It's safe to say that gray is a perfect neutral paint color. Gray paint colors are particularly versatile because of their wide range of undertones. A warm gray or greige (a combination of gray and beige) paint color most closely resembles a beige and can be used almost interchangeably. Cool grays can appear more modern and fresh, with soft blue and green undertones.
The beautiful secret about using gray as a neutral is that it allows you to decorate with bolder blues or calmer beiges. Gray walls somehow manage to stay crisp, even in darker shades. The key to finding the right gray for your space is to sample colors thoroughly and correctly.
- Color Family: Neutral
- Complementary Colors: No direct complementary colors in gray; they already have little bits of color in them
- Pairs Well With: Everything from whites and pastels to darkest tones
- Mood: Light shades generally peaceful, darker shades more dramatic and masculine
- Where to Use: All walls, any room, even kitchen cabinets
Here are our 10 picks of the best gray paint colors for your home.
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01 of 10
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
The Spruce
Sherwin-Williams' Repose Gray (SW 7015) is a versatile cool, moody gray with a slight hint of green and the palest of purple undertones. It's a great color for dreamy bedrooms or living rooms with a lot of natural light. This gray will pick up cool undertones in complementary colors, so pair it with soft greens and blues, and even navy, for the most stunning effect.
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02 of 10
Benjamin Moore Dior Gray
The Spruce
If you want to go bold with your gray, consider a deep, soothing dark gray like Benjamin Moore's Dior Gray (2133-40). This rich color works in bathrooms and bedrooms and pairs well with golds and rich reds for a classic palette that will transcend trends. When placed next to a fresh white subway tile, Dior Gray looks extremely chic and modern.
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03 of 10
Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone
The Spruce
Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone (241) is a light, warm gray that looks stunning next to natural wood trim or flooring. It looks beautiful in a bedroom, providing a soothing and calming atmosphere. It looks striking next to a classic, stark white, but also pairs well with deeper grays and blues.
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04 of 10
The Spruce Best Home Gravity Gray
The Spruce
A light gray is a great choice if you crave minimalist, monochromatic styles but want a color that's a bit punchier than white. The Spruce Best Home Gravity Gray ( SPR-30) is a light, cool gray with blue undertones that lends a silvery touch to your walls. This shade pairs beautifully with other cool tones such as blue or crisp whites and works well for any size bedroom.
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05 of 10
Valspar Gray-Green Linen
The Spruce
No list of gorgeous neutral grays would be complete without a green-greige paint color. Valspar's Gray-Green Linen (V142-3) is extremely versatile in most spaces and will look slightly different depending on the accents you pair it with and the natural light streaming into the room. Next to cool undertones, Gray-Green Linen will appear a little more gray while it will take on a strong beige look next to warm colors. In bright light, the green undertones will shine through.
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06 of 10
Behr Irish Mist
The Spruce
Behr's Irish Mist (790C-1) has an airy quality, making it the perfect paint for a darker bedroom or bathroom without a lot of natural light. There is a slight warmth to this pale white gray that makes it much more versatile than a traditional beige neutral. Pairing it with crisp white trim will help lighten the color even more.
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07 of 10
Benjamin Moore Sea Star
The Spruce
If you want a gray with a little more oomph, consider Sea Star (2123-30), a blue-gray from Benjamin Moore. This cool gray has a teal undertone making it a soothing choice for bedrooms or attic offices. It reminds us of sea glass and is a wonderful color for evoking the feel of the beach, even if there's no sand for miles.
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08 of 10
Clark+Kensington Sheer Mist
The Spruce
Sheer Mist (N-C9) by Clark+Kensington is a soothing and pure gray without any major undertones. This cool, light gray can effectively replace a pale neutral when you need to tone down the warmth of a color scheme. It's also a nice option if you're going for a classic gray rather than a beige or greige.
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09 of 10
Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray
The Spruce
Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray (SW 7044) is a warmer gray void of any harsh yellow undertones. It has a lot of depth and works well with warm whites to create a modern, monochromatic palette. Try it in a kitchen with white cabinets and a few accents with some pops of color.
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10 of 10
Magnolia Prairie Smoke
The Spruce
If you want a dramatic look, an almost-black-but-not-quite gray is the way to go. We love Magnolia's Prairie Smoke for added dimension and personality. This deep gray has soft green undertones and is surprisingly versatile, which will work beautifully in a bedroom, dining room, or living space where you want darker walls. Keep the rest of the color palette bright to avoid Prairie Smoke feeling too dark.
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