Eva Mendes uses small color accents to enliven a gray kitchen – it's a winning combination

Love it or hate it, gray is perhaps one of the most commonly-used paint colors in the home, and it looks like there are no signs of it fading any time soon. We are partial to a gray kitchen, and there's one in particular that stood out to us recently.

Eva Mendes, actor and star of The Place Beyond The Pines and Ghost Rider, just shared a photo of her modern kitchen on Instagram, and we couldn't help but admire the way she styled around her walls, giving us some gray kitchen ideas.

The unassuming background is accented by pops of color thanks to a beautiful flower bouquet, gold accents on the walls and cabinets, and bright green bowls sitting on a floating shelf. It's proof that gray goes with anything.

According to experts, Mendes' strategy of introducing colorful items into her neutral space is one that comes highly recommended for anyone looking to brighten a room.

"Incorporating bright, happy hues like sunshine yellow or sky blue can make your space feel more energetic and uplifting,' Hannah Prescott, interior designer at Diamond Interiors says. 'Color choices play a big role in the feel of a space.'

She continues, 'An imbalanced color scheme can make a room feel off-kilter. Too much grey can make you feel cold, while an overload of yellow can feel overwhelming. A balanced color palette helps regulate emotions. Using more than three colors in a room can create visual confusion and make it hard for the brain to rest. Try a harmonious balance by following the 60-30-10 rule for color distribution.'

Prescott further explains that this rule is a suggestion for creating balance within a space, so that it does not feel too neutral or colorful.

'The 60-30-10 rule is a traditional decorating guideline for creating a color palette in a space,' she elaborates. 'It suggests that 60% of the room should feature a dominant color, 30% should incorporate a secondary color or texture, and the remaining 10% should be used for accents.'

We can see that Mendes has taken this brief well, with the hanging artwork seamlessly blending into the gray walls, while the dark painted cabinets provide contrast, and the colorful accessories enliven the space.

Below, find some vibrant accessories that suit any kitchen space.

Shop H&G's Gray Kitchen Edit

While the color combinations with gray are endless, e recommend pairing gray with blue accessories for a coastal look, or a bright pop of red, yellow, orange, or pink for a burst of dopamine decor.