For more than a decade, gray has been the rock star of the neutrals world. Thanks to its multifaceted complexity, this shade can articulate an array of moods: dramatic, soft, elegant, bold, light or grounded. It’s a huge part of its appeal — but gray can’t do it alone, as it depends on a myriad of factors. Therefore, helping your clients pick the right gray can be tricky.
Why? Well, despite its high versatility, dynamics such as light sensitivity and complex color undertones can drastically alter a gray’s final result. Also, while a vital tool, paint chips have a hard time conveying gray’s depth and nuance. This doesn’t mean you or your client should give up on the beauty and richness of gray. Rather, it’s a reminder to communicate with your clients to help them discover their perfect shade.
Here are a few topics to consider:
True Colors
How often have you heard a client say something like, “Why are there so many choices?”
Your answer may be, “More often than I’d like!” Yet, consider this your first opportunity to help them learn about color. For example, perhaps discuss how “pure” grays are undiluted, light, mid or dark tones — a straightforward blend of black and white. On the other hand, most grays are infused with other colors to create a range of diverse “flavors” of this multitalented neutral.
The above scenario is only an example of how clients may often be unaware of the factors that can hugely affect a paint job’s final outcome. The fact is, they depend (whether or not they know it) on your professional expertise and guidance.
Be Careful of the Undertone
Subtle and often unnoticed, undertones — slight warm and cool tints mixed into colors — play a vital role in creating a shade’s depth and personality. Case in point, a color’s undertone (or lack thereof) can change a gray’s appearance in the following ways:
Pure grays have no undertones, so they appear clear and distinct
Blue-grays are balanced and serene
Green-grays feel calm and grounded
Pink-, purple- and violet-grays add allure and a hint of magic
While undertones may not be obvious at first, they often become pronounced once the paint dries, so save some time having to repaint by guiding your clients through the undulating world of undertones.
Lighting Effects
Let’s say your client finds a gray that makes them swoon. Yet, when they take it home, what looked fantastic in natural daylight loses all of its allure when the lights come on at night. What they didn’t know is that — whether natural, fluorescent, halogen or LED — lighting can drastically change color. In fact, depending on the source, grays can shift from green and brown, to purple and blue.
Sharing this knowledge with your customers will help them consider other grays that flourish with their current lighting. Also, encourage them to sample, sample, sample — as painting swatches on a few walls is an inexpensive (not to mention timesaving) way to find what works best for them.
If your client needs some inspiration, have them check out Behr Paint Company’s Top 10 Grays:
PLATINUM — PPU26-11 ✦
Platinum – an understated, pale gray with silvery green undertones — is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* color that can lighten and expand any space. In addition, this amiable shade complements a spectrum of other colors.
This light gray is the cornerstone for creating sophisticated, yet welcoming living and dining rooms. Platinum paired with cool whites and deeper grays shines in both areas. (Hint: Add some personality to the dining room with pops of your favorite color). Kitchens may follow suit but consider painting the cabinets gray and using a muted red or orange on the walls to stimulate the appetite.
Once outside, Platinum is impeccable either on the exterior walls or the front door.
CHIC GRAY — PPU26-10 ✦
Elegant. Warm. Effortless. Chic Gray is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* color that is a highly versatile, mid-tone neutral that balances earth and sky.
On one hand, its lightness expands tight spaces such as small bathrooms, hallways or entries. On the other, its beige notes and greige undertones bring a feeling of elegance to kitchens, dining areas and living rooms — as well as a sense of coziness to kids’ rooms and offices.
As an exterior, Chic Gray leans more toward traditional, working best with timber or brick houses.
NATURAL GRAY — PPU18-10 ✦
Natural Gray — a light, pure-neutral — is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* color that exudes a classic, yet versatile, feel inside and out. With no undertones, this shade is warmed by notes of taupe, making it equally at home as an accent or backdrop in modern, classical or transitional settings. In concert with proper lighting, Natural Gray establishes a warm welcome in entries and hallways, invites a bit of boldness in kitchens, fosters elegance in living and dining rooms, and emphasis ease and comfort in bedrooms and baths.
Outside, Natural Gray tends to work best with traditional wood exteriors and white accents.
SILVER BULLET — N520-2
A cool, mid-gray, Silver Bullet exudes poise and subtlety, thanks to its touches of lavender and a silvery effect. It’s an ideal backdrop for bold accents or as an accent in its own right. Living rooms will shimmer when Silver Bullet pairs with neutrals, creating a modern feel. Kitchens and dining rooms are great areas to keep things classical. Try this shade on the walls and pair with clean whites for a simple, yet stunning, effect.
Moving outside, Silver Bullet works beautifully on walls, with white trim — or can create some intrigue by using it on the front door.
DOLPHIN FIN — 790C-3 ✦
Soft and refreshing, Dolphin Fin is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* delightful gray that emanates comfort and balance. This unique, warm shade turns heads when it fluctuates between showing off its cool-blue or warm-beige undertones. When it comes to social areas, Dolphin Fin is ready for anything, integrating seamlessly as either a wall or accent. Also, with the popularity of painting cabinets gray, Dolphin Fin invites you to give it a try in the kitchen or bath, while bedrooms will simply glow with Dolphin Fin on the walls accented by a variety of whites.
FRENCH SILVER — PPU18-05 ✦
An ultra-chic, mid-tone gray, French Silver is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* color that delights in its cool, elegant blue undertones. This versatile shade works beautifully with an array of hues, as well as other grays — breathing new life into a home.
If your client dreams of Neoclassical social spaces, pair French Silver with a muted light blue, yellow or green. If they’re a fan of Scandi, use this shade on walls to accentuate light wood floors and functional furnishings. In the kitchen, try this shade on your client’s cabinets with a light background. For bedrooms and baths, try French Silver with a soft teal, pink, purple or any color that makes them happy!
FLANNEL GRAY — N520-3 ✦
Like your coziest set of bedsheets, Flannel Gray is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* cool, medium-gray with touches of warm, plum undertones that nurture a sense of comfort and peace.
In living and dining rooms, Flannel Gray exudes modern elegance when paired with muted beige or pink, or a soft or deep blue. If you’re feeling bold, consider a mid-to -dark earthy red. Keep the kitchen clean and classic by combining this hue with complementary whites and brass or brushed nickel hardware. Bedrooms and baths are perfect for soothing pinks, purples or greens. Outside, Flannel Gray makes a strong (but not overwhelming) statement on an array of exterior styles — but it can also steal the show as an accent.
WHITE METAL — N520-1
This shade has a knack for opening and expanding spaces, establishing a sophisticated, yet mellow, vibe.
There’s no question that this silvery gray is destined for living and dining room walls. While whites are a classic accent, the look is up to you. White Metal is equally captivating on kitchen walls or cabinets — try a light, but lively, orange or yellow accent for contrast. To create a soothing bedroom retreat, consider covering three walls in a dusty-lavender hue, with White Metal as the accent color on the fourth wall, as well as on the ceiling.
CLASSIC SILVER — PPU18-11 ✦
Classic Silver is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* mid-gray neutral warmed by tinges of yellow and cooled by hints of blue. This combination creates a nearly pure shade that performs as a neutral or as a commanding hue. Consider a few bold touches to brighten the living or dining room, as well as create balance and interest. Conversely, the kitchen is better suited for a gray and white combination, using Classic Silver on walls or cabinets. Whether you love timeless contrast with dark wood or modern monochrome with pops of color, Classic Silver creates a stunning aesthetic in bedrooms and baths.
And, if you paint your exterior with this gray, as well as integrate white trim and a dark roof, you can count on making a lasting impression.
GRATIFYING GRAY — DC-008 ✧
Gratifying Gray is a One-Coat Hide guaranteed* color that delivers a soothing sense of satisfaction as a light-base gray with purity and elegance to elevate any space.
On the wall, this gray brings finesse to living and dining rooms, so turn some heads by accenting with a muted, mid- to dark-teal, raspberry or gold. Balance the boldness by integrating lighter hues — such as muted pinks, greens or blues — or a monochromatic scheme in bedrooms, bathrooms and entryways. Gratifying Gray makes for a beautiful exterior, especially with contrasting elements such as mid- to dark- green, orange or blue shutters.
Comparable to Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
Custom Color Matching
Does your client have a specific color in mind? Bring their inspiration to The Home Depot® — a sample of the color that’s about 1″ x 1″ in size: a paint chip from a surface, a piece of fabric, a competitor’s paint swatch or even leftover paint — and we’ll match it. The color your client wants is the color they’ll get.
One-Coat Hide
Both BEHR DYNASTY® Interior Paints and BEHR MARQUEE® Interior & Exterior Paints guarantees* One-Coat Hide when tinted to colors from the One-Coat Hide Color Collection. Check out all the gray colors that are part of the One-Coat Hide Color Collection.
*Limitations apply. For more information, visit Behr.com/onecoathide.
✧ Denotes One-Coat Hide when tinted into BEHR DYNASTY® INTERIOR & MARQUEE® Interior Paint. For more information, visit Behr.com/onecoathide
✦ Denotes One-Coat Hide when tinted into BEHR DYNASTY® INTERIOR & MARQUEE® INTERIOR or EXTERIOR Paint. For more information, visit Behr.com/onecoathide
*Behr Paint’s comparable color to Sherwin-Williams color names, which are names of its respective owners, are being used for identification purposes only. BEHR® Paint has created a comparable color using industry-standard technology.
Featured color on cover image: FLANNEL GRAY — N520-3 ✦
Top 10 Gray Behr Paint Colors for Professionals
