Sherwin Williams Light French Gray SW 0055: Paint Color Review

Sherwin Williams Light French Gray: Not your everyday 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.

My Quick Paint Color Reviews are designed to cover the BASICS of paint colors that aren’t talked about as much in the design world OR that I just don’t have enough images of yet (as I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients). And while I don’t have images of Light French Gray yet, I do have some WICKED helpful information for you to read.

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

What type of paint color is Sherwin Williams Light French Gray? Is it a warm or cool gray?

Light French Gray is a lovely stormy COOL gray paint color, but I wouldn’t say it’s ICY cold as the depth makes it look a bit more grounded.

With Pure White on the upper walls

If you have north-facing light, you’ll find the cool 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 rays.

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

What’s the LRV of Light French Gray?

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 LRV’s 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 the undertones of Light French Gray? Will it look blue, purple, green or like a TRUE gray?

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

What’s the best way to sample Light French Gray?

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!

Learn all about Samplize HERE

If I’m painting my walls Light French Gray, what’s the best white paint color for my trim?

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

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Is Light French Gray a good color for the exterior of my home? 

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 to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Is Light French Gray a popular paint color right now?

Light French Gray isn’t SUPER popular right now, but that’s only because of its depth. The average homeowner is looking for a slightly lighter approach when choosing a gray paint color for their walls, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be the best gray for YOU!

What Benjamin Moore paint colors are the same as or 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.

To get a comparable color in Benjamin Moore, you need to head into their Color Stories collection with…

• Benjamin Moore Perspective CSP-5

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (ie: getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

What type of paint colors look good with Light French Gray?

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

• Slightly cool, lighter gray paint colors
• 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!

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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 2021