Picking The Perfect Gray Paint

Posted on: 20 January 2021

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A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update the look of your home's interior. Gray is one of the most popular options when it comes to modern interior paint, but it isn't always easy to select the right hue.

With so many different shades of gray to choose from, you will need to use these helpful tips to ensure you end up with the perfect gray paint for your living space.

Evaluate Surrounding Colors

Gray is often considered a chameleon color. A gray wall can take on different tones, depending on the colors that are surrounding the space. It's essential that you look at your furnishings, pillows, rugs, and artwork to identify a common undertone before you select a gray paint for your interior walls.

If your belongings tend to have a warm undertone (like red or orange), then a gray with a warm undertone is best. Look for grays with a tan or beige base. If your living space is filled with cooler undertones (like blue or purple), you should select a gray paint color with a cool base instead.

Maintaining consistency with the undertones in your living space will allow your new gray wall to complement your existing décor.

Consider Light Sources

Gray is a color that can look different when exposed to different light sources. You must take the time to identify the light sources that will be in your living space before you select a shade of gray for your walls.

A room that has a lot of natural light should be painted in a gray that reflects this light back into the space. If artificial lighting will dominate the space, a more saturated gray tone is required.

Be sure that you test your paint swatches under the primary light source that will illuminate your space to avoid unexpected tonal differences after you paint your walls.

Go With Your Gut

At the end of the day, you and your family are the ones that have to live with the gray walls in your home.

You should take your personal preferences into consideration as you look through the many shades of gray found on paint swatch cards. If you have a strong positive reaction to a specific shade of gray, go with your gut instinct.

Interior paint colors should help create an inviting ambiance within your home, and following your gut when selecting gray paint will allow you to create a warm and welcoming space.

For more information about residential interior painting, contact a local painting contractor.