Gray paint colors are perennially at the top of the list of popular shades for homeowners, and for a good reason. Whether cool, warm, light, or bold, grays of all tones and intensities provide a fresh backdrop for decor and coordinate beautifully with tile, countertops, furnishings, and art. However, as crisp, neutral, and highly versatile as gray is, it's one of the most challenging colors to select, due to its shifting undertones and sensitivity to natural light levels. Going gray seems simple enough at the outset, but sample paint chips and the finished result often vary greatly. Sometimes previously unseen warm, cool, green, or blue tones can surface after gray paint is on the wall. To help you choose the best gray paint color for your space, take these essential factors into consideration.
How to Choose a Gray Paint Color
Before you pick up a gallon of paint, take into consideration these tips for choosing the right shade of gray.
Consider Undertones and Lighting
To make the gray paint selection process easier, consider your paint's undertones and test the shade before committing. Undertones are the warm or cool colors added to paint to provide complexity and nuance. While they might not jump out at you initially, they often make a surprise appearance on the wall.
"The key to selecting the right gray is to focus more on the undertone of the color and the lighting in the space rather than the chip itself," says Cyndy Aldred, the blogger behind The Creativity Exchange. "In darker rooms, grays take on a warmer tone and transform the atmosphere." She also notes that if a room has an abundance of artificial lighting, gray walls can shift and appear green to the eye.
Match Decor and Flooring
If you're designing a space around existing furniture and flooring materials, remember that these elements can also draw out hidden colors. To ensure a successful result, coordinate gray paint undertones to your interior finishings, suggests Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "It's important to consider whether the decor in the room is mostly warm or cool, and match the undertones accordingly," she says.
In areas with lots of wood elements, tread carefully when choosing light gray paint colors with greenish notes. "Be mindful of the other aspects of the room, such as furniture, cabinets, and flooring," Wadden says. "The green undertones in gray look very prominent when paired with wood."
Best Light Gray Paint Colors
We asked designers and paint experts to share their picks for the best light gray paint colors. These are the shades they turn to again and again for kitchens, living areas, bedrooms, and more.
Agreeable Gray SW 7029, Sherwin-Williams
Chicago-based interior designer Alessia Loffredo of reDesign Home selected Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams for the cabinetry in her client's light-filled kitchen. "We were looking for a light accent that would coordinate with the marble and limestone flooring, one that needed to perform rain or shine," she says. "Agreeable Gray checked all of the boxes for this space."
Wadden selected this color as a favorite, too, stating that Agreeable Gray is Sherwin-Williams's most popular color. "It's the perfect hue for any living space, whether it be a family room or bedroom, as it acts as a neutral backdrop," she says. "This gray is less cool than others, which bodes well for the resurgence of warmer hues and beiges that we're seeing."
Naturel SW 7542, Sherwin-Williams
After a long search for the perfect fit, Oregon-based designer Molly Kidd of Light and Dwell chose Naturel by Sherwin-Williams for her own kitchen cabinetry. "This one has all the things I love in a gray," she says. "It's soothing, not too blue or too taupe, and it brings warmth to the space."
Classic Gray OC-23, Benjamin Moore
Krissy Peterson, an interior designer based in Redmond, Washington, believes that Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore is the perfect neutral. "Classic Gray is one of those amazing colors that adapts to its surroundings, which makes it really transitional," she says. "I love that it doesn't have undertones that can turn it too purple or pink. It's a great basic gray that can go a little greige to coordinate with warmer colors."
Gray Owl 2137-60, Benjamin Moore
Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore gets the vote of interior designer Ariel Okin, based in New York City. "Gray Owl is a beautiful true gray through and through. It's not too green and not too blue, and it hits the right balance between warm and cool," she says. "I particularly like it in bedrooms for a clean and monochromatic palette of creams and grays."
Anonymous SW 7046, Sherwin-Williams
Sara Barney of Austin, Texas-based BANDD Design chose Anonymous by Sherwin-Williams as her go-to gray paint color. "I love this shade of gray because it adds the perfect touch of color while also keeping the room bright and sleek," she says. "We wanted to keep this kitchen neutral for the most part since we incorporated copper statement pieces throughout. This color was a perfect option to keep it looking fresh and modern."
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Mantra SW 9631, Sherwin-Williams
For a more unconventional option, Wadden suggests a blue-toned gray called Mantra for its calming qualities. A new color from Sherwin-Williams, this gray paint offers relaxing, cool undertones. "Mantra is an ethereal blue-gray that's reminiscent of a soft, efflorescent sky," she says. "It relaxes me just by thinking about it!"
Silver Chain 1472, Benjamin Moore
Interior designer Becky Shea of New York City says Silver Chain by Benjamin Moore is one of her top gray paint recommendations for clients. "We selected it for this bedroom because it's light and airy during daytime hours and then warm and cozy in the evening," she says. "Anytime we step foot into this room, it makes us feel good. You take a deep breath, look out at the Hudson River, everything pauses, and you feel at peace."
Repose Gray SW 7015, Sherwin-Williams
A tried and true favorite, both Aldred and Wadden love Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams. This reliable and ever-popular favorite gets top marks for versatility. "I love Repose Gray because it's a true, neutral gray that has always been a top seller," Wadden says. "It pairs well with textures and finishes, making it the perfect blank canvas for any space."
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Ammonite No. 274, Farrow and Ball
Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow and Ball brand ambassador, describes Ammonite as the brand’s most gentle gray, easily taking on the appearance of a soft white when paired with a strong wall color. It’s an ideal choice if you’re not willing to commit to a darker shade of gray but want to lean into the color family in a gentle way. “This is a wonderful pale gray for those that don’t want anything too strong or too cool due to the underlying brown tone,” he says.
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Coventry Gray HC-169, Benjamin Moore
For a neutral gray with a plays-nice-with-others attitude, Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore, says Coventry Gray should be a go-to. “The highly versatile Coventry Gray can be used anywhere in the home—both inside and out,” she says. “Pair it with bright white, such as Chalk White or Chantilly Lace, to create a blank canvas and bring in other pops of colors through accessories.”
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Hardwick White No. 5, Farrow and Ball
O’Donnell warns not to look too much into the name—Hardwick White is in fact a green-tinged gray. It plays particularly nice in modern rural dwellings where the green notes can create a greater pull between the interior and exterior. O’Donnell suggests using it in a sophisticated living room and pairing it with a bold trim color like the brand’s Hague Blue No. 30.
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Pashmina AF-100, Benjamin Moore
Pair Pashmina with warm wood tones, Yeo suggests, as a way to aid in “the natural procession of going from one surface to another.” She also says it can serve as an inviting transitional hue in areas like hallways that connect one color scheme with another. “Like a cozy cashmere blanket, this neutral gray brings sophistication with a touch of warmth,” says Yeo. “A shade darker than our beloved Revere Pewter HC-172, Pashmina brings the same versatile quality but adds depth for a richer color experience.”
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Purbeck Stone No. 275, Farrow and Ball
For those drawn to the modern Scandi aesthetic, Purbeck Stone makes a compelling argument. “The stronger, deeper stablemate of Ammonite No. 274, Purbeck Stone has a wonderful softness and no visible chilly blue tones making it an ideal gray for more northern-aspect interiors,” says O’Donnell.
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Rare Gray SW 6199, Sherwin-Williams
Katie Labourdette-Martinez and Olivia Wahler, principle designers and founders of Hearth Homes Interiors in Santa Barbara, describe Rare Gray as a beautiful gray-green where the right light can really play up the cool green tones. “It gives a funky personality on an overcast day, reading a little muddy and cool, complementing the right surrounding materials perfectly,” the duo share. Use it in a living room or bedroom for soothing surroundings that still deliver a neutral quality.
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Thunder AF-685, Benjamin Moore
“Soft and sophisticated with a touch of warmth, Thunder AF-685 can take on many characters,” says Yeo. To lend a more modern look, the color expert suggests pairing it with black and white. When paired with soft blues and pinks it can add a charming effect. While she says Thunder can prove a versatile pick, Yeo advises to pay attention to the source of light when it comes to working with neutral grays. “In a north-facing room with cooler lighting, Thunder tips over on the cooler side, whereas in a room with a warm sunglow, it appears more greige,” she says.
Best Dark Gray Paint Colors
For rooms that call for a bolder statement, try these expert-recommended dark gray paint colors.
Rockport Gray HC-105, Benjamin Moore
A monochromatic kitchen in Benjamin Moore's Rockport Gray makes for a sophisticated yet soothing statement. Birmingham-based interior designer Dana Wolter used the warm gray paint color on her client's cabinetry, trim, walls, and even the ceiling, utilizing different finishes and varied custom paint intensities to create a subtle contrast. "I love this shade of gray as it reads as a neutral with its warm taupe undertones," Wolter says. "It blends with shades of gray, green, and brown, making it versatile in its appeal. It's just a warm, welcoming hue."
Englewood Cliffs 1607, Benjamin Moore
Chicago-based interior designer Jean Stoffer turned to Benjamin Moore's statement color Englewood Cliffs when creating a sitting room for her clients. Stoffer says it was the ideal choice to coordinate with the new decor and to offer a respite from the open-concept kitchen, dining, and living space."We love the depth and dimension that Englewood Cliffs paint adds to the space," Stoffer says. "The undertones play nicely with the velvet emerald sofas and highlight our favorite antique brass details throughout the room. This gray creates beautiful movement and interest, which is why it's one of our favorites!"
Plummett No. 272, Farrow and Ball
Houston-based designer Mary Patton puts the dark gray paint color Plummett by Farrow and Ball on the top of her list. "It's a soft, soothing dark gray," she says. "It works beautifully on cabinets, in bedrooms, or in living spaces. If you want something a little lighter, it also looks great cut by 50% with white."
Cheating Heart 1617, Benjamin Moore
For another bold option, Seattle interior designer LeeAnn Baker suggests Benjamin Moore's Cheating Heart. "This is such a dramatic color that reads as a soft black and sometimes gets confused as a navy," she says. "It works wonderfully as a soft backdrop and really is dramatic when used on cabinetry. I have used it in kitchens, bathrooms, and offices. It is the perfect neutral dark gray for any space."
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Deep Space 2125-20, Benjamin Moore
“A deep gray with a hint of blue undertone, and a great alternative to black, this rich charcoal color is both mysterious and sophisticated while anchoring a room,” says Yeo. You won’t have much trouble pairing Deep Space with other shades as it can bridge the gap between both warm and cool colors. “I love to use this on a ceiling for an endless night sky feeling or opt to go bold in a small powder room to give the illusion of a bigger space,” she suggests.
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Down Pipe No. 26, Farrow and Ball
Downpipe is one of the brand’s darkest grays, delivering a hit of sophistication, particularly when used on exterior surfaces ranging from weatherboard to trim. “For all its strength of colour, it is surprisingly warm,” says O’Donnell. “It makes a great dining room option and looks beautiful when teamed with caramel tones in your other decorative elements.”
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Kendall Charcoal HC-166, Benjamin Moore
Yeo describes Kendall Charcoal as a deep neutral that works both in a moody dining room when paired with the illumination of a chandelier and on the exterior of the home when paired with natural elements like stone, wood, and brick. “With an ounce of warmth, its complex undertone keeps the hue fresh and intriguing,” she says. “Whether it’s a pop of color on your front door, shutters, or as an all-around color, this popular gray is sure to enhance the curb appeal.”
More Tips for Choosing Gray Paint Colors
As with any painting project, the key to achieving success is testing colors in person before making the final decision. Aldred encourages homeowners to always be sure to "sample, sample, sample." Before committing to painting an entire room, or even just an accent wall, testing is an imperative part of the process.
To sample paint like a pro, Wadden suggests painting a 3-foot square in the space. "Look at it at different times of the day and in different lighting," she says. "The various tones emerge depending on the light." With the right color temperature and undertones, gray paint colors can make a gorgeous backdrop for any room.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which colors go best with gray?Warm grays look wonderful alongside wood floors and earthy tones like yellow, blush pink, and pumpkin. Cooler grays pair best with other cool tones like teal, navy, and purple. Because of its versatility, you can use gray as a neutral backdrop for bold jewel tones or use delicate shades of gray to bring a soft, soothing vibe to any space.
Warm grays look wonderful alongside wood floors and earthy tones like yellow, blush pink, and pumpkin. Cooler grays pair best with other cool tones like teal, navy, and purple. Because of its versatility, you can use gray as a neutral backdrop for bold jewel tones or use delicate shades of gray to bring a soft, soothing vibe to any space.
- What is a warm gray color?A warm gray color will have yellow, red, brown, or beige undertones, whereas cool grays have undertones of blue, green, and purple. (Also included in the warm gray category is the hugely popular gray and beige hybrid, greige.) Warm gray is a designer favorite because it pairs well with natural accents (like stone and wood) and looks good under most light—from the bluish tones of north-facing rooms to the warm, late-afternoon glow of a west-facing room.
A warm gray color will have yellow, red, brown, or beige undertones, whereas cool grays have undertones of blue, green, and purple. (Also included in the warm gray category is the hugely popular gray and beige hybrid, greige.) Warm gray is a designer favorite because it pairs well with natural accents (like stone and wood) and looks good under most light—from the bluish tones of north-facing rooms to the warm, late-afternoon glow of a west-facing room.