How to Pick Gray Paint So Your Walls Look Perfect

If you’re dreaming of the perfect shade of gray but are overwhelmed by all the swatches, you’re not alone! Gray paint is one of the most popular colors for home interiors—and one of the toughest hues to choose.

The bad news is, there is no one “perfect” shade of gray for every room.

In reality, your choice of gray will depend on the lighting in your house, the colors that surround it, and your personal preference.

Follow these tips for how to pick the perfect gray paint for your home, so you don’t find yourself buried in 50 shades of indecision!

Tips on How to Pick the Perfect Gray Paint

Know Your Undertones

Oddly enough, gray is a bit of a chameleon color. If it’s up against a reddish background, it can look green. If viewed near a mustard background, it tends to look purple. The first thing you’ll need to do is take a look at your furniture and color-scheme in the room.

If it’s a brand-new room, consider the textiles with which you plan to decorate. Are they warm or cool undertones?

• Warm undertones, such as brown, taupe, red, orange, and yellow should be complemented by a gray with warm undertones (tan or beige).
• Cool undertones on the other hand, like blues, greens, and purples are best suited for a gray paint with cool undertones. A knowledgeable paint supplier can help you find a gray color with whichever undertone you prefer.

Use Your Lighting

No matter which shade of gray you choose, it will look different in natural light than in artificial light. Consider where and when you spend most of your time at your home. If it’s during the day, you may want to test your color in natural light. If you’re a night owl or are considering a gray for your bedroom, test it with artificial lighting to get your most-desired look and feel.

A few other questions to ask yourself:

• Which direction do your windows face?
  • North-facing rooms don’t get much natural light, so if you choose a gray paint with warm undertones, the entire room will feel a bit warmer.
  • South-facing rooms get more sun and therefore work well with cooler grays.
• What kind of bulbs are you using?
  • Soft white/warm white bulbs produce warm undertones.

Bright white/cool white bulbs produce neutral light and even have a slight blue tint that will bring out cool undertones.

Test Your Colors In the Room

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to a few of your favorite shades, grab some samples and paint a small section of the wall with both warm and cool gray undertones to see how each reacts to the light before making your final decision.

You can also paint a small section of drywall, which allows you to move that paint color in different areas of the room and prevents you from having to cover up a few paint colors on the wall once you’ve decided on a color!

Check out the painted sample (or move it) throughout the day to see how the sunlight affects them, and choose from there! Once you find the best gray, you’ll want to make sure to select the best finish.

Hire Us for Professional Painting Services

If you’d like a color consultation for your home—including for grays, we’re here to help! Call Five Star Painting at (888) 261-3633 or request a free painting estimate online.