Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray 7016: Paint Color Review

A popular warm gray paint color – Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray

In your search for the PERFECT gray paint color for your walls, cabinets or exterior, you might have come across Mindful Gray. And it’s no surprise, it’s a popular paint color. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean it will necessarily work in your home – let’s find out!

What type of paint color is Mindful Gray? Is it a warm or cool gray?

Mindful Gray is a warm gray paint color. Is it warm enough to look BEIGE in south-facing or afternoon western sunshine? Not quite. Sure, it might LOOK warmer, but if you compare it to a beige you’ll see just how gray it really is. This is why Mindful Gray can be an awesome shade for rooms with warmer exposures.

If you have northern light or flat eastern afternoon or morning western light, you’ll need a LOT of it, otherwise Mindful Gray can look a bit flat.

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

What’s the LRV of Mindful Gray?

Mindful Gray has an LRV of 48, making it a light-medium depth neutral paint color.

This depth makes it a tough sell for darker rooms no matter which exposure they have. However, this additional depth (compared to Sherwin Williams Repose Gray) helps it stand up to intense sunshine without washing out quite as much.

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

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best LIGHT Paint Colors for a DARK room

What are the undertones of Mindful Gray? 

Like Repose Gray, Mindful Gray is a bit of a color ninja. EVERY gray has undertones and Mindful Gray switches quite easily between a MILD violet and a MILD green undertone. It also holds a more earthy, slightly muddy look compared to other cooler gray paint colors.

This next photo is a PERFECT example of Mindful Gray’s MILD tendency to grab a green undertone.

This green undertone might not be as noticeable with different flooring, but because the wood floor has a gray-violet wash, the slightly competing green undertone in Mindful Gray is easier to see.

What’s the best way to sample a paint color?

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…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, 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 if my walls are Repose Gray?

• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

Is Mindful Gray a popular exterior paint color?

While I wouldn’t say Mindful Gray is OVERLY popular, it’s still a great option for many exteriors. However, if you’re expecting it to look gray, you’ll want to adjust your color goggles as on exteriors, Mindful Gray tends to lean WARMER than expected.

5 Tips to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

Is Mindful Gray a popular color for kitchen cabinets?

Again, just because it isn’t POPULAR, doesn’t mean it isn’t a good option. A lot of people are leaning into the lighter looks of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray and Agreeable Gray. HOWEVER, the increased depth of Mindful Gray can leave you with a wider range of coordinating wall colors.

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

The 4 Best Darker Gray & Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

Which paint colors are similar to Mindful Gray for comparison?

Every paint color has its own personality and nuances – there will be NO perfect match. You can fully expect to see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths, but you could check out…

• Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray (slightly greener/warmer)
• Sherwin Williams Anew Gray (warmer)
• Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud (great option, although a bit different looking)

Here’s a great example with a few grays that are cooler than Mindful Gray…

Sherwin Williams Silverplate / Worldly Gray / Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

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.

Which paint colors go with Mindful Gray in a color palette?

• some greige paint colors that are LIGHTER than Mindful Gray
• some darker gray paint colors with similar undertones or even a more dominant green
• very muted warm neutral off-white paint colors

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

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray

The 4 Best Quasi-Warm Gray Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Is Gray Still Trendy on Cabinets, Walls & Trims?

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

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

Chat soon,