Repainting your kitchen can be a challenging endeavor with many difficult decisions to make—not the least of which being choosing the paint itself. There’s an abundance of options when it comes to kitchen colors, but there’s one color that’s come into fashion over the past few years.
More and more people are recommending gray for kitchens; however, even if you’ve narrowed your choices down to one color, there are so many shades to pick from. Don’t worry—no matter what atmosphere you’re looking to curate in your kitchen, we have a recommendation for you. Read on to discover our list of fifteen shades of gray to paint your kitchen!
Grays to Consider
Warmer grays
Grays that lean more warm-toned tend to lend a welcoming, natural feel to any space, and they’ve become especially popular for use in kitchens. They’re beautifully subtle and neutral without feeling boring, and you’ll likely want to head in this direction if you have other warmer-toned kitchen features (such as cabinets, appliances, décor, or flooring) and want to avoid clashing.
Greige
Greige is a color that’s taken modern kitchens by storm, a trendy middle-ground between cool-toned and warm-toned grays that easily complements just about any kitchen space. (Of course, greiges will still possess cold or warm undertones, so make sure you test your greige options before committing to one!)
Blue-grays
Grays with blueish undertones are less neutral, but lend a bit more color to a space without being too bold. Grays that lean toward blue will give a sense of calm when you walk into a room, and you certainly want your kitchen to be a peaceful place to spend your time! If you’re not afraid to commit to a little color, blue-grays are a fantastic option to beautify your space without taking the risk of a brighter shade that could potentially turn a buyer off.
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Sherwin-Williams Shades of Gray
1. Agreeable Gray
Agreeable Gray is a light warm-leaning greige, and it’s an extremely popular color—in fact, it’s Sherwin-Williams’ best-selling color! Not only is it appealing to just about any eye, it provides a flawless backdrop for just about any fixtures or flooring. It has an LRV (Light Reflecting Value) of 60 (out of 100, 100 being the lightest and 0 being the darkest), which means it’s on the lighter side of the scale without being too light. There’s little risk of your room appearing blanched or drab in this color—it’s a perfect neutral!
2. Repose Gray
There’s some disagreement as to whether this color leans warm or cool, and it mainly depends on lighting! This is another gray that lands in the greige category, with undertones that range from a hint of brown to a touch of blueish purple. If you have a darker space that doesn’t receive too much natural light, this color is more likely to lean toward a blueish cast. If you have a lot of windows in your kitchen that let in natural light, it’s more likely to show off its warm side. Its LRV is 58, which makes it just barely darker than Agreeable Gray.
3. Lazy Gray
Lazy Gray is a cool, blue-toned gray with an LRV of 53, which makes it darker than both Repose and Agreeable Gray, though it’s still very much in the middle of the scale. This gray is perfect for a space with cooler-toned cabinets, flooring, or appliances, and it has just the right amount of blue to add a pinch of color to your room.
4. Gray Screen
Gray Screen is a true gray that favors blue with deep cool undertones, so if you’re looking for something that truly shows off a blue cast, this is the shade for you! Its LRV is 59, which puts it just shy of Agreeable Gray.
5. Anew Gray
If you’re a fan of greige but want something a bit darker and warmer-toned than Agreeable, Anew Gray is a fantastic step into the darker side of the LRV scale. With an LRV of 47, while still solidly in the middle of the scale, it definitely will show up darker than the other Sherwin-Williams colors recommended here, but it’s not likely to come across as smothering or claustrophobic. If you have warmer kitchen fixtures to worry about, this color will likely be a fabulous fit for you.
Sherwin-Williams Reviews
Most seem to agree that either Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex or Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex are the best options for interior paint, but there’s some debate as to which is truly the best option. When factoring in cost, Cashmere is a bit cheaper than SuperPaint (and many claim it’s better overall than SuperPaint, anyhow) so if you’re looking to maximize quality while minimizing budget, Cashmere is likely the way to go. Many claim that Cashmere has a better finish, as well. However, SuperPaint is considered to be more washable, and its finish is said to be more consistent on the walls of fixer-uppers, homes that are older, or homes that have seen some repairs. SuperPaint comes in Flat, Semi-Gloss, Satin, or Velvet; Cashmere comes in Flat, Low Lustre, Medium Lustre, Pearl, or Eggshell.
Benjamin Moore Shades of Gray
6. Alaskan Husky
Alaskan Husky is considerably lighter than other colors on this list, with an LRV of 67. It can look closer to a white than gray, but its silver tone keeps it from coming across as plain or washed out. It’s a stunning alternative to white that adds considerable dimension to a room. It’s a perfect neutral to pair with just about anything, and it’s a great option if you’re concerned about other grays being too dark in your space.
7. Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach leans into tones of lavender and blue, but it remains a solid gray, not dipping too far into any of its undertones. It has an LRV of 61, settling on the lighter spectrum of grays, and it’s a good way to go if you’re looking for something cooler without taking on too much blue or purple in your kitchen.
8. Arctic Gray
Arctic Gray is another cool-toned option. This one inclines toward greener undertones rather than blue or lavender, though it can hold a hint of blue as well depending on lighting. It has an LRV of 62, making it a tad lighter than Pebble Beach.
9. Revere Pewter
Revere Pewter is an extremely popular gray from Benjamin Moore, and it follows the greige trend, landing on the warmer side of the spectrum. It works well in just about any space, and it will certainly spruce up your kitchen. It has an LRV of 55, which means it tends a bit darker than some, but it’s still a very welcoming and warm color.
10. Collingwood
This is another warmer gray/greige, though some people call it more of an off-white. It has an LRV of 62, placing it at the same point on the spectrum as Arctic Gray; it’s basically the warm counterpart to Arctic Gray’s cooler side!
Benjamin Moore Reviews
Though there is an argument to be had over whether Benjamin Moore Regal interior paint or Aura interior paint is best, most seem to agree that Aura is the top product to choose. With superior coverage over both light and dark colors, a gorgeous finish, and impressive washability, Benjamin Moore Aura interior paint is the best option to make your kitchen look great and stay looking great. Considering all the messes that can occur in a kitchen, you can’t beat having the reassurance that your paint job will have the ability to hold up under multiple washes. Aura Interior Paint comes in Matte, Eggshell, Satin, or Semi-Gloss.
Behr Shades of Gray
11. Overcast
Overcast is a lovely shade of darker gray with blue undertones. Like the name suggests, it’s a color reminiscent of rainclouds. Its LRV is 25, making it one of the darkest colors on this list, but the depth of it is soothing to the eye and makes for quite an appealing space.
12. Dark Pewter
Dark Pewter is a classically beautiful shade of dark gray that comes off cooler. Its LRV is 29, a bit lighter than Overcast, but still on the deeper side.
13. Coney Island
Coney Island is a dark blue-gray with some green undertones, and while it’s certainly less subtle than the neutrals on this list, it’s an amazing choice if you want to stay in the gray family while still adding a pop of rich, delectable color to your space. However, if you have a smaller kitchen, you should steer clear of this one—with an LRV of 20, it’s easily the darkest color out of our recommendations, and it could make a small space seem even more closed-in. Still, it’s quite lovely for more open kitchens with a lot of natural light.
14. Dolphin Fin
Dolphin Fin takes us back toward greige territory, though it’s not technically considered a member of the greige family. Rather, it’s considered a warm-toned gray, lighter than the previously mentioned Behr colors with an LRV of 59. It’s simple but pretty, and it easily complements all kinds of kitchen set-ups, perfect for small and large spaces alike.
15. Silver Drop
Last but not least, Silver Drop is another warm gray that actually comes very close to white—with an LRV of 70, it’s the lightest color on our list!—but still offers enough in terms of tone to set it apart as a member of the gray family. It’s perfectly neutral, pairing well with just about any color, cabinets, or flooring. It’s delicate, elegant, and a great shade to choose if you’re hoping for a cheery and lighthearted kitchen.
Behr Reviews
Behr Marquee paint is widely considered the best of Behr’s interior paints. According to Behr, Marquee comes with a “One-Coat Guarantee” and includes primer and paint in one. Though it’s expensive, it provides the appropriate bang for your buck, and Behr’s website lauds it for its “superior durability” and ability to withstand scrubbing and washing. It comes in Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss.
Where to Buy
You can purchase any of these brands through their websites!
Purchase Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Paint
Purchase Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Paint
Purchase Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint
Purchase Behr Marquee Interior Paint
You can also purchase Behr Marquee Interior Paint through Home Depot:
Purchase Behr Marquee Interior Paint, Home Depot
Conclusion
No matter which shade is best for your kitchen, rest assured that you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous gray to decorate the heart of your house! Whether you’re hoping for a light and airy atmosphere, a trendy and modern look, or a calming splash of color, you’re sure to find something on this list that will suit all of your needs.
Want to get one of these paints in your home? Schedule a free estimate with Minneapolis Painting Company today!