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When it comes to picking a neutral hue, you don't have to stick to whites only. In fact, light gray could be considered the perfect neutral. It provides just enough color to add depth to any room in your house while keeping your space feeling light and airy. It's the ideal color for anyone seeking a sophisticated and chic hue that's versatile enough for any decor style.
- Color Family:Gray
- Complementary Colors:No complementary colors
- Pairs Well With:Pair cool light gray with blues and greens; pair warm light grays with deeper orange and red-based hues
- Mood:Crisp and calming
- Where to Use:Anywhere in the home, including walls, cabinets, and vanities
From warm to cool undertones, we asked designers to share the 12 best light gray paint colors to help you pick the right hue for every room in your house.
01of 12
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
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According to Sherri Monte of Elegant Simplicity, Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter is the perfect warmgreige tone that still feels distinctively neutral. "It's absolutely timeless for every room in your home," Monte says. "It's elegant and light in the bright spaces of your home yet sophisticated and classic in the darker areas."
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02of 12
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
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"If you're looking for a very pale warm gray, Classic Gray is your choice," says Monte of the Benjamin Moore shade. "It is one of our go-to colors because, although it's very light, it adds such a strong warm energy to a home."
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03of 12
Clare Paint Seize the Gray
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A newbie on the paint scene, Clare Paint's Seize the Gray is a wonderful middle-of-the-road light gray paint. According to Joanna Hawley-McBride of Jojotastic, this hue is "a neutral-tonedgraythat isn't too light and isn't too dark" and is perfect for a dining room.
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Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
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Kim Valente of Brick + Beam Studio loves Benjamin Moore's Fieldstone because "it looks great in so many different lighting conditions. It has a little bit of a green undertone but is still warm enough to keep the room looking cozy and inviting."
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05of 12
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
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One of Benjamin Moore's best-selling colors, Gray Owl is a versatile light gray. According to Valente, it has a great balance of warm and cool undertones. "[Gray Owl] does change dramatically in different lighting situations, which is great if you’re using it in several rooms because it will look different from room to room depending on the lighting conditions," she says.
Instead of using white primer, consider a gray-tinted printer, especially before applying very light paint colors. This will allow you to do fewer coats and still end up with a vibrant color.
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06of 12
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
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"It can be hard to find a truegraypaint color that doesn't feel too greige or too blue and adds just enough warmth to any space," says Monte. But Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams is just that. It's great for living rooms and bedrooms and pairs well with a wide variety of hues due to its neutral undertones.
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07of 12
Sherwin-Williams Analytical Gray
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One of the darker light-gray hues on our list, Analytical Gray by Sherwin-Williams is a favorite of Valente's because it's an almost greige shade with soft green undertones. "It’s easy to pair this paint color with either warm grays or tans in your furniture and accessories," she says.
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08of 12
Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray
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"AmazingGrayis a warm gray, with some depth to it," says Valente of the Sherwin-Williams hue. "It’s a great color to use in an open floor plan or in a main living area because it creates a great neutral backdrop."
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09of 12
Farrow & Ball Cornforth White
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Farrow & Ball's Cornforth White is a sophisticated gray with a subtle blend of both warm and cool undertones. It's a wonderful neutral gray that pairs beautifully with soft blues or blushes and creates a tranquil feel.
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10of 12
Benjamin Moore Light Pewter
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Amanda Amato-Scotto of AMA Designs loves to use Benjamin Moore's Light Pewter in bedrooms for a soothing vibe. "Although it may be the lightest color on the paint strip, it still has enough color to make white trim pop," she says.
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Valspar Soulful Grey
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A warmer gray, Valspar's Soulful Grey is ideal for nurseries or bedrooms. It's mellow but still holds its own when paired with other neutrals or even bold paint shades.
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Sherwin-Williams Modern Gray
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Sherwin-Williams' Modern Gray is a warm gray that feels clean and crisp. We love it when paired with dusty oranges, olives, and even darker grays, and it works in nearly any room in the house.
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11 Perfect Tan Paint Colors for Your Ideal Neutral Space
