8 Exterior Paint Colors That Go With Gray
By: Hannah Warne
Gray is a classic, neutral shade that looks beautiful on any home style, from Craftsman to Colonial. While you might have settled on gray as one of the must-haves in your exterior palette, there are plenty of other colors that go with gray so you can mix and match to create a dynamic and dimensional look.
Read on to discover our favorite gray paint color pairings to find the ideal complementary hues for your home.
At brick&batten, our seasoned team can help you find the perfect colors that go with gray to bring your dream exterior to life. From classic color schemes to trend-setting combinations, we’ll build a beautiful palette that will transform your home. We’ll also help you choose other finishes and design accents to pull your entire exterior look together. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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What color goes best with gray?
Gray is a versatile, neutral hue that can be mixed and matched with almost any other shade. While common pairings include white, black, and other neutral hues, there is a nearly endless supply of colors that work well with gray paint to create an exterior palette. Find a few of our favorites below.
#1 // Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
This warm, soft white shade is a versatile home exterior color that can be added to almost any palette. With a light reflective value of 82, this white is softer than pure white hues, giving it a less stark and more welcoming finish. While it does have yellow undertones, they are very subtle, so the color doesn’t read too warm. Instead, it has the perfect creamy look.
We especially love it when paired with a light gray hue like Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. This pale gray paint also has warm undertones (especially in direct sunlight), making it the ideal partner for Alabaster. When used together, this duo creates a subtle and neutral color palette that works for homes of all architectural styles.
#2 // Blue Note by Benjamin Moore
For a higher-contrast gray color palette, Blue Note by Benjamin Moore perfectly fits the bill. This dark and moody shade walks the line between black and navy, creating an ultra-deep color that makes a big statement on home exteriors.
Because of Blue Note’s navy undertones, it pairs beautifully with other cool-toned shades — especially gray. It’s the perfect complement to Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl, which features cool gray and green-blue undertones. Together, these two shades offset one another, creating a cool-toned color palette that is muted, soft, and stylish.
#3 // Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams
There’s nothing more classic than a monochromatic color palette. To create a full grayscale look for your exterior, Tricorn Black is the perfect pairing for your other gray hues. Though not quite a true black with an LRV of 3, this super-dark paint color appears black on most exteriors. While it can be used as an accent shade, Tricorn Black also makes a bold statement when used as a primary color in any exterior palette.
Tricorn Black’s deep tones also make it the perfect companion for a variety of gray shades, from Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams to Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore. Pair two shades together or add multiple gray tones for a dimensional color palette.
#4 // White Dove by Benjamin Moore
There’s a reason that White Dove is one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular paint shades. This neutral white doesn’t have strong undertones, meaning this chameleon-like color easily mixes with both warm and cool shades. With an LRV of 83.16, it’s more of an off-white hue than true white, so it also has a beautiful creamy look.
Because of its neutral tones, White Dove can be paired with a variety of hues, including gray. Try mixing it with Colonnade Gray by Sherwin Williams, a warm, stone-gray shade. Above, White Dove emphasizes the warm undertones of Colonnade Gray, creating a beautiful and stylish contrast.
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.
#5 // Roycroft Bottle Green by Sherwin Williams
Roycroft Bottle Green is a rich, forest-green hue that will never go out of style. One of Sherwin Williams’ Historic Colors, this shade is ideal for traditional home styles like Cape Cods or Victorians.
While the natural pairing for this dark and moody shade is a bright, contrasting white paint, gray also pairs beautifully with the vibrant hue. Opt for a lighter gray, like Silver Chain by Benjamin Moore, to offset the moody feel of Roycroft Bottle Green. This cool gray color is effortless and sophisticated, giving the classic green shade a more modern edge.
#6 // Galápagos Turquoise by Benjamin Moore
For those seeking a bolder exterior aesthetic, Galápagos Turquoise is the perfect paint color. This gemstone shade is a bright and unexpected color that is sure to make any home stand out. With an LRV of 9.45, the deep shade is similar in tone to navy paint but has greener undertones to give it a teal finish.
Gray is the perfect neutral partner for this attention-grabbing hue. A mid-tone gray like Amherst Gray by Benjamin Moore helps ensure the teal color pops. You can even consider adding a third shade, like Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl, to round out your palette to create added depth and dimension.
#7 // Shoji White by Sherwin Williams
This off-white shade is one of our go-to warm whites and was even named one of our top Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors of 2021. This long-standing favorite is the perfect white that is bright, but not too bright. With an LRV of 74, Shoji White will lighten up any exterior but won’t look sterile or cold (even in direct sunlight). It even has the slightest hint of a green undertone for added depth.
This versatile shade is one of our favorites to pair with both gray paint — like Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray — and gray stone cladding. The multidimensional undertones pair beautifully with the gray hues for a complementary palette that looks beautiful with the mixed tones of natural stone.
#8 // Eclipse by Sherwin Williams
This moody green hue is the perfect mid-tone statement shade for any exterior. With an LRV of 14, Eclipse is decidedly dark — but not as dark as a deep color like emerald green or black. This middle ground makes it the ideal companion for a true gray hue.
In the stunning stucco home above, we matched the Sherwin Williams’ Honied White stucco with Eclipse garage and front doors. To finish the palette, we mixed in Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams for the trim. Incorporating this warm greige color adds a striking multi-tonal finish to this Mediterranean home.
Finding your favorite colors that go with gray
Whether you prefer a more neutral color palette or want to find colors that go with gray that really pop, there is a shade out there to match everyone’s style. While classic and creamy off-whites are a traditional option, Galápagos Turquoise or Blue Note offers something a little more unconventional. But don’t worry if you don’t see a color on this list that matches your vision. Our team of experienced designers can work with you one-on-one to find the perfect color palette to bring your dream home to life!
P.S. Want to sample all of these colors? Order Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples HERE. Samplize paint samples are made of real paint and will be delivered to you overnight!
The brick&batten team is standing by to help reimagine your home or business exterior. Our talented team will help you choose not only your color palette but all of the accents and finishes you need to transform your exterior. Why wait? Get started on your project today!
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