Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs (1587): LRV, Lighting, & Best Uses

Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs is a medium-depth gray-blue-green paint color. It’s used on interior walls, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and accent walls, as well as on exterior siding.

Like any blended paint color, Gibraltar Cliffs changes its appearance based on its surroundings, including interior lighting, exposure, and surrounding finishes.

This is why doing your research (thanks for coming!), sampling, and comparing similar shades is so important! Now, let’s get this color party started…

IS GIBRALTAR CLIFFS GRAY, BLUE, OR GREEN?

I don’t know, what do you WANT it to be? That’s the cool thing about Gibraltar Cliffs: it can be very open to interpretation.

• Some see Gibraltar Cliffs as a gray with blue-green undertones.
• Others see it as a blue-green blend with a TON of gray. Whether the blue or green is stronger depends on the surroundings.

The facts are that Gibraltar Cliffs has a bit more green than blue – not by a ton.

In a room with north-facing light, Gibraltar Cliffs is more likely to look a bit cooler, and the undertones can pop up a wink more. Whereas in south-facing light or even western sun, it can soften. It’s not that it looks WARM, it just doesn’t look as cold.

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

THE LRV (DEPTH) OF GIBRALTAR CLIFFS

Gibraltar Cliffs has an LRV of 31.77. This number means it’s a medium-depth paint color – not too dark, not too light.

Being a medium-depth color without a TON of color (chroma), you could find it a little lacklustre in some dark rooms – it will definitely give a moody vibe.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

99.5% of the photos in my blog are of REAL HOMES from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends. While not always magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas and proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

THE BEST WHITE TRIM/CABINET COLOR FOR GIBRALTAR CLIFFS

Gibraltar Cliffs is reasonably flexible with its white trim partners. Here are a few of my faves…

• Benjamin Moore White Dove is a simple, balanced look – not too bright, not too creamy.
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace is great if you want a cleaner, crisper contrast.

Look at HOW much green the blue grabbed in this bathroom. Remember, light bulbs affect color too! 

WHERE GIBRALTAR CLIFFS LOOKS BEST (& WHERE IT DOESN’T)

Let’s take a look at where GB does some of its best work…

GIBRALTAR CLIFF AS AN ACCENT WALL

While many paint their entire room this color, others choose it for an accent wall, with a carefully coordinated off-white on the remaining walls.

The Best Places for an Accent Wall

GIBRALTAR CLIFFS AS AN EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR

It’s most popular on interior walls, but Gibraltar Cliffs can be a gorgeous choice for exteriors, too. Pay attention to your exposure, as northern light can slightly enhance its cool undertones.

Why Your Home’s Exposure Matters When Picking Exterior Paint Colors

DOES IT GO WITH CREAM CABINETS & TRIMS?

While it can, it depends on how creamy and/or glazed your cream cabinets are. Generally, it goes with a muted cream cabinet or trim. If yours is richer and warmer, it could react too strongly (yellow) against Gibraltar Cliff’s cool look.

IS IT A GOOD CABINET OR KITCHEN ISLAND COLOR?

Absolutely. While it’s not as popular as some other shades, Gibraltar Cliffs can look badass and beautiful on painted cabinets, including bathroom vanities.

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO GIBRALTAR CLIFFS?

Every color from every paint brand has its own particular nuances, and there will be NO perfect match – you’ll see shifts in depth, temperature, and undertones, but you could check out colors with similar intentions, such as…

• Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit (lighter and grayer)
• Sherwin Williams Earl Gray (grayer and greener)
• I also love Sherwin Williams Gris, shown on this door, below…

The Best, Fool-Proof White Paint Colors

Really, Sherwin doesn’t have anything that comes quite close to Gibraltar. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have equally as gorgeous shades…

FIND SOME OF THE ABOVE HERE: The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

BTW, if you’re thinking of color-matching between brands (i.e., getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

COLORS THAT GO IN A PALETTE WITH GIBRALTAR CLIFFS

There’s a wide range of colors that look great with Gibraltar Cliffs, such as some…

• OFF-WHITES: There’s a world of warm, off-white neutrals that pair well with GB.

• LIGHTER GRAYS: It looks great with light grays, including those like Colonnade Gray and On the Rocks
• GREIGE PAINT COLORS: Light greiges and taupes can be pretty in a palette with GB, as well as darker shades of greige (my fave combo).
• CREAM PAINT COLORS: Cream paint colors can be beautiful with GB. Again, be cautious of how yellow your creams are, whether in the same room or adjoining spaces.
• GREEN-GRAYS: A range of green-gray paint colors is a gorgeous complement.

QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)

• Gibraltar Cliffs is a blue-green-gray paint color blend that changes its hue depending on its exterior and interior lighting conditions.
• With an LRV of just above 30, it’s a medium-depth paint color.
• It’s popular on walls and exteriors, but is also used on accent walls and kitchen cabinets/islands.

READ MORE

The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

The Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors

Get your best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

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