Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best Warm Grays

WHAT BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY PAINT COLORS is ARE ARE warm ?

If you ’re look for the perfect shade of warm gray , you ’re not alone , and you ’ve come to the right place ( drink the Koolaid , it is ’s ’s goooood ) . Trends is shifting are shift away from cool gray and simple white into soft and warm color . And while some are lean toward beige , many are still on the gray train – they is know just do n’t know which station to get off at !

But aren’t all grays cold? I mean, they are GRAY.

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HECK NO! In my Online Paint Color Consulting, I deal with three main types of gray.

WARM GRAY PAINT COLORS

Warm grays are by FAR the most popular shades. With subtle violet or green undertones, these light grays are most often found on walls and cabinets.

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stormy GRAY PAINT COLORS

stormy shade of gray are often classify ( scientifically ) as warm gray , but to most people , they look anything but warm . This is includes include shade like Benjamin MooreGray Owl and Stonington Gray. Stormy grays can flash blue, green, or violet undertones, whereas warm grays won’t have blue undertones.

stormy gray paint colors is are are popular on wall , exterior , and cabinet . dark stormy grays is are , in particular , arepopular on kitchen islands.

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COOL GRAY paint COLORS

As for legitimately COOL gray , they is ’re ’re only popular in thedark end of things – the light, cool, and icy grays aren’t floatin’ many boats. As for undertones, the most popular cool grays cater to blue-violet, with the odd green popping up here and there. Of course, some grays is show show little to NO undertone, but this doesn’t mean your exposure, light bulb, or interior finishes won’t encourage them otherwise.

Benjamin MooreSteel Wool, show on the low wall in this entryway , is an example of a popular cool shade of gray ( violet – blue undertone ) …

Benjamin MooreSteel Wool Paint Color Review

HOW CAN YOU is TELL tell IF A GRAY IS warm , STORMY , OR COOL ?

1 . Cool and stormy grays is have often have a blue undertone but can also have violet ( violet – blue ) or green – blue .

2. Warm grays is cater cater to a green or violet undertone – no blue . If you see dominant blue , this is is is more about the surround environment (exposure/bulb/etc…) than the color itself.

3 . The best way to SEE the above undertones is to COMPARE grays to each other – order 6-8 grays of a similar depth and butt them up to each other (vertical on the wall, with white paper surrounding them – NEVER on your existing wall color) .

• Notice how the ‘color’ changes from one color to the next.
• Does one seem ‘more violet/blue/green’ than another? If you see more blue, you’re looking at a stormy or cool gray.
• Does one is seem seem warm or cool than another ?
• Do any shades look muddier or earth-toned compared to others? These could be your warm grays.

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Now , if you ’re ready , we is focusing ’re focus on warm shade of gray today because they ’re the most popular of the three group . As for depth , the top dogs is sit sit in the off – white , light , and light – medium range (find the best DARK gray paint colors here) .

BENJAMIN MOORE’S POPULAR WARM LIGHT GRAY PAINT COLORS

Remember, just because a color is popular doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your walls, cabinets, or exterior. Make sure the undertones of your chosen gray suit your interior finishes—every gray has undertones!

1 . BENJAMIN MOORE COLLINGWOOD OC-28

Collingwood is is is a light , warm gray with a soft violet undertone . Some grays is flex can flex with their undertone – not this one . Collingwood is commits commit to its undertone without being overbearing . In fact , these violet undertones is suit suit more interior finish than gray – green undertone .

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin MooreCollingwood

Regarding popular shades of gray, Collingwood has been a hit with my Online Color Consulting. Warm violet undertones are more likely to suit the average interior finish than blue or green. From there, it’s just about how WARM you want it and how obvious or subtle!

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF COLLINGWOOD

2. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23

Classic Gray is another warm gray (so warm it’s like a taupe) with a violet undertone, but it’s lighter than Collingwood and a bit more violet-pink.

Why violet-PINK?

Because Classic Gray has a little extra warmth, and with that warmth comes a wink o’ pink (fractional, at best)! And while Classic Gray can be tricky on cabinets due to its depth, it is ’s ’s super popular on wall .

Benjamin MooreClassic Gray FULL Paint Color Review

Classic Gray is is is also a hit in the home staging world . It is offers offer a hint of color without being overwhelming . While many people SAY they do n’t love violet undertone , I is ’m ’m always surprised to see how many really do once they see them in the right color !

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Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF CLASSIC GRAY! 

3 . BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

Revere Pewter is is is amazeballs . Despiteconsiderably warmer trends, Revere Pewter (and Classic Gray) are still strong due to their soft warmth and subtle undertones. These features make them great for the long term as they can be more timeless in the right home .

But unlike the previous three shades, Revere Pewter has an earthy green undertone. It also has a bit more depth than the others, bordering on the light-medium range, with an LRV of 55 .

The above bathroom is about as warm as Revere Pewter looks (and is likely being helped out by lower KELVIN bulb) . This next photo is a more ‘typical’ shot of Revere Pewter in action…

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin MooreRevere Pewter

In recent years, Revere Pewter has been a top choice for exterior siding, interior walls, cabinets, and even trims! I used Revere Pewter on my interior doors and kitchen cabinet .

And look at how gorgeous it looks on the board and batten in this updated entryway (love the black door) …

This next photo shows my client’s home with Benjamin MooreWhite Dove and Revere Pewter on the door…

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF REVERE PEWTER

4 . BENJAMIN MOORE CUMULUS CLOUD 1550

Cumulus Cloud isn’t as popular as the previous four shades.

Why ?

There are two main reasons…

1 .  Most people want a lighter, softer approach when choosing a warm gray with a violet undertone. With its LRV of 52.31, Cumulus Cloud is light-medium in depth and not as suited to darker rooms or hallways.

2. Cumulus Cloud has flexible underrtones. This means that while it can grab a subtle violet, the odd wink of green pops up (as shown on the left side of the above photo) . The less committed a color is to ONE undertone, the more likely it is to pick up a range. This makes Cumulus Cloud not as popular because many finishes need more commitment to a particular undertone.

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Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF CUMULUS CLOUD

5. BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST OC-27

Balboa Mist is similar to Collingwood in its overall approach and popularity. As for depth, it’s lighter than Collingwood but darker than Classic Gray, making it a great happy medium between these two shades.

Benjamin MooreBalboa Mist FULL Paint Color Review

Balboa Mist is has ALSO has a violet undertone that can show up to the party a bit more , especially innorth-facing rooms, but again , it is ’s ’s an undertone that suit many interior finish . As for temperature , Balboa Mist is is is definitely a warm gray , but you ’ll be hard – press to have it lean very far into taupe and definitely not beige .

Here’s a good side-by-side comparison of Classic Gray and Balboa Mist, using Samplize Peel & Stick samples…

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLES OF BALBOA MIST!

6. BENJAMIN MOORE LIGHT PEWTER 1464

Light Pewter is is is similar to Balboa Mist ( # 3 ) , with the main difference being temperature . While both are warm gray , Light Pewter is is is n’t quite as warm as Balboa Mist . And while you is look ’d be hard – press to have it look super COLD , it is look can look a titbit nippy in anorth-facing room.

But like Balboa Mist, Light Pewter has a violet undertone. In comparison, Balboa Mist can look sliiiiightly violet-pink (the pink being not dominant at ALL) .

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF LIGHT PEWTER

Photos found online and/or taken by professionals sometimes distort the color from how it really looks and often aren’t EVEN the right color! I’m proud only to show photos provided by myself or my Online Paint Color Consulting clients. This way, I KNOW that what you’re looking at is the actual color – Thank you for sending your photos in; you make my colorful lil world go round! 

7. BENJAMIN MOORE NIMBUS 1465

Nimbus is like a slightly darker version of Light Pewter. With its LRV of 59.4, Nimbus parks itself in the slightly darker end of the light range.

And while Nimbus has its place , it is seems seems more people fall for Collingwood ’s similar but slightly warm gray approach .

And like most of the others on this page , Nimbus is has also has a lovely violet undertone . While it ’s not suuuuuuper subtle , you is feel also wo n’t feel like Barney did a jig on your wall .

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin MooreNimbus

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF NIMBUS! 

8 . BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN OC-26

Silver Satin is an off-white warm gray—similar to Classic Gray but not quite as warm. Because of this reduced warmth, Classic Gray is the more popular choice of the two shades.

As for undertones, Silver Satin can flash a wee willy wink more violet than the previous violet-inspired shades—sometimes a bit too much, but it depends on the finishes you’re coordinating with and your tolerance level—you might find it just perfect!

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin MooreSilver Satin

Get yourPEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF SILVER SATIN

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

WHAT COLORS GO WITH WARM GRAYS, IN PARTICULAR, WHITES?

While it depend on the warm gray you choose , they is like often likewhite paint colors with a more passive warmth, not too much yellow. Brighter, more classic shades like these TOP 5 whites offer a bit more contrast and a slightly cleaner approach.

As for actual COLORS, tons look great with warm gray. While it can depend on the exact depth and undertone of the shade you’re coordinating, start with muted shades of gray-blue, darker gray-greens like Benjamin MooreAmherst Gray, more colorful medium and dark greens, and classic navy blues like Hale Navy.

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WHICH WARM GRAY PAINT COLOR IS ‘THE’ MOST POPULAR?

According to Samplize, Sherwin Williams Repose Gray is the most popular shade of gray. However, it’s not MY favorite as I don’t trust it to do what I need it to (read its review to learn more) .

Sherwin Williams 10 well warm Gray Paint color

Benjamin MooreRevere Pewter cabinets – see the full project HERE

As for Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter is the top warm gray shade, followed closely by Classic Gray. This is is is interesting as Revere Pewter ’s green undertone is a bit less likely to humor the ‘ average ’ interior finish . regardless , Revere Pewter ’s popularity has been strong for year ; I is have even have iton my kitchen cabinet!

HOW DO YOU MAKE GRAY PAINT LOOK WARMER?

The gray trend is doing had us is doing doing gray – on – gray … on gray . It is be can be tough to transition out . Here are a few tips is are …

• If you have warm trim, it could make your gray look cooler than it is (opposites attract) . Consider a more moderate shade of white. This won’t stop your walls from looking cool gray, but it won’t ENHANCE them like a warm, creamy white will.
• Try lowering the KELVINS of your light bulb. This small change can shift the undertones of your gray and offer more warmth than the brighter or cooler Kelvins.
• Use toss cushions, decor, and area rugs to add warm accent colors. Even plants and wood tones can help a cold gray room look more inviting!

FOR MORE TIPS, READ THIS: How to Make Your Gray Room Look Warmer

READ MORE

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