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Good Gray Paint Colors With No Undertone

Choosing the perfect gray paint color can be a little tricky – who knew there could be so many different shades of gray!

Are you stuck trying to decide between Sherwin Williams Summit Gray and Agreeable Gray? Or can't decide between Benjamin Moore Classic Gray and your other favorite gray?

This gray paint guide is designed to help you find the perfect color for your home.

Best Gray Paint Colors

Before you decide on a specific paint color, choose one of the four gray paint categories: Neutral Gray, Warm Gray,Cool Gray, or Dark Gray.

best gray paint colors
Popular Gray Paint Colors

The choice comes down to personal preference, but you should also consider the style and location of your home, as well as your decorating style.

To see which interior decorating style fits you best, check out this fun 10 question quiz I created: What's Your Interior Decorating Style?

Neutral gray paint colors look great in most homes, and work with all design styles. All gray colors are inherently neutral, but these colors have been selected for their ability to 'play nice' and complement other color palettes.

Dark gray paint colorsare bold, catch the eye, and make a statement. A color from this category could be perfect for you if  your design style is eclectic, modern, contemporary, or industrial.

Warm gray paint colors make your home feel inviting and cozy. A color from this category is the perfect place to start if you're into the rustic or traditional design styles.

Cool gray paint colors have a slight blue undertone that keeps things light, bright, and airy. Make sure to check out these colors if your decorating style is: costal, modern, contemporary, bohemian, or minimalist.

To find a gray paint color that will look spectacular in your home, let's break it down and talk about the benefits of each category + what makes each individual gray paint color unique. Here's all the information you need to know, let's get started!

Test Out Your Favorite Gray Paint Colors

When you've narrowed your paint color search down to a few favorites, test them out with Peel-and-Stick paint samples from Samplize! The 12″ x 12″ Peel-and-Stick samples use real paint, and make it easy see how a color looks in your home. Plus, it saves you the trouble of to painting test areas on your walls.

I wrote a full review about Samplize, check it out here: Samplize Review | How They Worked For Me

sticking a Samplize paint sample on a wall

Neutral Gray Paint Colors

Gray is inherently neutral, so most gray paint colors can be classified as neutral.  However, there are some grays that appear to have blue, yellow, green, brown or even purple undertones with certain lighting conditions.

The neutral gray paint colors in this category have been carefully curated to avoid paint colors with strong undertones. These paint colors should not clash with most other color palettes.

These neutral gray color selections are 'light' to 'medium-light' with LRV's (Light Reflectance Value) ranging from 57 to 75.

Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore (OC-20)

Pale Oak – LRV: 69.89 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Pale Oak paint color swatch
Pale Oak (OC-20) by Benjamin Moore

Pale Oak (OC-20) by Benjamin Moore is my personal favorite gray paint color. With a bright LRV of 69.89, it's the second brightest gray paint color included in this guide.

I love how this subtle gray has just enough depth and color to make it feel like a true gray, but does it in a way that isn't overly bold or in your face.  Plus, Pale Oak walls look stunning against bright white ceilings, and trim.

Benjamin Moore discribes Pale Oak as:

Reminiscent of the majestic white oak, this beautiful neutral is graceful and elegant, conveying a sense of style and quiet restraint.

The picture below is our guest room with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20). The ceilings are Super White (OC-152), which is also a Benjamin Moore color.

Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7029)

Agreeable Gray – LRV: 60(LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 209 G: 203 B: 193 Hex Value: #d1cbc1

Agreeable Gray paint color swatch
Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) by Sherwin Williams

Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) by Sherwin-Williams is neutral gray paint color, and as the name implies – it is quite 'agreeable'. This gray paint color works well with most interior decorating color schemes because of its balanced neutral appearance.

Agreeable Gray is on the warmer side of the neutral spectrum. It reads as a true gray, and does not have strong undertones with most light.

With an LRV of 60, Agreeable Gray is on the lighter side, but still stands out as distinctively gray. This is especially true when contrasting against true white trim, walls, or ceilings.

Agreeable Gray looks is perfect for kitchens, and looks amazing in the image below. It contrasts nicely against the true white cabinets and ceiling.

Wall Color: Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) (source )

Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore (OC-23)

Classic Gray – LRV: 74.74(LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Classic Gray paint color swatch
Classic Gray (OC-23) by Benjamin Moore

Classic Gray (OC-23) by Benjamin Moore is a popular gray paint, and for good reason – it's spectacular!  Creating an interior design plan around 'Classic Gray' is easy because of its light, neutral appearance. With a LRV of 74.74, Classic Gray is one of the lightest grays included in this paint color guide.

I recommend this color to anyone that can't quite choose between off-white and gray. Classic Gray is really a hybrid between the two color classifications. Despite having 'gray' in the name, Benjamin Moore technically includes the color in their off-white color collection. Here's what they have to about Classic Gray:

This color is part of the Off-White Color collection. Inherently sophisticated and endlessly versatile, the Off-White collection offers subtle nuances of whites that suit tranquil, serene environments as well as creates color-enhancing accents for dynamic spaces. A compilation of 152 white and off-white colors.

Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore looks superb in the living room below. It's a perfect match for rooms with plenty of natural light.

living room with Classic Gray (OC-23) walls
Wall Color: Classic Gray (OC-23) by Benjamin Moore (source)

The living room below is painted with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray. In rooms with less natural light, Classic Gray tends to look a little stronger, almost like a darker true gray.

classic gray living room
Wall Color: Classic Gray (OC-23) by Benjamin Moore (source)

Agreeable Gray vs Classic Gray

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray and Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray are two of the most popular colors on this list, so it's helpful to see them side by side.

Agreeable Gray is a little bit darker, and it's more of a true gray color. Classic Gray is lighter and closer to off-white.

Both colors are true neutrals, with minimal undertones. Of the two colors, Agreeable Gray is slightly warmer.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray vs Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Classic Gray and Agreeable Gray are a good comparison if you're trying to decide between a light, and a medium gray. If you're looking for something darker, let's check out Agreeable Gray vs Summit Gray which.

Summit Gray vs Agreeable Gray

Sherwin Williams Summit Gray vs Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is another great side by side comparison. These are both extremely popular gray paint colors.

Summit Gray is significantly darker than Agreeable Gray, however, both are very appealing in their own way. Both colors are pretty neutral with no significant undertones, and no strong cool or warm bias.

Choosing between the two will come down to personal opinion (I think I'm on team Summit Gray!) but keep in mind that Agreeable Gray would be a better choice for a room with limited natural light.

All the details on Summit Gray can be found in the next category: Dark Gray Paint Colors.

Silver City by BEHR (MQ2-59)

Silver City – LRV: 57 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 200G:200B:194

Silver City paint color swatch
Silver City (MQ2-59) by BEHR

Silver City by BEHR is a neutral gray with pleasant hints of metallic silver. The touch of silver that BEHR utilizes in this color really brings the paint to life!

The LRV for Silver City is 57, which makes it a great choice for many rooms. Its a nice medium depth – not too light, and not too dark. The bathroom in the image below has BEHR Silver City walls.

a bathroom painted with Silver City gray paint
Wall Color: Silver City by BEHR (source)

Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7015)

Repose Gray – LRV: 58 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 204G: 201B: 192Hex Value:

Repose Gray paint color swatch
Repose Gray (SW 7015) by Sherwin Williams

Repose Gray (SW 7015) by Sherwin Williams is a 'true gray'. The color does not present strong undertones in most lighting conditions.

This medium-light gray is another one of my favorites. Repose Gray is a well balanced paint color, and it has just a touch of warmth which makes it perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms.

bedroom painted with Repose Gray paint
Wall Color: Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Dark Gray Paint Colors

Dark gray paint colors stand out proudly and distinctively. You can't miss the dominate grey in these colors. This category has the kind of loud paint colors that you build a color palette around.

With LRVs going all the way down to 14 – you'll notice right away when exploring this category – these colors are significantly darker than all the previous grays in this paint color guide. If that's the look you're going for, dark gray paint colors are for you!

Summit Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7669)

Summit Gray – LRV 30 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 149 G: 148 B: 145 Hex Value: #959491

Color Collections: Timeless Color Wall

Summit Gray paint color swatch
Summit Gray (SW 7669) by Sherwin Williams

Summit Gray (SW7669) by Sherwin Williams is a strong dark gray paint color with a LRV of 30. The color has a balanced color profile. It has extremely close to equal parts red, green, and blue ( R: 149 G: 148 B: 145).

This makes the color neutral with very minimal cool or warm tendencies, and no inherent undertones. Summit Gray will read very true on your walls, unless your artificial lighting has a large warm or cool bias.

kids bedroom painted with Summit Gray
Wall Color: Summit Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Worsted by Farrow & Ball (No.284)

Worsted – F & B color description: 'a rich gray'

Worsted (No. 284) by Farrow and Ball paint color swatch

Worsted (No.284) by Farrow & Ball is a medium-dark gray paint color can read with blue undertones, especially when illuminated with cool light. The slight blue bias keeps this paint color from feeling too heavy.

Farrow & Ball says this about their paint color Worsted:

This rich mid grey conjures memories of city suits made from flat woven fabric, so was named after the Norfolk village where the yarn was originally woven. For devotees of our Easy Neutrals, Worsted is stronger in tone than its counterpart Purbeck Stone, but lighter than Mole's Breath. It has an understated richness with no cold tones, making it the perfect background to make clean accent colours pop.

Wosted gray paint color in a sitting room
Wall Color: Worsted by Farrow & Ball (source)

Dovetail by Sherwin Williams (SW 7018)

Dovetail – LRV: 26 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 144 G: 138 B: 131 Hex Value: #908a83

Color Collections High Voltage, Cool Neutrals

Dovetail paint color swatch
Dovetail (SW 7018) by Sherwin Williams

Dovetail by Sherwin Williams is a well known dark gray paint color. With an LRV of 26, this gray is flirting with the bottom of the brightness scale – it's the second darkest color in the category.

Sherwin Willams includes this color in their High Voltage color collection, which is a fun loving, well saturated, bold group of colors. Here's how they describe the 'high voltage' colors:

Electronics, alternative rock and digital technology – plug those influences into one socket and you get a blast of high-voltage look-at-me colors. We're not shying away from them; we're splashing them across everything from cars to appliances to upholstery…

Dovetail gray paint in an office
Wall Color: Dovetail by Sherwin Williams (source)

Arctic Seal by Benjamin Moore (CSP-15)

Arctic Seal – LRV: 14.96 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Arctic Seal paint color swatch
Arctic Seal (CSP-15) by Benjamin Moore

Arctic Seal by Benjamin Moore is DARK! It has a LRV of 14.96, which makes it the darkest color in this gray paint color guide (by a significant margin). This cool dark gray could also be classified as a gray-black hybrid color.

Benjamin Moore personifies Arctic Seal in their paint color description:

In his chilly underwater playground, a graceful shadow darts and twirls among the polar ice flows.

bedroom painted with Arctic Seal by Benjamin Moore
Wall Color: Arctic Seal by Benjamin Moore (source)

Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7016)

Mindful Gray – LRV: 48 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 188 G: 183 B: 173 Hex Value: #bcb7ad

Color Collections: Nurturer

Mindful Gray paint color swatch
Mindful Gray (SW 7016) by Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams says that the Nurturer color collection is for bringing people together. Mindful Gray (SW 7016) fits in perfectly with this color collection's inviting nature. It's a comforting color that makes your home feel ready to entertain guests.

Mindful Gray (SW 7016) is a medium-dark bodied gray paint color with mild warm brown undertones. It has an LRV of 48 and is lighter than most of the paint colors in the Dark Gray category.

I recommend Mindful Gray for bedrooms, and common areas like the staircase area in the image below.

Mindful Gray painted walls
Wall Color: Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Dorian Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7017)

Dorian Gray – LRV: 39 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 172 G: 167 B: 158 Hex Value: #aca79e

Color Collections: Senior Living Cool Foundations, Acute Care Cool Foundations, PBteen – Fall/Winter 2019

Dorian Gray paint color swatch
Dorian Gray (SW 7017) by Sherwin Williams

Dorian Gray (SW 7017) by Sherwin Williams is a medium-dark gray paint color with a LRV of 39. It's neutral, with a slightly cool appearance. The pleasing dark gray color contrasts nicely against true white trim, and ceilings.

If you choose Dorian Gray, I recommend sticking with a cool color pallet for the rest of the room as well.

Exterior door painted with Dorian Gray
Wall Color: Dorian Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Warm Gray Paint Colors

Painting your home with warm gray paint colors creates a relaxed, cozy vibe. This category is the best place to start if you love warm color palettes, and don't want to select too dark of a gray paint.

Warm colors have stronger red and green color profiles, with less blue. Because of this red / green bias, gray paint  colors tend to have a yellow, or brown hue. Depending on the exact mix of color, warm grays can also have orange, or olive undertones.

All the warm gray color selections in this category are 'medium-light' with LRV's ranging between 48 and 63.

Colonnade Gray (SW 7641) by Sherwin Williams

Colonnade Gray – LRV: 53 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 198G: 192B: 182Hex Value: #c6c0b6

Color Collections: Timeless Color Wall

Colonnade Gray paint color swatch
Colonnade Gray (SW 7641) by Sherwin Williams

Colonnade Gray is a medium-light gray with RGB values of R: 198 G: 192 and B: 182. The weak blue in this color profile gives Colonnade Gray its warmth, and the prominence of red is responsible for some brown undertones.

This is a great choice for nearly any room, but my personal favorite use for Colonnade Gray is kitchen cabinets. The beautiful gray cabinets in the image below are Colonnade Gray by Sherwin Williams.

colonnade gray kitchen cabinets
Kitchen Cabinet Color: Colonnade Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)
Colonnade Gray laundry room
Wall Color: Colonnade Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC-173)

Edgecomb Gray – LRV: 63.88 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Edgecomb paint color swatch
Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) by Benjamin Moore

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) is relaxed, creamy and warm. The paint color has medium depth with a LRV of 63.88. Edgecomb Gray's subtle elegance makes this paint color a favorite for many interior design professionals.

The color is a well balanced true gray, and doesn't have strong undertones. These attributes make it a top contender if you're looking for a warm-neutral gray that wants to be seen but doesn't have to be the center of attention.

Benjamin Moore discribes Edgecomb Gray as:

A go-to gray that's timeless with a modern edge, this earthy, organic neutral is soft and stylish, creating a setting that feels distinctly personal.

The walls in this bedroom are Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.

Edgecomb Gray bedroom
Wall Color: Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) by Benjamin Moore (source)

Farrow & Ball – Elephant's Breath (No.229)

Elephant's Breath – F & B Color Description: 'a warm mid grey'

Elephant's Breath (No.229) by Farrow & Ball paint color swatch

If you're looking for a unique warm gray paint color, Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball is worth taking a serious look at. It's a beautiful color, but be warned – Elephant's Breath has strong magenta undertones.

I always recommend purchasing a sample pot, and testing paint colors on your walls before coming to a final decision, but this is especially important with Elephant's Breath. The magenta hue can clash with other color palettes in your home. But when it works, it REALLY works – this is a beautiful paint color.

The following is Farrow & Ball's description of Elephant's Breath:

This warm and contemporary grey is renowned for its characterful paint name, originally created by John Fowler, the notable English interior designer. Elephant's Breath reads as an uplifting mid grey with its hint of magenta, but can become almost lilac in the cooler light of west facing rooms. Try offsetting with Charleston Gray and London Clay for an invitingly earthy scheme with more intense accents, or pair with other Contemporary Neutrals such as the softer Strong White for a sense of neutrality and calm

The walls in the bathroom below below are Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball.

a bathroom with Elephant's Breath gray paint walls
Wall Color: Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball (source)

Worldly Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7036)

Worldly Gray – LRV: 57 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 206 G:198 B:187 Hex Value: #cec6bb

Worldly Gray paint color swatch
Worldly Gray (SW 7043) by Sherwin Williams

With a medium-light LRV of 57, Worldly Gray (SW 7043) by Sherwin Williams sits right in the middle of the warm gray category for brightness.

Worldly Gray is just warm enough to make it feel relaxed, and homey. It's an all around great color. I recommend Worldly Gray in almost any room – bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms and more!

The image below features a living room with Worldly Gray walls.

Worldly Gray paint in a laundry room
Wall Color: Worldly Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Thunder by Benjamin Moore (AF-685)

Thunder – LRV: 48.05 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Thunder paint color swatch
Thunder (AF-685) by Benjamin Moore

Thunder (AF-685) by Benjamin Moore is quickly becoming a popular gray paint color – it made the Benjamin Moore 'Color Trends Palette for 2021'.

With a LRV of 48.05, Thunder is a medium to medium-dark paint color. However, Benjamin Moore designed the color to come across appearing much lighter than actually it is.

Benjamin Moore's color description:

This color is part of the Affinity Color collection. A sophisticated palette of harmonious hues designed to express your color vision with confidence. Our most recent introduction of 144 beautiful colors was designed expressly so that each color works seamlessly on its own or in combination with any other color in the Affinity palette.

Thunder gray paint dining room
Wall Color: Thunder by Benjamin Moore (source)

Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams (SW 7036)

Accessible Beige – LRV: 58 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 209 G: 199 B: 184 Hex Value: #d1c7b8

Color Collections: Bold Invention

Accessible Beige paint color swatch
Accessible Beige (SW 7036) by Sherwin Williams

Accessible Beige (SW 7036) by Sherwin Williams is an interesting gray paint color option. If you can't quite decide between gray and beige, this hybrid greige might be exactly what you need!

With a LRV of 58, Accessible Beige has an appealing medium depth that isn't too light, or too dark. This gray paint color profile is strongest in red ( R: 209 G: 199 B: 184) which provides warmth, and a muted brown undertone.

If you aren't quite sold on any of the other colors in this gray paint guide and you want something a little more unique, this is your color.

In the dining room below, you can see that Accessible Beige looks right at home in a room with lots of bright natural light.

dining room with Accessible Beige walls
Wall Color: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams (source)

Cool Gray Paint Colors

This is the best place to start looking if you're a fan of cool color palettes. Cool gray paint colors have a bright feel that gives your home a happy,seize the day vibe.

Cool white is the ultimate paint color for boosting your mood, but it can feel too sterile, stark, and serious for a residential home. However, add a little bit of gray into the mix and – voila, perfection!

Cool gray paint colors have blue, purple, or green undertones. If you're thinking of selecting a paint color from this category, be sure to test it out on your walls. Nuanced cool undertones can be an asset – but when they're too strong – they dominate in an unappealing way.

The gray colors in this category  have a large brightness range spanning from 'medium-dark' to 'medium-light' with LRV's from 39 to 66.

Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC-170)

Stonington Gray – LRV 59.75 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Stonington Gray (HC-170) by Benjamin Moore

Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore is a medium gray paint color and has some cool blue undertones. The color should look like a true gray in most rooms. However, with cool lighting or blue objects in a room, the color can end up appearing bluish.

With a LRV of 59.75, Stonington Gray is right in the middle of what I consider the sweet spot for gray paint colors (55-65). This doesn't mean the color is subjectively 'best', it just means that has a wide range of compatibility… aka it will look good in almost any room!

In rooms with good natural lighting, Stonington Gray ends up looking a little brighter then it really is thanks to the cool undertones. This makes it a great paint color choice when you want a definitively gray color, but want to keep things feeling bright and open.

Here's how Benjamin Moore describes Stonington Gray on their product page:

This color is part of the Historic Color collection. A collection of 191 time-honored hues comprises our most popular palette. Steeped in tradition, the refined, elegant colors of the Historical Collection deliver timeless color that can be used in traditional as well as contemporary spaces. Unveiled in 1976 to celebrate the US bicentennial, a collection of 191 colors inspired by America's historic landmarks.

Wall Color: Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore (source)

Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore (OC-52)

Gray Owl – LRV: 65.77 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Gray Owl paint color swatch
Gray Owl (OC-52) by Benjamin Moore

Gray Owl (OC-52) by Benjamin Moore a medium-light gray paint color that sits just outside the middle of the color temperature spectrum (on the cool side). It's mostly neutral with a pleasant, slightly cool color temperature.

Gray Owl is versatile, and looks great anywhere. However, I recommend this paint color as a top choice for kitchens, home offices, or a reading nook. Gray Owl is a light, vibrant gray. In a room with plenty of with natural light, this color inspires productivity!

Benjamin Moore has the following to description for Gray Owl:

This color is part of Color Preview. A collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color. A great complement to Classic Colors, Color Preview offers a collection of 1,232 hues that excite and inspire with pure, deep, clear colors that create striking combinations.

bedroom painted with Gray Owl paint
Wall Color: Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore (source)

Anew Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7030)

Anew Gray – LRV: 47 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 191 G: 182 B: 170 Hex Value: #bfb6aa

Color Collections:Acute Care Cool Foundations, Curiosity, Minimalist, Cool Neutrals

Anew Gray paint color swatch
Anew Gray (SW 7030) by Sherwin Williams

Anew Gray (SW 7030) by Sherwin Williams falls on the darker side of medium brightness with a LRV of 47. Like many gray paint colors, Anew Gray is a chameleon – it presents different color undertones with different types of light.

This color has mild olive undertones when illuminated with well balanced natural light. However, beware of warm artificial lighting, and the soft warm light that pours in from North facing windows. Warm light tricks the eye into seeing Anew Gray as a warm gray with orange or brown undertones.

The bathroom below has Sherwin Williams Anew Gray walls.

bathroom with Anew Gray walls
Wall Color: Anew Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Strong White by Farrow & Ball (No.2001)

Strong White – F & B Color Description: 'a gray based white'

Strong White (No. 2001) by Farrow & Ball paint color swatch

Strong White is a hybrid color that walks the line between off-white, and light gray. I love how light and airy this gray paint color is.

Here's how Farrow & Ball describes Strong White (No.2001):

This cool white is both strong by name and strong by nature. One of our Contemporary Neutrals, the subtle urban feel of its light grey undertones add a contemporary twist to period homes, while staying in keeping with modern properties. Pair with Skimming Stone, Elephant's Breath and All White in any combination for an effortlessly cohesive scheme.

bathroom with Strong White painted walls
Wall Color: Strong White by Farrow & Ball (source)

Pike's Peak Gray by Benjamin Moore (2127-50)

Pike's Peak Gray – LRV: 39.56 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Pike's Peak Gray paint color swatch
Pike's Peak Gray (21-2750) by Benjamin Moore

Cool might be an understatement on this Benjamin Moore gray paint color – it's COLD! With a LRV of 39.56, Pike's Peak Gray (21-2750) is a cool medium-dark gray paint color with a strong blue hue. If you want to make a bold statement, this paint color can get the job done.

Pike's Peak Gray is a little on the extreme side – it's the darkest and the coolest paint color in this category.

 In my opinion, Pike's Peak Gray is a little too aggressive to use as the primary color for ALL the walls in a room. I recommend breaking things up by using the color to make a bold accent wall that catches the eye. Just make sure the blue undertones don't clash with the other color palettes in your home.

Here's how Benjamin Moore describes Pike's Peak Gray:

Capturing the beauty of the Colorado mountain for which it is named, this tranquil shade of gray suggests a soaring, snow-covered summit.

Pike's Peak Gray cabinets
Wall Color: Pike's Peak Gray by Benjamin Moore (source)

Light French Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 0055)

Light French Gray – LRV: 53 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

R: 194 G: 192 B: 187 Hex Value: #c2c0bb

Color Collections:Luxe, Purely Refined, Teen Space, Historic Interior Color Wall, Minimalist

Light French Gray paint color swatch
Light French Gray (SW 0055) by Sherwin Williams

Light French Gray (SW 0055) by Sherwin Williams is a lovely medium-light gray paint color with good balance. The color could easily be considered a cool-neutral because the cool tendencies are understated.

The colors' LRV of 53 is dark enough to stand out, but not to the point where things start to feel gloomy.

Light French Gray has been an extremely popular color in recent years. It's currently included in five different Sherwin Williams color collections (Luxe, Purely Refined, Teen Space, Historic Interior Color Wall, and Minimalist) which is the most of any color in this gray paint color guide.

Cabinet Color: Light French Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)
Light French Gray bathroom
Wall Color: Light French Gray by Sherwin Williams (source)

Chalky by Dunn Edwards (DEC793)

Chalky – LRV: 75 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Munsell:HUE=5.06GY VALUE=8.8 CHROMA=0.4

Color Collections: Cool Neutrals, Neutrals, Perfect Palette®

Chalky paint color swatch
Chalky (DEC793) by Dunn Edwards

This gray paint color is part of the Dunn Edwards Perfect Palette® series of curated colors. Chalky is one of Dunn Edwards' most popular paint colors, so you know it has to be good!

Chalky is the lightest, brightest gray paint color you'll find in this guide – it has a high LRV of 75, which makes it an excellent choice for areas with limited natural lighting.

The brightness of this paint color will keep rooms feeling light and airy, while the understated gray color adds visual interest and complexity to a room color palette.

Tips For Choosing A Gray Paint Color

  • Make sure to buy small sample size pints of paint and have it mixed to the colors you want to test. Paint test splotches on the walls of the room you plan to paint.
  • Read my guide on how to choose the perfect paint color using undertones, color palettes, natural lighting, and more!
  • If you don't to commit to painting test areas on your walls, buy large poster boards and make gigantic color swatch cards that you can hold up or pin to the wall.
  • Check out your test areas  samples at different times of the day (and also with the lights on and off). This way, you'll know if certain colors have
  • Paint your trim, ceilings and other walls with an amazing white paint color. This help bring to life the gray color you choose. To find the perfect white paint color, check out the guide I created: Best White Paint Colors | The Ultimate Guide.

For tips on how to choose a white paint color that will look great in a specific room in your home, check out the paint selection guide I wrote called How To Choose A Perfect Paint Color. It has tons of useful information on how to use undertones, lighting and more to determine which colors will look amazing in your space.

All My Paint Color Resources

I LOVE helping people choose paint colors! I've created several different resources that can help you choose a paint color with confidence. Check all of them out here:

White Paint Color Guide | All The Best White Paint Colors

Popular Green Paint Colors | Best Shades Of Green

Trending Paint Colors for 2021 | Colors Trends From Top Brands

How To Choose A Paint Color | Lighting, Undertones, Sheen (and more!)

Best Paint Colors For North Facing Rooms

Samplize Review | Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples

White Dove Paint Color Review | After Painting My Whole House!

Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments below if you've used a gray paint color that you think should have made this gray paint color guide.

Ashley's Signature

Most Popular Gray Paint Colors

Good Gray Paint Colors With No Undertone

Source: https://joyfullygrowingblog.com/gray-paint-guide/