The 8 Best Gray Paint Colors For the Ultimate Neutral Space

Getty Images/Graphic by Cristina Cianci

Gray is one of the most versatile paint colors. It's perfect for moody rooms when you're looking to create ambiance, yet it's also the ideal pick for serene spaces to project a sense of calm. The color pairs seamlessly with a variety of décor styles. In fact, you could say it's a definitive neutral, a prime pick for those seeking something more exciting than the usual white or beige while still maintaining versatility and polish.

Color Family: Gray
Complementary Colors: No complementary colors
Pairs Well With: Pair mid-tone grays with blue undertones with greens like pistachio or olive. Dark grays pair with jewel tones like emerald or navy. And gray just always seems to go well with pink, doesn't it?
Mood: Moody or serene, depending on the depth of the color
Where to Use: Across the home, including walls, cabinets, and front doors

With so many options available, we decided it was time to poll the experts, from Nate Berkus to Estee Stanley, to find out the exact gray paint colors that some of today's top design talents are using. You may want to take notes—this color is changing how we decorate. See the best nine gray paint colors designers reach for, from brands like Benjamin Moore to Farrow & Ball, and check out some of our favorite gray spaces these experts have created, too, below.

01 of 08

Benjamin Moore Dior Gray

best gray paint colors — Courtesy of Nate Berkus

"Gray is a fail-safe color for any room," says Nate Berkus. "My go-to is still Dior Gray by Benjamin Moore. It's classic and elegant, and pairs well with pretty much everything: neutrals, blues, white, or black. I recently used Sherwin-Williams's Serious Gray. Stunning."

Go a bit darker with your gray for more drama, especially in smaller spaces like a powder room.

Benjamin Moore Dior Gray $37.00

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02 of 08

Pratt & Lambert Windham

"Our favorite gray paint right now is Pratt & Lambert's Windham," says Betsy Burnham. "It's pale, really more of a tint than a fully saturated color, and makes a great wall color. We used it in the family room of 2014's Coastal Living showhouse. Windham leans more toward a pale taupe than a blue-gray, so it's warm, sophisticated, and inviting. It has no purple undertones at all, which is a mistake made with some grays that can turn alarmingly purple. Pair it with crisp white trim; it will really elevate your room."

Pratt & Lambert Windham $39.00

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03 of 08

Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud

Benjamine Moore - Cumulus Cloud — Courtesy of Thomas O’Brien

"Benjamin Moore's Cumulous Cloud is a great rich neutral that's warm in color and not too gray, actually," says Thomas O'Brien. "I'm using it on all the doors and kitchen cabinets in a new house that I'm designing."

Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud $37.00

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04 of 08

Benjamin Moore Deep Space

"I love using Deep Space, a chic blue-gray Benjamin Moore color that has a bold presence when used in a contemporary setting (like the bookcases in my office) or takes on a more sophisticated French 19th-century edge when used in a paneled hallway or dining room," says Martyn Lawrence Bullard. "Gray is one of those timeless colors that always has a great air of elegance. To me, Deep Space is a truly smart tone of gray—less severe than black yet strong enough to make just the right statement."

Benjamin Moore Deep Space $37.00

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05 of 08

C2 Paint Haddon Hall

C2 - Haddon Hall — Photo by Tony Vu, Design by Bunny Williams

"I recently painted my entry in Connecticut in Haddon Hall from C2 Paint, a lovely, soft greenish-gray," says Bunny Williams. "The color allows the art I've hung to really pop, and the greenish tint makes a nice transition from the outdoors in."

C2 Paint Haddon Hall $23.00

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06 of 08

Farrow & Ball Plummett #272

"I opt for Farrow & Ball paint always," says Estee Stanley. "Its shades range from soft and light to deep and saturated. Hands down, my favorites are Plummett, Pavillion Gray, and Lamp Room Gray."

Farrow & Ball Plummett #272 $95.00

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07 of 08

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

"My favorite gray paint is actually borrowed from the exterior of William Doyle Galleries, a favorite auction house of mine. It's a beautiful feather gray, like the kind you see painted on the massive exterior doors in Paris," says Miles Redd. "I love a super-glossy finish to give the luminosity of a black pearl. The paint is a combination of Benjamin Moore's Coventry Gray and Hollandlac Brilliant from Fine Paints of Europe."

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray $37.00

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08 of 08

Kathryn M. Ireland

Warm Gray Paint Colors — Courtesy of Kathryn M. Ireland

"I love Stone from my new line with C2 Paints," says Kathryn M. Ireland. "I just painted my new headquarters in Los Angeles that color, and everything looks great against it: art, furniture, fabric, and more. Things just pop, and it's got enough color without being overwhelming. A good neutral."