No longer is gray only associated with dreary days or dull, drab paint. Gray has undergone a transformation over the years and now is a top color in paint trends. Gray has not only replaced beige as the go-to neutral color, but grays are now synonymous with style, class, and minimalism.
With so many shades of gray paint these days, it can be a challenge to pick the right one. We know the story far too well. You choose that perfect shade of gray after an hour of looking at paint samples at the store and just know you chose the right one.
You start painting the walls, or have your painter start and don’t notice till the color is swept across half of one wall when you know the shade is all wrong. Believe us; it’s not your fault, gray is tricky. Maybe it came out more periwinkle than that light, calm gray you thought or more muddy brown than bright and clean. Each room will change a shade of gray dramatically, and the light whether it’s natural or from bulbs will also convert the color. So how can you be sure you have chosen that perfect shade of gray and can confidently dive into the bucket?
Shades of Gray Paint – Which One is Right for Me?
The first thing to ask yourself is what undertone do you want? All grays have a little bit of color to them. Do you want a light gray, medium gray, charcoal gray? A blueish gray, purple gray, blackish gray? We will sum up some of the most popular shades of gray paint types to help you narrow down just what you are looking for.
Subtle Gray
A subtle gray tint is the new white and a standard choice for sellers or renters. A nice subtle gray will make a small room feel more bright and open and in short, bigger.
Silver Gray.
A lighter gray paint color can appear silver and luminous in a well-lit space. When paired with white, this is a very glamorous and clean look, far from boring.
Medium Gray
A soft mid-tone gray is very gender neutral and lovely with colors like vivid yellow accents. This is fantastic for the indecisive decorator since it pretty much matches everything,
Greige (Beige and Gray)
A warm gray with brown undertones is incredible neutral. This is a fantastic color for a home office or living room. This color is warm and cozy.
Blue Gray
Grays with blue undertones are very fresh and serene. When going for a blue-gray, it’s imperative you test the color in a small area you will be painting in as sometimes it can be more gray or blue than on the swatch. Bluish grays are an excellent color for a bedroom or bathroom.
Charcoal/smokey gray. This sophisticated and calming color is ideal for the master bedroom. The deepest shades create a contract against clean white bedding and relaxing space.
And to make it more complicated, these aren’t the only shades of gray paint! Our best tip for you is to get one or two that you love (or more if you like) at the store and take them samples to try on the wall of the room you will be painting. Put a small sample on each wall and see how it looks with the light and space. This is the ideal way to know if you have picked that perfect color.
