Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray: The Quick and Dirty on LRV, Undertones and a Little More

I love doing colour reviews, and am slowly working my way towards reviewing ALL of the top paint colours from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. The Quick & Dirty paint colour reviews are designed to cover the BASICS of paint colours that aren’t talked about as much in the design world OR that I just don’t have enough of images of yet (as I ONLY use photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients).

And today we’re talking about…

What type of paint colour is Gauntlet Gray? Is it greige, gray or taupe?

Gauntlet Gray is a gray paint colour. While it often gets passed-off as the ‘perfect dark gray or charcoal colour’, it actually has some serious considerations.

Is Gauntlet Gray warm or cool-toned?

Gauntlet Gray is a WARM gray paint colour and even in northern light, it’s hard to make it look cool.

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 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!