The 9 Best Gray Exterior Paint Colors of 2021

By: Megan

It can feel overwhelming to look at all the gray paint colors on the market. The options are incredibly diverse. Luckily, we went through the best gray paint colors for you and narrowed the field down to these best bets for home exteriors. Here are the 9 best gray exterior paint colors of 2021.

When you work with brick&batten, you don’t have to question your decisions. As specialists in home exteriors, we provide you with virtual exterior home design options that fit your budget and style. Learn more about our design services.

A colonial-style home painted Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. It has a flat grassy yard with lush landscaping and a stone path that leads up to the covered entryway, where there's a wooden door.

#1 // Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams

Gray days don’t have to be boring. Every shade of gray has a cool or warm undertone. Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams has warm undertones that shine in sunny weather. Pair it with a cool white paint for an industrial or contemporary look. Or, try it with a wood trim or lighting for a more organic feel. With a strong ability to transition into its surroundings, Repose Gray is a true chameleon, which is part of why it makes our list of the best gray paint colors.

Virtual exterior design of a home painted in Thunder by Benjamin Moore

#2 // Thunder by Benjamin Moore

If you’re looking for a moodier vibe than off-white or beige, consider a warm greige-meets-light-gray. Thunder by Benjamin Moore is a great pick in this genre. With many other colors at play in it, Thunder is versatile and easy to coordinate with. You may event detect hints of both purple and green in it. Boasting warm and earthy vibes while remaining decidedly refined, Thunder is a light gray that serves as a timeless home exterior paint color.

Before and after of a virtual exterior design using James Hardie Hardie Board Shou Sugi Ban.

#3 // Shou Sugi Ban by James Hardie

A bit of a departure, Shou Sugi Ban is part of the James Hardie Dream Collection. If you’re thinking about trying fiber cement siding with a unique color, Shou Sugi Ban gives a home a bold sense of character. The rich, dark finish is derived from the ancient Japanese practice of preserving wood by charring and finishing it with a natural oil.

Virtual exterior design of a home with stucco and siding painted in Chelsea Gray with wood and stone accents
Exterior virtual design of a single-story home with a flat, grassy yard and curved driveway. The home has a covered front porch with wooden accents and is painted with Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore.

#4 // Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore

A perfect medium-toned gray, Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is the epitome of sophistication. With tremendous depth, it functions exceptionally as an exterior field color. Keep in mind that its LRV of 23 means it can appear a bit dark in shaded environments.

Exterior virtual design of a beautiful home done with Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore, as well as a white trim. The home has a tree-filled front yard with a semi-circle driveway.

#5 // Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore

One of our favorite dark grays is Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore. With the rise in popularity of nearly-black grays, this charcoal gray is a trendy color that’s having a moment. A bold, saturated color that brings a home to life, it provides a striking combination when used in contrast with lighter tones. It’s no wonder we named Wrought Iron one of the exterior paint colors that are on-trend for 2021.

Before and after of a colonial-style home using the James Hardie Aged Pewter, one of the best gray paint colors. The before photo is of a cream-colored house with a grassy lawn and stone path leading up to the front door.

#6 // Aged Pewter by James Hardie

There’s good reason why pewter is becoming a popular exterior paint colors. James Hardie’s Aged Pewter is a weathered gray that’s warm and adaptable. Though it’s considered a neutral, it’s filled with personality and complements beige and other grays extremely well. (Check out more of our favorite Hardie Board siding colors here.)

We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Virtual exterior design of a large home done in Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore, one of the best warm gray paint colors.

#7 // Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore

A light gray with warm undertones, Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore is a classic shade that exudes a sense of calm. As an exterior color, it will appear warmer on a sunny morning then a cloudy afternoon. One of the most popular gray paint colors for several years, Revere Pewter is a “greige” that looks great on brick or siding. It’s also an ideal pick for accents, like on the shutters featured above.

Virtual exterior design of a mid-century modern ranch painted in Iron Ore with wood panelling accents

Virtual exterior design of a transitional home painted in Iron Ore with Marvin windows and wood and stone accents

#8 // Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams

The almost-black trend is riding high. Still deliciously dark, Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams plays into the trend. Softened by lighter tints that lend a more natural feeling, it’s an ideal home exterior color. Iron Ore is a rich charcoal shade that can create a sense of drama from the curb. Plus, the deep, shadowy color can emphasize a home’s various textures and levels.

Before and after of a virtual exterior design of a split level home. In the before photo, the home is in need of renovations and has a lot of wooden accents and an over-dry lawn with a fence. In the after photo, the home is fully renovated and features a green lawn with plantings, and is painted using Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal, one of the best gray paint colors.

#9 // Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore

If you want to make a statement without going too dark, Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore will do it. A versatile neutral that has a deep warmth in direct sunlight, it appears more of a darker greige. It contrasts well with other warm paint colors, such as whites, creams, taupes, or light browns. With a somewhat surprisingly dramatic effect when applied to an entire house, Kendall Charcoal is a rich, deep shade with a strong natural base.

The Bottom Line on the Best Gray Paint Colors

Gray is so universal. It’s easily adaptable to a variety of environments. Certainly, there are tons of options in the world of gray tones, and that can feel like a lot to sift through. However, we hope this list of our favorite gray colors helps with your dreams of a new, beautiful home exterior.

If you need help deciding which gray color will work best for your home, reach out about your project. We can even create virtual home designs comparing two of your favorite gray colors!

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