Looking for the perfect neutral paint color for your home? Light gray is the perfect option! Here are some of the most popular shades.
If you are looking for a neutral paint color for your home, gray is a great option – it is not as stark as white, but it is still very neutral and can mesh with a lot of decor colors and styles.
In fact, gray is one of the most popular colors to paint your home to get ready to sell it! We painted almost our whole home Online by Sherwin Williams.
Why is gray paint so popular?
Gray is a super popular paint color because it can complement so many other colors and coordinates with almost any color scheme.
However, selecting a gray paint color can be hard!
There are so many things to consider – shades, undertones, and lightness or darkness.
Light gray is typically more universally flattering compared to darker grays, so that is what I am focusing on today.
How to pick the best light gray paint color for your home
There are few things to consider when selecting a paint color for your home.
First is to pick a color family. Congrats – if you are here, it seems like you picked light gray 🙂
Then, think about colors within that family. Do you want something lighter or darker? Brighter or more muted? What undertones do you want?
Next, you want to get paint samples. I suggest buying at least three paint samples if you want to paint walls. Paint them on your walls in at LEAST three different spots.
You want to make sure you have test spots near anything that is not changing, such as trim, carpet or flooring, or cabinets.
Now, let that dry (do 2 coats if it needs it) and then look at it over the course of at least 2 days. Look at it in morning, day, and evening light. Look at it with the lights on and the lights off.
All of these things effect how a paint color looks in your room!
I am excited to break down some of the most popular light gray paint colors with you.
Most popular light gray paint color
I think that the most popular light gray paint color is Agreeable Gray. This is a warm greige color and it seems to be the color that every builder paints every wall of the house.
My sister and I both bought homes that were painted agreeable gray so clearly someone things it is the the best light greige paint color!
Be sure to read my Agreeable Gray review and all about the best Agreeable Gray coordinating colors!
Love paint colors? Be sure to check out:
- The best blue-gray paint colors
- My favorite paint colors for master bedrooms
- The best navy blue paint colors for your home
The Best Light Gray Paint Colors
Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7029)
Undertones: yellow, gold
Warm tone
Agreeable Gray is an extremely popular home interior paint color. It’s often a color chosen by builders to paint the entire inside of a home.
Click here for my full review of Agreeable Gray!
It’s not hard to see why. Agreeable Gray is the perfect warm greige paint color – a gray-beige – and is an amazing warmer gray tone to use in almost any home.
It’s a really universal color for when you are looking for something super neutral. It’s a very safe choice!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Agreeable Gray.
Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore (HC-172)
Undertones: yellow-green
Warm tone
Revere Pewter is another super popular greige paint color. It is a really warm gray paint color.
This color is ever so slightly darker and more beige than Agreeable Gray, but they are both very very similar.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Revere Pewter.
Worldly Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7043)
Undertones: green
Cool tone
Worldly Gray is another greige color. However, it has green undertones instead of yellow. What the heck does that mean?
The very very very slight amount of blue and green in the undertones make this greige read as much less warm, especially in natural light.
If you are confused between them, get a sample of each Worldly Gray and Agreeable Gray. They are both great shades of beigey-gray, bit side by side you will see the difference.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Worldly Gray.
Gossamer Veil by Sherwin Williams (SW 9165)
Undertones: slightly yellow
Warm tone
Gossamer Veil is a light warm gray color. It is definitely still very similar to beige, but much more gray than beige.
It is a very creamy neutral gray and works well on it’s own, with stark white trim, but it also pairs really really nicely with dark colors like black and navy blue as an accent.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Gossamer Veil.
Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC-173)
Undertones: yellow/beige
Warm tone
Edgecomb Gray is a soft, warm, comfortable greige paint color.
Click here for my complete review of Edgecomb Gray
It really fluctuated between appearing more beige and more gray depending on the lighting, so be sure to test it in your room during multiple times of the day to be sure you like how it looks.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Edgecomb Gray.
Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7015)
Undertones: brown, purple
Warm tone
This is a very soft classic gray paint color. However, especially in artificial lighting, it can read as a tiny bit lilac or purple.
Click here for my complete review of Repose Gray.
It’s not starkly purple, though. It can almost read as green during bright natural light. It’s these intricacies in the undertones that make it a really interesting and not-boring shade of gray.
If you are considering this color, be sure to try it on multiple spots in your home and look at it day and night to be sure you like how it reads!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Repose Gray.
Repose Gray vs Agreeable Gray
Repose Gray + Agreeable Gray are both super popular neutral greige paint colors. At a glance, both of these greige colors are very similar.
However, when you get them next to each other you will notice that Agreeable Gray is warmer and more beige while Repose Gray is slightly greener with more gray to it.
You can see my full comparison of agreeable gray vs repose gray here.
Drift of Mist by Sherwin Williams (SW 9166)
Undertones: slightly yellow
Warm tone
Drift of Mist is one shade lighter than Gossamer Veil on the paint strip and therefore has many of the same characteristics – just slightly lighter.
It is an amazing gray beige color, usually looking more gray than beige. It’s a bit creamy and pairs really well with deep dark neutrals. It’s a great option for a pale gray!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Drift of Mist.
Seagull Gray by Behr (N360-1)
Undertones: crisp gray
Cool toned
This is a very true classic gray paint color with very crisp gray tones. It is very very pale and looks especially pale in bright natural light.
It is not at all beige and warm but also doesn’t have blue undertones, making it a great neutral option for small and large rooms alike.
Shoreline by Benjamin Moore (BM 1471)
Undertones: purple
Warm Tone
Shoreline is a nice, beachy light gray paint color. It has a warm tone to it and feels very soft and cozy.
However, beware – it can read a bit lavender purple in certain light. It’s not a cool blue but a warm purpley color.
It is very very pale and is great for a space where you want just a tiny bit of color.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Shoreline.
Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball (N. 228)
Undertones: yellow/beige
Warm tone
Cornforth White is a very neutral mid-to-light greige color. It’s got nice warm beige undertones but still reads as more gray than beige.
This shade is very creamy and almost antique looking. It looks very light in well lit, natural light. I love this color especially for cabinets or furniture!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Cornforth White.
Cloud by Dunn-Edwards (DEC 791)
Undertones: blue
Cool tone
This is a much more cool toned, putty-like gray paint color. It isn’t quite icy but still is much more cool with slight blue undertones.
It is a very very light color that can almost read as white in a light, bright room.
Front Porch by Sherwin Williams (SW 7651)
Undertones: blue/gray
Cool tone
Front Porch is really a true gray color that is slightly cool with very slight blue undertones.
It is a bit darker for a “light gray” – it’s like a light-medium color, but it’s perfect if you want a little more color than some of the very pale gray colors.
This is a great option to pair with dark wood tones and crisp white trim.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Front Porch.
Passive by Sherwin Williams (SW 7064)
Undertones: blue/green
Cool tone
Passive is a soft blue-gray with a tiny hint of green to it. It is fairly light but not pale in shade.
It is very soothing and almost spa-like, making it a great color choice for a master bedroom or bathroom.
It feels light and airy and can therefore pair nicely if you have heavier, darker furniture, to lighten it up a bit.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Passive.
Modern Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7632)
Undertones: yellow, beige, pink
Warm tone
Modern Gray is a very taupe-y greige color. It has almost pink undertones in the beige, making it feel very cozy and warm.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Modern Gray.
Skimming Stone by Farrow and Ball (No. 241)
Undertones: pink
Warm tone
Skimming Stone is a very warm, neutral greige color with slight pink undertones. It was designed to resemble 19th century plaster and is warm, cozy, and comforting.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Skimming Stone.
Moonshine by Benjamin Moore (OC-56)
Undertones: green, blue
Cool toned
Moonshine is a cool gray color with slight blue to green undertones. It is very light in shade and can read as almost white in a very bright room. It is very soft and comfortable.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Moonshine.
Irish Mist by Behr (790C-1)
Undertones: taupe
Warm tone
Irish Mist is a very light taupey gray color. It reads as very light toned and is almost a creamy off white. This is a great neutral option if you want a very pale gray paint color.
Granite Dust by Behr (MQ3-6)
Undertones: pink
Warm tone
Granite Dust is a warm gray tone. It is still a light gray, but it has a bit more color to it than some of the pale gray color choices.
Gull Wing Gray by Benjamin Moore (2134-50)
Undertones: blue
Cool tones
Gull Wing Gray is a cool toned gray color that is highly pigmented – it’s borderline medium gray and not super light. It definitely has strong blue undertones, but is a great option if you want a vibrant blue-gray color.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Gull Wing Gray.
Iced Cube Silver by Benjamin Moore (2121-50)
Undertones: blue
Cool tone
This gray paint color can read almost as a light, muted baby blue color. Definitely don’t pick it if you don’t like blue! If you do like blue, it’s a great option for a very pale and neutral shade.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Iced Cube.
Pale Smoke by Benjamin Moore (1584)
Undertones: blue, green
Cool toned
Pale Smoke is a very muted gray-teal color. It definitely reads as very blue/green, so don’t expect it to be a true gray color. However, it is mostly gray, which keeps it from feeling too colorful or like a baby’s room.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Pale Smoke.
Misty by Sherwin Williams (SW 6232)
Undertones: blue
Cool Toned
Misty is a very cool toned gray color with a lot of blue undertones. It often reads as a light blue when used for an entire room or paired with blue accessories and accent colors.
Click here for my complete review of Sherwin Williams Misty
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Misty.
Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC-170)
Undertones: slight blue
Cool toned
Stonington Gray is a cool gray color that is much more true-gray than many of it’s other similarly blue-undertoned gray paint colors. It’s cool toned but not icy cool. It’s almost the color of a storm cloud!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Stonington Gray.
Rodeo by Benjamin Moore (1534)
Undertones: pink
Warm tone
Rodeo is a warm, sandy gray color with very very slight pink undertones. It’s a good option if you are looking for a creamy greige paint color. It looks very light and bright in large, naturally lit rooms.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Rodeo.
Graytint by Benjamin Moore (1611)
Undertones: blue
Cool toned
Gray tint is a slightly cool toned gray color. It can read a little blue in certain lights, but it very much mostly gray. It has a little bit more pigment than most pale gray paint colors.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Graytint.
Sleigh Bells by Benjamin Moore (1480)
Undertones: green
Cool tones
Sleigh Bells is a cool toned gray paint color. It has a lot of blue and green to it but also has a decent amount of pigment (for a light gray) so it is a great option for adding an interesting, cool blue color that won’t read as too white.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Sleigh Bells.
Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore (2137-60)
Undertones: blue/green
Cool tone
Gray owl is a very popular cool gray paint color. It has ever so slight blue and green undertones. It is very light and reads fairly pale especially in bright rooms.
Be aware that the brighter the room, the more the blue undertones tend to come out. Always try a sample in your space!
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Gray Owl.
Gray Cashmere by Benjamin Moore (2138-60)
Undertones: blue/green
Cool toned
Gray Cashmere is a really beautiful light gray color with a lot of blue and green undertones. It is mostly gray, but really has a nice interesting cool tone to it. If you love decorating with blues and greens, this is a great neutral backdrop for you.
Click here to order a 12″x12″ peel and stick sample of Gray Cashmere.
Get paint samples!
Samplize will send you 12″x12″ peel and stick samples of paint colors from many popular brands so you can see exactly how they will look in your home!
Love paint colors? Be sure to check out:
- The Paint Color Formula – my complete guide to picking paint colors!
- My guide to paint sheens
- My guide to paint undertones
Painting for the first time? Check out my video tutorial on the easiest & cleanest way to open a paint can!
What is your favorite light gray paint color?
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!
Ginger Rose
Wednesday 13th of January 2021
Would you suggest a paint color for a powder room with a spicy dark brown vanity, Carrara marble flooring with blue shades and Carrara marble sink . Thank you
Sean
Thursday 14th of January 2021
Hey Ginger - I assume by spicy you mean red/warm toned? If so, I would go with a warm gray. Gossamer Veil, Cornforth White, Skimming Stone, or Granite Dust are some choices that would all fit that bill!