Deciding on interior paint colors can be overwhelming with the many options available today. Within the popular “gray” palette alone, paint companies offer dozens of hues from warm to cool undertones. Two of the most popular neutral grays on the market are Classic Gray and Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore.
At first glance, these two colors seem almost identical – different names assigned to what appears to be a very similar mid-range gray. However, upon closer inspection, subtle but important differences between Classic Gray and Gray Owl impact how they read in various lighting conditions. Understanding these nuances is key to determining which shade best suits your space and design goals.
Classic Gray and Gray Owl’s Characteristics
Classic Gray leans warm due to faint beige undertones, often reading as an off-white or “greige” depending on the environment. It is a versatile foundation color that works well throughout an entire home. Classic Gray hits the “sweet spot” between bright and airy but not stark white.
Gray Owl, on the other hand, veers slightly cooler with hints of green/blue that give it a more “true” gray appearance. While also versatile, Gray Owl reads best in specific rooms where you want a cooler ambiance. It excels as an exterior color.
Regarding Light Reflectance Value (LRV), a measure of how much light a color reflects, Classic Gray and Gray Owl are nearly identical – 74 for Classic Gray and 75 for Gray Owl. This means they will illuminate a space in a very similar fashion. Higher LRVs make rooms feel more open and airy.
The Impact of Undertones on Room Aesthetics
The subtle beige undertones of Classic Gray mean it will read as a warmer, more inviting shade of gray. The warmth provides an excellent backdrop color throughout an entire home. The greige undertone also complements existing wood trim and warm-toned floors or furnishings.
Gray Owl’s barely detectable hints of blue/green give this shade its “true gray” designation. Unlike Classic Gray’s warmth, Gray Owl is slightly cooler and crisper. Situated in spaces with abundant natural light, the subtle green comes through. This makes it ideal for sun-drenched rooms where warmth is not the priority.
Why These Two Shades Are So Popular
Classic Gray and Gray Owl resonate with today’s design enthusiasts as two of Benjamin Moore’s most sought-after grays. Their popularity stems from their versatility – these muted mid-range tones enhance a wide range of modern and traditional decor styles. They serve as a blank canvas rather than making a bold color statement.
Consumers gravitate towards Classic Gray and Gray Owl because they are adaptable neutrals that complement existing elements from trim to furnishings. Unlike bolder or more polarizing shades, the colors also appeal widely to men and women. Their soothing and universally pleasing nature explains their broad appeal.
Comparing Classic Gray and Gray Owl: How Lighting Affects These Popular Neutral Paint Colors
Choosing paint colors can be an exciting yet daunting process. With so many options to consider, it helps to narrow down choices by deciding which hues work best for different applications. Right now, two of the most popular neutral paint colors are Classic Gray and Gray Owl. But should you use one versus the other depending on whether you’re painting interior or exterior spaces?
Below, we’ll explore how lighting affects the undertones of these shades and why it matters. You’ll also find complementary color scheme ideas to help you decorate with Classic Gray and Gray Owl once you’ve made your perfect paint selection.
How Lighting Affects Classic Gray’s Subtle Warmth
One of the most popular grays for exterior home painting, Sherwin-Williams’ Classic Gray features subtle warm undertones. This shade excels outside because natural lighting doesn’t wash out its faint greige base. When illuminated by the sun, Classic Gray maintains a cohesive welcoming feel.
Classic Gray’s warmth provides the perfect solution if you’ve struggled with grays appearing too cold and stark on home exteriors. Sherwin-Williams’ website’s Natural Light Effects section lets you see how the shade transforms throughout the day in different exposures. Notice how the warm undertones become prominent in “Morning Light” and “Evening Light.”
This adaptability lets Classic Gray harmonize beautifully with stones, wood siding, and other natural building materials. The inherent greige warmth also complements landscapes and plants without feeling jarring. For exterior applications, Classic Gray creates an inviting, livable aesthetic.
Why Gray Owl Shines in Home Interiors
While Classic Gray excels for exterior painting, Sherwin-Williams’ Gray Owl works better inside. Minimal natural light exposure allows its subtle cool undertone to emerge gently in interiors. The shade avoids feeling sterile and offers a light, airy backdrop.
In spaces with ample windows and light, Gray Owl takes on greenish hints, appearing crisp and clean. The subtle cool tones complement decorative metals like nickel and stainless steel beautifully. Gray Owl also provides an excellent base for layering bolder blues, greens, and violets throughout the interior.
Gray Owl reads as a flexible medium gray in darker rooms with minimal natural light. Since the green/blue undertone isn’t pronounced here, the shade works in any interior style from modern to traditional. For those desiring a quintessential soft gray, Gray Owl delivers maximum versatility.
Complementary Color Schemes for Classic Gray Exteriors
You’ll want to stick with other warm-leaning hues for a cohesive feel when using Classic Gray for exterior painting. Fortunately, Sherwin-Williams offers several exterior paint color options that coordinate beautifully:
Matching Trim, Accents, and Front Doors
- Swiss Coffee – As a warm off-white, Swiss Coffee makes an elegant trim when paired with Classic Gray siding or brick. For a bold yet complementary statement, use it on front doors too.
- Accessible Beige – This greige tone has similar warm undertones as Classic Gray, just a bit lighter. Use it for exterior trim, shutters, or accent walls to provide tonal contrast.
- Renwick Rose Green – For a pop of color on the front door or window boxes, this inviting sage green has just enough gray to complement without clashing.
Warm Analogous Hues
- Roycroft Brass – A rich golden hue, this shade adds a warm metallic touch to accent details like lighting fixtures against Classic Gray.
- Russet – Deeper and more dramatic than Roycroft Brass, this rustic red-clay color makes a bold statement on a front door.
- Laredo Brown – Use this medium-dark brown on charming architectural elements like entryway beams for a natural earthy look.
Complementary Warm Contrasts
- Fireweed – The vibrant pink-purple tone of this shade complements Classic Gray beautifully when used sparingly on exterior details.
- Fired Brick – No need to invest in new brickwork to update your exterior. Simply paint over existing brick in this intense orange-red to complement Gray Classic.
- Citron – Yellow and gray are natural complements. Add this acidic bright lemon tone to trim, accents, or landscaping against neutral Classic Gray for contemporary pop.
Cool Color Pairings for Gray Owl Interiors
Since Gray Owl contains subtle hints of green and blue, you’ll want to decorate with accent colors that play up those cool undertones. Here are some stylish ideas:
Trim and metallic accents
- Pure White – For dramatic contrast on trims and moldings, Pure White makes Gray Owl pop as the darker backdrop color.
- Silverplate – Lean into Gray Owl’s cool vibe by accessorizing with this glamorous brushed silver metallic tone.
- Palladian Blue – The same way gray and black pair seamlessly, try this deepest navy against Gray Owl walls or used on cabinetry.
Vibrant contrasting hues
- Cavern Clay – This complex midnight teal adds organic flair as an accent wall color or used on furnishings against a Gray Owl backdrop.
- Green Sheen – For more subtle contrast than Cavern Clay, this pale sage green is as versatile as Gray Owl.
- Purple Haze – Use this blend of violet and gray as a complementary accent shade or feature wall color with Gray Owl in modern styles.
Analagous cool neutrals
- Online Blue – A shade darker than Gray Owl, Online Blue makes a sophisticated monochromatic color scheme for contemporary interiors.
- Light French Gray – With the same green undertones, this softer ethereal gray paint color harmonizes flawlessly with Gray Owl.
- Naval – Lean into moody sophisticated style with this inky blue-gray three tones darker than Gray Owl for dramatic contrast.
Factoring in Natural Materials and Textures
Beyond coordinating paint colors, consider how natural materials interact with Classic Gray and Gray Owl for interior and exterior spaces. For example:
- Wood Tones: Classic Gray’s greige warmth complements wood siding and trim outdoors. But indoors, Gray Owl allows wood grains to pop and feel fresh.
- Stone and Brick: Outdoors, Classic Gray harmonizes with stone and brick facades for a cohesive feel. Inside, Gray Owl contrasts beautifully with polished stone and exposed brickwork.
- Metallic Fixtures: Brushed nickel, steel, and chrome make Gray Owl feel more sleek and modern. Meanwhile, oil-rubbed bronze, copper, and brass warm up Classic Gray traditional-style rooms.
- Fabrics: Natural linen, jute, cotton and wool feel at home with Classic Gray’s warmth. Gray Owl pairs better with cool-toned fabrics like silk, velvet, or synthetic blends.
How the Colors Look in Real Life Settings
To best evaluate how Classic Gray and Gray Owl translate in actual rooms, seeing them in context is key. Here are some real life examples of these shades in action:
Classic Gray Living Room
[PHOTO of airy living room with white trim, wood floors, gray linen sofa]
Classic Gray’s greige undertone keeps this living space feeling welcoming and cozy. Abundant natural light illuminates the subtle beige in the paint.
Gray Owl Home Office
[PHOTO of Gray Owl walls with marble desk, modern light fixture, and blue velvet chair]
Situated near a window, hints of green come through in the Gray Owl walls. The cool undertones complement the blue furnishings and marble desk.
Classic Gray Exterior
[PHOTO of single story home painted Classic Gray with off-white trim and stone accents]
Classic Gray is a versatile beige-gray on the exterior that coordinates well with the home’s existing elements.
Gray Owl Bathroom
[PHOTO of bathroom with gray vanity, white tile, and gray walls in Gray Owl]
Gray Owl reads as a fresh and crisp neutral without competing warm tones in this bath. Cool-toned grays work well in bathrooms.
Answering Specific Classic Gray vs. Gray Owl Questions
When deciding between Classic Gray and Gray Owl, here are answers to some common questions:
Is Classic Gray lighter than Gray Owl?
Based on Light Reflectance Values, Classic Gray and Gray Owl reflect nearly identical amounts of light. However, Classic Gray can read as slightly lighter because of its faint beige undertone.
Is Classic Gray too light?
Classic Gray’s greige undertone means it does not read as overly stark or bright white. The 74 LRV is light enough for smaller spaces but also works well in larger rooms.
What undertone is Gray Owl?
Gray Owl has subtle hints of green/blue, giving this shade its designation as a “true” cool-toned gray versus a warmer beige-gray. These undertones become apparent in natural lighting.
Is Gray Owl a true gray?
With barely detectable cool blue/green undertones, Gray Owl lives up to its name as a classic, middle-range gray without warm or stark white undertones.
Conclusion
When deciding between timeless neutrals like Classic Gray or Gray Owl, it helps to consider the space, lighting, and how the color will be applied. While the shades appear similar at first glance, subtle differences in undertones make each one better suited to certain spaces and color schemes.
Classic Gray’s faint warmth makes it hard to beat for whole-home painting, exterior applications, and coordinating with existing warm-toned elements. Gray Owl excels as a soothing, cool-toned neutral for interior spaces where you want a true medium gray versus greige.
Keep these nuances in mind during your color selection process. Choosing a color with the right undertone for your goals and decor sets any paint project up for success!
