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All About Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (OC-23)

Classic Gray Paint Color Review

Read all about Benjamin Moore Classic Gray in our complete paint color review, updated for 2023!

In a world of white paint colors, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (OC-23) is a soft gray color that reads white in rooms where white paint colors just don’t look right. 

It is a light warm gray with subtle green undertones that you will never see and a flash of purple in cooler light.  Sometimes it can read so warm that it’s almost beige, and other times it can read a light warm gray.

When we originally published this post back in 2019, it was our first-ever paint color review. Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about this gorgeous gray color and how it works in different spaces. So we thought it was time for an update. Keep reading to learn more about this versatile paint color.

Classic Gray Living Room with Simply White trim and ceilings.
Photo and Design by The Color Concierge. This north-facing room has Classic Gray walls and Simply White trim.

*This post contains affiliate links for products I use and love. If you click on some links and make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no cost to you.  This helps pay for the costs of the blog so I can continue to offer great content to our readers.

Classic Gray LRV

Simply White has an LRV of 74.8 which makes it very light greige or darker off-white.  LRV is short for Light Reflectance Value, which is a measurement of how light (LRV=100) or dark (LRV=0) a color is.

Is Benjamin Moore Classic gray warm or cool?

Classic Gray is definitely a warm gray thanks to (nearly invisible) warm green undertones. Because its undertones are so subtle this paint can pair really well with both other warm or cool paint colors.

What are Classic Gray’s undertones?

As mentioned above, Classic Gray has very soft undertones. In addition to the warm green undertones, it has slightly violet undertones in cooler light. 

Does Benjamin Moore Classic Gray look white?

Yes, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is so light that in many spaces it does usually look white. It’s a great white paint alternative for rooms that need a little more pigment on the wall. In South-facing rooms, for example, white paint can often look too stark. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray works really well as a white color in that situation.

When should I use Classic Gray?

Use it instead of white when your room is too dark, or you have lots of greenery outside.  It is a great solution to update interiors with earthy Tuscan finishes.

Is Benjamin Moore Classic Gray good for north-facing rooms?

It absolutely is! But really, Classic Gray is a great color for every exposure – North, South, East or West. It is so light, it will usually look white. In dark North facing rooms, it could flash slightly gray, and it holds its own in East and West facing rooms, any time of day. It looks like a glorious soft white in South facing rooms.

The challenge with white paint colors, which seems counterintuitive, is that you need to have lots of light to be able to carry off a white color.  A dark room will have a lot of shadows that make whites look dingy.

Another challenge is that whites reflect everything; grass, your neighbor’s paint color, pink flowers, and even an evergreen tree. Bright whites reflect every color that surrounds them. Classic Gray will neutralize all the surrounding colors.

Should I try a Benjamin Moore Classic Gray kitchen?

I love Classic Gray paint color in a kitchen! If you’re looking for a classic white kitchen but want to avoid the space feeling too cold, Classic Gray walls could really add some warmth without making the space feel dark. You could even try Benjamin Moore Classic Gray kitchen cabinets for a slightly warmer twist on traditional white cabinets.

A Classic Gray kitchen paint job is pictured in an open concept home
Classic Gray walls in an open-concept kitchen and dining room. Photo & design by The Color Concierge

Is a Benjamin Moore Classic Gray bedroom a good idea?

Classic Gray is a wonderful bedroom color. This is a great choice if you want a light and bright bedroom space but still want the room to feel cozy. Classic Gray paint adds just the right touch of warmth and color while still acting as a neutral background for any furniture, decor, or accent colors you might want in your bedroom.

Transform your walls with a splash of color.

Remember, Classic Gray will look slightly different depending on the light in a room. In this client’s home, for example, you can see how two Classic Gray bedrooms each have their own look. 

A Benjamin Moore Classic Gray bedroom with less light
A Classic Gray bedroom with less light and more pigment. Photo by Color Concierge

The walls look slightly darker and slightly grayer in the first bedroom above, but much look essentially white in the bedroom below with a lot of large windows. But it looks really lovely in both spaces!

A Benjamin Moore Classic Gray bedroom with large windows
A Classic Gray bedroom with large windows. Photo & design by The Color Concierge.

Can you use Benjamin Moore Classic Gray as a whole-house color?

Classic Gray is a perfect whole-house color! It’s light enough and has subtle enough undertones to act as a neutral in any lighting and any space. And it pairs really well with just about any decor, furniture, flooring, or other hard finishes you might have.

You could absolutely create a whole-house color palette with Classic Gray as the foundation. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a neutral paint color to sell your house.

A Classic Gray dining room
A Classic Gray dining room. Photo by Maddie Camilli, Design by The Color Concierge.

You can see in this home how Classic Gray works really well in a wide variety of spaces, from the slightly darker dining room (above) to the bright entryway (below) and wide open living space.

Classic Gray entryway paint
A bright entryway with Classic Gray paint. Photo by M. Camilli.

The stairway below shows Classic Gray with Simply White trim.  We love the way it highlights the beautiful brass Buddha statue.  This color goes well with warm metals such as brass and nickel.

Classic Gray stairway with Simply white trim has buddha statue
Photo and Design by The Color Concierge. This stairway has Classic Gray walls and Simply White trim.

Best Trim and Ceiling Colors

Clean whites such as Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65) Oxford White (BM 869) and Extra White (SW 7006)  look clean and crisp with Classic Gray.  Off-whites such as Simply White (BM OC-117) and Cloud White (OC-130) also look lovely with this color. 

If the room has cool lighting or very low light, I like to use Chantilly Lace or Oxford White as a ceiling color to create a sharper contrast.

White Dove will work as a white ceiling and trim color with Classic Gray if the room has moderate to good light.  I’d stay away from creamier colors such as Swiss Coffee because there won’t be enough contrast and the combination will look like a mistake.

In a bathroom, or a room with a lofted ceiling you can paint the ceiling Classic Gray just like the walls, as in the bedroom below.

We tried SW Incredible White (a favorite color), and it looked really pink.  East-facing exposures are hard, and Classic Gray makes them easy.

Bedroom painted with Classic Gray wall and ceilings and Chantilly Lace trim
Photo and Design by The Color Concierge. This east-facing bedroom has Classic Gray walls and ceiling with Chantilly Lace trim.

Classic Gray for Exteriors

Classic Gray is a fantastic color for an all-white exterior palette and will look brighter outside than you expect.

It is also one of our dirty little secrets for exterior trim color.  When you pick colors for exteriors, it’s always good to remember that the sunshine makes paint colors look 5x lighter than inside.  In our Colorado bright sunshine, it seems as if it’s 10 times brighter!  We love to use this color as an exterior trim color because it’s not too bright to use with brick, and not too yellow like a creamy color.  It’s just right!  It can also look lovely as a white for an exterior paint color.  We specified Classic Gray exterior paint for the trim in the gorgeous home below.  The homeowner (and the painters) were skeptical, but it turned out amazing!

Classic house with front porch, Rockport Gray stucco, Kendall Charcoal siding and Classic Gray trim.
Photo & design by The Color Concierge – Classic Gray trim looks white!

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Color Comparisons

Classic Gray is just one of the popular gray paint colors on the market today, so it can be really hard to choose the neutral paint that is right for your space. Here’s how Classic Gray paint stacks up to some similar colors.

Classic Gray vs Agreeable Gray

Agreeable Gray is a little bit darker, and it’s more of a true gray color. Classic Gray is lighter and closer to off-white. Both colors are true neutrals, but Agreeable Gray has warmer green undertones than Classic Gray.

Classic Gray vs Agreeable Gray

Classic Gray vs Balboa Mist

Balboa Mist is just slightly darker than Classic Gray and has slightly different undertones. Balboa Mist’s undertones are violet. While Classic Gray can look slightly violet in certain lights, it has much more subtle undertones.

Classic Gray vs Balboa Mist

Classic Gray vs Pale Oak

Pale Oak is another very close Classic Gray alternative. While they are both warm colors, Pale Oak has taupe undertones and so appears much more like a greige than Classic Gray.

Classic Gray vs Pale Oak

Classic Gray vs Gray Mist

The LRV of Classic Gray and Gray Mist are nearly the same. But while Classic Gray is (true to its name) more of a true gray color, Gray Mist is slightly warmer and closer to a greige paint color.

Classic Gray vs Gray Mist

Classic Gray vs Silver Satin

Silver Satin paint is just barely lighter than Classic Gray and is even closer to a white paint color. Classic Gray has a bit more pigment and is therefore more versatile than Silver Satin, which can risk looking dingy in darker rooms.

Classic Gray vs Silver Satin

Key Learning Points

Classic Gray is a beautiful paint color that works really well in just about any space. It would be a lovely whole-house paint color.

  • Classic Gray is light enough that it can read like a white paint color.
  • Use it anywhere, but pair it with bright and off-whites for trim and ceiling colors such as Chantilly Lace and Simply White.
  • Use this in place of white paint for darker rooms to avoid your paint looking dingy, but keep your trim and ceiling color light and bright.

As always, don’t forget to test your paint colors! The easiest way to sample Classic Gray (and any paint color for that matter) is via SAMPLIZE. Their peel-and-stick paint samples are easy to use and true to color. With Samplize you can easily see how different shades look on your unique wall.

One more thing… we do not recommend that you try to paint match Classic Gray or any other Benjamin Moore paints with Sherwin-Williams, Behr, or any other manufacturer.  Paint color formulas are difficult to duplicate, and whites are especially hard to get right.  Read more about paint matching here.

Classic Gray can look green if you try to match it to another brand.

Online Color Consulting

If you still need help with paint colors, check out our Online Color Consulting packages or an In-Person Color Consultation in the Denver Metro area.

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All about Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23

Our 5 Favorite Benjamin Moore Whites

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace Color Review

Benjamin Moore White Dove Color Review

Benjamin Moore Simply White Color Review

Benjamin Moore Cloud White Color Review

The 6 Best White Paint Colors For Dark Rooms

We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions.  If you want more specific advice, please consider purchasing a color consultation. Thank you for your understanding.

88 Responses

    1. The carpet was already in place, but it is a beige with green undertones similar to Benjamin Moore Grant Beige.

  1. I have painted classic gray all over my home recently. In one room the color is perfect, truly classic gray. In our foyer, it looks pink and in our den/kitchen it looks yellow. Can you help me understand why? I really don’t want to repaint. Thanks!

    1. Hi Katie,
      It’s really hard to tell what is happening without seeing photos. It could be one of many things. The first thing I would do is check to see if your painters used Benjamin Moore or if they tried to match the color with another vendor such as Sherwin Williams. We just wrote an article on how paint matches are difficult to get right, especially with light colors. https://thecolorconcierge.com/paint-color-match/

      Even if it is the Benjamin Moore color, we always recommend that you test your paint colors, no matter which paint color you choose. In my experience, every time I test a paint color its perfect, but when I don’t, I occasionally have problems. Here is our article on testing paint colors. https://thecolorconcierge.com/how-to-test-paint-colors/

      You could be reflecting color from a piece of furniture, grass or trees from outside, or your window coverings, your neighbor’s house through the window.

      I experiment alot with colors in my own house to see how they react. I once had a problem with Sherwin Williams Incredible White going pink in an east facing room with a green house outside the window. The green house in the window was creating a contrast with the paint color that emphasized the red in the color. Incredible White had always looked amazing! Of course, I didn’t test the color because I thought it would be perfect. I repainted with Sherwin Williams Eider White, and it did the same thing. However, when I re-painted it with Classic Gray, the pink went away. I’ve never had a problem with Classic Gray looking pink, but anything can happen.

      I hope this helps, and if you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me at the website email address.

      Thanks!
      Michelle

      1. I was thinking of using Classic Gray in my living room. The Color I have now is similar to Battenberg AF 70. My sofa is a very light taupe with mustard,orange and black in the area rug and throw pillows. Will that work or should I use AF 70

    2. Hi Katie,
      The look of a paint color can change dramatically depending on what other colors are around it. My kitchen has white cabinets and black granite countertops. I painted the walls above and below the cabinets a yellow-beige color. The wall ABOVE the white cabinets looks like the true color. The wall BELOW the cabinets looks like a different, duller color. I finally realized that the wall ABOVE the cabinet was getting clean white reflections from the ceiling and the cabinets. The wall BELOW the cabinets was getting reflections from the black granite. It took me three years of staring at it to figure that out, lol.

      1. I will be painting my master bedroom Classic Gray but would love a darker accent wall. What colors go with Classic Gray?

        1. Just about any color will pair well with Classic Gray. The key is to find a color that you pull out of your bedding, art or other decor.

  2. Hi Katie, My house does not have a lot of natural light – especially in the kitchen where I have dark colored cabinets. We currently have Khilim Beige walls and Simply White doors and trim.
    I am going to paint most of the house Classic Grey. For the ceilings would you recommend lightening Classic Grey by 50%? Should Or should I paint the ceiling Simply White to match the doors and trim?

    1. Hi Angelique,
      We always recommend painting your ceiling the same white as your doors and trim (if they are white too) with a flat or ultra-flat sheen. In this case, Simply White, which is a beautiful choice. Lightening a wall color by 50% was a trend that is no longer in style.

      Please make sure that you test your paint colors before you paint. Also, make sure that your painters are not trying to paint match Benjamin Moore Simply White or Classic Gray to another brand such as Behr or Sherwin Williams. Although we never recommend paint matching, those 2 colors are especially difficult to match.

      Good luck!

      Michelle

        1. Hi!
          I’m thinking of painting our walls with bm classic gray. What would you recommend for trim and ceiling? Thank you

          1. You could use White Dove, Simply White, Cloud White, Oxford White. I like walls and ceilings the same color, walls with Ultra-flat sheen and trim with Satin.
            test, test, test!

  3. Hi there – Thanks for your post on using BM Classic Gray – this is great! I’m in the process of renovating a 1300 sf basement with only a few windows. I wanted to paint it white with white trim and considered using either simply white (the color of the rest of the trim in the house) or chantilly lace, but I’m worried that in a basement with not much natural light the white will either look TOO bright or possibly dingy. Would you recommend Classic gray on the walls and a bright white trim in this situation? Do you think that it would still read white? Floors are mid-color wood (LVP) and other furtiture not bought yet. Possibly using Newburyport Blue on bar cabinets and wall behind TV. I really want it to look white, but not like “hospital extreme” bright. I’d appreciate your thoughts! Thanks in advance 🙂

    1. Hi,
      We never ever recommend whites such as Chantilly or Simply White for basements unless they have big walkout doors and windows. They will look dingy. Classic Gray or Pale Oak would be lovely in this situation. Classic Gray is a little bit lighter than Pale Oak, and would read like a white in the basement, but we always recommend that you test your paint colors. Also, don’t get the color paint matched at Sherwin-Williams. Simply White or another pretty off-white would look lovely as trim (Satin or Semi-Gloss) and a ceiling color (flat). It’s hard to comment on details without seeing photos of the space and having more information. For more details, please consider ordering one of our online color consultations.
      Michelle

      1. Thank you so much Michelle! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I will take your advice to heart. The basement is still in the framing and electrical stage so I don’t have any pictures with appropriate light to share but I appreciate you steering me in the right direction! Thanks again.

  4. Hi, I just painted my basement today with the BM- classic grey. I seem to be getting a mint color almost. I’ve done three coats. I don’t have much natural light, and I previously had a darker greige color. I used the paint and primer combo. Could this be from not priming first? Or how many coats does the color roughly take ?
    Thanks

    1. Hi Jessica,
      It’s hard to tell without seeing the photos, or knowing which paint you used. Did you test your paint colors before you started? We always recommend that you test your paint colors first, its a standard practice. In my experience, when you test, everything looks perfect, but the one time you don’t test, the color ends up wrong. Another pitfall is if you tried to paint match with another paint manufacturer such as Behr or Sherwin-Williams. Classic Gray is a unique color and really difficult to duplicate.
      Michelle

    2. Hi, My entire home is BM Revere Pewter. However Im repainting my small kitchen/ family room with
      standard ceilings in BM classic grey
      with either Simply White or Chantilly Lace trim because the room is dark all day and dingy in RPewter plus my floor is dark brown birch wood. Should the walls and ceiling be all Classic Grey in order to appear a brighter and larger room?
      New kitchen cabinets a light griege and off white quartz countertops.

      1. I would not recommend painting the ceilings in Classic Gray. Instead, paint ceilings the same white as a trim or a lighter white.

  5. We are renovating an old Florida ranch house on the water near Clearwater and I am planning to paint the main living areas Classic Gray. I am having a hard time deciding on the sheen to use. We have raised the ceilings as much as we can but they are still fairly low. Although there are sliding glass doors looking onto the water along the entire back of the living area, I am worried about the room feeling dark because of the low ceilings and few windows at the front of the room. Would matte or eggshell finish be better to make the rooms feel bright? We don’t have young children or pets so” cleanabililty” is not an issue. Thank you!

    1. Hi Kelly,
      I don’t think the sheen really matters as much as the paint color. Just keep your ceilings a clean white such as Chantilly Lace or Simply white. The shiner the sheens the brighter the room will be. I would paint the walls eggshell and the ceiling a flat white.
      Michelle

      1. Hi Kelly ,
        Are you able to tell me what the dark color on the stair case is ?
        Currently I have honey oak stairs and flooring and I’m painting the walls classic gray , the spindles etc white….but I’m afraid that a black handrail might not look good with the honey oak floors ( which I hate btw).

        Janis

        1. Hi Janis,

          That color was Sherwin-Williams Tricorn. I also like Sherwin-Williams Iron-Ore.

          Michelle

  6. We’re looking for a front room that reads white. It is an east facing room with lots of light from sliding glass doors across the entire length of the room and it has a vaulted ceiling. Will Classic Gray read too gray? If it’s too gray, does Benjamin Moore have another color that is lighter with the same undertones as Classic Gray?

  7. My current trim color is white dove though out my home. Here’s my dilemma, I do not want to change the trim color( way too expensive to do) and I had thought about using classic grey until I read your comment that it’s not the best choice. I had also thought about painting the walls Simply White instead. Any thoughts on a wall color that does well with white dove trim? Painting our kitchen cabinets as well and considered white dove with jet mist granite. I am reeling about what to use. Thanks in advance for any direction you can give me.

    1. Hi Diane,
      How about trying Pale Oak with White dove? Simply White looks nice too. If you paint your kitchen cabinets, White Dove is a nice color, and I think its a nice cohesive look when you match your white trim to your cabinets if they are white. White Dove is creamy enough to go with earthier finishes and would look nice with jet mist granite. Just for grins, try testing Classic Gray with White Dove. Depending on the lighting in your house it might look good, but its not something I would recommend to look good all the time.. My biggest objection to Classic Gray/White Dove is that they are too different for a monochromatic look, but too close for a contrasting look.

      Please please don’t forget to test your colors, and don’t paint match with any other brands. All of the colors above are almost impossible to duplicate by Sherwin Williams.

      Good Luck!
      Michelle

    2. Just a thought. I painted a rental top to bottom white dove bm, walls, baseboards, trim etc. it is incredible beautiful. In my own house I painted the walls white dove and trim is chantilly lace. I did not get the same effect. Too may undertones come out in the white dove when paired with a crisp white. Maybe try painting the walls the same color as the trim. Looks elegant and soft.

  8. I have divine white on my trim and doors is classic gray going to work in my bedroom or is the divine white too creamy? Thank you

  9. Hi! We recently painted our exterior with classic grey…probably should have thought it through more…we can’t decide what color to do the trim now! Our house is a small ranch starter home with brick going halfway up then siding for the rest, with 2 sets of large front facing windows. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

    1. Hi Sarah,
      It’s hard to answer this question specifically without seeing your home. Keep your eye on our blog, we are just getting ready to publish an article on paint and trim for white houses. Another option would be to purchase one of our exterior paint color packages.
      Michelle

  10. We have an east facing back yard and want to lighten up our entire main floor. It is bright in the morning but definitely feels too dark by mid afternoon. We are replacing the floors (currently very dark) with a light hardwood and are leaning toward Chantilly Lace or Simply White for the cabinets, trim and ceiling. What color would you recommend for the wall color to keep it as light and airy as possible? We would prefer white or a very light grey. Any thoughts?

    1. Hi Dawn,
      We would really need to see your house for more detailed advice. One of our color consulting packages would be a great way to do it, and we could also help with your wall color recommendations.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  11. I’m building a house. I have an eastern exposure great room with adjacent covered lanai space along 60% of the space so I’m considering Classic Gray for my walls to deal with eastern and low natural light. Hope to use an off-white color like SW Alabaster or BM Cloud White for my trim, kitchen cabinets, shiplap, and ceilings (area with wood feature on ceiling too.) Can Classic Grey work with off-white trim, ceilings?

    1. Hi Debra,
      Classic Gray works great with off-white trim and ceilings. Just make sure that you purchase Classic Gray from Benjamin Moore – don’t have it paint matched at Sherwin. If you are paining your kitchen cabinets white, its nice to match them to your trim and ceilings.
      Michelle

  12. Hi Michelle,
    I have a 3rd floor master suite painted with Classic Gray walls and simply white trim. I’d like to extend this same combination to my 2nd floor hallway and the stairwell to the 2nd floor (west facing). However the original wood floors are a yellow/orange oak and several of the doors in the hallway have a reddish stain. Would these color combinations work with the floors and doors?
    Thanks so much!
    Jeannie

    1. Hi Jeanie,
      I’d love to help, but its almost impossible for me to say without seeing the space. For specific paint color recommendations, you can sign up for one of our online color consulting packages. Thanks!
      Michelle

    2. I just painted my kitchen in Benjamin Moore Classic Gray and love it. Simply white is my trim and it looks great. I have simply white on the ceiling, and am thinking I want to do a shade darker than Classic Gray (to add contrast). Would I use Balboa Mist, Cumulus Cloud or La Palma Gray? I am thinking I want a darker contrast. The light walls with darker trim seems to be the new trend. I am open to updating my trim to match the darker ceiling, if suggested.

      1. Hi Kari,
        Simply White and Classic Gray are a beautiful combination! Classic Gray is gorgeous… Green gray in some lights with flashes of violet. Those darker colors, Balboa Mist, Cumulus Cloud and La Palma Gray are all violet grays. With those warmer grays, when you shift to a darker warm gray on the ceiling it can end up looking dingy or dirty depending on the light. Its a little easier if you have white crown molding to separate the colors, but still… I wouldn’t do it. If you are looking for another color, try pulling one of the color-colors out of your art or another piece in the kitchen. Maybe a muted blue?
        Michelle

  13. Hi there, can you recommend a darker gray that coordinates with Classic Gray?

    I have hideous pink/beige/travertine-looking tiles and Classic Gray has thankfully diffused some of the dated “Tuscan colors”. Or at least it hasn’t enhanced them!

    Anyway, I’m trying to find a darker gray with the same “characteristics” of Classic Gray. I’ve tried 25+ paint samples and I’m just about to give up.

    1. Hi Sara,
      Classic Gray primarily has soft green undertones with flashes of violet. Related darker colors are in the green-gray family. Revere Pewter, Edgecomb Gray, Chelsea Gray and Kendall Charcoal are all related.

      Good luck!

      Michelle

  14. Painting master classic grey with chattily lace trim. Want a darker accent wall – greige family. What would coordinate with classic grey well?

    1. Hi Jill,
      Each room is so different. Its more important to pick an element in your room such as a painting, piece of art or your comforter for the perfect accent wall color. For more guidance, please refer to our blog on Accent walls.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  15. Hello. I want to paint all of my interior walls white except for my kitchen. I have white kitchen cabinets so I want to paint it classic grey. What color white should I paint the rest of the interior walls.

    1. Hi Simone,
      Its hard to say without seeing all of your hard finishes. We can give you more insight with one of our online color consulting packages.
      Michelle

  16. Hi. I’m looking to repaint my living room that has white chair rail. I was looking at using revere Pewter on the bottom. I’m having a hard time finding a good contrasting color for the top. I am leaning towards light pewter, but there isn’t a lot of contrast between the two. Any other suggestions? Classic gray maybe? I will be painting my kitchen cabinets white dove and kitchen Edgecomb Gray. So I could also use Edgecomb gray if you have a good color suggestion to use with it.
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Rachel,
      My suggestion is that you take inspiration from the decor in your room. All the colors that you are looking at are totally compatible with each other. Otherwise, you could purchase one of our color consulting packages.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  17. Hi. My Dining room and living room are adjoining. I painted my dining room in Balboa Mist. It is pretty, but reading a lot lighter than I thought with a Lot of Violet undertones. I don’t want to use it in my living room so wondering if Collingwood would be a good option for the living room. I would like something that works with the Balboa mist but without the purple hue.

    1. Hi Jennifer,
      Balboa Mist does have violet undertones, but so does Collingwood. Collingwood is basically a darker version of Balboa Mist. Its hard to recommend a paint color without seeing the space itself. We can offer more assistance with our Online Color Consultation Packages.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  18. What colour goes well with BM Classic Grey that would be similar. My cabinets are BM Chantilly Lace and I would like another BM colour for the rest of the walls similar to Classic Grey or goes well with it.

    1. Hi Cheryl,

      The colors that are in the same family as Classic Gray are Revere Pewter, Edgecomb Gray, Pashmina, Gray Mist. Don’t forget to test your paint colors!
      Michelle

    1. Hi Karen,
      You can use any color as long as its darker than Classic Gray and it relates to another color in your decor, such as an area rug, painting, stone or piece of art.
      Michelle

    2. Hi!! I’ve been doing a ton of research using your site, love it! I want to paint my kitchen walls Classic Gray, with either Simply White kitchen cabinets or white dove. My issue is my countertops have more earthy yellow tones. Will the classic gray/simply white combo tone down the undesirable yellow?

      1. Hi Claire,
        Its hard to evaluate without photos. Often when people have pink beige countertops, they can trick the eye and look like earthy yellow tones. Both Simply and White Dove have yellow undertones. Cloud White has more of a taupe undertone. My suggestion is that you paint some sample boards and look at them in natural light against your countertop. Either Cloud White will look amazing, or the other two will.
        I hope that helps!
        Michelle

  19. We have BM’s Classic Gray throughout our first floor, the one exception being our living room. Our living room has a lot of white/cream furniture and a white carpet so I wanted to do a color on the walls. Can you recommend a light blue that you’ve found coordinates well when the adjacent room is BM Classic Gray? Thank you!

    1. Hi Story,
      Its very difficult for us to make detailed recommendations without seeing photos of the room. For more information, please purchase a color consulting package.
      Michelle

  20. Hi,
    This article on Classic Gray was very helpful. We’re currently underway with re-painting our entire home. I like greige’s and seem to be going in that direction with the rooms that have been painted so far (BM Balboa Mist, Wind’s Breath, and Revere Pewter). I’m now having to choose a color for the front entry, staircase, and landings. I would like to stick with a greige color. The problem is that I have “tuscan trend” brown/tan/gold floor tiles in my foyer. Would Classic Gray work with the tuscan trend tiles downstairs while still maintaining flow with the griege rooms upstairs? I should add that the landings have north facing windows. Many thanks!

    1. I think that Classic Gray could be pretty, but I would still test, and of course don’t match to another manufacturer such as Behr or Sherwin Williams.
      Michelle

  21. We are redecorating our kitchen sitting room. I’ll be using Benjamin Moore
    Marine Blue 2059-10 as an accent colour on the fireplace wall. The cabinets will be white in the shaker style our backsplash is a medium griege/taupe colour. The furniture is light gray tweed, and the hard furniture is darker gray. Have you any suggestions as to the remaining walls. The room has an east west exposure

  22. Love your blog! I am going with classic gray in my downstairs living, fam and kitchen to lighten up current dark walls. I’m so excited. I am doing simply white trim as I have brown leather furn and some dark wood furniture and I like its warm quality. My question is my dining room. Currently it is barn red, which I have loved. It has wainscoting half way down. Is there an updated color that will correspond with my new look? A statement but that will flow? Thank you SO much.

    1. Hi Sheryl,
      Thank you so much! It’s really hard to recommend a paint color for your dining room without seeing photos of the space and the colors in your decor. We can do more with an online color consultation.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  23. Hello I am in the process of picking out paint colors for my basement. I am stuck between BM- Classic Gray and BM- Ballet White. The Ballet White seems to pull yellow on the sample foam board I used. When I use the sample on the wall it is light almost white. I am really stuck. My basement has very low amount of light. I want the basement to feel airy but also warm. Do you have any suggestions? Also I plan to paint the ceilings white.

    1. Its hard for us to give specific project information without a color consult.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

  24. Oh, how I wish I’d found your website before we had our kitchen cabinets painted Classic Gray. It’s a small, east facing kitchen with Agreeable Gray walls and Extra White trim. I agonized over cabinet color and thought I was being safe with Classic Gray. It’s okay but Revere Pewter would have given more of a contrast. Any advice – maybe change wall color? Thank you!

    1. Hi Beth,
      Thank you so much! Its hard for me to comment without seeing photos. Agreeable Gray and Revere Pewter are very close to each other, so I wouldn’t do that either.

      You might consider purchasing a cabinet color package.

      Thanks,
      Michelle

  25. Hi, we have a large home space painted in Classic Gray (lightened by 50%). Because the room has a lot of light, the color almost disappears altogether and is dominated by more beige, warm tones. In that space, we want to paint one large wall in front of the windows in a darker, deep gray. We are very afraid that a darker color will bring out the yellowness of the lighter walls. We would like to see a “grayer” tone just come out. Could you suggest which gray colors with their tones would be most appropriate to get this effect? Thank you in advance!

    1. Hi Lina,
      For this type of a specific question, please purchase an online color consult.
      Thanks,
      Michelle

    2. Hi there! This post on classic gray was so helpful for me!! I recently painted our loft classic gray and was debating on what to color the built in shelves. I was thinking of doing it the trim simply white and the built in revere pewter or possibly simply white to match the trim simply white. Can you recommend other colors that would coordinate with classic gray for the built in?

      1. Your question is very specific and difficult to answer without more information. I recommend purchasing a color consultation.

  26. Thank you for this article about Classic Gray. I live in an old craftsman house with plenty of stained wood trim, doors, windows, and floors, and I’m looking for a good neutral paint color for the interior walls. I’m considering painting the rooms Classic Gray, Gray Owl, or Plaster of Paris. I prefer Simply White for trim and ceilings. With lots of trees and shrubs outside, I am concerned about the limited amount of natural light throughout the house and think I’ll need a paint color with an LRV of 70-80 to keep it bright. Gray Owl is possibly too dark and too gray, but what do you think about Classic Gray or Plaster of Paris – or do you have another recommendation? I like green paint undertones and a creamy look as long as it’s not too yellow, but I’m not fond of pink or purple.

    1. Hi Lori,
      Your question is very specific and difficult to answer without more information. I recommend purchasing a color consultation.

  27. Hi,

    Nice article. Thank you!

    What BM color paint should I used in my cabinet if walls are in classic grey.
    what color of vynil floor can go with the classic grey color ?
    What BM bright dark color can blend with classic grey?

    Thanks!

  28. This site has been a great source of information for me!
    How do colors like classic grey or cloud white read at night with warm led lighting?

    1. It really varies depending on the strength and warmth of the light. Instead, we evaluate colors in natural light during the day when you can see the undertones clearly.

  29. I am debating between BM classic gray or Rodeo. We have just built a open concept , “farmhouse” style, ranch. The room with the kitchen, dining, living has vaulted ceilings with windows on the south and north facing but not a ton of light. we have dark walnut hardwood floors. my kitchen cabinets and trim/doors will all be bm white dove. Whatever gray we choose will also go down the hallway and into the mud room. As well as up an open staircase into our loft area. What would you suggest?

  30. I am repainting the cabinets in a darker west-facing kitchen and would like a white that will look creamy and elegant. Which BM color would you suggest for walls and trim if the classic gray works out well ?
    Would you suggest white dove for cabinets at all in this case?

  31. I’ve narrowed down the wall color for main living area to BM Balboa Mist or BM Classic Gray. We’ve painted all the ceilings, baseboards and all interior doors BM Chantilly Lace. I am using SW Naval as an accent color on one wall in the grandkids bedroom. I am looking for a blue/gray for master bedroom and bath. Not too blue. Gray with a blue undertone. And not too dark. What do you recommend that would look best with the Balboa Mist or Classic Gray in rest of house? We have Eleganza Carrara Extra Moderne and Shaw Simplicity LVP flooring.

  32. Hello- I’ve painted my whole home BM Intense White and really love it everywhere… except my living room. For some reason it reads dark and quite cool. I’m considering painting just my living room with classic gray. Do you think it will coordinate well with the other rooms while hopefully lightening and warming up the living room?

    1. Hy Ryanne!

      It’s hard for me to comment without seeing the space. I can say that Classic Gray is very similar to Intense White but a little bit brighter. It’s worth testing in the room, I think.
      Michelle

  33. thanks so much for your article, I just recently painted my kitchen walls classic gray, trim simply white and interior doors in kitchen revere pewter in satin, I love how they look and am about to paint my cabinets in revere pewter satin finish however I am concerned there won’t be enough contrast between the classic gray and revere pewter – when I see on doors I love it as it has the white trim surrounding it so the contrast is obvious that won’t be the case in all spots for my cabinets to my walls (meaning that the white is not always next to cabinets and walls only in some places so goes right from revere pewter to classic gray if that makes sense). My counter is going to be Viatara Forte so it is nice and white with some greige and gray tones. Thinking worse case I end up painting walls white – any thoughts before I pull the trigger on the revere pewter cabinets?

  34. I am also wondering what color to choose for the walls at home. I’m doing a renovation and it’s a good time to choose such colors. The problem is whether to make all the walls the same color or have different ones. The white ones are nice, but won’t the meringue be too white – when I paint everything in these colors.

  35. The color palettes you’ve suggested, along with the accompanying images, give readers a clear vision of how these grays can be used in various settings. It’s inspiring to see how a well-chosen paint color can create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Your post will be a valuable reference for my upcoming interior painting project. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

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Meet Michelle

Driven to help clients fall back in love with their homes with intentional paint color schemes. She started the company based on her passion for color and its ability to make a house a home.

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