Best Paint Colors: Calm Grays

Finding the perfect calm grey paint color is something of a design miracle. I thought I’d found “the one” so many times, only to find that when I painted a test watch it’s in fact purple! Or even worse — it leans way too cold and clinical.

Here are some of my favorite examples of warm, inviting and calm grays:

Farrow & Ball Ammonite

Design by Emily Henderson

This is one of my favorites — Ammonite by Farrow and Ball. When you first look at the swatch, it’s tint is so subtle that it’s barely noticeable until you pair it next to a clean white. It’s undertones are neither too warm, nor too cool, so it’s very versatile and sophisticated option.

Benjamin Moore Apparition

Built by Anthony Esteves via Remodelista

Ok, so hear me out — Apparition from Benjamin Moore does have a bit of a purple cast. But it’s warm, and romantic, which tends to suit a more traditional interior. It’s technically more of a classic medium gray, so it creates a cozy space, especially when mixed with rich brown woods and a contrasting soft black.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray is another “barely there” gray paint color. It’s such a beautiful way to add just a bit of depth to the walls, without just going with a plain white. While technically considered an “off-white”, its unsurprisingly a classic choice for a warm grey paint. Be a bit careful though, as it’s so light, it can pick up undertones from surrounding surfaces.