Our Review of Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore

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When it comes to gray exterior paint colors, there are tons of options to explore, but Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is one of our favorites to recommend. In fact, we love the shade so much that we included it in our round up of gray color schemes to use on modern homes. Now, we’re giving Chelsea Gray its own review!

Keep reading to learn more about Chelsea Gray’s technical specs, our recommended applications and paint color pairings, and more. 

With so many different options available — from a slew of grays to blacks, whites, and bold pops of color — picking a paint color for your home’s exterior can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Our team of expert virtual exterior designers is here to help you visualize everything from paint colors to exterior lighting to garage door options. Learn more about what we do.

rustic ranch with charcoal siding

Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray: The Specs

Chelsea Gray is a deep charcoal hue that has an earthy tone. The shade has some warmth to it and has an LRV of 22.16, landing it on the heavier side of the medium-depth range. (Wondering what LRV means? We explain what it is and why it’s important to consider when selecting a paint color for your home here.)

Chelsea Gray has rich brownish violet undertones. The purple undertones can stand out more when it’s paired with cooler paint colors. The hue also has the slightest green undertone, which can make your exterior appear warmer, depending on the way the sun hits it.

large home with gray vertical and shake siding

Recommended Applications for Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is an excellent choice for the main color of any exterior, and it also looks great on any texture. In the rendering above, the shake siding is painted with Chelsea Gray. Our designers also used Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter for the vertical siding and Amherst Gray for the trim. 

charcoal painted brick home with wood porch columns and accents

While Chelsea Gray works well with other shades, it is also a great hue to use for an exterior that’s one solid color, and it translates beautifully on the brick in the rendering above. Because of its depth, this gray paint color pairs well with natural elements like stone, wood, and iron. 

traditional home with charcoal brick and black siding

Chelsea Gray Paint Color Pairings

Our designers often pair Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore with darker shades to achieve a bold design. For this home, the siding is painted with Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black. We incorporated the black paint on the doors and windows against the Chelsea Gray brick for some dynamic contrast.

large charcoal home with natural stone and white trim

If you want to embrace Chelsea Gray’s violet undertones, you can pair it with a white paint color. For this visualization, our designers used Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl on the trim.

charcoal home with natural accents

Pros & Cons of Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray

PROS:

  • It’s a deep yet inviting hue
  • It works well on any style of home
  • It translates beautifully on any texture

CONS:

  • It has violet undertones, particularly in certain settings, that some homeowners might not care for 
  • Also beware of Chelsea Gray’s green undertones
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.

Chelsea Gray Alternatives

As we said earlier, Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is a versatile shade of gray that adapts well in different color schemes and across design styles. But, if you’re not sure that it’s exactly the color you’ve been searching for, there are a few alternatives you might consider.

small charcoal gray home with natural accents

Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal

If you want something with warmer undertones, consider Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal. This charcoal is considered to be an earthy shade and a such, it looks great with natural materials like stone, wood, and rock. Also, with an LRV of 12.96, Kendall Charcoal is notably darker than Chelsea Gray.

traditional home with charcoal siding

Benjamin Moore’s Amherst Gray

Benjamin Moore’s Amherst Gray has an LRV of 17.12, making it deeper than Chelsea Gray but not as saturated as Kendall Charcoal (just above). It has some green undertones that read warmer, especially if your home faces the sun. 

traditional home with charcoal siding, wood accents, and white trim

Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail

As far as mid-to-dark-toned gray paint colors go, Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail is one of the more striking gray options to consider for your exterior. It has an even more pronounced violet undertone than that of Chelsea Gray. With an LRV of 26, Dovetail is a saturated shade, but it also has a softness to it.

large home with charcoal siding and wood porch columns with white trim

The Bottom Line on Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray

If you’re looking for a charcoal that’s saturated and bold without being too stark, Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore might just be the warm yet deep gray you’ve been searching for.

Whether you need help deciding between charcoal shades or another color entirely, our team is here to help. Our designers can help you visualize the exterior of your home rendered in multiple paint colors so it’s easier to find your perfect match. Get started on your exterior home design project today. 

Author

brick&batten Contributor

Mackenzie has been writing for brick&batten for three years, and most of her exterior design knowledge comes from renovating her own home. She purchased a log home that was stuck in the '90s and the previous owners were unable to keep up with exterior maintenance. From reimagining the landscaping and hardscaping to revamping the porch and logs, Mackenzie and her family approached the entire project DIY-style. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family of six on their farm, which includes cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. She has been writing for 12 years and has explored a variety of materials from food writing to lifestyle pieces and, of course, virtual exterior design.