and beige that aptly describes many stone colours.

9 colour combinations to match with stone

For a toasty, welcoming living space or a serene, restful bedroom, the soft hues of a warm neutral stone palette are perfect, a versatile colour that sits comfortably alongside many others. Here are some favourite combinations.

1. Layer neutral colours

Why single out one neutral when you can layer several warm neutrals for an elegant, inviting environment? Pair different strengths of stone, a light stone (like off-white) on the walls with a darker stone (such as taupe) on the woodwork, or vice versa, for a cohesive, stylish scheme.

This palette works well with natural themes: for coastal chic, bring pale pebble colours together with natural materials like wood and rope; for an organic, earthy look, add wooden floors and furniture, textiles, plants and brick or earthy tiling. Here, Mylands Temple Bar™ No.70 brings an easy-going ambience, flowing seamlessly between kitchen and dining room, its chalky finish and soft tone less harsh than a bright white and beautiful beside the pale wooden floor and furniture.

2. Deep green

Keep it natural by pairing earthy tones; a deep, leafy green works wonderfully alongside stone. With deep green as a dark accent, the natural shade lends itself to light, earthy neutrals. In this living room, Mylands Brompton Road No.205 defines the window frame and draws the eye to the greenery outside, while Cadogan Stone walls provide a soft, complementary pairing, the neutral green and stone in harmony, echoing the natural view.

3. Sage green

Another earthy tone, sage green is a muted mid-tone that's been exceptionally popular of late, exuding calm and harmony; after a hectic day, tense shoulders relax and you breathe easier in its serene company. Sage and stone work equally well in a kitchen, bedroom or living space, and here create a fresh, balanced kitchen scheme.

4. Pastel blue

Another shade suited to a tranquil ambience, soft pastel blue is a cool tone like grey, so a warm neutral lifts it for a well-balanced scheme; instead of traditional white woodwork alongside pastel blue walls, use a stone colour for added warmth.

5. Spicy red

Neutral stone walls with warm undertones can be enhanced by hits of bold accent colour, spicy red, burnt orange or terracotta, all with earthy undertones that match a warm, natural colour like stone. Use pops of these reds in cushions, curtains, lampshades, throws or even furniture as a contrasting yet complementary shade.

6. Glistening gold

Don't be scared of metallics or reserve them for Christmas; a touch of gold brings magic and sophistication, its reflective lustre enhancing the light and contrasting with matt stone paint for an extra layer of interest and elegance.

For a real statement, pair gold walls with soft, muted stone accessories, as in this stunning bedroom where Mylands FTT-001 drenches walls, ceiling and radiator while natural stone-coloured linen drapes soften the look.

7. Soft pink

A soft, muted pink (like Bloomsbury No.267) brings romantic elegance, and combined with an earthy stone wall it adds easy warmth, ideal for a hallway where you welcome guests.

This pretty combination can elevate your exterior too; brighten neutral stone walls with a pop of pink, as here with a pink-painted ladder, or paint garden furniture or ceramic pots to great effect.

8. Bright white

For timeless style, team bright white with a softer stone; natural stone is strong enough to contrast with bright whites and light woods, adding warmth, and can act as a grounding colour with white as the accent. In this living room the walls are Mylands' Honest John™ No.58, a warm stone far less stark than the snow white on the ceilings and woodwork, and a firm favourite, this traditional off-white named after our founder John Myland ('Honest John'), who started the company in 1884.

9. Back to black

Softer than classic black and white, black and stone is elegant and sophisticated, whether sleek black cabinetry alongside stone walls and ceilings in a kitchen, contemporary black furniture offset by soft stone in a living or dining room, or a smart black front door and window frames against a stone exterior.

Find your ideal combination with stone

Warm neutrals are perennial favourites, unsurprisingly, since they create inviting, cosy environments, and they're wonderfully versatile, letting you inject your own personality into stone schemes, which suit most styles from sleek contemporary minimalism to calming coastal chic or natural earthy design.

Try before you buy: check our free colour card, experiment with sample pots and fabric swatches to discover which shades suit your space best. Our stone colours come in multiple finishes, with Marble Matt Emulsion the most popular. Check our Advice section for help choosing your colour and finish.