Light French Gray is a gray paint color by Sherwin Williams. It is included in Sherwin Williams’ top 50 paint colors, because it is very popular.
Light French Gray as part of the following Sherwin Williams color collections: Purely Refined, Minimalist, Historic Interior Color Wall, Living Well – Create, Luxe, Teen Space, and Top 50 Colors.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Paint Color Characteristics
Light French Gray is, as the name implies, a medium light gray paint color.
It is a very classic and elegant paint color that looks calming and sophisticated.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Undertones
Light French Gray has subtle purple undertones. It also carries a hint of blue.
Is Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Warm or Cool?
Light French Gray is a cool paint color. The purple and blue undertones work together to give it a cool gray look.
Well some grays with a blue undertone can look icy, Light French Gray looks a little more moody than icy.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray LRV
Light French Gray has an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 53. This means it is classified as a light paint color that will reflect a good amount of light around the room.
Light French Gray has some depth to it though. I wouldn’t say that it is a light and airy paint color, even though it is classified as a light paint color according to its LRV.
I would call Light French Gray more of a medium light paint color.
The LRV scale goes from zero, which is completely black, to 100, which is completely white. So as you can see, Light French Gray is right about in the middle of the scale.
Where To Use Sherwin Williams Light French Gray
Light French Gray is a gorgeous paint color for walls, cabinets, or exteriors.
With its cool undertones, Light French Gray is a calming and relaxing paint color that can go a lot of places.
Remember, it does have a slight purple undertone to it. If you are sensitive to purple, and you can’t stand the thought of your walls taking on a purple hue in some lights, I would definitely recommend picking up a Samplize square of the shade to try before painting your home in it.
The purple is rather subdued though, and I find that Light French Gray’s undertones work together really nicely in this paint color.
Because Light French Gray has a bit of depth to it, I wouldn’t necessarily use this paint color everywhere though.
Light French Gray will need enough light to support it. For example, it will be very dark in a hallway or bathroom that doesn’t have any windows.
And while we’re talking about lighting, it’s also important to note that Light French Gray will look a bit cooler in the Northern facing room. This is due to the cool Northern light coming in from outside. In these instances, you might see that blue undertone a bit more.
So, be sure that you use Light French Gray in a room that has ample natural and/or artificial light, otherwise this color might turn out darker than you expect.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Coordinating Colors
Light French Gray goes well with whites, purples, blues, and other neutrals with similar undertones.
For example, Sherwin Williams pairs Light French Gray with Origami White. This creamy neutral provides a good contrast to the depth in Light French Gray.
Additionally, Light French Gray coordinates with Gentle Grape, a light purple paint color.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Trim Colors
Light French Gray likes to be paired with clean, bright white paint colors.
My two favorite white paint colors for trim, both of which go well with Light French Gray, are Pure White, and High Reflective White.
High Reflective White is a very bright white paint color with neutral to warm undertones.
Click here if you want to learn more about High Reflective White.
Pure White is a neutral white paint color that has a very subtle gray undertone. When on your trim, this gray undertone is imperceptible. But it serves to soften any starkness just a tad.
Click here if you want to learn more about Pure White.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray Compared
When I do a full color review on a paint color, I always like to compare it to other popular paint colors. When people consider a paint color, they are often considering it alongside other paint colors.
Hopefully, I will answer some of your questions in the section.
We will look at Light French Gray as compared to Classic French Gray, Silverplate, Passive, Gray Screen and Behr’s Light French Gray.
Light French Gray vs. Classic French Gray
Classic French Gray, by Sherwin Williams, is a dark gray paint color. Like Light French Gray, it is also part of the Historic collection.
Classic French Gray is a great color for an accent wall, cabinets, or an exterior. But it is probably not the best color for all over your walls.
This moody gray can work in a study or a dining room, especially if you want to give it a bold, sophisticated look.
Truly, Light French Gray and Classic French Gray are pretty different shades, because one is so much darker than the other.
But, I wanted to include it here, since people are frequently confused by their similar names.
Light French Gray vs. Silverplate
Silverplate is a medium light gray Sherwin Williams paint color. It is actually a fairly similar color to Light French Gray. Silverplate has blue green undertones, as opposed to Light French Gray’s purple undertones.
Since these colors are so similar, I would probably need to sample both in my room to decide between the two. One may be a clear winner when comparing it to the fixed elements in the room.
I would also consider whether I liked a purple undertone or a blue green undertone better, as this is the main difference between the two shades.
Light French Gray vs. Passive
Passive is a second Sherwin Williams light grey paint color.
It has a slightly higher LRV than Light French Gray, and also looks a bit lighter on your walls.
Like Light French Gray, Passive has purple and blue undertones, and also a bit of green in it.
Passive is not a terribly icy paint color, but it does lean that way.
In contrast, Light French Gray looks more like a stormy gray.
I had a room that had a little less light, and wanted a cool gray for the walls that comes across somewhat light and airy, I would choose Passive. But, if I wanted to give the walls a bit of drama, I would go with Light French Gray.
Click here for more information on Sherwin Williams Passive.
Light French Gray vs. Gray Screen
Gray Screen is a light gray Sherwin Williams paint color with a blue undertone. This gray can almost look like a blue paint color in some lights.
Gray Screen has about the same depth as Light French Gray. It also has a very similar LRV.
But, when you compare Light French Gray to Gray Screen, you see the purple undertones in Light French Gray and the blue undertones in gray screen. These two grades serve to highlight the true tones of the other.
If I had a room with a lot of Northern light, I would probably go with Light French Gray, as the cool light from the outside might make gray screen look blue blue.
In addition, I would consider feel I wanted in the room. Gray Screen has a stormy quality about it, but with a much cooler take the Light French Gray does. To me, Light French Gray feels like a calmer paint color than Gray Screen does.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray vs. Behr Light French Gray
Let me start by saying, Behr Light French Gray is not the same paint color as Sherwin Williams Light French Gray.
Well they share the same name, Behr’s Light French Gray is a light gray with a much bluer undertone. With an LRV of 61, it is a slightly lighter color than Sherwin Williams Light French Gray.
Both are pretty colors, with fairly similar intentions. Either color is great on walls, cabinets, or exteriors.
But, Behr Light French Gray leans towards an icy gray, while Sherwin Williams Light French Gray leans towards a moody gray.
Wondering How To Pick the Perfect Paint Color?
I have the best solution for you!
Samplize sells peel and stick paint samples in almost every paint color.
These no-mess, peel and stick sheets are made from real paint, so they will show you exactly what the paint color will look like.
Simply place them on your walls next to your trim, furnishings or fixed elements, and easily see which paint color works best in your space and with your lighting.
Then, peel the sheet off your wall and reapply it somewhere else if you like. You can try several different paint colors with no mess, no fuss and no cleaning paint brushes.
Oh, and you can have them in your home by tomorrow with OVERNIGHT shipping!
As a bonus, be sure to use the code LoveRemodeled10 at check out to get an extra 10% off! Samplize sheets are cheaper than a sample can of paint, and way less work.
They are the easiest (and fastest!) way to try a paint color in your home, with no hassle.
Final Thoughts on Sherwin Williams Light French Gray
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray is a popular medium light paint color.
It has enough depth to provide some visual interest on your walls, but it is not too dark. Light French Gray is a good color for many rooms of the home, but is perhaps a bit too dark to be an all-over-the house color.
If you want a medium light gray paint color, be sure to pick up a Samplize square of Light French Gray to find out if it will work in your space!
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!
Have a question? Leave me a comment! Remember to check back for a response – it may take me up to a week or two depending on how busy I am, but I’ll be sure to get back to you!
Want to show off your project? Join the discussion in Love Remodeled’s Facebook group!