12 Light Gray Paint Colors for the Perfect Neutral

By
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim has over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and content strategy. She held positions at Time Magazine, AOL, and JPMorgan Chase. She is also a home décor and DIY enthusiast who spends her free time decorating (and redecorating) her home.

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Updated on Apr 11, 2021
Gray gallery wall

Design: Emily Henderson Design; Photo: Tessa Neustadt

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.

01 of 12

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Entryway painted in Revere Pewter
 Elegant Simplicity

According to Sherri Monte of Elegant Simplicity, Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter is the perfect warm greige 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."

revere pewter
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter $42.00
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02 of 12

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Bathroom painted in classic gray
Elegant Simplicity

"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."

Classic Gray
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray $42.00
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03 of 12

Clare Paint Seize the Gray

Corner painted Seize the Gray

Jojotastic 

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-toned gray that isn't too light and isn't too dark" and is perfect for a dining room.

seize the gray
Clare Paint Seize the Gray $49.00
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04 of 12

Benjamin Moore Fieldstone

House painted with Fieldstone
Brick + Beam Studio

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."

fieldstone
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone $42.00
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05 of 12

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Living area painted Gray Owl

@diyplaybook

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.

gray owl
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl $42.00
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06 of 12

Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray

Rooms painted Repose Gray

@thevictorianfarmhouse

"It can be hard to find a true gray paint 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.

repose gray
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray $39.00
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07 of 12

Sherwin-Williams Analytical Gray

Bathroom painted gray

@leah.walder

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.

analytical gray
Sherwin-Williams Analytical Gray $39.00
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08 of 12

Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray

Sitting room with shelves

@oystercreekstudios

"Amazing Gray is 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."

amazing gray
Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray $39.00
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09 of 12

Farrow & Ball Cornforth White

Living area with gray walls

@edwardian_seaside_home

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.

cornforth white
Farrow & Ball Cornforth White $110.00
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10 of 12

Benjamin Moore Light Pewter

Bedroom painted with Light Pewter paint
AMA Designs

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.

light pewter
Benjamin Moore Light Pewter $42.00
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11 of 12

Valspar Soulful Grey

Living area with gray walls

@theevolutionofourhome

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.

soulful grey
Valspar Soulful Grey $52.00
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12 of 12

Sherwin-Williams Modern Gray

Kitchen with gray walls

@slcrone

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.

modern gray
Sherwin-Williams Modern Gray $39.00
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