Yes it’s true that gray isn’t the cool kid anymore however it’ll never truly be out. I love to use gray in the right space and I prefer to avoid trends so it’ll never be out of style in my mind.

Selecting a colour shouldn’t be a matter of “what’s hot”. It should be something that is decided based on the environment. What works with the palette of the space? So if your space calls for gray then you should wholeheartedly embrace it. There are things you need to keep in mind because neutrals can be tricky. I’ve written in the past about why beige is so difficult as well as why white is so difficult. Now let’s dig into gray and what you need to know if you’re considering using this neutral.

Why Does it Matter What the Undertones Are?

How many of us have eagerly jumped in head first with a neutral? Whether it’s paint, a sofa or even a new dress. Neutrals are easy, right? We say yes to the gray that looks so great under the showroom lights but feel a bit less enthusiastic when we get it home. The gray that felt light and bright suddenly has a blue tone and feels cold in our own space. If you guessed it’s because of the undertone, you’d be correct!

What is an Undertone?

The easiest way to understand undertones is to think of a colour that’s hidden inside another colour. At first glance you can’t always see the colour. Sometimes gray can look like the perfect gray but sadly, there is no such colour. The undertone of blue, green or violet is always there.

In order to see the undertone there needs to be context. Other colours and certain types of light allow an undertone to shine through. And that’s why that perfect gray sofa you bought looks more blue, green or violet when you bring it home.

Gray and Its Undertones

Over the years I’ve had a lot of requests for “just gray” but you’ll see how it doesn’t really exist. All gray has an undertone and understanding those undertones is important. It will make the difference between painting and repainting (and repainting) and getting it right the first time.

The undertones create a type of magic trick. Once you see these colours side by side it becomes instantly apparent which undertone you’re seeing. Looking at these colours together makes you wonder if they could possibly look gray on your wall. And then you remove each one individually and all you can see is gray once again.

Blue Gray - BENJAMIN MOORE STONINGTON GRAY HC-170

Green Gray - BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

Violet Gray - BENJAMIN MOORE ELEPHANT GRAY 2109-50

Blue - Green Gray - BENJAMIN MOORE WICKHAM GRAY HC-171

What Do All Grays Have in Common?

In general, gray colour schemes give a space a cool vibe. And by that I don’t mean temperature but rather the space will feel more contemporary. Look to the architecture of your space to lead the way. If you live in an urban setting or even a modern home in the suburbs, gray will be a great choice. It can look confusing to add gray to your traditional home so be aware of what you’re trying to achieve and why.

Which Gray Undertones Don’t Work Well Together?

This is an easy question to answer because none of the gray undertones work well together. Instead, I always choose a single undertone and stick with it throughout the space. For instance, if the counters or floor tile has gray in it, determine which undertone it is and stick with that as your shade of gray.

If you’re worried that this will look flat or boring, it’s truly not the case. In fact, one of the main reasons that gray is called cold is because the grays aren’t working well together. There are too many undertones fighting for attention and in the end it’s not creating a harmonious space that feels inviting.

What is the Easiest Way to See the Undertone?

Compare, compare, compare. The only way to see the undertone of any neutral paint colour is to compare it to another and it’s no exception for grays.

I start by laying a piece of white construction paper down. Next I’ll place the gray paint samples side by side on top of the paper. This allows me to determine if the gray has a blue, green, violet or blue-green undertone.

Find the Right White to Pair With Gray

Gray usually brings a fresh vibe to a colour scheme as opposed to an earthy one. For this reason I recommend pairing your gray paint with a true white like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or a blue white like Benjamin Moore White Diamond. These whites will add a crisp contrast and a fresh look to your gray palette.

If you want to create a softer look in your space, off whites like Benjamin Moore White Dove can also work well.

Just avoid going too creamy because these creamy whites aren’t crisp enough to pair with gray. Creamy whites like Benjamin Moore Ivory White are too earthy and pair better with beige colour palettes. Instead, look for something less muddy like Benjamin Moore Mascarpone.

Here are some tips for finding the best white.

Look at the whites that are already present in your home. If you have whites that won’t be changing, it's important to try your best to colour match those.

Decide how modern you want your space to feel. True whites and blue whites will be much cooler when paired with grays and you’ll end up with a modern feel. Off whites provide a softer contrast and don’t feel quite as modern.

Consider the fixed finishes you'll be installing. Thinking of marble-look finishes in your kitchen? They’ll pair better with true whites or blue whites. Always start with the finishes that are already present or being installed.

Avoid white paint with pink or green undertones. These don’t work well with any of the undertones found in gray.

Combining the Beige Trend With a Gray Palette

One of the issues around using any trend is going overboard with it. A common mistake I see is homeowners incorporating too much of the latest trend colour into their space. They’ve installed gray flooring and painted their walls gray. When it’s time for furniture, they keep going and purchase a gray sofa. Not only is this too much of a good thing but it will date your home within 10 years because that’s the typical timeline for any trend. Instead, limit the number of times the colour is used to no more than three.

I’m loving the incorporation of beige, cream and lighter wood tones that we’re seeing right now. I think this is exactly what we need to warm up all of those cold, gray interiors. You’ll create a fresh, airy look in your space and it’ll feel more inviting at the same time.

How to Incorporate Your Gray Furniture Into the Beige Trend

Now that the trend has moved from gray to beige you may be feeling regretful of your furniture purchases. No need to worry though. Gray and beige work really well together and you may find you’re happier with a bit of cream or beige in your space.

1/ Repetition - Start by repeating the gray undertones in other items but add some beige at the same time. If your sofa is blue gray you can add a rug with blue gray as well as some beige or cream. Repeat those same colours in a small decor item.

PRO TIP: Repeat these items in various sizes for a more polished look. Your sofa is a large item, the rug is the medium size and a decor item finishes it off with the smallest size.

2/ Artwork - This is the simplest way to add new colour to our space. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all your gray, bring in some artwork that has lots of beige or cream. You can also introduce a bolder colour to round out your palette.

3/ Paint Your Walls Beige - If you really went for it during the gray heyday you might need to pull back in order to modernize. Consider repainting in a warmer beige or cream. This will instantly update your space and the gray furniture will look modern again.

Whether you’re trying to tone down your gray or incorporate just a bit into your space, I hope this post gave you some clarity. If you feel overwhelmed, look at my Colour Consultation service. I can help you find the right palette so there are no mistakes and no repainting. This consultation can be in-person or via zoom.

Warm regards,

Adrienne