Acoustics
Interior design

Grey Ceiling Design that Elevates Any Modern Space

July 22, 2024

Grey ceiling design is a staple in modern interiors, consistently among the most popular neutral choices for its simplicity and elegance. From restaurants to offices and more, explore interiors around the world with the colour's soft-hued presence.

Office grey ceiling design example

The Planon Office in Nijmegen, Netherlands

Given the balance of simplicity and elegance that grey ceilings bring to any space, it’s no surprise they’re an interior staple. Known for their versatility, grey-coloured ceilings pair well with a wide range of hues and styles, making them an ideal choice for a breadth of design schemes. They offer a neutral canvas that complements different design elements – whether for incorporating elegant modern furnishings, rustic materials, or even bold colours. 

Grey ceilings add a layer of sophistication to interiors without overwhelming the space. Unlike brighter colours – which often dominate – grey typically remains subtle.  

In enhancing the perception of space and light, selecting the right shade of grey matters. Lighter greys can make any area feel larger and airier, reflecting natural light and creating an inviting atmosphere. Darker greys, meanwhile, offer depth and drama. 

Beyond aesthetics, grey acoustic ceiling tiles are also a practical option as they tend to show less dirt and fewer imperfections over time. This makes them an excellent choice when designing high-traffic areas that require both comfort and a spotless appearance with minimal upkeep.  

Below, explore different types of spaces around the world with grey ceilings. 

ALO Office Building

Trondheim, Norway

The ALO offices, designed by HUS arkitekter AS, comprise 15 000 square metres spread over seven floors with flexible offices, training rooms, and more. A large open area inside houses the staff canteen and the restaurant. Here, Rockfon Color-all ceiling tiles in the colour Charcoal, a hue that matches perfectly with the grey interior, introduce chic design with acoustic comfort.

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Canteen in ALO in Trondheim Norway with Rockfon Color-all A-Edge

Clarion Hotel Helsinki 

Helsinki, Finland  

One of Strawberry Group’s new hotels – Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport – extensively uses grey-coloured ceilings. Designed by Janne Lainea of Sarc+Sigge Architects, the hotel showcases acoustic performance, design adaptability, and hygiene. The use of grey acoustic ceiling tiles that match the grey walls in the meeting rooms creates a stylish and relaxing environment while enhancing acoustic quality, thereby boosting productivity.

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Airport in Clarion ja Comfort Hotel Helsinki Airport in Vantaa Finland with Rockfon Color-all X-Edge

Rockfon Training Centre

Daventry, England

At Rockfon’s new training centre, architect Matt Willemsen, Associate at Spatial Futures Architects (now practising with Gensler), used Color-all ceiling tiles in light grey shades to complete the “acoustic zone” – Rockfon Hub – creating a calm area where people can work and speak in private.

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Open Plan Office in Rockfon Training Centre in Northamptonshire United Kingdom with Rockfon Hub X-Edge and Rockfon Color-all

Solo Sokos Hotel Torni

Helsinki, Finland

The Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, a world-class hotel since 1931 and one of the city’s first skyscrapers, underwent an extensive interior renovation in 2020. The renovation aimed to blend the hotel’s historical charm with modern acoustic ceilings, enhancing the experience for both guests and staff. The Irish bar downstairs, designed by ARCO Architecture, showcases dark grey acoustic ceilings that create an inviting and intimate ambience to the room.

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Hotel in Solo Sokos Hotel Torni in Helsinki Finland with Rockfon Mono Acoustic

Urssaf Languedoc-Roussillon Office

Montpellier, France

The dining area in this office building underwent renovation and now has a checkered ceiling design featuring Color-all acoustic tiles. The grey colour scheme exudes sophistication while complementing the overall design of the space designed by the architecture firm Imagine. 

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Restaurant in Réhabilitation du siège de l'Urssaf à Montpellier in Montpellier France with Rockfon Color-all A-Edge

Hämeenkylän School

Vantaa, Finland

Completed in 2020, the Hämeenkylä School adopts a unique approach to its learning environment. Showcasing acoustics and adaptability, it features a study area with light grey acoustic ceiling tiles that offer excellent sound-absorbing properties, creating an inspiring and cosy study room environment for both students and teachers.

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Study room in Hämeenkylän koulu (school) in Vantaa Finland with Rockfon Color-all in A-edge

Plopsa Hotel

De Panne, Belgium  

At the Plopsa Hotel designed by architect Piet De Koninck, a black-grey ceiling complements the dark wall paint, creating a dramatic yet minimalist and modern restaurant ceiling design, offering visitors a sophisticated dining experience.

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Restaurant of Plopsa hotel in De Panne Belgium with Rockfon Color-all Charcoal in D-edge

Planon Office

Nijmegen, the Netherlands  

To create an attractive workplace for new employees, Gradussen Architecten styled the new office of the leading Dutch-based software company, Planon. The design showcases light grey acoustic ceiling tiles paired with biophilic elements, adding neutrality, balance, and sophistication throughout the space. The office serves as a living lab for staff, students, start-ups, and partners to experiment and innovate while enjoying exceptional acoustics and visual appeal.

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Planon in Nijmegen, Netherlands, with Rockfon Color-all, Mercury

Naturkraft Museum

Ringkøbing, Denmark

Naturkraft, a museum designed by Thøgersen & Stouby, invites visitors to explore the wonders of nature. Its main attractions are three immersive spheres showcasing dramatic videos, enhanced with top-notch acoustics from visually appealing grey acoustic ceilings throughout the interior, making them the highlights of the park. Opened on June 4, 2020, the museum offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits, enabling year-round visits.

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DK, Naturkraft, Ringkøbing, Thøgersen & Stouby and landscape architect SLA, Leisure, Museum, Rockfon Color-all, A-Edge, grey

Winterberg Train Station

Winterberg, Germany  

This railway station was curated by Helga Köster-Saure Architektin, attracting both tourists and locals daily in the Sauerland winter mountains. It’s awarded the Station of the Year 2018, thanks to its excellent architecture and versatility. The station is shaped like a ski jump, harmonising perfectly with the popular winter sports of the region. Its entrance and waiting terminal feature high ceilings in a pleasing grey colour, creating an open, airy, and spacious design, pleasantly welcoming visitors upon arrival.

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DE, Winterberg, Service & Citizens' Train station Winterberg, Bahnhof, Rockfon Color-all, A-edge, 1250x625, Concrete colour, Chicago Metallic 2890, Dipl.-Ing. Helga Köster-Saure Architektin

Generali Arena

Vienna, Austria

With event services ranging from company parties and presentations to seminars and festivals, the Generali Arena was designed by Reinhardt Gallister of Atelier Mauch, who prioritised both aesthetics and acoustics throughout the venue. This attention to detail extends even to the bathrooms, which feature a calming atmosphere with a simple grey ceiling design. The result is a comprehensive and outstanding event experience for all visitors.

 

AU, Generali Arena, Vienna, Reinhardt Gallister (Atelier Mauch), Leisure, Rockfon Color-all, X-edge, 625x625, Gravel, Bathroom

Hotel Mercure

Hyères, France

The lobby of the Mercure Hyères Centre Hotel was transformed from an impersonal space into a warm environment with a distinctive grey ceiling design. Inspired by the black and white contrasts of Villa Noailles in Hyères, interior designer Karolina Lubkowski utilised several shades of grey to create a gradient effect, with darker tones in the lounge areas and lighter shades in the circulation spaces. The lobby’s sound-absorbing grey ceiling also addressed acoustic challenges, providing a restful and more intimate atmosphere for guests despite the reverberant floor and wide windows.

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FR, Hôtel Mercure Hyères Centre, Hyères, Karolina Lubkowski, KL Studio Design, Leisure, Rockfon Color-All, X-edge, 600x600, Different shades of grey, white, black, Hotels

Messner Mountain Museum Corones

Valdaora, Italy  

Designed by the world-renowned firm Zaha Hadid Architects, the Messner Mountain Museum Corones stays true to its natural surroundings, blending seamlessly into the mountain and respecting the landscape with its monolithic interior. Lead designer Peter Irmscher found inspiration in the mountain’s rocky and irregular surface, integrating the monolithic solution Rockfon Mono Acoustic into the museum’s grey ceilings and overall interior design, creating a seamless visual flow.

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Messner Mountain Museum,Italy,Plan De Corones - Brunico,350 m²,Zaha Hadid Architects,Mr Peter Irmscher,Skirama Kronplatz,Manuel Moling,Cristina Russo,ROCKFON Mono Acoustic,TE-edges,1200x1200x10,white

Primary School & Kindergarten 

Wysoka, Poland

Architect Monika Robaszko-Kowalska of Biuro Architektoniczne Metropolis designed the school’s lobby, masterfully combining aesthetics and functionality. The unique dark grey acoustic ceiling is complemented by Rockfon Eclipse panels in white and a customised green colour, evoking creativity and enhancing children’s acoustic comfort and well-being.

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Complex of primary school and kindergarten,Poland,Wysoka,1.0000 m²,Monika Robaszko-Kowalska,Biuro Achitektoniczne Metropolis,Bartosz Makowski,ROCKFON Color-all,ROCKFON Eclipse,600x600,charcoal 09

Bullion Hospital

Bullion, France

The Bullion Hospital features a distinct grey checkered ceiling design in its hallways, enhancing the facility’s overall appearance. This design choice is both functional and pleasing to the eyes, contributing to a calm and healing environment for patients and staff alike. The grey ceilings are complemented by excellent acoustic properties, which help reduce noise levels, creating a more peaceful setting conducive to recovery and focus.

 

Hôpital de Bullion, Sylvain Barthélémy, Rockfon Color-all, A-edge, 600 x 600, Gravel, Concrete

KNSB Royal Dutch Skating Association 

Utrecht, the Netherlands

The reception area of the Royal Dutch Skating Association showcases a classic grey ceiling design. The choice of dark grey acoustic ceiling tiles not only adds a modern touch but also provides a neutral backdrop that complements the overall inviting and professional feel of the business centre’s interior.

 

NL KNSB Koninklijke Nederlandsche Schaatsenrijders Bond Royal Dutch Skating Association, Rockfon Color-all Gravel D-edge 600x600, Krios E-edge 600x600, office, leisure