The Essential Guide for Picking Gray Paint Colors

Is Gray Paint Going Out of Style?

Now you’re probably wondering, is gray going out of style? The quick answer is no, gray is a great foundational color that will work with any design style. There are thousands of shades to choose from so you’re sure to find one that will perfectly match your aesthetic.

Gray doesn’t have to be a wall color only. You can paint your cabinets, trim, furniture, etc. to help bring in a neutral grounding tone to accent the other colors you have in your space.

Personally, I think that you always need a few neutral tones to balance a more colorful accent. Your eye needs a place to rest otherwise the overall look can be overwhelming.

How to Choose the Best Gray Paint?

First, you need to decide the overall tone of gray paint you want to use. Do you want it to be a true gray, neutral, warm, cool, etc? If you have a rug or other textile already planned for the space I would start there, look to see what colors exist in the other furniture pieces in the room.

Make sure you’re checking the colors in the correct lighting as well and various times throughout the day. Lighting plays a very important role with colors. If you are painting a room it’s best to buy a sample can of paint and place swatches in different locations around the room. To get the most accurate read on the new color it’s best to paint the new color over a white piece of cardstock or thick paper so the undertone of the existing paint color doesn’t affect the hue.

Finally, think about the overall mood you want for your space. Do you want it warm and cozy, dark and moody, light and fresh, cool and calming? Warmer tones will help make a space feel like it’s advancing or closing in on you which is great for making a large room feel more inviting. Cool tones will help a smaller space feel larger since those tones visually recede.

How to Find the Undertone of The Color?

The best way to find the true undertone of gray paint color is to look at the full fan card in a paint deck. Most paint companies will have them laid out with the same hue ranging from the lightest shade to the darkest shade. Here is an example showing that for you:

Look at the darkest shade to see what color you see. Is it brown, green, red, etc? This will help you see if you like that particular shade of gray paint because that tone will be the most accurate to the overall look of your room.

Sometimes the undertone isn’t obvious if you’re looking at one single card, so make sure to look at several swatch cards next to each other to help your eye register the correct tone. Most paint companies will have a fan deck available to purchase or at least borrow to look at while you’re at the store. You can also go online to their websites to see the full-color range as well.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices buy some of the sample paint cans to test the colors in your room. Seeing it in a larger painted square will make a huge difference versus seeing the small paper sample. It’s worth the small investment before buying several gallons of paint to make sure you’re happy with the final color.