Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray: LRV, Undertones and a Little More

When it comes to the choosing a dark gray paint colour for a feature wall, cabinets, exterior or an ENTIRE ROOM, it’s important to note the temperature, LRV and undertones of the gray you’re looking at – especially one with with a personality like Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray!

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so ONLY use photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need (hence the ‘QUICK Review’), but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

What type of paint colour is Gauntlet Gray? Is it warm or cool?

Gauntlet Gray is a gray paint colour in the medium-dark range. While it often gets passed-off as the ‘perfect dark gray or charcoal colour’, it actually has some serious considerations as it’s not as cold or neutral as many people EXPECT when they’re looking for a ‘traditional gray’.

Gauntlet Gray is, in fact, a slightly WARM gray, and even in north-facing light, you’d be hard-pressed to make it look like a traditional cool gray.

What’s the LRV of Gauntlet Gray?

Gauntlet Gray has an LRV of just over 17 which puts it in the medium-dark end of things. Not as dense as a DARK paint colour, but not soft like a more standard medium tone (learn more HERE).

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

What are the undertones of Gauntlet Gray? Will it look purple?

Gauntlet Gray has SUBTLE undertones which are more passive than some of the other popular gray paint colours. While MOST of the time it nods add a subtle purple undertone, it can flash a weeee tiny wink green (barely).

What’s the best way to sample Gauntlet Gray?

Like with every paint colour, 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!

If I’m painting my walls Gauntlet Gray, what’s the best white paint colour for my trim?

When it comes to trim, Gauntlet Gray loves…

Sherwin Williams Pure White, a versatile warm, soft white paint colour

Is Gauntlet Gray a good colour for the exterior of my home?

It could be! If you have south-facing light or a super bright eastern morning light, you’ll find that Gauntlet Gray will look LIGHTER and look WARMER than expected. It will look that bit more shaded in northern light or afternoon eastern/morning western light.

Is Gauntlet Gray a popular gray paint colour?

Just because it’s GOOD, doesn’t mean it’s popular. A lot of people lean towards the more blue-green undertones or a light gray when choosing paint colour for their interior or exterior walls. Gauntlet Gray works best for a more dramatic look in a room, as a feature wall or as an exterior main colour, trim or front door.

What Benjamin Moore paint colours are similar or the same as Gauntlet Gray?

You won’t find an exact match for ANY colour between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. And while I WISH Benjamin Moore had options that held up to the beauty of Gauntlet Gray, there are some with similar intentions, but different approaches…

Benjamin Moore Metropolis
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray or Amherst Gray

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

What type of paint colours look good with Gauntlet Gray?

Gauntlet Gray is a BIT finicky but has some good flexibility…

Gauntlet Gray loves lighter neutrals that are slightly warmer than it (ie: warm gray and greige paint colours)
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, Balanced Beige, Anew Gray and Mega Greige are lighter neutrals that suit Gauntlet Gray (but there are many more in that range). That doesn’t mean those colours will suit your HOME, as you have to consider all of your hard and soft surfaces (carpet, tile, furniture, countertops) as well as your exposure
Gauntlet Gray doesn’t want to be partnered with a colour that is lighter and cooler than it unless you’re doing a palette of medium to medium-dark colours, in which case you can look at a darker cool-toned gray

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

SHERWIN WILLIAMS GRIZZLE GRAY (love this one)

SHERWIN WILLIAMS DOVETAIL

GRAY AND GREIGE PAINT COLOURS

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

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

Chat soon,

Comments

Brittany says

October 17, 2020 at 6:07 pm

I’m loving this gray! Would gauntlet gray painted over a brick fireplace look good next to walls painted in agreeable gray?

- KylieMawdsley says
  
  October 19, 2020 at 6:59 pm
  
  It depends. In the odd room, Agreeable can pick up a vague green cast, but GENERALLY SPEAKING, yes, this can work :).