Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a no-fail, neutral shade. This light gray has warm undertones so you get all the style of gray with all the warmth of your favorite creamy shades. Best paired with fresh white trim!
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What Color is Classic Gray?
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is one of my favorite off-white paint colors. You all know that I have a love for all kinds of paint, but this stunning pale gray with warm undertones is a top contender. This shade may be just what you need when giving your space a sophisticated look.
Choosing BM Classic Gray is always going to be a great idea because it’s a no-fail color. It looks lovely with other grays, whites, and even bright colors. Plus, it makes a good interior or exterior paint.
NOTE: If you’re painting the room yourself, these tools will help tremendously. And this post will give you my best tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps.
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Undertones
If there already isn’t enough to love about Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, check out the undertones. You won’t be finding any blueish or purple undertones like many gray paint colors.
Instead, Classic Gray is warm and comforting. You could almost think of it as a soft, sophisticated off white. You will notice at times when the sun is shining just right, that it looks like it is white. Once the light shifts, you are left with that lovely warm gray once more.
Tip: Use Real Paint Samples
Any time you are choosing a new paint color, you need to try out the real paint color in your home first!
The easiest and quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I solely use them for paint samples now. There’s no mess, no leftover sample pots of paint. Plus, these no-mess, peel and stick rectangles made from real paint, are easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!
Is Classic Gray warm or cool in tone?
Classic Gray is definitely a warm gray with neutral undertones, maybe a slight hint of pink. As you can see in the comparison below, it doesn’t pull quite as pink as Shoji White, as green as Gray Owl or as dark as Repose Gray.
Classic Gray LRV
What does LRV mean? LRV refers to the light reflective value of paint color on a scale of 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). Essentially, colors with an LRV rating close to 0 will be darker, while numbers closer to 100 will be lighter colors.
Classic Gray paint has a Light Reflectance Value, or LRV, of 74.
This means it’s more like an off-white than a true gray color. If you put it in a room with too much natural light, it’ll probably look like a muted white. But if you pair it with stark white trim, you’ll be able to see the contrast.
Coordinating Colors
You can’t go wrong using BM Classic Gray if you are looking to make your space appear clean, soft, and tranquil. Benjamin Moore recommends these colors:
- Slate Blue
- Midnight Blue
- Beigewood
- Byzantine Gold
Some of my go-to colors that look good with classic gray include the following:
- Chantilly Lace
- Simply White
- Hale Navy
- White Dove
- Sea Haze
- Jet Black
It looks so serene when you paint the walls Classic Gray and the trim either Chantilly Lace, Simply White or White Dove. You won’t want to leave the room because it’s so welcoming and inviting.
Rooms With Classic Gray
I’m excited to share with you some various looks you can achieve using Classic Gray. Each photo will show you what you can see if you pair it with different colors. Remember, thanks to those warm undertones, BM Classic Gray goes well with multiple colors.
Bedrooms With Classic Gray
Annie at DIY Decor Mom shares this beautiful bedroom using Benjamin Moore Classic Gray with a few accents. It pairs perfectly with the pops of navy blue and green colors in the room. Plus, with a lot of natural light coming in the windows, you can really see the stunning gray color.
Studio McGee used Classic Gray, and you’ll notice that the walls take on almost a white color. When pairing it with other grays as they did with the headboard and pillows, it’s the perfect compliment.
Classic Gray in the Bathroom
As you can see, using Classic Gray on the walls and adding marble with grays and white tones was the perfect way to go. Over at Decor Pad, they show us this gorgeous bathroom designed by Jesse Bodine, and it looks amazing.
I love how it pairs with those bright white subway tile and the nickel faucets give the entire room a clean, fresh look to it.
Julia Ryan gives us the perfect example of why Benjamin Moore Classic Gray was the way to go in this updated bathroom. The top portion of the walls are painted with Classic Gray, and it turned out incredible.
Using the natural light in the room, painting the trim with white and having white countertops as well as the cabinets gives the space a sophisticated theme.
This look is easy to replicate without breaking the bank!
Classic Gray Featured In Kitchens
Using the off-white color of Classic Grey in this large kitchen makes it look even bigger. It’s bright, but not too bright. Baton Rouche Architects & Building Designers created this fun, playful space.
Studio McGee went with white cabinets, dark countertops, and classic gray in this stunning kitchen. The combination of colors and light are amazing for this space. You can see that the gray blends in but also gives a subtle color to the room.
Living Rooms With Classic Gray
When you lay your eyes on this gorgeous open floor plan with Classic Gray walls, you are bound to fall in love. The look is so comforting, inviting, and welcoming!
The ceiling is painted Ozark Shadows by Benjamin Moore, and it couldn’t be any prettier. This is a timeless look that is impossible not to enjoy.
Over at Home Bunch, they give you a great example of what it looks like to pair Classic Gray with blues that have gray tones.
Aren’t you fascinated with this stunning color yet? It’s clean, bright, tranquil, sophisticated, and so much more.
Final Thoughts
Classic Gray is a beautiful off-white gray color that works well with fresh white trim and any decorating style!
Tools To Help Complete A DIY Paint Project
It would be nice if you could just toss paint on the walls and call it a day, wouldn’t it?
Because it does take some work, you’re going to want to invest in the proper tools to make your space as gorgeous as it can be. Plus, you want the walls to turn out perfectly every time.
Take a look at my tool recommendations to get you started!
- Roller Tray: Cleanup is so simple with these roller trays. Plus, there is a magnetic piece that will allow the roller to stay in place. This is a sanity saver, too.
- Drop Cloths: Using some drop clothes will keep paint off of your floor, furniture, and other items you don’t want getting messy.
- Paint Cup: I can’t get enough of this paint cup. It makes painting so much easier, and you’re going to be hooked, I promise!
- Painter’s Tape: If you want clean, straight paint lines, then the painter’s tape is going to be your new best friend. It’s a must-have!
- Paint Brush: You will want a variety of paintbrushes to paint. You want to have something that is of great quality too. Otherwise, if you go for something that’s not well made you may end up with lost bristles in your fresh paint, and that’s so frustrating.
Other Paint Color Posts
Check out some of my other favorite paint color posts:
- The Best Green Paint Colors For Your Home
- The Best Home Decor Paint Colors: Mindful Gray
- How to Choose the Best White Paint Color
- The Best Blue Green Paint Colors for Your Home
- Beautiful Interior Door Paint Colors {inspiration}
If this gray isn’t the color for you, check out this section on the blog to find the perfect paint color.
MORE POSTS YOU WILL LOVE:
Laura, We are building a home with a very open concept in the main living areas. The great room/dining is on the south west side of the house. Clear pine vaulted ceiling in great room and all the flooring is LV light maple. Trying to decide if BM Classic Gray will get washed out from the sun and simply look white most of the time, which I do not want. I would like a light gray that keeps its look. Thinking Balboa Mist may be too beige for me. Your opinion is appreciated. Thanks
Jane
Hi Jane, it’s so hard to choose paint colors without being in the space. My biggest tip would be to paint a large poster board with a sample of Classic Gray. Hang it on the wall where it will go and look at it throughout the day. See if it looks washed out or not. That’s the best way to pick the color! I hope this helps! – Laura
Can I use classic grey on walls (open concept) if my cupboards are cloud white.
Hi there! I’d have to see them in the room to decide, but google it and see if you can find them together in a space, then test it out! 🙂 Good luck!
What color are the kitchen cabinets with the glass/criss cross door, and what color is the trim paint color in this kitchen?
Hi Kelly! I wish I had the answer for you, but since that is a Studio McGee project, I don’t have that info. Sorry! Wish I could be more help. xo, Laura
Hi-we have BM Classic Gray walls in our great room, red/golden oak floors, gray/tan/black granite, stainless appliances.
We are painting our kitchen cabinets.
Do you think BM Decorators White or White Dove would work best on the cabinets?
We want no yellow undertones, something somewhat more contemporary since we are updating, but not stark.
Thank you!
Also choosing between professional spray (lacquer) or professional paint (spraying doors and drawers only). Decisions, decisions….
We are going w/ classic gray. Excited, but hesitant on trim/door/and ceiling. Considering Simply white ( seems to be too yellow warm but really goes well w/ my med brown flooring and dark woods) or chantilly ( goes better w/ the grey but worried TOO white lol)…. THE QUESTION- do you do the ceiling the same as trim? Noticed in some pics it looked different. Thank you!
Hi Sheryl, I do recommend doing ceilings the same as trim if they are white. Just use a flat paint on the ceilings and a satin or semi-gloss on the trim! The different finishes will make the look like a slightly different color! Hope this helps!
(I wrote a post all about which finish to choose here — https://theturquoisehome.com/paint-finishes/)
Hi Laura–
Thank you for this page. Would classic gray go well with an accent wall in BM gray mirage? When I tested a bit they seemed to pair well together but I’m not sure because I only used a small amount on my walls.
I love the color classic gray, I have cherry wood furniture in my living and dining room. Will it work with the cherry?
Thank you
Mary
Hi Mary, I would definitely test out a swatch on the wall behind the cherry furniture to see how it looks in your room with your lighting! Trying paint colors is key here!
Thanks for the great post. I’m looking to use BM Classic Gray in my open concept home. Does it hold well in darker, east facing rooms as it does in bright south ones? More importantly, what darker paint color complements CG for interior doors? Thanks
I have tan/orangey stacked stone fireplace so have to stay in the warm family. I tried Classic Gray but fear it is just a bit too light/white. Can you recommend one color “down” that will still go with tan brownish fireplace and is just a tad darker. (My husband won’t let me paint it!)
Thanks.
I love Revere Pewter (Benjamin Moore) for a good gray that goes well with gray or brown. Try it!
Hello! Any idea where the pillows are from in the last picture? All of the ones on the couch 🙂
Thanks
Carri
Hi Carri, I did some research and couldn’t find them anywhere. So sorry!
Was this using classic gray OC-23? I think there are two different classic grays.
Hi Paul, I believe they are the same color, just in two different Benjamin Moore collections. 🙂
Do you recommend classic Gray with white cupboards and dark charcoal countertop natural wood floor and Dark wood table.
It sounds beautiful to me! 🙂 – Laura