The Best Gray Paint Colors, According to Interior Designers
There's a gray for every room.
When you think of a gentle hue that will give your space a coveted bright and airy feel, gray paint colors don’t usually come to mind. However, there’s something to be said about a few misty tones that can set the mood—no matter the room. Some may even go so far as to say that gray could be the new beige. In fact, we asked 40 interior designers their thoughts on the color gray, and we were pretty blown away by their responses.
Some use go-to grays that create an ethereal look, while others prefer a darker shade for a moodier feel. Gray is definitely on trend at the moment because it’s more versatile than we give it credit for. Whether you’re aiming for bright and crisp or warm and cozy, there’s a gray that will accomplish the task.
Ahead, discover how these design experts use gray in their spaces. You may even be inspired to push your furniture to the middle of the room, drape it in a tarp, and pick up a paintbrush like a pro. Our suggestion? Think about what kind of look you’re seeking—pale and gentle or bold and dramatic—and order a few samples. Once you’ve made your choice, it’s time to get to work. Let these 40 shades from the likes of Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, and more get you started. Who knows? Maybe gray paint colors will overtake blue and white! The jury is still out, but we have a feeling, 2023 will be gray's year, and we’re here for it.
Stormy Sky 1616 by Benjamin Moore
“I love using this hue because it is elusive. Like its namesake, Stormy Sky can be dramatic but also translucent. I’ve used it everywhere from exteriors to kitchens, where it looks beautiful with white accents and metal finishes. This paint also works well as a base for other colors—I’ve even done 50-50 mixes with it!” –Windsor Smith
Blue Gray No. 91 by Farrow & Ball
“This is not really blue and not really gray. It’s kind of creamy-dreamy, like a beautiful cloud. I think of an office as a place where you just want to be restful and creative, and this is very calming—and very chic with a pop of navy or lavender. It’s a blank canvas for whatever you’re doing at the moment.” — David Phoenix
Alaskan Skies 972 by Benjamin Moore
"Appropriately named, Alaskan Skies offsets our state's dramatic change of lighting conditions throughout the year by serving as a neutral base for contrasting interior finishes, all while maintaining an uplifting atmosphere." — Bauer/Clifton Interiors
Mindful Gray SW 7106 by Sherwin-Williams
"Connecting texture with quiet serenity was my recipe for a modern-glam home found in the mountains of Utah. Mindful Gray offered a respite that embraced all of the rugged textures." — Anne Marie Barton
Down Pipe No. 26 by Farrow & Ball
“Lately, I’ve been having a good time with this deep gray. It changes a lot in different conditions. When the room is dark or in shadow, it seems almost black. But in direct sunlight, it’s the color of a Baltic afternoon. So it’s not boring. It also goes well with caramel leather chairs—something I can imagine putting into almost any office.” David Netto
Moonshine 2140-60 by Benjamin Moore
“There is something about this shade that you can’t quite pin down. It reminds me of mist and fog—a little hazy and soothing. The pale gray manages to be versatile without being boring: It works in a variety of situations, from a light-filled bathroom to a spacious living room. On walls, it’s subtle yet powerful enough to create dimension.” — Michele Dopp
Titanium OC-49 by Benjamin Moore
"Benjamin Moore Titanium is a soft, luminous off-white, with a little green in it that is bright enough to light up our often rainy weather here in Oregon." — Jessica Helgerson
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Parma Gray No. 27 by Farrow & Ball
“A beautiful blend of blue and gray that approaches robin’s egg but is chalkier and more elegant. It’s soothing and deep and will remain relevant as the child grows. For a boy's room, bring in café au lait tones and pops of strong olive green. For a girl, ground the room with dove gray and lavender accents.” – Amanda Nisbet
Himalayan Trek 1542 by Benjamin Moore
"This fantastic neutral is great for both modern and classical interiors. A perfect balance of cool and warm, it's also remarkably similar to our local Chicago limestone." — Tom Stringer
Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore
“This is the absolute perfect greige. No need to look any further. And it’s amazing with a brighter contrasting trim. I love it so much that I’ve used it in three of my homes. In light-flooded rooms it feels cool and crisp. In darker, cozier rooms it’s very soothing.” — Shawn Henderson
Granite AF-660 by Benjamin Moore
"For a warm brown-gray, Granite is one of my favorites, bringing coziness and sophistication to any room. This color invites you to curl up next to a fire." — Alice Williams
New Hope Gray 2130-50 by Benjamin Moore
“I call this blue-gray a ‘shadow color.’ It changes with the light, which makes it interesting to enter a room throughout the day. This particular hue conjures images of the ocean and the sky—ideal for a tranquil Southampton beach house, where I used it on kitchen cabinets. It provided a punch of color without being too over-the-top.” — Sandra Nunnerly
Gull Wing Gray 2134-50 by Benjamin Moore
“This blue-gray, in an eggshell finish, feels like an icy drink on a hot day. It visually cools off a room that gets loads of light. And then you can build in some warmth with layers of color and texture in the furnishings. I’d bring in earth tones like chocolate brown, rust, and mustard gold, and maybe pop it with a hit of turquoise.” – Scott Laslie
Classic Gray 1548 by Benjamin Moore
"This neutral is so versatile and offers a cool and calm retreat from the heat. Art hangs beautifully on it and it lets the room be the showpiece, not the paint color. Our design studio is painted this color and we love the environment that it creates!" —Nancy Price
Granite Dust MQ3-6 by Behr Paint Colors
“I placed this color—a pale gray that resembles a hazy sky—in a lacquered finish on the ceiling of a small black-and-white-striped foyer. The glossy effect is easier to get on a ceiling than on walls, while the reflective, mirror-like surface gives much-needed depth to the room. The shade is also a bit somber, which helped balance the bold walls.” – Rinat Lavi
City Shadow CSP-60 by Benjamin Moore
"Gray skies and a misty rain can be quite beautiful and comforting. Benjamin Moore’s City Shadow captures this cozy feeling perfectly. Brighten it up a bit with unlacquered brass fixtures and hardware and pair alongside Calacatta marble. You can’t go wrong!" — Katie Hackworth
Railings No. 31 by Farrow & Ball
“I used this cool-toned, blackened-steel shade on the stair spindles of my own home. The color really pops against the neutral palette of the space around it. My advice for working with a slick finish: Make sure the raw surface is free of any blemishes, because once you apply the paint, the shine will magnify them!” – Christine Stucker
Wickham Gray HC-171 by Benjamin Moore
“I’ve been known to go on a gray streak, in every shade from steel to a warm French gray. No matter the gray, it becomes a serene backdrop for everything—flowers, books, art, fabrics, or people. I like bordering gray with white trim, white fabrics, and white furniture. Sometimes I pop a little red here and there. But you want to be careful when picking your gray—nothing too sad, cold, or dingy.” – Matthew Patrick Smyth
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