Benjamin Moore Trout Gray: Undertones, Best Uses, Dark Rooms, & More

By Kylie

September 29, 2021

TROUT GRAY: for cabinets, feature walls & MORE!

With the marble trend still going strong, a lot of my E-design clients are looking for colors that go above and beyond the regular ‘white and gray’ options. This is ONE reason why Benjamin Moore Trout Gray is making a name for itself in the color world. As for the other reasons, let’s find out…

Paint colour review of Benjamin Moore Trout Gray, best gray paint colour for islands, cabinets, feature walls. Kylie M Interiors edesign

In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

What type of paint color is Trout Gray? 

Trout Gray is a darker gray or charcoal paint color with a REASONABLY noticeable undertone, which we’ll get into shortly.

Benjamin Moore Trout Gray small powder room, rustic wood feature wall, shiplap in gray wash stain. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy online paint colour consultant

What’s the LRV of Trout Gray?

Trout Gray has an LRV of 15, putting it in the medium-dark range. At this depth, Trout Gray is often used for cabinets, islands and feature walls.

If you have a DARK room without much natural light, Trout Gray won’t look like black as its slightly higher LRV will lift it out of that range. However, don’t expect it to come to life without reasonable interior light.

Trout Gray painted dark gray cabinets, marble tile floor in kitchen, Chantilly Lace walls and trim (Benjamin Moore) Kylie M Interiors Online paint color consulting (2)

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK Room

If you have a north-facing room, Trout Gray will lean that bit more into its cool undertones, but the DEPTH of it helps it look that bit cozier compared to a lighter gray paint color. Trout Gray is also a great option to balance the warmth of a south-facing room or afternoon western sunshine.

What are the undertones of Trout Gray? Will it look like a true gray?

While it’s TOTALLY open to perception, Trout Gray doesn’t act like a true gray as its blue-violet undertone is reasonably noticeable. Not so much that it takes OVER the gray, but enough that it’s a good step away from a more neutral looking gray paint color.

How should I sample Trout Gray?

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

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

  • samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on 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

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

What’s the best white trim color to partner with Trout Gray?

Trout Gray is flexible and humours a wide range of whites. My favourite choices are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and Sherwin Williams High Reflective White. Because these are two of the WHITEST whites, they offer a nice clean contrast with Trout Gray.

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

The 9 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams DESIGNER COLLECTION

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

Is Trout Gray the best gray paint color for kitchen cabinets or an island?

Trout Gray can be an AWESOME choice for cabinets, including bathroom vanities or built-ins!

Benjamin Moore Trout Gray for painted cherry cabinet with white quartz countertop. Kylie M INteriors Edesign

Is Trout Gray a good exterior color? 

While Trout Gray suits some roofs, brick and stonework, many find the undertones of it a BIT too strong for the exterior and opt for a more neutral looking gray paint color.

5 Tips to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Sherwin Williams have a color similar to Trout Gray?

Because every paint company uses different bases/foundations to make their paints, you won’t find a perfect match – even with color matching. I can’t say there’s one Sherwin Williams paint color in particular that I’d substitute for Trout Gray, but they do have some other great darker gray paint colors to choose from.

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 type of paint colors look good with Trout Gray?

  • white walls look BEAUTIFUL with Trout Gray cabinets or built-ins

Not sure if Trout Gray is right for you?

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Benjamin Moore’s 10 Best Dark Gray Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart

The 4 Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Lower Cabinets

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

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

-design and online paint colour consulting using Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paint colors. Kylie M Interiors. DIY and affordable decorating advice blogger. Market

Chat soon,

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Meet Kylie

Do you need help, but aren’t quite sure what ‘help’ looks like? Are you drowning in paint samples and decision fatigue?

Does every color you like at the paint store look terrible in your lighting or pick up a funky undertone? I’d love to help.

Hi, I’m Kylie

For over 24 years I’ve helped 12,000+ homeowners and renters make more confident decisions on paint colors and affordable home updates using real home examples and practical, experience-based advice. My goal is simple: help you love the home you have.

Do-it-yourself, the smart way

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    The goal? Less guessing, fewer samples and a lot more confidence before gallons of paint go on your home.

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    This isn’t a list of ‘the best trim colors’, although you’ll get a ton of links to great shades!

    You’ll learn how to look at your home and understand whether it needs contrast, repetition, connection, or a little visual peacekeeping to pull it all together.

    Because trim might seem like a small detail…but spread it around all four sides of your home on multiple surfaces and it suddenly has a pretty big job.

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