Gray is a popular and versatile color inside and outside the home. Learn how to choose the best shade, undertone, and complementary colors for your home’s exterior makeover.

When it comes to exterior house colors, gray is the new white. Its variety of undertones, midtones, and brands give homeowners tons of options when reimagining their property’s look. However, not all grays are created equal. To choose the best shade for your home, you must strike a balance between texture, color, and contrast.

This guide reviews popular brands, complementary and contrasting colors, and how to find the perfect shade for the look you’re trying to accomplish. 

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Popular Gray Paints

With so many gray paint colors on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed during the selection process. These popular options can help you narrow your choices.

Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore

This soft, warm gray complements both traditional and modern exteriors. Its subtle undertones create a welcoming ambiance, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking a sophisticated look. This versatile hue pairs well with almost any accent color, making it easy to coordinate this gray with existing elements of your home’s exterior.

Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams

This gray-blue shade’s subtle hint of color adds depth and dimension to exterior surfaces, while still maintaining a classic gray undertone.

Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore

This timeless midtone gray is a balanced blend of warm and cool undertones. It works well for traditional and contemporary architecture.

Cityscape by Sherwin-Williams

This paint has a rich, deep gray color. Its dramatic hue adds a modern edge to exterior surfaces, making it an ideal choice for contemporary homes. Its strong undertones coupled with a sleek finish create a striking contrast against other architectural elements. 

West Coast Ghost by Backdrop

This is a cool, neutral gray paint with a minimalist aesthetic. Its subtle undertones create a great backdrop for outdoor spaces, while its light hue reflects natural light to brighten up any facade without creating a boring white appearance.

Classic Silver by BEHR

Classic Silver by BEHR is a silvery light gray that looks different depending on the time of day. Its metallic undertones create a lustrous finish that catches the light, adding depth and dimension to architectural details. 

Intellectual Gray by Sherwin-Williams

This is a medium gray color with rich undertones that add warmth and depth to exterior surfaces. Whether you use it as your main color or as an accent, Intellectual Gray can add character to any home exterior.

Grizzle Gray by Sherwin-Williams

This exterior paint color is a bold, dark gray that makes a statement. Its deep undertones add depth to exterior surfaces. It can be a good choice for homeowners looking for a modern, edgy look. 

Rock Bottom by Sherwin-Williams

Rock Bottom is a rugged gray. Its earthy undertones add warmth to exterior surfaces. This color creates an appealing atmosphere while adding a rustic charm to different home styles.  

Fawn Brindle by Sherwin-Williams

This is a midtone gray with warm undertones. Its neutral hue pairs well with various accent colors, making it easy to customize outdoor spaces to reflect your style.

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Pairing Gray With Other Colors

Gray’s popularity partly stems from its ability to pair well with other exterior paint colors. You can complement and contrast any of the above options with several shades.

Complementary Colors

These colors can complement your chosen gray shade in several ways:

• Blue: Blue shades, particularly soft blues such as aqua or navy, complement gray beautifully. Consider incorporating blue accents through garage doors, shutters, or decorative elements to add depth to your home’s exterior.
• Green: Green hues, ranging from sage to forest green, create a natural ambiance when combined with gray.
• White: Pairing gray with white or off-white shades creates a classic combination. White trim against gray exterior paint adds crispness and highlights architectural details.

You can combine gray with two or more shades from this color palette to create the look you want.

Contrasting Colors

Creating a contrast against a gray exterior can give your home a unique appearance. While some of these colors may fade faster than gray, they can still help your property stand out:

• Black: Black details, such as window frames or trim, create a dramatic contrast against a gray exterior.
• Orange: Shades of orange, from terra cotta to burnt orange, work well with gray. When used sparingly as accents (for example, as door colors), orange adds impressive dynamics to your exterior design.
• Yellow: Yellow shades, such as mustard or sunflower, look excellent against light and dark gray. A yellow front door with decorative exterior trim can give your house more personality.

You can also contrast gray with colors such as red or dark green. The key to successful contrasting is not overdoing the brighter shades.

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Choosing the Right Shade of Gray

Before you decide which shade to paint your home’s exterior, consider the following factors:

Architecture

Traditional homes often pair well with warmer grays that have beige or taupe undertones, also known as “greige” colors. Meanwhile, contemporary or modern home designs may benefit from cooler grays with green or blue undertones. The right match of colors to the existing design can potentially improve your property’s curb appeal.

Lighting

Gray shades can appear differently in various lighting conditions. Opt for lighter grays if your house receives ample sunlight to prevent the color from appearing too dark. Darker grays on stucco can add depth to homes in shaded areas.

Surrounding Landscape

Review your home’s natural surroundings, such as trees, foliage, and neighboring houses. A soft gray with green undertones works with the lush greenery surrounding your front porch, while a cooler gray may complement a more urban setting.

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Our Conclusion

Gray is a popular home exterior color because of its timeless appeal and ease of maintenance. Its wide variety of shades works well for most home aesthetics, from modern to contemporary. 

Paired with complementary or contrasting colors, gray can help you achieve a unique look for your property. With the right approach to shade selection, you can add style to your home and potentially increase its value.

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FAQ About Gray Exterior House Colors

What are the most popular gray exterior house colors?

The most popular gray exterior house colors are Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore, Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams, and Classic Silver by BEHR.

How do I choose the right shade of gray for my house?

To choose the right shade of gray for your house, consider its architecture, landscaping, and lighting. Get test samples of exterior color schemes and check out what they look like on different surfaces and lighting conditions.

What colors pair well with gray on a house exterior?

Crisp white, navy blue, and green are colors that pair well with gray on a house exterior. You can also contrast gray with orange, black, and yellow.

Does gray exterior paint increase home value?

Gray may increase your home’s value because it’s more appealing to a wider range of buyers than unconventional bright colors.

How does lighting affect the appearance of gray exterior paint?

Lighting can affect gray exterior paint’s appearance by making it seem darker, lighter, greener, and bluer. To ensure you have the right shade of gray for your home, apply test samples to different surfaces in different lighting conditions. 

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