Modern Gray is a soft taupe paint color by Sherwin Williams. It is a balanced paint color that is on trend with many homeowners and designers’ preferences for neutral, earthy tones in the home right now.
Modern Gray has been included in the following color collections: Colormix Forecast 2021 (Sanctuary), Living Well (Renew), Top 50 Colors, and Pottery Barn (Fall/Winter 2022). It has been selected for these color collections because it is a calming neutral that is very usable.
If you’re interested in a taupe paint color that is subtle and usable, keep reading for all the details on Modern Gray.
What Color is Modern Gray, by Sherwin Williams?
Modern Gray is called gray, but it is actually a taupe shade. This means that it is a blend of gray and beige with a warm undertone.
Modern Gray tends to show a pink or purple undertone most, which I would consider it a taupe paint color (and not a greige paint color).
Because Modern Gray is a taupe shade, it is a warm paint color. The addition of beige and pink/purple give it a soft, welcoming warmth that feels subtle and slightly earthy.
So, Modern Gray isn’t a true gray. A true gray would have cool undertones such as blue or green, and no beige in it.
Modern Gray’s LRV… and What That Means
Modern Gray has an LRV of 62. This means that it reflects some light back into the room, and is generally a lighter color.
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a number on the scale of 1-100. A paint color with an LRV of 1 would be completely black, while a paint color with an LRV of 100 would be completely white.
An LRV of 62 is a very functional one, because it tends to work in most rooms with an average amount of light.
What Colors Go With Modern Gray, by Sherwin Williams?
Modern Gray goes well with taupe paint colors that are lighter or darker than it, pinks, purple, whites, off-whites and some blue gray paint colors.
If you’re looking to create an accent wall to go with Modern Gray, or looking for shades for a whole house color scheme, check out Snowbound, Taupe Tone, and Plum Dandy.
Snowbound is a beautiful off-white paint color that has a hint of gray, pink and purple in it. It is warm and soft, and would make a great coordinating color for Modern Gray.
Taupe Tone is a slightly darker taupe shade that could be used as an accent wall with Modern Gray, or in an adjacent room.
Plum Dandy is a purple paint color that would be great as an accent to Modern Gray. If you’re really bold, you could use in as a whole room paint color, but most people will prefer this shade in smaller doses.
Trim Colors for Sherwin Williams Modern Gray
If you are also looking to paint your trim to go with Modern Gray, check out my two go to paint colors for trim.
High Reflective White is Sherwin Williams’ lightest and brightest white paint color, and it is a perfect pairing with just about any wall paint color. It will provide a clean contrast to Modern Gray.
For a white trim that isn’t quite as stark, Pure White is a great white paint color that leans warm and has a hint of gray in it. You won’t see the gray at all, but it makes the trim look just a bit more muted than High Reflective White.
Where Can I Use Sherwin Williams Modern Gray?
Modern Gray can be used in most spaces, because it isn’t so light that it will be washed out in a really bright room, and isn’t so dark that it will be too dreary in a room with lower light.
In warm southern light, you will see more of of Modern Gray’s beige tones, while in northern light Modern Gray will look just a bit more gray.
Modern Gray is good color for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, entryways or even home exteriors. It will also pair nicely with wood accents, marble or granite with similar undertones, and some stone.
What Colors are Similar to Modern Gray?
If you’re considering Modern Gray, you may also be considering other warm gray, taupe or beige paint colors.
Let’s take a few minutes to look at Modern Gray in comparison to some other popular paint colors to help determine which is the right one for you.
Modern Gray vs Agreeable Gray
Agreeable Gray is a super popular paint color by Sherwin Williams. It is a greige paint shade, which means that it is a blend of gray and beige.
While Modern Gray has pink undertones, Agreeable Gray has green undertones.
Both are warm, neutral paint colors. Both paint colors are the sort of shades that provide a serene backdrop for your accessories or furnishings.
Agreeable Gray is a better warm neutral if you have lots of blues or blue greens in your space. It comes across as just a hint cooler than Modern Gray. Modern Gray is the better pick if you have lots of warm shades in your room.
Modern Gray vs Edgecomb Gray
Edgecomb Gray is a popular Benjamin Moore paint color that is similar to Modern Gray, but has a bit more beige in it. Additionally, it has a green undertone.
Modern Gray is a bit cozier than Edgecomb Gray due to it’s pink undertone. Really, Modern Gray and Edgecomb Gray look pretty similar at first glance, but have different approaches.
If you’re not sure which undertone is better for your home, I would recommend getting a Samplize sheet of both of these paint colors. When they are on your wall, you may find that one of these paint colors is perfect, while the other one is a near miss with your furnishings and fixed elements.
Modern Gray vs Worldly Gray
Worldly Gray is another popular greige paint color that is similar to Modern Gray.
There are subtle differences though. Worldly Gray has a green undertone and is a little bit darker than Modern Gray.
When you compare Modern Gray and Worldly Gray, Modern Gray looks a bit more airy, while Worldly Gray has more of a putty look.
Overall, I find Modern Gray to be the more usable paint color. While Worldly Gray is just a hint darker, it is enough to make a small room feel a bit more closed in.
Modern Gray vs Repose Gray
Repose Gray is a greige paint color by Sherwin Williams that looks cool in comparison to Modern Gray.
Modern Gray has more beige and general warmth to it than Repose Gray does.
Repose Gray may be a better paint color for a homeowner who isn’t fully ready to commit to a gray shade that has a lot of beige in it, but still wants a bit of warmth.
Modern Gray vs Accessible Beige
Accessible Beige is the last greige Sherwin Williams paint color that we will talk about.
Accessible Beige leans a little more beige than gray. When you compare Accessible Beige to Modern Gray, you see the pink undertones of Modern Gray more prominently.
Accessible Beige is a better pick for you if you have more traditional browns, golds and reds in your home. Modern Gray is a better paint color if you want a shade is a bit more modern.
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 Modern Gray, by Sherwin Williams
Modern Gray is a really pretty, updated paint color that is perfect for this post true gray era that we are living in. True grays have gone by the wayside a bit, with popular design trends favoring warmer neutrals.
If you’re looking for a neutral paint color that will be functional for your space and stay in style for a long time, Modern Gray is a great option.
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!
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