Color Guide: How to Work With Light Gray
by Samantha Schoech · 32 photos · 20 comments
Light Gray on the Walls
Tranquility, in Benjamin Moore's Affinity palette, sets off the white trim and wainscoting in this feminine and traditional room. Bright white and light gray often have a sort of ethereal and romantic look together.
by Centsational Girl
Tranquility, in Benjamin Moore's Affinity palette, sets off the white trim and wainscoting in this feminine and traditional room. Bright white and light gray often have a sort of ethereal and romantic look together.
This cool gray accent wall in a big, modern room works because all the wood warms it up.
by Schwartz and Architecture 
This domed ceiling in a cool light gray (with hand-painted embellishments) gives this elegant room a dreamy quality.
by gogo gulgun selcuk
This pinkish gray is in the greige family. Dove Tale by Farrow & Ball; it's modern but welcoming and cozy too.
by Aidan Design
A very blue gray (Benjamin Moore's Glass Slipper) helps bridge the gap between the traditional elements in this room and the modern windows. The dollops of color relax it and give it warmth.
by Mackle Construction
A very pale cool gray is a soothing background for a simple, modern nursery.
by Nic Darling
A pale blue-gray on the walls and a darker warm gray behind the open shelving help give this modern farmhouse dining room its eclectic vibe.
by Emily McCall
This silvery gray wall covering sure looks like Maya Romanoff's Mother of Pearl collection.
by Kendall Wilkinson Design
Decorating With Light Gray
Variations in gray. A light gray bookshelf and desk against a slightly lighter gray on the walls. It all adds up to a sophisticated and soothing space.
by Horchow Variations in gray. A light gray bookshelf and desk against a slightly lighter gray on the walls. It all adds up to a sophisticated and soothing space.
Gray leather upholstery is such a nice change from the more usual black, white or brown. And it goes with anything. This chesterfield-style sofa would be at home in a traditional, modern or eclectic room.
by Martha O'Hara Interiors
Here's the ethereal gray and white combo I was talking about earlier. Just like sleeping in a cloud.
by Crane & Canopy
This oversize tufted headboard give this room a regal and commanding presence, but the soft gray keeps it welcoming and comforting.
by Tim Cuppett Architects
Romance in gray and creamy white. The wall color is ICI-Dulux's Silver Cloud.
by AM Dolce Vita
Light Gray to Set Off Color
First, these textured plaster walls are just too gorgeous to be true. Second, gray sets off bright pops of color as well as bright white. Wow, now that's magenta.
by Ligne Roset
First, these textured plaster walls are just too gorgeous to be true. Second, gray sets off bright pops of color as well as bright white. Wow, now that's magenta.
These bright turquoise chairs are set off beautifully by these cool blue-gray walls.
by CWB Architects
In a wonderfully eclectic room, lots of ethnic pattern and color are balanced by the crisp gray walls and white trim.
grey and purple
Two shots of turquoise in this very subdued gray and white midcentury kitchen.
by Torbit Studio
Sunshine yellow and light gray are a match made in heaven. Just think sunshine and rain clouds.
by Tara Seawright
Light Gray in the Kitchen
Light gray sets off the texture in marble and goes well with stainless appliances. But look for a warm shade to avoid the laboratory look.
by Nerland Building & Restoration, Inc.
Light gray sets off the texture in marble and goes well with stainless appliances. But look for a warm shade to avoid the laboratory look.
Light gray Shaker-style cabinets are a great way to modernize a traditional look.
by CliqStudios Cabinets
This very warm greige on the upper cabinets gives this kitchen a cozy farmhouse look but is still crisp and modern.
Painted Kitchen
Weathered Wood
Many woods weather to a beautiful silvery gray. These light gray wood floors are an unexpected alternative to the usual brown.
dining room Many woods weather to a beautiful silvery gray. These light gray wood floors are an unexpected alternative to the usual brown.
This weathered wood wall adds texture and a hit of nature to a stark white space.
by Robert Young Architects
Light Gray Exteriors
A light gray Craftsman home with white, charcoal and red accents.
by Avenue B Development
A light gray Craftsman home with white, charcoal and red accents.
Light gray is the traditional color of Cape Cod–style houses.
by Siemasko + Verbridge
This very warm Copley Gray has an earthiness that looks great with wood.
by DeForest Architects
Light French Gray Paint [ Link ]
A true light gray. This will appear much darker on the walls. As with any paint, make sure you test the color on the walls before buying.
by Sherwin-Williams
Calm Paint [ Link ]
by Benjamin Moore
Comments
Rough Linen I painted the whole of the interior of my Regency house in London a warm, stormy gray, white trim, and never fell out of love with it.
6 months ago · Like
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maxinefoot all these room sets are large rooms can grey work well in small rooms
6 months ago · Like
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mdlonnie A soft warm grey feature wall looked fabulous in my small (3x4mtr) lounge room.
6 months ago · Like
olldbobbi Love the Sea Salt, best gray I've seen so far.
6 months ago · Like
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Paintings by Kirsten Elizabeth Gilmore I've noticed that paintings in warm colors really stand out well against a cool (blue-ish) gray, while those in cooler colors work well with the warmer grays (that have more brown in them). Sometimes I use these combinations within a painting, but you could easily do this when pairing paintings with the wall colors that they hang against. 
6 months ago · Like
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JAN MOYER Two FABULOUS soft greys, trust me: Sherwin Williams "Zircon" and Benjamin Moore "Wish" Benjamin Moore (wish) is great right from the can but even better is have the paint store halve the formula! To die. Both very clean, not too blue, not too light not too dark, and not too brown or too green! " Pure" Perfection with white trim, in almost any room you can think of. For a deep, dark mysterious grey, try Sherwin Williams "Peppercorn" .... nice in a powder room, or for kitchen cabinetry, and totally elegant.
5 months ago · Like
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fabtwigs @Maxinefoot - I have a small bedroom and I used Benjamin Moore Sheridan Gray (DC-07) on the walls. I am just in love with it! http://fabtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/11/master-bedroom.html 
5 months ago · Like
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DUEALBERI Thank you for this wonderful post and these great examples! Pale grey is really the most versatile neutral color and it makes the interiors look elegant, sober and refined.
5 months ago · Like
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Vickycita Diez felicitaciones que belleza...sin palabras.
5 months ago · Like
frenchdecor Is there really someone who doesn't know how to work with GRAY, yet? It's a new BEIGE!
5 months ago · Like
sunnyinga I love the gray trend too! I painted the main living areas, foyer, and halls C2's Ostrich which is a warm gray. I used Ben Moore's Dove White for the trim. It looks updated, and works well with so many colors.
5 months ago · Like
rudi2010 GRAY IS GREAT
5 months ago · Like
luvleestuff I took on the task of painting the entire interior of home my gray. It was a huge quest to find a "neutral" gray that I felt would go with any decor. After searching and looking at numerous swatches and researching for that neutral gray, I ended up using Benjamin Moore's HC 172/Revere Pewter. It is described as " A light gray with warm undertones, this classic shade creates a unifying look that calms and restores. A great transitional color, it's perfect for an open floor plan." Hope this helps someone with picking out the right gray.
5 months ago · Like
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Mona Thank you to all of the posters who put the color swatch numbers on them, I cannot wait to do one of my rooms.....much appreciate...I love this site! To "luvleestuff....do you have a photo of the finished product, would love to see it!
5 months ago · Like
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schiltz I love the gray colors ... but i have cherry-finished cabinets and woodwork. Can gray work with this color?
5 months ago · Like
karmakshanti I have always loved this neutral, but it tends to force extremes in fixtures and furniture that may interfere with a changing home's future needs. A total re-do every time a house needs a change of pace or a makeover is not realistic for many homeowners.
5 months ago · Like
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JAN MOYER Not sure what you mean by "extremes" in fixtures and furniture. Gray, like all other paint colors can exude a desired feel with a change in color depth, tone, or gloss. But it looks fabulous with traditional or modern fixtures and furniture, with pale woods or dark woods. An exception might be that orangey oak! It will take a huge variety of accents colors from soft to intense, and either warm or cool depending your gray! Versatility to the max.
5 months ago · Like
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wrightib I've used the Sherwin Williams Sea Salt paint in several clients homes, and I live with it in my own bath. I would say that it is definitely an aqua tone, rather than gray. It's my very favorite shade!
5 months ago · Like
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ozana When I painted my walls greige back in 2004 everybody called it a mistake. I liked it the and I like it now!!
5 months ago · Like
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SpaceStyle Home Staging & Organizing Gray is definitely my fave new neutral. I just finished by basement with this in mind. The bathroom and kitchenette both have greys in the tile, caesar stone counters, backsplashes and paint. We chose a soft colour for the walls, Benjamin Moore's Grey Owl, and did a feature wall of Kendall Charcoal where the home theatre resides. 
5 months ago · Like
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