Looking for a light gray interior paint color? Then you’re in luck, because today’s post is all about Benjamin Moore’s best light gray shades.
What’s so great about gray, anyway? Well, for starters, it can be used in virtually any room of the house. Also, it comes in a range of options, from ‘cool’ to ‘warm’, so you can find a gray that complements a wide variety of color palettes.
But while gray is one of today’s more popular paint colors, it can be a little tricky to choose the perfect shade. Not to mention all of the different undertones you need to look out for. (And who knew there was such a thing as warm gray?!)
It’s no wonder why so many homeowners have a hard time finding the right shade of gray for their home. But fear not! I’m here to help you decipher all the nuances of the most popular light grays Benjamin Moore has to offer.
Let’s get right to it.
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*Quick Note on Light Reflectance Value
LRV runs on a scale of 0% to 100%, and 50% would be a mid-value paint color. The higher the number, the more light a color reflects back into the room. I’ll be sharing the LRV for each of these popular light grays just so you can see where they sit on that scale.
1. Stonington Gray HC-170
LRV: 59.75
While Stonington Gray is a light gray paint color, it’s definitely a tad darker than some of your other options on this list. Most often, you’ll see the blue in its undertones, although some green shows up on occasion.
Stonington Gray is a fresh gray color that might look a little icy in Northern exposure, but South-facing rooms help provide a nice warm light to balance the cool tones.
Order a sample of Stonington Gray.
2. Classic Gray OC-23
LRV: 73.67
Classic Gray is a slightly warm, very pale gray that’s nearly off-white with a touch of purple in its undertone. You won’t see any blue or green coming through, so it’s a nice option for a more feminine space.
Order a sample of Classic Gray.
3. Balboa Mist OC-27
LRV: 65.53
Balboa Mist is a soft, pale gray that leans slightly warm and goes with nearly anything, despite its purple-pink undertones. Avoid using it in dim rooms, though, otherwise it could end up looking a bit dingy.
Order a sample of Balboa Mist.
4. Gray Owl OC-52 / 2137-60
LRV: 65.77
A nice blend of cool and warm tones, Gray Owl is so versatile, I’m not surprised that it’s one of the more popular Benjamin Moore grays.
Because Gray Owl has the slightest touch of green and blue in its undertones, it can look vastly different from wall to wall, leaning cool in some lights and warm in others.
5. Silver Satin OC-26
LRV: 75.35
Silver Satin is a very light, warm gray that’s so light it might even be considered an off-white. It’s an incredibly versatile paint color and can give off a warm feel without looking beige. Despite its warm tones, this color does pull slightly purple at times, giving it a silvery tone.
Order a sample of Silver Satin.
6. Gray Cloud 2126-60
LRV: 71.27
A soothing neutral, Gray Cloud is a cooler light gray paint color. Due to its subtle blue undertone, you might even consider it a blue-gray, and in Northern lighting, you’ll really notice the icy blue tones.
7. Edgecomb Gray HC-173
LRV: 63.88
Edgecomb Gray is a warm gray paint color that is another popular choice among homeowners. It can lean slightly beige in southern light and a little more gray in north-facing rooms.
It can also look warmer or cooler as the lighting changes throughout the day (which only keeps things interesting!).
Order a sample of Edgecomb Gray.
8. Revere Pewter HC-172
LRV: 55
Revere Pewter is a warm gray with a tinge of green in its undertones, giving it an earthy vibe. And while it is a light gray color, Revere Pewter is slightly more on the medium-light end of the spectrum, so it’s definitely not going to brighten up a room.
That said, it does well in both cool and warm lighting, so it’s rather versatile.
Order a sample of Revere Pewter.
9. Collingwood OC-28
LRV: 62
Collingwood is a slightly deeper version of Balboa Mist, so it also has the pinkish-purple undertone and a soft, warm vibe. And, like with Balboa Mist, you’ll want to use this color in a room with plenty of light, whether natural or artificial.
Order a sample of Collingwood.
How to Choose the Perfect Gray Paint Color
Now that we’ve gone over some really great light gray paint colors by Benjamin Moore, you might be wondering, “How do I narrow it down to just one?!”.
- Sample, sample, sample.
- Complement your home’s existing colors.
- Consider your lighting.
Personally, I would grab a peel-and-stick sample of each gray you’re considering (you’ll find direct links to each color above).
Use code FIRSTFIVE for a discount on your first Samplize order!
While you can certainly do it the old fashioned way, this way is much more cost effective than buying all of the paint and painting materials. Plus, it’ll save you a trip to the store.
Once you have your samples, bring them into each room you plan on painting, looking at each of them in the different types of lighting. You’ll want to try this several times throughout the day because your lighting will change significantly as the sun moves.
Look at each color from different angles and place it next to all of your home’s materials that you plan on keeping. Then, once you’ve settled on a favorite, head to your local Benjamin Moore supplier and order your paint.
You might also enjoy: 7 Best White Paints for North Facing Rooms
Frequently Asked Questions
Before I sign off, I wanted to address a few questions that are commonly asked regarding Benjamin Moore’s light grays.
What is Benjamin Moore’s lightest gray?
Of the light grays listed above, Silver Satin OC-26 is the lightest gray, so light that it borders on off-white territory.
What Benjamin Moore gray has no undertones?
Benjamin Moore’s most neutral light grays include Gray Owl, Cliffside Gray, and Stonington Gray. While virtually EVERY gray has undertones, these three have very little undertone compared to most other grays.
Pro Designer Tip: When looking for the truest gray with minimal undertone, compare it to a white surface. A sheet of white printer paper works well. The contrast between white and gray will reveal hidden tones in the paint color.
What is one shade lighter than Gray Owl?
Benjamin Moore White Wisp 2137-70 is one shade lighter than Gray Owl; they are both part of the same color collection.
Benjamin Moore Best Light Gray Paint Colors
Which of these Benjamin Moore light grays do you like the best? In this article, I shared nine of their most popular shades of gray, so hopefully you were able to find a few to try out in your own home.
Good luck, and happy decorating!
Benjamin Moore Color Spotlights: