The gray craze has been around for a couple of years now, but perhaps you’ve resisted it all this time? You love your beige walls, and aren’t ready to repaint your entire house. But, now that you see the gray trend isn’t going away anytime soon, you’ve recently been flirting with the idea of adding a little bit of gray paint into your house. A gray accent wall, perhaps? What’s the best gray paint to pair with your beige walls? I’m so glad you asked!
There are two kinds of gray – warm and cool. If you want to pair gray with beige, you must choose a warm gray. If you learn nothing else from this post, please remember this key point!
Cool grays tend to have hints of blue and purple, which does not work well with beige, while warm grays tend to have brown and yellow undertones, which can pair well with beige.
Here’s a great picture to help show the difference between warm grays and cool grays.
So, where do you start? There are some beautiful tried and true grays that pair well with beige that I will share in this post. However, you must see these colors in your own house and next to your beige walls before you make your final selection. There is just no getting around this important step.
One method is to buy 3 to 5 samples of gray paint colors from the paint or hardware store, paint the samples in big rectangles on some foam core poster board (so it doesn’t warp when it dries), and prop them up against your walls for a day or two.
BUT, a much more convenient method is to buy peel-and-stick sample sheets from Samplize. Not only are they super easy to use, but when you add up the cost of paint sample cans (and the wasted paint you’ll have leftover), paint brushes, foam board, and your time…Samplize is a way better option!
Whichever method you choose, stare at your samples in the daylight, and at night, and eliminate the ones that just don’t work for you. Maybe one of them is looking too green at night, or another looks too blue in the daytime…you may even need to order another round of samples before you find the perfect shade of gray (see my seemingly endless search for the perfect gray paint).
Also, keep in mind that if you find a color you love but wish it was just a little darker, the paint store can make the paint lighter or darker for you. Just ask them to lighten the color by 25% or 50%, and give that a try.
What’s the best gray paint color to use as an accent wall with my beige walls?
Can you combine gray and beige in the same room? The answer is YES! There are several gray paint colors that work beautifully with beige. Here are some of my favorite shades of gray to use as an accent with your beige walls.
#1 Sherwin William’s Dovetail (SW 7018)
This is my personal favorite. I used this in my previous house, and more recently at a friend’s house for an accent wall. Both of the houses had beige walls, and Dovetail is just beautiful paired with beige. Definitely put this on your list of samples to try. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Dovetail HERE.
#2 Sherwin William’s Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019)
This is a beautiful dark, warm gray option from Sherwin Williams. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Gauntlet Gray HERE.
#3 Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray (HC-168)
This is a tried-and-true shade of gray, that has been popular for many years. Great if you want a medium-dark gray shade with a touch of warmth to it. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Chelsea Gray HERE.
#4 Benjamin Moore’s Briarwood (HC-175)
Briarwood is quite a bit warmer than some of the others on this list, but still looks gray. Because of its warmth, it is sure to pair nicely with beiges. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Briarwood HERE.
#5 Sherwin William’s Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)
Dark, yes, but absolutely gorgeous! This is a fabulous choice for a dramatic look, and it has a nice bit of warmth to it to help it pair with other warm paint colors. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Urbane Bronze HERE.
#6 Benjamin Moore’s Cape May Cobblestone (BM 1474)
Cape May Cobblestone is actually quite neutral for a gray, but it does lean slightly warm. This one will work really nicely with more neutral beiges and greiges. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Cape May Cobblestone HERE.
What if you’re ready to paint all of your walls gray, but you’re not sure if you’ll like it?
Maybe you’re thinking about taking the plunge and painting all of your walls gray, but, after having beige walls for so long, you’re not sure if you’ll love the gray look. Well, the good news is that there are many, many beautiful shades of gray out there, so you’re sure to find one you love.
I searched and searched for the perfect gray paint in my previous home for quite some time until I finally found the right one for me. If you have been a beige person for years, I would highly recommend you take a look at the following colors. They are often referred to as “greige” paints…the perfect blend of gray and beige.
#1 Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter (HC-172)
This color is very well known in the design industry, and has been hugely popular for many years. It’s a beautiful neutral greige that is subtle, warm, and goes with everything! Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Revere Pewter HERE.
#2 Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray (SW 70)
Often referred to as the Sherwin William’s version of Revere Pewter, this is what I have in my current home, and I love it. It looks quite gray, but has a warmth to it that keeps rooms from looking cold. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Colonnade Gray HERE.
#3 Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029)
Another very popular light greige…a little more on the gray side. This is a fantastic choice for a whole-house paint color, as well, and has a cult following. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Agreeable Gray HERE.
#4 Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)
This is the most beige of the greiges I’m sharing here today, but it is a beautiful color, nonetheless. It might not be enough gray for you if you are making a change to all of your walls, but then again, it might just be the subtle change you are looking for! Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Edgecomb Gray HERE.
I want to go completely gray, what’s the best gray paint?
If you want to go more gray (with no hint of beige), consider Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl (BM 2137-60). It’s a beautiful gray that won’t look cold on your walls, due to its green and yellow undertones. It’s simply lovely! Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Gray Owl HERE.
Another favorite is Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore (OC-23). It’s very neutral, very light, with just a hint of warmth (almost enough warmth to be considered a greige). Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of BM Classic Gray HERE.
Trends come and go, but gray walls are going to be around for some time. If you’re ready to add some gray paint to your home, this list will provides you with a great starting point.
I want you to remember two key things from this post. Number one, the best gray paint to pair with beige walls/furnishings is a warm gray. Number two, be sure to sample the paint colors in your home before committing to one. Happy painting!
Gauntlet is one of my faves, I am hoping to try that one in a room real soon. Love that color. Thank you for sharing this at the Dishing It & Digging It Link party, we hope you met some great people.
I agree, Gauntlet is a beautiful gray! I love all the inspiration I get from link parties like Dishing It & Digging It!
Thanks for the informative post! Pinned to refer to and share.
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for commenting!
I love neutrals! Great to find a post devoted to using them well.
Thanks for your comment!
What color would you suggest for a crimson couch with khaki pattern and beige carpeting?
Hi Nicky! With so many warm colors already in the room, I’d probably start with a sample of Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter. It tends to go with everything! Just make sure to ask for a large sample sheet from the paint store or paint a large rectangle on some foam board, and stare at it in your room for a while before jumping in and painting it on the walls. From there you can decide if you want to more gray, or a lighter or darker shade. Good luck!
My place was just painted BM Classic Grey at the realtor’s advise, I don’t care for it because it looks beige to me and I never liked beige. MariaJ
That’s too bad. Classic Gray is usually a very neutral color, but it can take on more of a beige if you have a lot of warm tones in your home, or a lot of late afternoon sun in the room.
What about Wordly Gray? I just bought a house with beige walls and want to paint them more of greige. The problem is the house has large tile with red and brown undertones. It sounds ugly, but it’s not bad. I’m just having a struggle trying to find a wall color for it. I also have niches I am going to paint Intellectual Gray in. This gray looked really pretty with the colors in my home. But wanting to have a light and maybe medium color
I think my trim is SWAlabaster, I’m thinking of painting the walls the same and cabinets a dark gray, possibly Gauntlet gray. My floors are dark slate with variations of color but mostly gray/black. It need to be a warm gray. What do you think of Alabaster walls and Gauntlet Gray cabinets with slate floors?
Sounds like a gorgeous combination! I always recommend that you sample the colors in your home before painting. One great source for paint samples is Samplize
I am trying to find a lighter gray paint color for my exterier house siding and cant seen to figure one out. My painter uses miller paint and I cant find any houses with the actual color online. He gave me some samples. I’m scared it may look purple or too blue in it. Any suggestions would help
I love Edgecomb Gray but wish it were a shade or two darker. Do you know of a paint that falls into that category or have you seen it darkened 25 or 50%? does it hold its true color and undertones when it is?
Darkening a paint color rarely works as well as lightening it. You might try BM Grant Beige or BM Revere Pewter for something darker.
Hi. Thinking about painting my fireplace Benjamin Moore Briarwood or Metropolis. Can you suggest a wall color for both choices. Sofa is light cream color
It really depends on the overall look you’re going for. Briarwood, which is quite warm, would look great with something like BM Dove Wing, which would look beautiful with your sofa. BM Metropolis has more taupe tones to it, and could pair well with something like Manchester Tan or Elmira White. Hope that helps!
Hi I would to paint my walls grey as they now beige and sick of beige. The only problem is my bathroom has beige and white bathtub tiles and the floor is beige and white. What colour grey would suit the colour for the bathroom. I want to paint the apartment all the same colourgrey
Hi Melissa. What a wealth of information–I found your article to be very helpful in choosing some of the best gray colors.
I noticed that Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray didn’t make the cut, and I was wondering if you also think whether Mindful Gray would be a contender for a small bathroom with tiny beige, brown and dark brown tile squares on two of the four walls.
Thank you again!
Carla