Best Blue Gray Paint Colors For Your Home
Blue gray paint is a popular color choice in home decor for good reason. Blue is a classic color but when gray is added it creates a muted, sophisticated shade that works like a neutral paint color.
A grayish blue paint color allows you to step away from typical neutrals like white, gray, and greige paint colors without overwhelming a space with color.
The trick to using blue gray paint as a neutral lies in the balance of blue and gray undertones. Some shades lean more blue while others lean more gray, which dramatically affects how the color feels in a room.
Today we'll look at the best blue gray paint colors so you can determine which one will work best in your home.
In This Article:
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What Is A Gray Blue Paint Color?
Blue gray color paint is exactly what it sounds like - a blue color paint softened with gray undertones.
The gray reduces the brightness of the blue and pushes it more toward a neutral paint color, called neutral blue tones. This is why blue gray paint works so well in living spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms.
Because the color is softened, it pairs easily with wood tones, whites, and other neutral paint colors, making it an extremely versatile option in home decor.
How To Choose Blue Gray Paint
Colors in the blue gray paint range run the gamut from gray with a hint a blue, to blue with a hint of gray. Whichever tone dominates will determine how the color reads in your space.
The easiest way to identify the dominant color is look first at the darkest shade on the paint strip. The darkest hue reveals the undertone more clearly and helps you determine whether the colors leans more blue or more gray.
Lighting also plays a role. Natural light can pull out blue undertones, while darker rooms may emphasize the gray in the paint color.
Popular Gray Blue Paint Colors
To keep things organized we'll start with light blue gray paint colors by Sherwin Williams and move towards darker colors.
Light blue gray paint colors
North Star SW 6246
Serene and muted North Star SW 6246 paint color is the perfect blue gray color for bathrooms, bedrooms and relaxing living spaces. It's soft enough to act as a neutral backdrop for brighter colors or other neutrals while still adding subtle color to the room.
Reflection SW 7661
Reflection 7661 by Sherwin Williams leans more gray than North Star. Its name alone suggests a calm, meditative feeling - exactly the mood this cool gray blue neutral brings to a space. It's no surprise that SW Reflection is in high demand for bedrooms and bathroom walls.
Misty SW 6232
SW Misty is another versatile gray blue color that works well with both cool and warm color palettes, making it easy to coordinate with many different home decor styles. Misty is a popular choice for relaxed coastal and beachy styles with a well-balanced mix of blue and gray.
Medium shades of gray blue paint colors
Upward SW 6239
SW 6239 Upward is a medium blue gray with a balanced tone that holds its hue in a variety of lighting conditions.
Upward feels both fresh and calming, making it a great options for living areas and bedrooms.
Krypton SW 6247
Krypton SW 6247 has a stronger gray undertone, giving it a sophisticated and modern look. Krypton works beautifully as both a primary wall color or as an accent color.
Lazy Gray SW 6254
Unlike Krypton, Lazy Gray SW 6254 has a more subtle blue which adds interest and softness. Like its other cousins in this color range, Lazy Gray is ideal in rooms designed primarily for relaxation.
Stardew SW 9138
Stardew SW is a cool blue with hints of green and gray undertones. It pairs effortlessly with a wide range of home decor styles - from modern to rustic - and complementary colors. Sherwin Williams lists Stardew (SW 9138) among their top five shades of blue neutral paint colors.
Dark blue gray paint colors
Dark blue gray paint colors are ideal for accent walls, cabinetry, or when you want to create a moody feel in a space.
Waterloo SW 9141
Waterloo SW 9141 is a rich smoky blue that's subdued by gray tones and makes a strong statement wherever it's used. Waterloo is especially popular on accent walls, wainscoting, and cabinetry.
Storm Cloud SW 6249
SW Storm Cloud is a deep, saturated blue gray with dramatic impact. It's a popular choice in kid bedrooms, playrooms, and anywhere you want a bold but sophisticated look.
Distance SW 6243
SW Distance and Waterloo (above) have a lot in common but Distance is slightly lighter and bluer. Distance might be too strong to use for a full room, but it looks stunning on exteriors or feature walls.
Slate Tile SW 7624
Slate Tile SW 7624 leans more into gray territory, creating a rich and elegant shade. It brings drama to interior doors and board and batten accent walls, and looks deep and lovely on exteriors.
How To Test Blue Gray Paint Colors
Before committing to a paint color, always test a sample on your wall.
Blue gray paint colors can shift depending on lighting, surrounding finishes, and the direction the room faces.
To get the most accurate sense of the color:
- test paint on multiple walls
- view the color during different times of day
- compare it next to trim and flooring
This simple step helps ensure the blue gray paint color you choose will look beautiful in your home.
Looking to test paint colors but don't want to paint? Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples from all major paint brands delivered to your door so you can put them up on the wall with no mess.
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Examples Of Blue Gray Paint Colors In Real Homes
I used Distance by Sherwin Williams in my own home behind my DIY family room built-ins. This smoky gray blue backdrop makes the white shelves pop while keeping the room calm and cohesive.
Blue gray living room
Light blue gray paint colors can be really calming in living rooms. In this room, cool Sherwin Williams Misty is warmed up with light furniture and neutral decor, creating a comfortable place to relax.
Blue gray bedroom
Bedrooms are the optimal place for bringing in tranquility with colors like SW Upward on the walls.
Blue gray accent wall
A darker shade like SW Storm Cloud has a starring role here, adding a big color contrast against the lighter stone fireplace and neutral furnishings.
Creating A Cohesive Color Palette
If you love blue gray paint colors, the next step is learning how to use them throughout your home in a cohesive way.
Creating a whole house color palette ensures your rooms flow together while still allowing each space to have its own personality.
You can learn exactly how to do that here:
Easy Steps to Create a Whole House Color Palette
This simple approach makes choosing paint colors much easier and helps you avoid costly decorating mistakes.
P.S. There's no better way to create a cohesive feel than with color, but in order to avoid mistakes and get an updated look you've got to understand color like a designer.
Inside my online course, Color Made Clear, I will teach you exactly what you need to know about selecting colors for your home in everything from paint colors, to flooring and carpet, to fabrics so you can make confident color decisions and get the exact look and feel you're going for. - Even if there are finishes in your home you can't change, I'll show you how to use color to distract from them for an updated look!
