Sherwin Williams Light French Gray 0055: Paint Color Review

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY SHADE OF GRAY…

Light French Gray. It kind of makes you think it’ll be a LIGHT french gray, right? THINK AGAIN! While it certainly is gray… it ain’t that light. However, Light French Gray’s depth makes it an awesome choice for everything from walls and cabinets to exteriors and accent walls.

So, without further adieu (get it, ‘french’ gray?), let’s check this gorgeous gray out.

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY WARM OR COOL?

Light French Gray is a lovely stormy gray paint color. While it is a touch warm, it’s subtle, meaning it can work with a wide range of interior finishes, including some that don’t cater to overly warm shades of gray.

With Pure White on the upper walls

If you have north-facing light, you’ll find the stormy gray look of Light French Gray ENHANCED by the gray-blue light coming in the windows. On the other hand, if your room is south-facing or has warm afternoon western sunshine, Light French Gray can offer a nice balance to those warm grays while looking only slightly warm.

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

WHAT’S LIGHT FRENCH GRAY’S LRV?

Light French Gray has an LRV of 53, making it a light-medium depth paint color. A color this depth will hold itself a bit better in a super bright room, whereas colors with high LRVs can wash out. However, this LRV can make it a bit heavy if you have a dark room, whereas colors in the white, off-white, and light range (higher LRV) can bounce more light around.

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

WHAT ARE LIGHT FRENCH GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

Light French Gray favors a vague purple undertone. This purple can lean slightly purple-blue in cool light and soften in warmer light without going purple-pink.

With Sherwin Williams Pure White trim and walls

SAMPLING LIGHT FRENCH GRAY WITH PEEL & STICK

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF LIGHT FRENCH GRAY!

WHAT WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR GOES WITH LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

Sherwin Williams Pure White for a softer look
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White for a cleaner look

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The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

It certainly could be! If you have intense sun on the front of your home, the LRV of Light French Gray will stand up much better than a color with a high LRV (which can wash out). Just make sure your exterior features (stone/brick/roof/etc…) suit the undertones of Light French Gray, which can show up a BIT MORE to the party on some exposures.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY A POPULAR SHADE OF GRAY?

Light French Gray isn’t SUPER popular right now, but this is because trends are leaning warmer. However, as it relates to exteriors, gray is still on point as it suits a WIDE range of finishes.

And all of this being said, if your home suits gray, and you LOVE it, have at ‘er!

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

GOOD QUESTION! Every color has its own particular nuances and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths.

Colors with similar intentions include…

Benjamin Moore Perspective CSP-5
Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers – definitely worth comparing

You can also check out Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles, which is slightly different from Light French Gray as its undertones are more noticeable (slightly).

Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles

WHAT COLORS GO WITH LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

Light French Gray is a BIT finicky, but you can explore some colors like…

Slightly cool, lighter gray paint colors with similar undertones
Blue-green-gray blends
Gray-blue paint colors
Light French Gray doesn’t love many greige or taupe paint colors

Not sure if Light French Gray is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles: Paint Color Review

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Silverplate

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

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

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN JUNE 2020, AWESOMELY UPDATED IN 2023

Jessica
February 2, 2022 at 1:59 pm

Hi Kylie! I’ve been loving all your posts on different grays. I think we’ve decided to use Light French Gray in our house, and have a room that’s currently two-toned in a green. We’d like to stay with the two-toned them. What darker gray do you think would work well with Light French Gray?

Thanks!
Jessica

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Veronica Mendoza
September 12, 2023 at 11:32 am

Hello Kylie!

I love your blog especially the commentary about Ryan Reynolds, kissing cousin gray colors, and booties! I have SW Light French Gray on my kitchen cabinets and love the color. I chose SW Origami White on my walls but it feels cold and looks dingy. What other white can I use on my walls that will balance the Northern exposure and still coordinate with my SW Light French Gray cabinets?

1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  October 2, 2023 at 7:34 pm
  
  Oooo, a kindred spirit – hooray!
  
  So, Light French Gray can be a bit fussy. The thing is, as we go warmer, colors can sometimes look a bit more dingy, whereas as we go cooler, colors tend to look a bit cleaner. Toque White can be a slightly warmer/cleaner fix, but it can flash pink (oof). What about a warm white like BM White Dove? SW White Heron is also interesting and pretty.