Sherwin Williams Modern Gray SW 7632: Paint Color Review
A more MODERN take on gray!
If you’re ready to leave the gray trend behind and enter the warm world, Modern Gray could be your gateway color. Far from beige but warmer than gray, this shade has been making the rounds, and I’ve had a LOT of requests for a color review of it, both on my Instagram feed and my YouTube channel. So I figured it was time to take a closer look…
WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS MODERN GRAY? WARM OR COOL?
Modern Gray is a warm neutral paint color that’s more of a taupe-greige than a warm gray (but this can be open to perception). In a south-facing room or room with western afternoon sun, Modern Gray will lean CONSIDERABLY into its warm base, looking almost beige-tan. However, in north-facing light, the warmth of Modern Gray will fall back without looking cold.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
WHAT’S MODERN GRAY’S LRV?
Modern Gray has an LRV of 62, which is also my magical LRV number. This LRV puts Modern Gray in the ‘light’ range. With an LRV of 62, Modern Gray holds its color/depth reasonably well on a well-lit wall or in a bright room. In a darker space, it CAN feel a bit drab if you don’t have enough interior lighting to add some balance and life.
This next photo is a great example of Modern Gray. On the right, you can see Modern Gray with a BIG dose of natural light on it, while on the left, it’s in a lower area with slightly below-average light…
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
WHAT ARE MODERN GRAY’S UNDERTONES? WILL IT LOOK GREEN OR PINK?
Modern Gray is a tricky one as it’s not entirely committed to one undertone. When a color isn’t committed to one undertone, it can flash into others depending on its surroundings. So, while Modern Gray usually reads as pretty darn neutral, the odd time, it can pick up a small flash of warm violet (violet-pink) or green.
While I wish that crown molding weren’t black, this is still a great shot of Modern Gray!
Get your Samplize Peel & Stick sample of Modern Gray HERE!
WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH MODERN GRAY WALLS?
Being a warm, soft paint color, Modern Gray loves a white that has a similar approach, which means I would look at:
- Sherwin Williams Pure White or, at the MOST…
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White for a cleaner contrast
- I also love Benjamin Moore White Dove if you aren’t loyal to one brand or the other
- Sherwin Williams White Snow
There’s that darn black trim again!
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
IS MODERN GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
It certainly could be, as the subtle taupe/warm gray approach can be a good partner for many popular stone and brick coverings. This muted shade is also flexible to a range of asphalt roofs.
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
As with any exterior color, Modern Gray will shift how it looks depending on your home’s exposure and how much natural light and sunlight it gets. Check out these next two photos for examples of this…
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO MODERN GRAY
When exploring colors like Modern Gray, there are several shades I recommend to my Online Color Consulting clients…
- Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray
- Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist (lighter and grayer)
- Benjamin Moore London Fog (darker and slightly moodier)
Now, let’s make some direct comparisons to a few of the most popular ones.
MODERN GRAY vs. AGREEABLE GRAY
It’s smart to compare these two shades whether you’re choosing a color for your walls, non-white kitchen cabinets, or exterior. Agreeable Gray is a touch darker than Modern Gray with its LRV of 60 (Modern Gray is 62). You’ll also see that Modern Gray is a bit warmer and picks up an almost clay or putty look compared to Agreeable Gray.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
MODERN GRAY vs. BM EDGECOMB GRAY
While it’s good to compare VERY similar shades, checking out colors with more noticeable differences is a good idea, too. While Modern Gray and Edgecomb Gray have similar intentions – being warm neutrals that aren’t really gray or beige, Edgecomb Gray sets itself apart as it’s warmer than Modern Gray and more evenly balanced between warm and cool.
If it’s a popularity contest, Edgecomb Gray wins, hands-down (as does Agreeable Gray.)
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
And please DON’T match colors between paint brands. If you’re thinking of it, read THIS first.
WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH MODERN GRAY?
Modern Gray is a bit finicky regarding cool colors, but if you follow a few rules, you should get along just fine!
- cool paint colors need to be a similar depth or darker – Sherwin Williams Argos looks amazeballs with it
- gray-blue paint colors can be a gorgeous complement
- darker gray and greige paint colors, even some green undertones can be striking
- subtle off-whites
- lighter shades of greige (like Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray), as long as they’re darker than Modern Gray
READ MORE
The 11 Best Warm Neutral Paint Colors That AREN’T BEIGE!
The 12 Best Whole Home Gray and Greige Paint Colors
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
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 2021, TOTALLY UPDATED IN 2024
Thank you for doing this one! I painted my bedrooms this color to test it before doing my entire, open layout/high ceilings home. I absolutely love it in the bedrooms but was nervous to pull it into the open living space as I have those red/orangey hardwood floors (similar to the pictures you included) outside the bedrooms and was worried about it clashing or being too dark. Happy to see that it will work with my hardwood. I have a few espresso colored, dark wood furniture items as well (tv console, coffee table, dining table, & island). The living area is SW facing and gets a TON of afternoon light. I was deciding between Modern Gray or City Loft but now after reading your posts I think I’m going to stick with Modern Gray because the City Loft’s LRV may make it become washed out in the bright afternoon light we get. Also super pleased Modern Gray hits your magical LRV number right on the nose 🙂 Thank you for all the education you provide!
I plan to paint my kitchen Alabaster because I have cream colored cabinets (think Farmhouse trends – not my choice) and worried about mixing Modern Gray with the cream/yellowish color. Do you think Alabaster works with Modern Gray or would it clash?
Hello. Did you have an answer to your question? I have the exact same trouble. Was thinking on Whitetail or Greek Villa SW cabinets. What color did you paint them after all? Thank you for your help in advance
I painted my living and dining room modern gray and love it in both rooms. I’ve tried so many different colors and not Howard quite right until I found this. It’s the most neutral of all the colors I’ve tried. It does pull a hair of green during the day and a hint of purple at night. But both are soooooo subtle that’s it doesn’t bother me at all. So glad I found this color!
I’ve left a comment twice now and still have not seen a response. 🙁
Hi Sandra! I get thousands of comments and sadly, can’t reply to all. I try to give away as much COMPLIMENTARY advice on my blog and between the different platforms, can’t answer everyone’s questions – I’m only one gal here!
We just painted our master bedroom in Modern Gray with an accent wall in Palisade! its stunning! The room is west facing with two windows (4 recessed cans with 2700K bulbs) and its the perfect taupe. Its cozier in the evening with the warm western sun and a tad lighter and airier in the morning. Just perfectly warm and so cozy. I accented with plum throw pillows, and light gray and white bedding with black furniture. so glad i picked it 🙂