HomeThe Best Paint ColoursBENJAMIN MOORE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS: Paint Color ReviewsSherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015: Paint Color Review

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015: Paint Color Review

Posted on December 2, 2022 by KylieMawdsley

Repose Gray: is it warm, is it cool, is it POPULAR? Let’s find out! 

Are you looking for the perfect gray paint color? Feeling nervous about those sneaky green, blue and violet undertones? Don’t be (insert Superman song here), as I’m on a mission to demystify my fave shades of gray, and today, we’re chatting about Repose Gray. 

Paint colour review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, best warm gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour advice blogger. lrv, undertones and more!

WHAT KIND OF GRAY IS REPOSE GRAY? WARM OR COOL?

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Repose Gray is a gray paint color (I’m not just good-looking, you know). However, it’s not a TRUE neutral gray as it has a weeee wink of a brown in it, making it a WARM gray.

This next photo is AS WARM as I’ve ever seen Repose Gray look. Usually, it caters harder to gray…

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, kitchen with red wood cabinets, St. Cecilia granite similar to Venetian Gold - Repose too gray

IS REPOSE GRAY MORE GRAY, GREIGE OR BEIGE?

Without a doubt, Repose Gray is gray, although, in some lights, it can look a touch greige-taupe. And while it has some passive warmth, it looks nothing like beige – don’t worry.

WHAT ARE REPOSE GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

While Repose Gray can favor a soft violet undertone, there’s also a bit of green undertone. And believe it or not, once in a while (given the right exposure/interior finishes), I’ve seen Repose Gray flash a touch blue. While every gray has undertones, some grays flex a bit more, and Repose Gray is DEFINITELY one of these grays. Because Repose Gray can be unpredictable, I highly recommend ordering the Samplize version to see how it settles in YOUR room.

Undertones of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, shown with orange toned oak wood flooring and railing. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

When I mention violet undertones, my Online Color Consulting clients often get nervous with visions of Barney dancing through their heads. However, hints of an undertone like this can soften a color, stopping it from looking flat and boring – particularly in dark and gloomy or north-facing rooms.

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, dark wood flooring. White stair railing. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy blogger and online paint colour consultant

BTW, my blog runs 100% on wine, Doritos and my Online Color Consulting client’s PHOTOS – thank you SO much for sending them in!

  • Repose Gray is not a typical ‘fresh’ gray; it’s soft and warm, even though it can look cooler in some situations.
  • If you don’t like violet undertones, you’ll want to tread carefully with this color. That being said, I have DOZENS of E-design clients who don’t like violet undertones who LOVE Repose Gray.

Open concept great room, living room, wood burning stove, stone fireplace, Sherwin Williams Repose Gray warm gray paint color on walls, gray sectional, light wood floor. Kylie M.

Now to sum up the above info for those with more SPECIFIC questions…

WILL REPOSE GRAY LOOK BLUE?

While Repose Gray doesn’t WANT to look blue in the right environment (i.e. exposure based or with trim that’s overly warm), it CAN pick up a blue hue. HOWEVER, of the three gray undertones, blue is the one that’s LEAST likely to show up, as shown in this next photo (hardly a wink of blue to be seen).

Entryway of foyer with light wood flooring, black front door, home decor and Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. Kylie M.

WILL REPOSE GRAY LOOK GREEN?

Repose Gray can nod politely at green but rarely commits on a LARGE scale.

This next photo shows Repose Gray picking up a subtle green hue…

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray with St. Cecelia, Venetian Gold look granite countertops, too gray walls. Kylie M Edesign

However, as shown earlier, notice how it shifts depending on which part of the room you’re looking at, the time of day, and the light bulb temperature

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, kitchen with red wood cabinets, St. Cecilia granite similar to Venetian Gold - Repose too gray

If ANY degree of green makes you nervous, you may want to read this…

The Best Gray Paint Colors With VIOLET/Purple Undertones

WILL REPOSE GRAY LOOK VIOLET/PURPLE?

Just as with the green undertone, Repose Gray can pick up a touch of violet without hardcore commitment. If you don’t want ANY chance of violet – you’re looking at the wrong color. Instead, explore shades of gray that are more inclined towards green.

Remember, EVERY gray has undertones – find the one that best suits the finishes in your home! 

 

WHAT’S REPOSE GRAY’S LRV?

Repose Gray has an LRV of 60. With an LRV of 60, Repose Gray won’t look like a heavy color in a room with an adequate amount of light, but it also won’t bring a TON of reflective value to the table (or the wall, in this case) if you have a darker room.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paint Color with LRV

Tile 2 storey fireplace. Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. Contemporary modern fireplace. Gray and yellow colour palette. Kylie M Interiors E-decor and Online Color Consulting

If you want to learn more about LRV, check out this article: LRV – What Do The Numbers Mean?

REPOSE GRAY IN A LOW-LIGHT/DARK ROOM (OR COOL EXPOSURE)

A room might have low or cool-toned natural light for a few reasons:

  • there are a lot of trees outside blocking the sky
  • it doesn’t have many windows (or any windows)
  • there’s a large overhang outside the window (like a deck or large soffits)

And as you can see in this next photo, having another house close by can really affect the quality of light coming in the window!

Repose Gray in a low light room. Kylie M Interiors E-design

Any of the above reasons will contribute toward Repose Gray changing its overall appearance, flexing through the cool undertones and going from being a warm gray to a slightly cooler-looking one. SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE – make sure Repose Gray looks like you want it to in your space!

If you have a darker room, Repose Gray can look heavy and drab due to the color itself…

1.  Repose Gray doesn’t have a lot of chroma or ‘color’ to it. Color is often used to add interest and personality to a room with muted light.

2.  Repose Gray has a slightly lower-than-average LRV (as discussed earlier). That low LRV combined with the low chroma can leave it pretty flat looking. You need to improve your interior lighting and choose the right light bulbs to bring it to life!

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, a warm gray paint colour with laminate wood flooring in entryway, stairwell and great room. Kylie M Interiors E-design and Online Colour Consulting services

In the end, if Repose Gray goes a wink too cool for you, check out Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, a gorgeously warmer alternative…

Dining room in Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, traditional style wood table and china cabinet with decor. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online best paint color expert

Color Review Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Agreeable Gray vs Repose Gray, Revere Pewter & More

On the other hand, if Repose Gray seems too warm, you might like Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

Best gray paint colour. Open concept kitchen and living room, Stonington Gray, stone fireplace K2. Kylie M INteriors Edesign. Vaulted ceiling

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

REPOSE GRAY IN A ROOM WITH AVERAGE NATURAL LIGHT

In a room with average natural light, Repose Gray holds itself well, sitting in the light zone without being washed out. Repose Gray is undoubtedly at its personal best in spaces like these.

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray in family or living room, dark wood flooring, Kylie M INteriors Edesign, online paint consultant. Client before photo

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, master bedroom with dark cherry wood furniture, navy blue, white and red accents. Kylie M E-design and online color consulting expert

REPOSE GRAY IN A BRIGHT ROOM

Because Repose Gray has an LRV of 60, it will still wash out a bit in an ULTRA-bright room, but will hold itself better than many of the lighter gray paint colors.

In this next photo, you can see a DRASTIC shift from the left side of the fireplace to the right. Notice how the depth and undertones change with the shift in natural light (the left side is bright northern light).

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray with teal and yellow accents in a palette

Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out shortly to grab paint samples – stop right there! Please check out SAMPLIZE Peel & Stick. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

  • samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location
  • they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
  • if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Paint colour review of tool Samplize, peel and stick samples. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Farrow and Ball, Home Depot. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH REPOSE GRAY?

When looking for a white paint color for trim, cabinets, ceilings or doors, lean into those that aren’t OVERLY warm, for example…

  • Sherwin Williams Pure White with its wink of softness
  • Repose Gray does NOT want to be partnered up with an overly warm white!

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray with warm orange oak flooring, railings. White trim. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy and online paint color consultant

BTW, look at how much blue it grabs in this foyer! This isn’t common, but you still have to be careful! 

Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors

WHICH PAINT COLOR IS SIMILAR TO OR MATCHES REPOSE GRAY?

There will be NO perfect match when it comes to different brands – each color will have its nuances, undertones and intentions. This is even MORE the case with Repose Gray, as Benjamin Moore doesn’t have anything even CLOSE. However, these colors have similar intentions…

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands, you might want to read THIS first.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray vs Repose Gray, Revere Pewter & More

WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH REPOSE GRAY?

If you’re looking for colors that compliment Repose Gray, check out…

  • whites that are bright or only slightly warmer (i.e. Sherwin Williams Pure White)
  • shades of gray with similar undertone profiles but more DEPTH, like Dorian Gray or Dovetail
  • GRAY-blue-green blends, especially those in the light-medium or medium range (i.e. Sherwin Williams Argos is awesome)
  • BLUE-GREEN-gray blends (meaning the gray takes a step back).
  • DARKER green-grays like Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray
  • Repose Gray doesn’t always like paint colors that are cooler and lighter than itself OR darker and warmer

Finally, let’s cover a few common questions with…

PEOPLE ALSO ASK THIS ABOUT REPOSE GRAY…

IS REPOSE GRAY STILL A POPULAR PAINT COLOR – IS IT OUTDATED?

While Repose Gray has its following, with trends leaning warmer, it’s not popping up nearly as much. And while it’s not quite outdated, it’s also not the most UPdated approach. Also, there are other warm neutrals with more predictability and flexibility.

IS REPOSE GRAY BETTER THAN AGREEABLE GRAY?

A question like this is ALWAYS open to perception. However, in my Color Consulting, Agreeable Gray is FAR more popular than Repose Gray and is often the better choice for the average room.

DOES REPOSE GRAY GO WITH EVERYTHING?

Heck…no. While Repose Gray can be reasonably flexible, it’s often a bit too cool for interior finishes and rooms with ‘less than ideal’ lighting.

Not sure if Repose Gray is the right color for you? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Paint Color Review 

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Light French Gray

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors

Not sure which gray is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Consulting / E-Design Services!

The best gray paint colors for your room. Benjamin and Sherwin. Edesign, Kylie M Interiors online paint colour services. Home decorating and diy ideas blogger.market

 

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors Edecor and Edesign

Written in August 2015, updated in 2022



Comments

  1. I just rented an apartment painted entirely in Repose Gray. I hate it. Not the color itself, but the fact that it doesn’t go with any of my furniture or rugs. Anything warm like tans with yellow in them look repulsive with the paint. If you have clear colors like greens or blues (I have both), forget it. The other thing I’d say about it is that it is best to use in a transitional or contemporary design. It makes good wood look really drab. Unfortunately, house flippers are still obsessed with using this color, so you see it everywhere. It is, in my opinion, by NO means a neutral go-with-anything color. Annnnd . . . remember the effect color has on mood. Gray mixed with brown, people.

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      Author

      Oooo yes, Repose Gray is a TOUGH one. I’ve actually seen it fall out of favor quite a bit in the last few years! Thank you for your comment as it helps others make the best choice for THEIR homes!

  2. Our whole house color is Repose Gray and it’s perfect to add a touch of warmth to our old home (1928). However, I’m struggling to find a coordinating color for our east facing bathroom that butts up against the repose gray hallway. I’ve tried sea salt and it’s too “seafoamy/minty” looking. Healing aloe is looking too minty as well. Do you have any east facing paint color recommendations that coordinate with Repose gray? I haev a small red persian area rug and white tile currently. Thank you!! I’m stuck!

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      Author

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