Benjamin Moore GRAY 2121-10: Is it Gray or Blue?

When it comes to a dark color like Benjamin Moore Gray, looks can be deceiving. What looks neutral can be surprisingly colorful.

That’s right, this badass, beautiful color has some secrets up its sleeves, and I’m sharing them all, including LRV tips, undertones (bias), best uses, and more.

Whether it’s for cabinets, exteriors, doors, or feature walls, Gray has proven to be one of the BEST dark gray paint colors on the market. And today, we’re going to find out why.

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.

But before we get started, there’s an IMPORTANT specification you need to know. When asking for GRAY at your local Benjamin Moore store, you have to include its code – 2121-10. Because its name is quite, ahem, generic, the code is what tells the paint store employee WHICH gray you want.

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS GRAY 2121-10?

Gray is definitely a cool dark gray or charcoal paint color. However, its depth (LRV) can help a room feel cozier compared to a light gray paint color with similar undertones.

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

GRAY 2121-10’S LRV

With an LRV of 11.51 (according to BM’s website), Gray is a dark, charcoal gray paint color. Will it act like black in a dark room? It certainly could, so make sure you have the right interior lighting to bring it to life!

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

WHAT ARE ITS UNDERTONES?

Gray rarely looks like a true gray, although its L*a*b* would suggest it’s reasonably close. In most cases, Gray 2121-10 appears as a gray with a purple-blue undertone. While the gray is ALWAYS the boss, make sure your surrounding surfaces can handle the undertones it presents.

The term ‘undertones’ is a DIY-friendly way to describe a color’s natural bias or tendency to lean toward one color or another. 

THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLORS WITH GRAY 2121-10

With its wicked depth, Gray is reasonably flexible as it relates to white paint colors. A few of my favorites include Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore White Dove, and Sherwin-Williams Pure White.

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

6 Questions to Ask Before You Paint Your Cabinets White

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS IT A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

ABSOLUTELY, Gray can be a a wickedly gorgeous exterior paint color, so long as your surrounding finishes (roof/stone/brick) suit its violet-blue undertones. While it can look darn dark on an interior wall, with reasonable exterior light, it can look lighter than expected!

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS GRAY 2121-10 POPULAR FOR CABINETS OR ISLANDS?

Definitely. While I wouldn’t say Gray is used very often for ALL of the cabinets, it’s a great choice for kitchen islands, built-ins, and bathroom vanities.

The 4 Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR?

I wish Sherwin Williams had a similar shade! Gray is a unique dark gray paint color, and Sherwin Williams doesn’t have anything quite the same. However, they have other great dark options, including Cyberspace and a few others.

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (ie, getting Benjamin Moore to make a Sherwin-Williams paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH IT?

Gray 2121-10 loves being paired with white walls for a high-contrast look, but also looks fantastic with grays with violet undertones.

READ MORE

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The 12 Best Navy Blue Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Islands

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Benjamin Moore’s Top 10 DARK Gray Paint Colors

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