The Best Neutral Paint Colors to Warm Up Gray Floors -

Gray flooring: RIP 2020. While gray had its time, now most homeowners are trying to update their gray-on-gray rooms with softer, more organic, and dare I say…warmer wall colors.

When updating a home that went hard on a trend cycle (e.g., the Millennial gray trend), the costs add up fast. Replacing a huge expanse of flooring or updating gray kitchen cabinets is expensive. Instead, most people want to work with what they have rather than replace it (the same goes for husbands).

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Thank God for paint. And me.

That’s right. I’m here to help you with budget-friendly ideas to warm up your gray home without blowing the bank or the bank manager.

But guess what, Buttercup?

You may THINK your surface is ‘just gray,’ but there’s a 99.9% chance it isn’t as ‘gray’ as you think.

The challenge is that, like with gray paint colors, gray finishes have undertones. The difference is that while you can choose from blue, green, purple, or a color blend for paint, the options for floors and countertops are less varied. In fact, ONE undertone dominates the others by a long shot. Let’s find out what that is…

GRAY FLOORING & ITS MAIN UNDERTONES

Here are the main types of flooring and what you might expect to find.

GRAY CARPET

Whether warm or cool-toned, gray carpet usually has a purple or purple-pink undertone. Sure, there’s the odd green hue (which I have in my home), but blue is rarer.

This is the carpet on my stairs, as I prefer green undertones over blue or purple.

If your carpet resembles one of these (below), it has a purple undertone.

The ones on the left (top three vertical) are warmer (pink-violet)
The entire right row and the bottom left aren’t nearly as warm, but still have a purple hue

Do any of these look somewhat familiar?

I can’t even TELL YOU how many of my Online Paint Color Consulting clients are shocked when I share that their carpet has a purple undertone – I do love going for the shock factor (if you couldn’t tell).

The carpet in this next staircase has a warm purple (purple-pink) undertone…

GRAY LAMINATE FLOORING & LVP

You can bet your cute little booty that your gray laminate flooring has a purple or, more likely, purple-pink undertone. It’s rare to find blue or green. For example, the laminate flooring in this next image has a purple-pink undertone, but not an overly warm one…

Compare the flooring to the dark green paint sample, and it might help you understand the floor a bit more.

This undertone can be hard to see, as the above flooring might seem more like a gray-brown blend…and it is, but it also leans into purple-pink.

As for gray LVP, it’s like laminate: it almost always has a PURPLE (violet) undertone, rarely green or blue. This can be a soft purple or a warmer one that leans more purple-pink.

Do any of these look somewhat familiar?

This LVP bathroom floor (below) has a warm purple (purple-pink) undertone…

Sherwin Williams Light French Gray shiplap | Sherwin Williams Pure White walls

This next floor has a more subtle, warm purple-pink hue. If you’re having trouble seeing it, compare it to the stone on the fireplace…

The above look is common with whitewashed or graywashed woods.

GRAYWASH WOOD FLOOR

Whether solid or engineered (or laminate/LVP), most gray wash wood floors have a purple-pink undertone. Sure, the odd one pops up a touch of green or blue, but purple is the main currency. The solid wood floor in this next image has a warm purple (purple-pink) undertone.

Can wood flooring be cool-toned?

Rarely. I see Designers talk about these ‘cool-toned woods’. I mean, sure, some are COOLER-LOOKING than others, usually due to a gray wash, but it takes a lot for wood flooring (which is inherently warm) to look cold.

For example, this beautiful wood floor has browns, reds, purples, and pinks to play with – all wrapped up in a neutral base. There’s even a wink of blue-purple, but THAT doesn’t make this wood flooring cold…

GRAY TILE FLOORING

While there can be some variety, the most common tiles cater to a purple hue. This next beautiful bathroom has dark floor tile that’s still trendy and usable because it’s so dark and grounding (light and mid-toned grays can be trickier). It has a purple undertone.

The darker your gray flooring (or countertop or cabinet) is, the easier it can be to coordinate with as far as warmer colors go.

That covers gray flooring – moving along…

WHAT ABOUT GRAY COUNTERTOPS?

While there are some gorgeous gray laminate countertops (I’ve installed a few myself), gray quartz is the most popular choice from the previous decade.

The challenge with gray quartz countertops is that while medium to darker ones can be uber flexible and almost timeless, light gray quartz (or laminate) is fussier about its color partners and demands colors that are warmer and LIGHTER than them.

As for undertones, most gray countertops cater to a purple undertone – sue-prize sue-prize.

Very shlong story short, violet/purple is the common undertone/factor in most gray interior surfaces, and I’ll base my suggestions on it.

We’d be here all day if I were to base my recommendations on all three undertones (however, you’d get to see me transition from coffee and Baileys to gin and tonic, which is always an adventure).

But here’s the deal, Aly McBeal (dating myself, which I’d never do, as I’m SUPER NEEDY). My Online Color Consulting clients have just started transitioning.

While gray fell out of trend in flooring (and countertops*) a few years ago, it’s only NOW that we’re seeing the masses shifting their attention to warmer/non-gray wall colors.

Heck, 70% of my clients are still hiring me to update their 1990s and Tuscan-style 2000s homes – the 2010s-2020s are just starting to roll in!

Now, without further ado…

THE BEST NEUTRAL PAINT COLORS TO UPDATE GRAY FLOORS (& COUNTERTOPS)

In my previous blog post, The Best Beiges to Warm Up a Gray Home (don’t worry, I’ll link to it later, too), we looked at the best beiges, along with a few tag-alongs. The reality is, some gray homes just can’t handle beige. That’s why this blog post puts us in the middle…

Some of these colors wink at gray
Others wink at beige
And then some are smack dab in the hairy crack between them

Sample a range, compare them, and see which one settles best for you and your home.

1. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC-173

Edgecomb Gray is a classic shade. It’s considerably warmer than gray but seems much grayer than beige. This is because Edgecomb Gray is a bridge color between the two worlds!

But (a big, Kardashian-inspired one), you need to sample it carefully to ensure it satisfies your particular gray flooring, as some grays demand a noticeable and committed undertone – which Edgecomb Gray doesn’t offer.

While the wood floor is a warm, golden oak, the dining chairs are a gorgeous, dark gray and look beautiful paired with Edgecomb Gray.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Edgecomb Gray…

Edgecomb Gray is one of this page’s most ‘neutral’ options.

As for depth, Edgecomb Gray comes in at 63.09, which is right in my happy range!

SW Modern Gray | SW Egret White

If you love the look of Edgecomb Gray, compare it to these gorgeous alternatives…

Sherwi Williams Modern Gray
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, which is a great comparison, but a bit less likely to suit the average gray finish – but hey, you never know!
Or, try a LIGHT TAUPE SAMPLER to compare it to other popular shades!

My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

2. BENJAMIN MOORE PALE OAK OC-20

Pale Oak is a beautiful shade of taupe. Its noticeable but not overwhelming violet-pink undertones make it a great fit with gray wood-look flooring or tiles in varying shades.

Many people get nervous about the ‘p’ word and consider it a four-letter word. Don’t be scared, as if your flooring has some of this color/undertone, you might be pleasantly surprised at how STUNNING your room looks when your walls and flooring coordinate properly!

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Pale Oak…

Pale Oak is a light depth, thanks to its LRV of 68.64. However, unlike most other ‘light’ shades on this page, it’s on the higher end of this range.

My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

If you love the look of Egret White, try an OFF-WHITE & LIGHT TAUPE SAMPLER to compare it to similar shades (many of which are listed in this blog post, btw)!

3. SHERWIN WILLAMS EGRET WHITE SW 7570

I have mad love for Egret White. This great transitional color nods to the warm and cool worlds without a hardcore commitment. Sure, it can look warm compared to a traditional shade of gray, but put it next to beige, and you’ll see just how much gray it’s hiding!

Egret White is one of my favorite, flexible taupe paint colors.

The oak wood floor in this next home is whitewashed, which isn’t quite gray, but has similar high needs in terms of purple-pink undertones…

Compared to many other taupe colors, Egret White has the least noticeable undertones, which is why it’s becoming one of my top recommended shades. As for depth, Egret White has an LRV of 70, which brings it pretty darn close to the off-white world while offering a bit more depth and contrast than most off-whites.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Egret White…

While this next living room only has a warm gray-taupe in the mortar around the brick fireplace, it’s still easy to see how friggin’ gorgeous Egret White can be…

Which is better, Classic Gray (coming up next) or Egret White?

Oooo, that’s a good question. Off the top, Classic Gray is more popular, for sure. However, I find many of my clients leaning into the slightly more purposeful warmth and depth of Egret White.

My FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White

If Egret White seems like it could work, hang tight and compare it to a few similar shades – there might be something even better!

Sherwin Williams City Loft
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
Sherwin Williams Modern Gray

4. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23

Classic Gray has been in style for a long time, and with trends shifting out of gray and toward warmer shades, it’s one of those grays that will last (compared to cooler shades of gray). As for undertones, Classic Gray winks at violet-pink with a first Tinder date level of commitment.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Classic Gray…

Not everyone loves seeing violet or pink hues on their walls – I get it, I don’t love them either. Just remember…

Sometimes, it’s about the right color in the right room.

For example, would I put Classic Gray in my living room and kitchen? HECK NO; the violet-pink undertones would make me twitch and cry in the corner with an empty wine bottle at my feet. However, I painted my YouTube studio in Classic Gray, as it suits the surrounding finishes and overall vibe, and ended up falling in love with its gentle, taupe-inspired look!

Classic Gray is an off-white gray with an LRV of 73.67. This depth offers a more subtle contrast with white trim than grays with lower LRVs. For this reason, it’s best if Classic Gray is partnered with a reasonably bright shade of white.

My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Seriously, compare Classic Gray to the previous 4 paint colors – they’re some of the best options.

Remember, paint colors can reflect a LOT OF LIGHT and change depending on your room’s exposure – it’s not JUST about your interior finishes!

5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CITY LOFT SW 7631

City Loft is a super gorgeous, flexible shade of taupe that winks at the warm gray world.

While it’s similar to Egret White (previously mentioned), it can be great for interior finishes that crave a more noticeable purple-pink undertone (without going balls-out).

As shown in this home with gray laminate flooring (stronger purple undertone), City Loft is a great fit…

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of City Loft…

My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams City Loft

If you love the look of City Loft, sample and compare it with the previous 4 samples – one of them could be it!

If you’re looking for more COLORFUL SHADES to partner with your gray home, that blog post is HERE!

If you want to check out some WHITES – click HERE!

These next colors definitely tip their hats more to the gray world. HOWEVER…they could still be considerably warmer than the color you’ve been living with since 2010…

6. BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST 0C-27

Balboa Mist is right up there with Collingwood (coming up next) in popularity; however, not everyone loves its slightly more committed undertones. That’s right, Balboa Mist grabs the purple and pink that most gray floors, counters, and tiles are looking for, but takes them up a small notch.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Balboa Mist…

As for depth, Balboa Mist has an LRV of 65.53, which is right in the sweet spot for the average room. While this next bathroom doesn’t have gray flooring, it’s easy to see how pretty Balboa Mist looks with the medium-toned gray vanity.

My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

If you love the look of Balboa Mist, sample and compare it to similar shades with a LIGHT WARM GRAY SAMPLER!

7. BENJAMIN MOORE COLLINGWOOD OC-28

Collingwood is one of my favorite go-to gray paint colors when I want a soft, pretty, warm purple undertone. With a bit more depth than previous options, Collingwood works well with some gray tiles/countertops/etc. without leaning too far into an obnoxious, bossy undertone.

If you’re looking for a gray with a reasonable depth that won’t weigh down your room (assuming your room has a reasonable amount of light), Collingwood’s LRV of 61.52 is a great place to start.

Here’s your Samplize Peel & Stick sample of Collingwood…

I’ve been suggesting Collingwood to my Online Paint Color Consulting clients for YEARS, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. While trends are leaning warmer, Collingwood can be a great solution for trickier gray-inspired spaces.

My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood

If Collingwood is hitting your home’s happy place, I suggest reading this blog post for some great alternatives and comparisons…The Best Paint Colors to Go With Gray Finishes

THE IN-BETWEENERS

Some warmer grays are hard to read. Do they have purple or green undertones? Or maybe there’s a flash of blue? WHO THE HECK KNOWS?!

The same can be said for the odd gray finish – they aren’t always easy to read (although, really, MOST have a purple undertone – for reals).

When unsure of what you’re dealing with, it’s important to sample and compare, including colors like the three listed below…

8. BENJAMIN MOORE RODEO 1534

Rodeo is an interesting one for those with gray that potentially has green undertones. While Rodeo can politely nod at the violet world, it loves flooring with a flash of green, as shown in the carpet on this staircase.

How to Update Your 1990s Staircase

With an LRV of 59.84, Rodeo has some meat on its bones and is best for rooms or spaces with a reasonable amount of natural light.

Get your Peel & Stick sample of Rodeo

If Rodeo sounds like it will hit the spot, compare it to other popular shades with this LIGHT GREIGE SAMPLER!

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY SW 7029

When it comes to flexibility, it’s hard to beat Agreeable Gray. This color is stuck between warm gray, taupe, and greige, and can politely nod at all three with minimal allegiance.

Get your Peel & Stick sample of Agreeable Gray HERE

For example, this next carpet has navy blue, but it also has an interesting light gray in the pattern that doesn’t cater hard to violet or green. In this case, Agreeable Gray is the perfect color…

As for its depth, Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60, which is about as low as I would go for the average, reasonably well-lit space.

However, before you jump on the Agreeable Gray bandwagon (as many have), it’s not foolproof, ESPECIALLY if you’re gray really does cater to violet or pink undertones. For example, while Agreeable Gray is ‘okay’ in this next space, it doesn’t have the committed violet undertone that this LVP flooring would prefer…