Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a dependable, neutral greige shade. This light gray has warm undertones, so you get all the style of gray with the warmth of your favorite creamy shades. Best paired with fresh white trim!
Let's be honest. Paint colors can be tricky! That's why I've developed a method for choosing paint colors that helps narrow down the options. I also think it's helpful to take a deep dive into a few colors and see how they look in different spaces before deciding on your own home.
The truth is, nothing beats sampling a color in your own home to get it right. But I hope this helps you narrow down which colors to sample before you make any decisions!
What Color is Classic Gray OC-23?
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23 is a soft gray that can sometimes read as a warm off-white. It's a well-balanced mid-tone, not too light and not too dark.
I love all kinds of paint, and this stunning pale gray with warm undertones is a top contender. It may be exactly what you need to give your space a sophisticated look.
Choosing BM Classic Gray is always a safe bet because it's a no-fail color. It looks lovely with other grays, whites, and even bright colors. Plus, it works well as an interior or exterior paint.
NOTE: If you're painting the room yourself, these tools will help tremendously. And this post shares my best tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps.
Where to Install Classic Gray
This beautiful mid-tone gray works well in almost every application you can imagine.
- Cabinetry
- Walls
- Doors
- Casings and trimwork
- Furniture
- Exterior siding or trim
Classic Gray would also make a wonderful exterior paint color!
What Home Style Works Best with Classic Gray
- transitional
- modern
- farmhouse
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Undertones
If Benjamin Moore Classic Gray doesn't already have enough to love, look at its undertones. You won't find any strongly blue or purple undertones like you see in many other gray paints.
Instead, Classic Gray is warm and comforting. You could almost think of it as a soft, sophisticated off-white. In some darker rooms it may show a faint hint of purple or pink.
In other cases, it may pick up the bold colors around it, since it's a lighter shade.
For example, if there's a lot of brick outside, it may look slightly pink. And if there's plenty of greenery outside, you may see a green cast. But honestly, if the room is well decorated, I don't think you'll have much to worry about!
When the sun hits just right, it can look almost white. Once the light shifts, you're left with that lovely warm gray again.
PRO Tip
Whenever you choose a new paint color, try out the real paint color in your home first!
The easiest, quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I use them exclusively for paint samples now. There's no mess and no leftover sample pots of paint. Plus, these no-mess, peel-and-stick rectangles are made from real paint, so they're easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!
Order REAL Paint Samples
Is Classic Gray warm or cool in tone?
Classic Gray is definitely a warm gray with neutral undertones, maybe with a slight hint of pink or soft purple. As you can see in the comparison below, it doesn't lean as pink as Shoji White, as green as Gray Owl, or as dark as Repose Gray.
Classic Gray vs. Other Neutral Paint Colors
When you're considering a neutral like this, you'll often compare it to similar shades. I've shown the undertone comparisons in the graphic above. Now let's look at how this beautiful gray stacks up against other neutrals, like beige, taupe, and greige.
Classic Gray vs. Pale Oak
Pale Oak reads more taupe than gray next to Classic Gray. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20) is a light neutral that sits somewhere between gray and beige, with a warm pink undertone. It's sometimes called a mushroom paint color. Pale Oak reads a little darker, with an LRV of 68 compared to Classic Gray's 73.
Classic Gray vs. Edgecomb Gray
My go-to paint color for open floor plans is Edgecomb Gray, a warm gray that looks lovely in well-lit spaces. Edgecomb Gray's LRV of 63 makes it appear darker than Classic Gray at 73.
Classic Gray vs. Balboa Mist
Balboa Mist is another popular neutral greige that's often compared to Classic Gray. The two are very similar, but Benjamin Moore's Balboa Mist (OC-27) reads a touch more violet and a little darker than Classic Gray.
What is Classic Gray's LRV?
LRV stands for light reflectance value, measured on a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). In short, colors with an LRV close to 0 are darker (they absorb more light), while numbers closer to 100 are lighter (they reflect more light).
Classic Gray's LRV is 74, or 73.6 to be exact.
That number places it firmly in the off-white category.
So it's really more of an off-white than a true gray, and it looks best in a room with moderate natural light. If you put it in a room with a lot of sunlight, it may look like a muted white. But if you pair it with crisp white trim, you'll see the contrast.
How Classic Gray Complements Different Rooms
I'm excited to show you some looks you can create with Classic Gray. Each photo shows how it looks next to different colors. Remember, thanks to those warm undertones, BM Classic Gray goes with a wide range of colors.
Classic Gray in Bedrooms
Did you know the color you pick for your walls can affect your mood? Classic Gray has a calming, soothing effect, which makes it a great choice for a bedroom or living room where relaxation matters most.
Classic Gray works with transitional, modern, and farmhouse styles. Add some beautiful neutral textures for a calm, luxurious retreat at the end of the day.
With plenty of natural light pouring through the windows, you can really see the stunning gray.
The Classic Gray walls in this bedroom below almost take on a white tone. Pairing them with other grays, as seen in the headboard and pillows, makes them a perfect match.
Living Rooms With Classic Gray
Do you have an open floor plan? Classic Gray makes the perfect backdrop for your home and creates a cozy, inviting, welcoming atmosphere!
Interior designers love Classic Gray because it shows off artwork and other decorative accents so well. Its subtle tone lets your favorite pieces shine without overpowering them. You can switch decor pieces out whenever you like, since Classic Gray is so versatile.
This is a timeless look for modern to traditional designs that's hard not to love.
Aren't you fascinated by this stunning color yet? It's clean, bright, tranquil, sophisticated, and so much more.
Classic Gray in the Bathroom
In a bathroom, Classic Gray provides a fresh yet warm backdrop for bold fixtures, decorative towels, and natural accents. Since most bathrooms have little to moderate natural light, this color suits any contemporary, transitional, or classic design.
Classic Gray walls with marble and gray and white tones make a wonderful choice. I love how it pairs with bright white subway tile, and the nickel faucets give the whole room a clean, fresh feel.
Using the natural light in the bathroom above, painting the trim white, and choosing white countertops and cabinets gives the space a sophisticated feel.
This look is easy to recreate without breaking the bank!
Classic Gray Featured In Kitchens
Classic Gray is beautiful in the kitchen for almost any style of home, from traditional to farmhouse. It looks great with both white and wood cabinets, so the possibilities are endless. It's wonderful for open-concept spaces because it creates a cohesive look that enhances the brightness of the room. So it's a perfect color for a kitchen that opens onto a living room or dining room, or both!
Studio McGee went with white cabinets, dark countertops, and Classic Gray in this stunning kitchen. The combination of colors and light is amazing in this space. It's bright, but not too bright. The gray blends in and still adds a subtle color to the room.
What Colors Coordinate with Classic Gray
You can't go wrong with BM Classic Gray if you want your space to feel clean, soft, and tranquil. Benjamin Moore recommends these colors:
- Slate Blue
- Midnight Blue
- Beigewood
- Byzantine Gold
Some of my go-to colors that look good with Classic Gray include the following:
- Chantilly Lace (as a trim, ceiling, or cabinet color)
- Simply White (as a trim or cabinet color)
- Hale Navy
- White Dove (as a trim or cabinet color)
- Sea Haze
- Jet Black
Trim Colors that Coordinate with Classic Gray
Painting the walls Classic Gray and the trim a soft, beautiful white looks so serene. My recommendations are one of these lovely white paint colors:
- Chantilly Lace – my go-to bright white for ceilings
- White Dove – a lovely soft, warm white
- Simply White – my favorite paint color for white trim
You won't want to leave any room painted in these colors, because it will feel so welcoming and inviting.
Final Thoughts
Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore is truly an all-around standout shade that elevates any space and makes your home look beautiful. Its versatility makes it a great fit for a wide range of decor styles and functions, and it's a mood-enhancing color that helps you relax and unwind.
It's a universally timeless color. It never goes out of style and won't need repainting every time the trends change.
Trends come and go in interior design, but Classic Gray is here to stay. If you want a classic color that stands the test of time and has universal appeal, Classic Gray is well worth considering.
Tools To Help Complete A DIY Paint Project
Wouldn't it be nice to just toss paint on the walls and call it a day?
Since painting does take some work, it's worth investing in the right tools to make your space as beautiful as it can be. Plus, you want the walls to turn out perfectly every time.
Here are my tool recommendations to get you started!
- Roller Tray: Cleanup is so simple with these roller trays. Plus, there's a magnetic piece that keeps the roller in place. It's a real sanity saver, too.
- Drop Cloths: Drop cloths keep paint off your floors, furniture, and anything else you don't want getting messy.
- Paint Cup: I can't get enough of this paint cup. It makes painting so much easier, and I promise you'll be hooked!
- Painter's Tape: For clean, straight paint lines, painter's tape will be your new best friend. It's a must-have!
- Paint Brush: Get a variety of paintbrushes, and choose good quality. A poorly made brush can leave lost bristles in your fresh paint, which is so frustrating.
Other Paint Color Posts
Check out some of my other favorite paint color posts:
- The Best Green Paint Colors For Your Home
- The Best Home Decor Paint Colors: Mindful Gray
- How to Choose the Best White Paint Color
- The Best Blue Green Paint Colors for Your Home
- Beautiful Interior Door Paint Colors {inspiration}
If this gray isn't the right color for you, check out this section of the blog to find the perfect paint color.
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