HomeThe Best Paint ColoursBENJAMIN MOORE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS: Paint Color ReviewsSherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Paint Color Review (SW 7029)

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Paint Color Review (SW 7029)

Posted on January 4, 2024 by KylieMawdsley

Agreeable Gray: the most POPULAR greige-taupe/warm gray

If there is ONE paint color that’s lit MANY fires this year, it has to be Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. And while I’ve touched on it briefly in other blog posts, I figured it was time to hammer down some finer points on this bad boy.

 

IS AGREEABLE GRAY STILL POPULAR?

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You bet your BOOTY it is. Agreeable Gray has claimed a top spot for several years, and it’s still going strong.

WHY IS AGREEABLE GRAY SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOR?

There’s a long list of reasons why Agreeable Gray is one of the best. For brevity (which isn’t normally my strong suit), here’s a short list…

  • Agreeable Gray is a great transition for those not quite ready for the warmer beige trends
  • Agreeable Gray NODS at the gray world while not being as traditionally cold
  • this flexible greige-taupe/warm gray suits a WIDE variety of interior finishes, even more so than most traditional gray paint colors
  • its undertones are relatively non-committal and can flex in their environment
  • its moderate LRV parks it right near the sweet spot of the light range (you’ll read more on this shortly).

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray best greige paint color on walls with neutral furniture and home decor in living room

In fact, not only is Agreeable Gray popular in the greige-taupe worlds but in the GRAY world too. Agreeable Gray is often referred to as ‘the most popular light gray paint color‘. It’s not gray, but I get it.

Greige vs Taupe Paint Colors: What’s The Big Difference?

 

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS AGREEABLE GRAY – IS IT MORE GRAY OR BEIGE?

The quick answer is that Agreeable Gray is a wee bit tipsy towards GRAY over beige – but it isn’t TOTALLY gray. Agreeable Gray is a greige-taupe hybrid that can EASILY pass as a warm gray (which we’ll get into shortly). It’s open to perception based on the room/surface it’s on and the person looking at it – some call it greige, others call it gray (but it sure as heck isn’t beige)!

This next image shows how Agreeable Gray favors gray over beige – the walls look more beige in comparison…

Comparing differences of China White, Gossamer, Agreeable vs Colonnade. Kylie M Edesign

In this next image, you can see how Agreeable Gray COULD lean into some considerable warmth under the right circumstances…but it ain’t beige.

natural light, compare differences of CHINA WHITE, GOSSAMER, AGREEABLE vs COLONNADE Kylie M Edesign

And one more image, showing Agreeable Gray in its most natural state (and I miiiight even see a wink of green undertone)…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, best greige taupe with Gossamer Veil, China White, samples. Kylie m

How to Sample the Right Way with Peel & Stick: SAMPLIZE

Notice that the previous THREE photos are taken in the same room, just in different spots – WHAAAT? That’s right – same color, same room, different walls. This is exactly what you should do when sampling paint colors, as suggested in the above link.

Overall, Agreeable Gray is one darn non-committal neutral paint color with minimal undertones.

 

WHAT’S THE LRV OF AGREEABLE GRAY?

Agreeable Gray’s LRV (light reflectance value) comes in at 60, which is DAAMN close to my magic number of 62. If that whole ‘LRV business’ goes RIGHT over your head, that’s okay. If you’re curious, it’s super simple to learn. The gist is that every paint color has an LRV number on a scale of 0-100. 0 is black, and 100 is white (although our useable range only goes up to 94).

A color’s LRV number lets you know how dark or light it is. 

E-design, e-decor online color consultation with Kylie M Interiors. Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray in a farmhouse style dining room with wood beams, flooring and bench

See more of this ‘Agreeable’ project HERE

With an LRV of 60, Agreeable Gray is light, but not a ‘washed-out bordering on off-white’ kinda light. I have a great article on the topic of LRV if you want to learn more (it’s saved MANY lives…and marriages).

In the previous dining room photo, notice where the light hits the wall. Anything short of a DARK color will wash out like this with a direct hit of light. However, you’ll see on the other walls that it holds itself well. This is pretty normal for an LRV of 60.

In this next dining room, Agreeable Gray is a great complement to the vintage-style wood cabinet and dining set. If you look from trim to wall, you’ll see what an LRV of 60 gives you concerning contrast…

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

 

WHAT ARE AGREEABLE GRAY’S UNDERTONES

For those of you who are sensitive to the USUAL cool undertones, Agreeable Gray is one of the more NEUTRAL greige-taupe paint colors.

Why do I refer to Agreeable Gray as a greige-taupe/warm gray?

Agreeable Gray is flexible and not that committed to an undertone. Greige tends to favor a green undertone; taupe loves a touch of violet. And sure, in some lights, Agreeable Gray picks up a very vague violet, and in others, a wink o’ green. However, a lot of the time, Agreeable Gray registers as having NO undertone at all (perception can be at play).

For example, put Agreeable Gray in a room with violet-pink (taupe) undertones, and it can look a bit green ‘in comparison’…

Agreeable Gray and its undertones, room with wood floor, brick. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

However, because it’s not that committed to its undertone, given the right environment or exposure, it can flash into violet or blue as well.

Remember, every gray or greige will grab undertones – you can’t run; they will find you.

Natural light, exposure, and light bulbs can affect how a paint color looks – how could they NOT? And Agreeable Gray is definitely sensitive to its surroundings, as shown in this next photo…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, greige paint colour in north and south facing rooms. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour expert. paint review

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

As for whether it’s a warm gray or greige-taupe, it depends on which camp you’re in and how you see things. I like to cover my bases, even though, in MOST situations, Agreeable Gray looks greige-taupe – not gray. Just keep in mind that while I mention these colors, MOST of my clients love Agreeable Gray because it’s so darn neutral.

 

WILL AGREEABLE GRAY EVER LOOK PINK?

Agreeable Gray doesn’t NATURALLY want to look pink, so that would be more about its surroundings. Another way that Agreeable Gray could look pink is if you don’t get it mixed by a Sherwin-Williams technician (try not to color-match).

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace walls, Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray greige taupe painted board and batten on lower walls and gray greige trim. KYlie M Online paint color consultant

This is pretty typical of Agreeable Gray! 

 

WILL AGREEABLE LOOK VIOLET-PURPLE?

I’ve seen Agreeable Gray go overly violet ONE TIME in my many experiences (coming up shortly). This is an exception as Agreeable Gray is more likely to read as a relatively NEUTRAL warm gray or greige-taupe paint color. Any undertone should be SUPER subtle.

 

WILL AGREEABLE GRAY LOOK GREEN?

I’ve seen a green undertone pop up once in a while in Agreeable Gray, ESPECIALLY when it’s partnered with finishes with a soft violet or violet-pink undertone.

This next space, which is SO well-decorated (I have such great clients), shows how Agreeable Gray has a slightly green hue compared to the violet in the flooring (she hired me to fix it)…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray best warm grey paint colour, corner fireplace with stone and shiplap, kitchen island in Dovetail.

 

AGREEABLE GRAY IN A NORTH-FACING ROOM

You can anticipate Agreeable Gray cooling down slightly in a north-facing room. Northern light is a gray light that can further encourage the gray tucked in Agreeable Gray, which is probably why it isn’t called Agreeable Greige.

The Best Paint Colors for North-Facing Rooms

no entryway, hooks on wall with board and batten, gray wash wood floor. Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray paint color on walls.

 

AGREEABLE GRAY IN A SOUTH-FACING ROOM

A south-facing room is where Agreeable Gray is at its best, or ‘most expected’ – as a soft, light greige-taupe with a minimal undertone. This next photo makes me ALL kinds of happy. However, it’s ALSO as warm as you can ever expect Agreeable Gray to look – you’d almost think it was Edgecomb Gray!

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, transitional style living room, two storey, white trim, modern farmhouse style. Kylie M Interiors. Client before photo

Kitchen and eating nook, white cabinets, grey island. Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, client before photo. Modern farmhouse, transitional s

And yes, I know there are east and west-facing rooms too. However, those buggers change their light SO much throughout the day that it would add MANY paragraphs to my blog post (I have separate blog posts on them here).

The gist is that in an east-facing room, you can expect Agreeable Gray to act a bit more like a north-facing room but perhaps a touch flatter. In a west-facing room, in the morning, it can fall a bit flat and dull. However, in the afternoon, it will warm up nicely, especially in the later hours.

Here are a few more shots of Agreeable Gray in random rooms, giving you a well-rounded look at this gorgeous neutral color…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, best greige wall paint colour, taupe side table, neutral bed linens and home decor. Kylie M

The Best Paint Colors for a South-Facing Room

Sherwin Williams Pure White shiplap feature wall in dining room, Agreeable Gray greige walls, modern farmhouse style, graywash LVT wood look floor.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. farmhouse style, buffetclock with dark trim beams. Kylie M

 

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF AGREEABLE GRAY

PEEL AND STICK SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY WITH KYLIE M. BEST CABINET COLOUR

Delivered to your front door in 1 DAY! 

 

SHERWIN WILLIAMS ANEW GRAY vs AGREEABLE GRAY

Anew Gray is the slightly darker version of Agreeable Gray, so more of a light-medium depth (LRV of 47 for all of my color nerds). Anew Gray has a similar approach to Agreeable Gray, being a gray-beige blend. However, Anew Gray leans just a WINK warmer.

Anew Gray living room, stacked ledgestone fireplace, gallery wall, beige carpet. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting and blog advice

And while Anew Gray can lean a bit cooler in some lights, it doesn’t go as far as Agreeable Gray…

Sherwin Williams Anew Gray entryway, Greige, mushroom paint colour, white front door, chandelier and mirror. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, virtual online paint colour consulting. Client before photo

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Anew Gray

And just like Agreeable Gray, Anew Gray isn’t very married to a particular undertone and can flex its muscles on a per-room basis.

 

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR SHOULD YOU USE WITH AGREEABLE GRAY?

Agreeable Gray is WILDLY flexible when it comes to white paint colors for cabinets or trims. And while SW Pure White is my fave choice, there are a few others worth exploring…

On a side note, I often get clients asking if Agreeable Gray and Incredible White look good together. That would be a hard no. Incredible White loses too much of its neutral base in being so light and can flash a lot of violet-pink. This makes it too colorful for Agreeable Gray.

 

WILL SW AGREEABLE GRAY LOOK GOOD WITH CREAM CABINETS?

Generally speaking, NO, Agreeable Gray won’t work with many cream cabinets or wall paint colors. However, this is open to opinion (isn’t everything, though?). My PERSONAL opinion is that it’s a very touchy combination that isn’t usually in the best interest of either color or the surrounding finishes.

The 16 Best Paint Colors for Cream Cabinets or Trim

As shown in this next photo, a warm, soft white/off-white is really STRETCHING Agreeable Gray’s comfort zone. If these cabinets and trims were any warmer, it would be a hard no for this combo…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray a greige paint color on walls with cream painted cabinets in Benjamin Moore Linen White, oak wood flooring, butlers pantry

Notice how BLUE Agreeable Gray looks ‘in comparison’ to the creamy warmth of the cabinets. This is a great example of Agreeable Gray shifting its look and undertones based on its environment.

 

IS AGREEABLE GRAY A GOOD CABINET COLOR?

Heck yes! With cabinet trends leaning into the non-white look, Agreeable Gray is a popular choice in the average home. It’s so popular that I wrote an entire blog post on it!

The gist is that this flexible warm gray-greige-taupe humors a wide range of popular white quartz countertops. And while it isn’t quite as easy to find a coordinating wall color, it’s not impossible!

Kitchen remodel, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace painted white cabinets, Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray painted island, warm gray greige trim and board and batten. Wood flooor. Marble backsplash. Kylie M online paint color expert with Truley Home

Agreeable Gray on the island and board and batten with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray painted cabinets, nickel hardware, white quartz countertop, subway tile backsplash.

 

IS AGREEABLE GRAY A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Agreeable Gray can be AWESOME on exteriors, either as a siding or trim color. It’s well-suited to many of the popular stone and brick coverings. However, be aware that in reasonable natural light, it can look lighter than expected.

This next photo is the one I alluded to earlier – where Agreeable Gray grabs a TON of violet undertone. This is more of an exception than a rule. Agreeable Gray usually comes off WAY more neutral than this, with minimal to no undertone at all…

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, Snowbound, Comfort Gray, on exterior painted brick home, white trim, Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting, diy

However, the above is a professional photo, so the color is likely edited.

On this next exterior, look at HOW MUCH MORE MUTED Agreeable Gray looks…

Exterior siding in greige, warm gray Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, Acier trim with stone and gray roof. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy decorating ideas (2)

The stone on this exterior is pretty common. If your stone has MORE violet than this one, be careful with Agreeable Gray. Instead, you might shift to Sherwin Williams Requisite Gray or Knitting Needles.

WHY?

Surfaces with a more noticeable violet or violet-pink undertone may demand more violet than Agreeable Gray can offer.

 

WHICH PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO AGREEABLE GRAY?

Paint companies CAN’T match each other’s colors perfectly, so it’s about finding colors that are similar or that people often compare. While I did a full blog post on some Agreeable Gray comparisons, here’s a summary of the two most common comparisons…

 

AGREEABLE GRAY vs. BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER

These are two of the top-selling, popular colors for each brand. Agreeable Gray is lighter (LRV 60) than Revere Pewter (55), making it slightly better suited to the ‘average room’ or low-light space, although you still need to be careful. Revere Pewter’s also a bit more likely to pick up an earthy green hue.

Revere Pewter, best warm gray paint color. STATUARIO MAXIMUS white quartz countertop, URBANE BRONZE,

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

 

AGREEABLE GRAY vs. REPOSE GRAY

While Repose Gray was popular a few years ago, it’s recently fallen out of favor for more predictable, warmer colors – colors like Agreeable Gray. Repose Gray is a touch darker (LRV 58) than Agreeable Gray (60), but it’s the WARMTH of Agreeable Gray that makes it a more popular choice for walls, cabinets, exteriors, and even interior trims and doors!

Open concept great room or living room with Sherwin Williams Repose Gray, light wood flooring. Kylie M.

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Once you’re done with this blog post, check out THIS bad boy – Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray vs Repose Gray, Revere Pewter & More

Benjamin Moore Collingwood warm gray paint colour in dining room with Pure White wainscoting, beige tile floor and transitional style home decor.

Benjamin Moore Collingwood

WHAT COLORS GO WELL WITH AGREEABLE GRAY?

Agreeable Gray will be a bit fussy about some warmer beige, tan, and cream paint colors. However, there’s still a WIDE range of other colors to explore, such as…

 

PROS AND CONS OF AGREEABLE GRAY

While the full details are in this blog post, here’s a quick summary of why Agreeable Gray is one of the most popular warm gray/greiges. But also, why it might not work for you regardless of it being a top-selling shade!

  • Agreeable Gray’s non-committal undertones make it flexible for a wide range of rooms and walls.
  • While it can pick up a flash of green, it’s rare. However, if your finishes cater to a violet undertone, Agreeable Gray might not work.
  • Agreeable Gray responds best to average (or reasonably bright) natural light. If your room is dark, it could look drab and flat.
  • With an LRV of 60, Agreeable’s a great depth for the average room.
  • Agreeable Gray suits a wide range of exterior finishes.
  • Agreeable Gray loves whites like Sherwin Williams Pure White.
  • As far as cabinet colors go (that aren’t white), Agreeable Gray and Revere Pewter are two of my top choices.

 

Not sure if Agreeable Gray is the color for you? Check these out…

READ MORE

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Taupe of the Morning

Sherwin Williams Touch of Grey – Paint Color Review

The Best Gray Paint Colors With VIOLET Undertones

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil

Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige: Paint Review

Not sure which paint color is the best for your room?

Check out my affordable and fun E-Design!

Ideas to update any room in your home with Kylie M E-designs, diy blogger and Online Paint Colour Consultant. Expert in Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paint colours. Market

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors, decorating blog, e-design, online colour consulting expert. signature

Originally written in 2019, updated in JAN 24



Comments

  1. We are moving into a new house where the only color option is SW Pure White. Our kitchen cabinets are agreeable grey on top and dovetail on bottom & island. Will the pure white be ok? We dont want to have to paint as soon as we move in. Happy to do a few accent walls to break up the starkness, but would love recommendations of pops of colors to add.

    1. Post
      Author

      Pure White could be great for this palette – absolutely! Check out Sherwin Williams Web Gray, Grizzle Gray, Retreat and Ripe Olive for some pretty accents.

  2. Such great information! We are trying to pick a kitchen cabinet color and think we would love Agreeable Gray lightened 50%. Our countertops are quartz with subtle grey veining on a slightly off white background. Our walls, ceilings and trim are SW Pure White. Our floors are white oak. We have mostly north facing windows in the kitchen and open plan living room. Do you think Agreeable Gray lightened 50% would work with the rest of our house?

    1. Post
      Author

      Oooo, I’d be careful. Agreeable Gray lightened that much COULD pick up some violet-pink and be too light to be a great partner with Pure White. I might try 25% lighter to get a bit more contrast and keep more balanced undertones, if it were me.

  3. Hi There!
    I am thinking of doing agreeable gray for the main living and upstairs main hall. What would you suggest for a coordinating color for the bedrooms that come off of the hallway? Looking to stay neutral and light!

    Thanks!

  4. Hi Kylie,

    Quick question, I am painting the exterior of my home SW Retreat, I’m stuck between painting the trim White duck or Agreeable Gray. Any thoughts?

    We have a good deal of trim work. Happy to share a photo if it helps!

    Thanks,
    Jen

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Jen! Have you looked at a color like SW Modern Gray or even Origami White? They’re more subtle, whereas the above two are a bit stronger and I wouldn’t be able to say without seeing your home and its finishes (roof/stone/brick/landscape/windows) 🙂

  5. I have purchased a home that had a light med. brownish wall color that was nice but wondering if the agreeable grey color will go with my kitchen that has maple/oak cabinets and a brownish granite countertops. And if it would look better. Would the beige color in this paint make the walls seems more beige than grey then?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Tanya, it’s so hard to say without seeing your space and the finishes! USUALLY, Agreeable Gray is too gray for brownish finishes, but there are exceptions! Overall, Agreeable Gray does cater to gray over beige and could look even more so against the warmth of warmer finishes :).

  6. Hi Kylie,

    Thank you for having this website and blog articles available, they have been SO helpful!!!!

    Quick Question–I am picking colors for kitchen cabinets, island and back pantry wall lowers to be Andiron SW6174, vent hood to be stained med-dark brown– for the kitchen uppers and side wall lowers im looking at either Agreeable Gray or Worldly Gray but the backsplash tiles will be warmer. Do you think Snowbound is too crisp with the colors picked thus far for walls and trim? Or would you recommend a warmer off-white/creamy white?

    Thanks so much!!

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Alyson, I’m usually leery to suggest a color or dissuade without seeing the backsplash/countertop, as they call HUGE SHOTS! I can say though that I would hesitate to go much darker than Snowbound (or choose an LRV lower than approx. 76 or so) if the cabinets are Agreeable Gray or Worldly Gray. Agreeable Gray/Worldly are some of the hardest cabinet colors to choose wall colors for as they usually prefer whites, either bright or soft!

  7. Im doing whole wall in condo in agreeable gray & the opposite wall in adrift. Do you think this will look ok together? White trim, & white crown moulding.

    1. Post
      Author

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