SOURCE: Sarah Tucker
Are you team colour or team neutral when it comes to paint colours? If you’re a fan of bold colour this is your time to shine because bold colours are having their moment. It can be fun to add a pop of deep, saturated colour to a bathroom, some kitchen cabinetry or even a dining room. Most of us don’t want our whole home painted in bold colours so the search to find the perfect neutral colour is ever present. And since the era of gray paint is behind us we’re on the hunt for the perfect neutral beige, tan, cream or greige. If you prefer a colour versus a neutral read this post to learn about the colours that will create warmth in your home.
Greige is the combination of both gray and beige and the result is a subtle but sophisticated neutral. You’ll find greige paint options that are both cool and warm but the most important fact to know about greige paint is that it will always contain undertones.
This is important to note because the undertone will shine through at certain times of day, particularly when the sun is shining brightly into your space. The greige that you love in the evening may take on a blue hue during the day and have you convinced that your painter used the wrong colour.
Greige paint can contain undertones of green, blue or violet so when selecting greige for your home pay attention to the undertones and make sure they work with your fixed materials (tiles, flooring, etc) as well as your artwork, furniture and rugs.
1/ Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige SW-7036
This is one of Sherwin Williams’ most popular paint colours because it’s warm. It can sometimes lean towards gray and many of the other greige paints that lean that way are cool. This is an exception and probably one of the reasons for its popularity.
2/ Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172
This is definitely a more cooler toned greige and if you’re already practiced at detecting undertones you may have seen the green undertone in this colour. This is a colour that I recommend for either the interior or exterior of your home. Just be careful using it inside and note that you’ll want to use it in spaces where there is a decent amount of natural light. Revere Pewter can lean really cool when there’s no light present
3/ Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173
This is one of the lighter greige paint options and it definitely leans towards the warmer side which makes it another longstanding favourite in the Benjamin Moore historical collection. The colour works well in rooms that are well lit as well as those that are lacking in either natural or artificial light. This makes it a good choice for hallways and basements where lighting conditions are less than ideal.
4/ Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23
This is a greige paint that leans closer to the gray side of things but it’s warm and inviting with its hint of beige. It’s often used in well lit rooms as an off-white as well so I would definitely call this colour a chameleon. Want to know more about how Classic Gray measures up against Benjamin Moore Pale Oak? Read this post.
5/ Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray SW-7044
I would consider Amazing Gray to be a medium-toned greige and one that fits well into many environments. Although it’s referred to as gray it’s actually warm and I think it leans more towards beige than gray. If you have warm light (southern exposure) you’ll definitely see the warm beige whereas a cooler northern light may bring out the gray and the paint can feel cooler.
6/ Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray SW-7043
This is a beautiful greige and one that I would say sits perfectly in the middle of gray and beige. I would consider this to be an example of a pure greige paint and really is as close as we come to a perfect neutral. There is a very slight violet undertone to this colour which isn’t as common as the blue and green undertones so it also adds to its unique qualities.
7/ Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14
If you’re looking for a beautiful greige that hasn’t been used in everyone else’s home, give Natural Cream a try. This is one of the more underrated greige paints offered and I’m not sure why because it’s beautiful. Benjamin Moore says it works well in both warm and cool environments so this is one where your surroundings, along with lighting will determine the direction it leans.
8/ Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth CC-490
This one feels like the most earthy-toned of all the greige colours we’ve explored today. If you love to incorporate the look of nature into your space this is a winner. This will pair beautifully with wood tones as well as other colours that embrace the look of nature; think green, gray and brown. In fact, this colour is so beloved because of its ability to blend so seamlessly with just about any colour you have present in your home. It’s a true chameleon and one of the most flexible greige paints.
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect greige I hope this sheds some light on some of the best in the market. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed and confused, reach out to me. I would love to help you find the perfect colours for your home with a colour consultation.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
