Classic Gray, by Benjamin Moore

Classic Gray is a light, off-white paint color by Benjamin Moore. Like the name implies, Classic Gray is a gray paint color.

Classic Gray isn’t actually the most classic gray though. Instead, it has some interesting undertones. I’ll talk all about that and more in this post.

So, if you are looking for a light gray paint color, keep reading for all the details on Classic Gray, by Benjamin Moore.

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Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Paint Color Characteristics

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a pale gray paint color. It is light enough to be considered an off-white paint color, and not really a true color.

Classic Gray also has just a hint of beige in it. This beige helps Classic Gray look balanced and versatile.

Classic Gray can be a very sophisticated gray paint color, but can also just a neutral backdrop for the other elements in the room.

Classic Gray Color Code

Classic Gray is a part of Benjamin Moore’s original Classic Color Collection. As it is also a part of the Off-White Collection, it has two color code numbers: 1548 and OC-23.

Don’t let this worry you though – you can ask for this color by either number at your local Benjamin Moore store, and will still get the same paint color.

Classic Gray LRV

Classic Gray has an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 74. The LRV scale is a way to determine how light or dark a paint color is. An LRV of 0 is completely black. An LRV of 100 is completely white.

So, as you can see, Classic Gray is pretty high up on the LRV scale.

Basically, this means that Classic Gray is a light color that reflects a good amount of light back into a space. While it won’t necessarily make a dark room look light, it can work in most spaces.

Classic Gray Undertones

Classic Gray is a gray paint color with purple undertones. Don’t let this concern you too terribly much though.

All paint colors have undertones. Gray paint colors typically have green, blue, or purple undertones. This means that sometimes you will see a bit of that shade in the paint color on the wall.

The important thing to do is to pick a paint color with an undertone that will work with the other shades in the room.

For example, a shade like Classic Gray won’t work well in a room with honey oak floors. The warmth of the floors can really play up the warmth in the paint. But, a cool gray paint color with a blue undertone can be a perfect way to balance out the warmth of honey oak floors.

Is Classic Gray Warm or Cool?

With its purple undertones and bit of beige, Classic Gray is a warm paint color. It almost falls into the greige or taupe category of paint colors, because it is a warm gray.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Coordinating Colors

Classic Gray goes well with some darker warm gray paint colors, black paint colors, crisp white paint colors, dark blue paint colors, red paint colors and pink paint colors.

Benjamin Moore has put together two different colors schemes for Classic Gray.

In the first, Classic Gray is paired with Slate Blue, a medium light blue paint color, and midnight blue, a dark charcoal black. This classic paint color scheme works well in traditional, farmhouse, modern or contemporary style homes.

In a second color pairing, Classic Gray is featured alongside Beigewood, a greenish brown paint color, and Byzantine Gold, a bronze brown paint color. This color scheme is good for a traditional or southwestern style home.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Trim Colors

People always want to know what white paint colors go well with other paint shades.

For Classic Gray, you have a lot of options for white trim. To make it easy, I’ve picked out two of my favorite white paint colors to go with Classic Gray.

First, Classic Gray goes well with Chantilly Lace. Chantilly Lace is a crisp, clean white paint color that just barely leans warm. It is the perfect trim color to go with almost any paint shade, and is my go-to white trim color for Benjamin Moore.

Because Chantilly Lace is so white, it will provide a bit of contrast between the Classic Gray wall and the Chantilly Lace trim.

Click here to learn more about Chantilly Lace.

If you like a softer look on your trim, White Dove is a creamy white paint color that works well with Classic Gray. It won’t look at all stark, and is not quite as bright as Chantilly Lace. It is good for someone who wants a more monochromatic look in their space (though it isn’t a gray, so it isn’t necessarily a tone-on-tone scheme).

Click here to learn more about White Dove.

Where Can I Use Benjamin Moore Classic Gray?

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a good paint color for anywhere in the house. It is light, neutral, and versatile.

Classic Gray works in bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, hallways, basements, entryways and more.

Additionally, Classic Gray is a good color for cabinets or furniture.

In bright sunlight or in a very bright room, Classic Gray can look a bit washed out though, due to its high LRV. In those instances, you may want to consider one of the darker paint colors I’ll discuss in the next section.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Compared

When I do a full paint color review, I always like to compare the paint color we are discussing to other popular paint colors.

This is because people tend to look at paint colors in the context of other shades that are in the same color family.

We will look at Classic Gray in comparison to Gray Owl, Pale Oak, Balboa Mist and Edgecomb Gray. This differential diagnosis can help you decide with paint color will be best in your space.

Classic Gray vs. Gray Owl

Gray Owl is a light gray paint color by Benjamin Moore. It is very popular, and is one of the top 75 paint colors that is sold by Benjamin Moore.

Gray Owl is actually more of a classic gray paint color than Classic Gray is. When I think of a “classic” gray, I think of a gray that is cooler toned. Gray Owl has those cool undertones – blue and green.

Like Classic Gray, Gray Owl is very light. But, with an LRV of 65, Gray Owl will make a slightly stronger statement on your walls. It is slightly darker than Classic Gray.

When you look at the two colors together, you see that Classic Gray is definitely a warm gray. In this way, Classic Gray is a bit more versatile than Gray Owl.

Both Gray Owl and Classic Gray are great colors. But, if you want more of a true gray, the pick would be Gray Owl. Conversely, if you want a gray that is a bit balanced, Classic Gray is a good choice.

Click here for more information about Gray Owl.

Classic Gray vs. Pale Oak

Pale Oak is another, popular off-white paint color by Benjamnin Moore.

Pale Oak has an LRV of 69, so it is just slightly darker than Classic Gray (LRV of 74). Both are blends of gray and beige, but where Classic Gray has purple undertones, Pale Oak has more pink undertones. Also, Pale Oak has a bit more beige in it as well.

Both are soft, feminine off-whites that lean most heavily towards gray. But, Classic Gray looks a bit more understated than Pale Oak.

Between these paint colors, I would probably most often choose Classic Gray. It is just a bit more predictable than Pale Oak in looking more like a neutral and less like a pink or purple.

Pale Oak is pretty, but it also is definitely more of a greige than Classic Gray is. If you want a warm gray that isn’t quite into the category of greiges, Classic Gray is probably the better choice.

Click here for more information on Pale Oak.

Classic Gray vs. Balboa Mist

Balboa Mist is a popular Benjamin Moore paint color that is very similar to Pale Oak. But, where Pale Oak has pink undertones, Balboa Mist has purple undertones.

Balboa Mist is a warm gray paint color. It is probably best classified as a taupe (though you’ll see it listed as a greige frequently). Balboa Mist is just slightly darker than Classic Gray, and carries a bit more beige.

Both are beautiful shades, but Classic Gray is, again, probably a bit safer than Balboa Mist. With Balboa Mist, you run the risk of seeing that warm undertone pop up unexpectedly. Classic Gray has those warm, purple undertones, but they are more understated.

Don’t count Balboa Mist out though. Just be sure to sample both in your space, at different times of day, so you can see how they interact with the shifting lighting.

Click here for more information on Balboa Mist.

Classic Gray vs. Edgecomb Gray

Edgecomb Gray is the last popular Benjamin Moore paint color we will discuss today. All of the colors discussed in this post are actually among Benjamin Moore’s top 75 paint colors.

Edgecomb Gray is a true greige. It sits firmly on that gray/beige spectrum, leaning a bit more heavily towards beige. But Edgecomb Gray has very little in the way of undertones.

Edgecomb Gray is a soft greige shade that shows up on your walls but doesn’t make too much of a statement. It is warm, but a very neutral greige.

This makes it a safe choice for your walls as well. It will almost always look grayish or beige.

Classic Gray is lighter, Edgecomb Gray is darker. If your room is a very bright, Edgecomb Gray may be better, as a bright room can wash out Classic Gray.

Additionally, Classic Gray is grayer, Edgecomb Gray is beiger. Hopefully these distinctions will help you choose which one will be right in your space.

Click here for more information on Edgecomb Gray.

What Sherwin William color is closest to Classic Gray?

There are several Sherwin Williams paint colors that are similar to Classic Gray, but none that are exactly the same. If you are looking for a Sherwin Williams option for Classic Gray, consider Aesthetic White, Incredible White, or Origami White.

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Final Thoughts on Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a sophisticated, classy, versatile paint color that can work in most rooms, and with most decor styles. Classic Gray is a beautiful, soft, off-white shade that is a perfect warm gray. Not too much beige, but not cool.

If you are looking for a warm gray paint color that will be neutral but cozy, Classic Gray might be a good choice for you!

Want to see all your paint options in one convenient place? Click here to get everything you need to start painting, including Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint color decks!

Thanks for sharing!