Benjamin Moore Anchor Gray: Best Uses, Real Images, & More

There’s no paint color more classic and timeless than navy blue. But not all navy blues are created equal, and sometimes, you need to do a little research before you slap your favorite blue hue on your walls.

This is why we’re taking an up-close-and-personal look at Benjamin Moore Anchor Gray, one of my fave blue-grays when I’m looking for something less typical.

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS BM ANCHOR GRAY?

As with ANY paint color, it’s all about perception. If you ask ME, Anchor Gray is a darker navy blue with a SOLID dose of gray (and I’m always right, sooooo). However, talk to my hubs, and he’ll say that it’s gray with some blue in it (insert marriage counseling session HERE).

Ahhhhh, the glory of paint colors.

If you have a north-facing room, Anchor Gray will have more personality than more subtle blue-gray paint colors. On the other hand, it’s not so blue that it’s punchy or overwhelming, regardless of your exposure.

This cool blue hue is always a nice balance to warm southern light or afternoon western exposure – adding a cool vibe and a dose of personality!

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

ANCHOR GRAY’S LRV

Anchor Gray has an LRV of ALMOST 12. I’d get into the decimals of it, but I like to keep things a bit more meat n’ potatoes around here (no gravy).

Not sure what LRV is? It stands for Light Reflectance Value, and it could save your paint-lovin’ life. Read all about it HERE.

With an LRV of 12, Anchor Gray isn’t so dark that it will look BLACK in a dark room (unless you literally have no light). Its slightly higher LRV (compared to other navy blues) helps it hold up to low-light areas quite nicely while still holding on to its color.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

WHAT ARE ANCHOR GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

It’s important to find out which TYPE of blue you’re dealing with. Anchor Gray is a solid-looking blue, but rather than tipping its hat towards green, like other popular shades, it leans a wink into violet.

Could it look PURPLE?

While colors are open to perception, you’ll be hard-pressed to find Anchor Gray looking purple; it really is a wicked blue-gray.

If the term ‘undertone’ is new to you, in Kylie M’s Color System, it’s the best way to describe the way a paint color leans, or its natural bias.

Get your PEEL & STICK COLOR SAMPLE OF ANCHOR GRAY!

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR FOR ANCHOR GRAY?

Anchor Gray loves MANY white paint colors, including Benjamin Moore White Dove, Chantilly Lace, and Simply White.

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS IT A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Anchor Gray could be a beautiful exterior paint color for your siding or stucco, as long as you want to lean into BLUE, not gray (expect the blue to pop up that bit more).

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS ANCHOR GRAY A GOOD BLUE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

While it could work on kitchen cabinets, islands, and bathroom vanities, most of my clients prefer DARKER blues like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy and Sherwin Williams Cyberspace.

Why?

These shades of blue have more depth, which is generally more popular for cabinets as it grounds a space. These Hale Navy and Cyberspace look slightly less colorful than Anchor Gray while still fulfilling the goal of ‘dark blue.’ Not to say Anchor Gray won’t be great for your home, but being that bit lighter, its intention is different.

Similar to Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO ANCHOR GRAY

Comparison is the key to choosing the best paint color for your home. Don’t be afraid to explore other colors to see how undertones, temperatures, and LRVs shift…

• Benjamin Moore Trout Gray is lighter and has less color/undertone than Anchor Gray, meaning it looks grayer.
• Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate has a similar depth but has less color.

WHICH COLORS GO WITH ANCHOR GRAY?

MANY colors coordinate with Anchor Gray in a color palette. Whether you’re using navy blue on an accent wall and need lighter main walls or need a complementary color for an adjoining room, you won’t have a hard time finding a good partner, including:

• light grays with subtle violet, blue, or some green undertones
• a wide range of white paint colors, from cool to warm
• many soft and subtle off-white paint colors
• super muted shades of tan or beige
• darker shades of green with similar degrees of color in them
• light shades of taupe and some greiges

READ MORE

The 12 Best Navy Blue Paint Colors

Where Should I Do a Feature Wall & What Color Should It Be?

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,