The 10 Best Dark Gray Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams -

Dark gray paint colors have long been used on exteriors, walls, and cabinets, with their popularity ebbing and flowing with the trends.

But with the varying depths, temperatures, and undertones, how do you know which gray is best for you and your home?

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You do your research, in which case, you’re in the right place! I’ve got a whackload of gorgeous dark grays for any paintable surface in or on your home – walls, doors, trims, siding – you name it, we’ll have it covered…in paint. But, before we start, we need to have a wee chat (as usual).

DARK GRAY PAINT COLORS & UNDERTONES

When it comes to gray, there will always be undertones (no matter HOW much you wish otherwise).

Warm grays can have purple or green undertones, whereas cool grays can have blue, purple, or green undertones (often a blend).

To learn more about gray undertones, check out: The 3 Gray Undertones You Need to Know

And while these undertones are often passive in the lighter end of things, by the time we hit the dark side, they don’t hide as well.

This means that there are often fewer great ‘neutral’ looking options to choose from if you’re looking for as neutral a gray as humanly possible.

Remember, you can’t avoid undertones entirely. You need to choose the one that best suits the finishes in your home!

So, now that we’ve got that awkward little chat out of the way, let’s jump in! BTW, you’ll find that ALL of these colors have an LRV below 25.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your PAINT LOVIN’ LIFE – read all about it HERE.

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS DOVETAIL SW 7018

With its LRV of 26, Sherwin Williams Dovetail isn’t one of the darker grays, but it still has some great meat on its bones (or feathers on its tail might be more the point).

Dovetail has a passive warmth, and you’d be hard-pressed to find it looking like a traditional cool gray paint color. As for undertones, Dovetail is super non-committal, which is one of the many reasons I have mad love for it.

While Dovetail is most popular on exteriors, it can look pretty bangin’ on kitchen islands, accent walls, and doors, too.

Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dovetail

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CLASSIC FRENCH GRAY SW 0077

If you ask this color cowgirl, a color that’s called ‘Classic French Gray‘ should have a purple undertone. ‘French’ doesn’t feel green to me, but anyway, I’m a bit weird about some things (a bit weird in general, really).

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Sherwin Williams Classic French Gray has a subtle green undertone. However, it’s so passive that I consider it one of the most neutral dark gray paint colors (even though grays really do have undertones).

Take a look at Classic French Gray on a sunny day and notice how subtle its undertones are…

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FULL Paint Color Review of Classic French Gray

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ROYCROFT PEWTER SW 2848

If you’re a lover of the dark end of things, welcome to my club. Don’t worry, it’s a club, not a cult. We sit around talking about paint colors, drinking wine and Starbucks, watching Ryan Gosling movies, and eating buttloads of Cornuts. Okay, it’s a cult.

Moving along.

When we bought our home, it wasn’t bad…it just wasn’t very good (look at how the sun had turned our almond windows a fine shade of yellow-green – woooooof)…

After, with a bit of KLC, Roycroft Pewter complements the blue-green hues in the K2 slate stone, giving our home much more presence. We got new windows on the front, too…

Sherwin Williams Roycroft Pewter has a bit more undertone than the average dark gray and winks hard at the colorful end of things (mind you, that IS open to perception). Either way, it has a ton of undertones.

Sure, Roycroft Pewter picks up a blue hue, but it also dips its pedicured toes into green quite nicely. With an LRV of 13, Roycroft Pewter is definitely on the edge of the CONSIDERABLY dark side.

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Here’s Roycroft Pewter rockin’ it on a painted kitchen island…

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Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Roycroft Pewter

4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GRIZZLE GRAY SW 7068

Give me some Grizzle fo’ shizzle! Sorry, just channelling my inner gangster – I can’t even help myself.

Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray has an LRV of 13, which means it has some decent meat on it, but won’t ever appear blackish. Along with that glorious hunk of meat, Grizzle Gray harbors a noticeably committed green undertone.

In this next image, looking to the left of the fireplace, the top sample is Grizzle Gray, the bottom one is Sherwin Williams Porpoise. Notice that they both have a green undertone, but Porpoise is warmer (as it’s a greige)…

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray

5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SOFTWARE

If your idea of ‘dark gray’ isn’t quite that dark, let’s look at Software.

Sherwin Williams Software is a solid, medium-depth paint color with a stormy backdrop. With an LRV of 23, it’s definitely got some depth, it’s just not as dark as most of the other options on this page.

As for undertones, like Web Gray (coming up shortly), it centers on a blue undertone. And while it’s most likely to lean a wink blue-green over blue-purple, it has a bit of flex.

In this next image, my Online Color Consulting client hired me to fix her cabinet colors, as the current white is too warm for her marble backsplash and countertop.

With the idea of using a brighter, cleaner white paint color on the upper cabinets, we also explored Software as a fun way to coordinate with the undertones in her marble finishes.

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5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GAUNTLET GRAY SW 7019

I’m throwin’ down the gauntlet with this one. However, even with its skookum LRV of 17, Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray isn’t the darkest charcoal gray, but it still does the job for cabinets, exteriors, doors, accent walls, entire rooms, and more.

In this next photo, Gauntlet Gray has a subtle violet undertone popping up. And while this can happen, it’s rarely this obvious – Gauntlet Gray usually settles pretty balanced and uncommitted to undertones…

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PEPPERCORN SW 7674

If Sherwin Williams Peppercorn looks like your home’s best dark gray paint color, get ready for some serious drama!

While some of the other shades on this page have higher LRVs (relatively speaking), meaning they’re slightly lighter, Peppercorn has an LRV of 10. While it’s not dark enough to wink at black, it can add some serious contrast to your space.

Unlike the color above it in the fan deck (Grizzle Gray), which leans toward green, Peppercorn usually favors a purple undertone.

In this next bathroom, you’ll see a sneak peek of Peppercorn as a feature wall with Benjamin Moore Collingwood…

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn: IMAGES, Info, & More

8. SHERWIN-WILLIAMS WEB GRAY 7075

I love Sherwin Williams Web Gray and often recommend it to my Online Color Consulting clients.

When it comes to depth, Web Gray’s LRV of 13 is a great way to make an impact on kitchen islands, doors, or feature walls, without being so dark that it weighs a space down. Heck, you can paint your entire room if you want!

However, when it comes to undertones, it’s darn sneaky…

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Web Gray favors a blue undertone, no doubt about it. However, given the situation, it can lean either blue-purple or blue-green (more often blue-green). For example, put it against a stronger violet undertone like Sherwin Williams Wall Street and you’ll see the green pop up. But then, place it next to the green of Grizzle Gray, and it looks more blue-purple again. COMPARISON IS KEY.

Web Gray with a coordinating white paint color on walls, ceilings, trims, & railings

Sherwin Williams Web Gray Color Review

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GIBRALTAR 6257

Whether Sherwin Williams Gibraltar is a GRAY with blue undertones or a BLUE with a ton of gray in it is up to you – either way, it’s badass and beautiful.

Gibraltar has an LRV of 14, so it’s moderately dark and wickedly gorgeous.

Before, this little fellow needed some color love…

After, he looks perfectly charming, clad in Gibraltar…

10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS IRONCLAD 9570

Ironclad is a newish color from Sherwin Williams’ Emerald Designer Collection. Now, it does cater a bit warmer vs. grayer, making it similar in approach to Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze and Porpoise.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Ironclad…

However, if you’re aiming for a green undertone/hue and Grizzle Gray (or BM Amherst Gray) doesn’t hit the spot, leaning a bit warmer could be the solution! Just note that its undertones are pretty subtle.

With an LRV of 11, it has great depth and will add serious mood to your room! Just note that the Emerald Designer line is only available in interior paint and exterior trim/door paint.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DARK GRAY

If you have concerns, I’m happy to answer them! If you don’t see what you need below, please leave a comment!

ARE DARK GRAY PAINT COLORS STILL POPULAR?

Light gray paint colors on interior walls are no longer trendy. The same goes for dark gray islands and cabinets.

However, dark grays have a much longer lifespan on exteriors (as do lighter shades), assuming they’re surrounding finishes are well chosen and not trend-specific (e.g., black trim and black windows).

WILL DARK GRAY MAKE A ROOM LOOK SMALL?

While some disagree, most people find that dark colors make a room look smaller. If you’re looking for a cozier, more intimate vibe, this can be a great approach.

WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR DARK GRAY PAINT COLOR?

As far as Sherwin Williams is concerned…

EXTERIORS: Dovetail and Gauntlet Gray are two of the top shades for exterior siding or stucco. Peppercorn is pretty hot, too.
CABINETS: By far, Dovetail is the most popular darker gray color.
KITCHEN ISLANDS: Dovetail and Gauntlet Gray are at the top of the heap. If you consider Sherwin Williams Cyberspace a dark gray (even though it’s not, it’s a dark blue), then it’s popular, too.
ENTIRE ROOMS: I’d have to give it to Dovetail for the win.

Benjamin Moore’s most popular grays range from Chelsea Gray (shown above) and Amherst Gray to Kendall Charcoal, depending on the depth needed.

QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)

Dark gray paint colors have LRVs of 25 or lower
They will have undertones of blue, green, purple (or a blend)
They’re great for exteriors, accent walls, kitchen islands/cabinets, and entire rooms

Benjamin Moore’s Best Dark Gray Paint Colors

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