Need a 'true gray' paint color

Judy Schmitter
by Judy Schmitter
The gray paint I used in the LR looks green and the gray paint I used in the guest bath looks blue. Does anyone know of a good paint brand that has a light-medium true gray paint color? Any suggestion? Thanks!
  9 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Dec 21, 2014
    Find the shade you want in a magazine or something and have the paint store do a color match.
  • Beverly Eaton Beverly Eaton on Dec 21, 2014
    mix black and white paint......add more black for a darker gray, more white for lighter....
  • Kelly Kelly on Dec 21, 2014
    Take a look at this...it's been all over Pinterest... http://www.pinterest.com/pin/499407046153932471/
  • Stormie Remus Stormie Remus on Dec 21, 2014
    Anne Sloan Slate
  • Judy Schmitter Judy Schmitter on Dec 21, 2014
    Thanks y'all. These are all great suggestions! I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. Now, it's time to get out the roller and pan! LOL
  • Shari Shari on Dec 21, 2014
    All paint colors have "undertones" as you have discovered. Grays can look green, blue, lavender etc. Take a white sheet of paper (like computer paper) to the paint store and lay different paint chips on it. It will help you more easily see the undertones right there in the store so you can eliminate which colors have the undertones you do not want. Once you have some possible candidates, get paint samples to try at home on different walls. Be aware though that lighting (natural and artificial), flooring, fabrics and furniture in your home can also change the way the paint looks and how strong the undertones look. This is why it is almost impossible for someone to suggest colors for you. Paint colors that look like a "true gray" and work in someone else's home (or in photos) probably will look completely different in yours due to the differences in lighting and surroundings. Unfortunately, when choosing paint colors there are no shortcuts. It's a matter of trial and error to find what works for YOU. Thank goodness the paint companies offer those sample sizes now because otherwise "trial and error" can get really expensive!
  • Michael Kenmir Michael Kenmir on Dec 21, 2014
    My Dining room is Gray. I chose that color from the wall plates they had at Lowes. With a white ceiling and gold trim on the picture rail around the top of the room it looks amazing. But what I though strange was the Mix included your standard black and white but they also added some yellow and some red. It turned a non-descript Gray into a warm Gray. Like and old wool Sweater.
  • Sheila Sheila on Dec 21, 2014
    Check out Benjamin Moore Stonington Grey…..or Sherwin Williams Gray Clouds….if they are too dark, add some white;)
  • Donna Strader Donna Strader on Dec 21, 2014
    Dear Ms. Judy, the "true gray" you seek actually starts with, Purple, Blue, or Green. That is why you have the "bluish gray", and "greenish gray". Grey contains one of three undertones - purple, green or blue.