Looking for the perfect neutral gray paint color for your home? Look no further! You'll find the best paint colors to start your search right here!
If you're struggling to find the right shade of gray for your home, you're definitely not alone. For a color that seems simple, gray is surprisingly complex.
Finding the right shade of gray can be so challenging that I wrote an entire post about how to do it! As with any paint color, I highly recommend choosing 2-3 (or more) of your favorite grays and swatching them on your walls.
Look at the paint colors throughout the day under every kind of lighting and see which one wins! Here are some of my favorite gray paints to start with.
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. No mess and no leftover pots of paint. Plus, these no-mess, peel-and-stick rectangles are made from real paint, easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!
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The Best Light Gray Paint Colors
When you're choosing a paint color, one easy way to narrow the field is to decide whether you want a light or a dark shade. Light gray paints feel airy and bright, and they look good in almost any room.
NOTE: If you're painting the room yourself, these tools will make a big difference. And this post shares my best tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps.
Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore
I'm kicking off the list of the best gray paints with my personal favorite, Revere Pewter. After a lot of deliberation and swatching, this is the color I finally chose for our open living room, entryway and hallways, and I absolutely love it.
It's a warm-toned gray with a soothing, calm feel. We could all use a bit more of that in our homes, right?
Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams
One of the most popular grays out there is Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams. It's a creamy gray that looks greige in some lights and slightly blue-gray in others. It's an easy color (dare I say agreeable?) with enough depth to stay interesting. Plus, it works in almost any room imaginable.
This living room from Green With Decor is a great example of how Agreeable Gray looks in a bright room, where it takes on a pretty gray-beige tone.
This beautiful home office and guest room combo from The Home I Create shows how Agreeable Gray looks against a white ceiling and white trim. It's a gray that designers reach for again and again because the trim pops against it.
Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams
Another of my favorite light grays is also from Sherwin Williams. Repose Gray is a warm gray shade that makes a very livable, cozy gray paint.
Compared with Agreeable Gray, Repose Gray is more of a true warm gray. To keep the beige undertones to a minimum, try using it in brighter spaces, like Jenna Kate at Home did in her dining room.
Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore
This is a go-to gray for many people. It's earthy and organic yet soft and stylish. If you're looking for a warm gray that works with any style imaginable, this may be the one.
It sits right next to Revere Pewter on the paint color strip, so the two are often used together.
Edgecomb Gray is a creamy color that looks like taupe in some lights and light gray in others. This entryway from Young House Love shows both tones in one room. The wall with the mirror looks almost taupe, while the wall behind the stairs is definitely more of a warm gray. Both tones are gorgeous!
Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore
Gray Owl is a new fan favorite you've probably been seeing all over Pinterest lately. Its popularity has jumped for a reason: it's gorgeous!
This is another warm gray that balances a welcoming, cozy tone with a neutral gray. In the right setting and lighting it's stunning. However, if there's too much artificial light and no natural light, it can start to look almost green. It's still pretty, but not exactly gray.
This photo from The Creativity Exchange is a great example. It looks so pretty against that brick, but the color in the darker corners looks quite different from the paint getting full light.
More of the Best Light Gray Paint Colors for Your Home
Other light grays that have caught my eye over the past few years are: Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams, Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore, Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore, Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams and Anew Gray by Sherwin Williams.
The Best Dark Gray Paint Colors
Let's talk about dark gray paint for a bit. While I'm clearly a fan of lighter shades, I think the darker ones are absolutely gorgeous. Contrary to popular belief, a darker shade doesn't make a room feel or look small. Instead, it creates a cozy space that can be as comfortable as it is dramatic.
I personally prefer darker grays on cabinetry or a piece of furniture, but they can be beautiful on walls too!
Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore
If you want to make a statement with color, nothing is more dramatic than this moody graphite gray. It's nearly as dark as you can go before it turns black. While I might shy away from painting an entire room this color, it's a fantastic accent wall shade.
I also absolutely love how Studio McGee used Cheating Heart as kitchen cabinet paint. The hardware pops off it so beautifully!
Graystone by Benjamin Moore
Graystone is a great mid-to-dark gray that can work almost as a neutral in the right setting. A great example is the guest bedroom Dear Lillie put together. The gray is definitely dark, but it doesn't feel overwhelming thanks to the natural light.
Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore
Kendall Charcoal is another mid-dark to medium gray that looks luxurious on these gorgeous kitchen cabinets from The Inspired Room. Pair it with crisp white walls, trim and upper white cabinets for a fresh, moody look. This color reads as true gray, though some may see a slight green/brown undertone.
I also used this color in my dining room before I did the whole makeover!
More of the Best Dark Gray Paint Colors for Your Home
Other dark grays that have caught my eye over the years are: Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore, Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore, Grizzle Gray by Sherwin Williams, Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams, Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams and Graphite by Benjamin Moore.
How to Choose a Whole House Color Palette
Whichever gray you pick, I strongly encourage you to test it first by painting it on a poster board and hanging that in various spots around the room throughout the day. Make sure it fits your home's color palette too. If you don't have one, create one right away! Here's how to create a whole house color palette.
More of the Best Home Decor Paint Colors:
Tips for Painting a Room Yourself
I've gathered some of the best tools for painting a room yourself. First, check out my post: Painting a Room in 5 Easy Steps. These are the top tools I use when painting my own rooms, which is how they get painted 95% of the time!
- Paint brush – These are a bit pricier than basic brushes, but they're worth it! I've used these for more than a decade. If you wash them thoroughly after each use, they'll last for years.
- Painter's tape – an absolute must for taping off edges. Unless you have a steady hand, you'll want to tape off every edge.
- Drop cloths – a must if you don't already have some lying around the house.
- Paint cup – Sure, you could use any old cup, but I've come to swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush neatly in place when you take a break. And it fits my hand perfectly, so it doesn't cramp me.
- Roller tray – This is the only paint tray I'll ever use again. The magnetic piece is great for holding the roller in place. The liners are a luxury, but I won't paint without them because they make cleanup a breeze!
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