How to Pick White and Grey Paint Colors
Here are some tips on how to pick the best white and grey paint colors for you home.
Picking paint colors for your house is hard but picking whites and greys colors are even harder!
Whites and greys are so difficult to choose because they look so different in various lighting. The lighting is so different in every room.
I researched grey and white paint colors on Pinterest first then went to the paint store to get samples.
You can get so many great images on Pinterest on what each color looks like in different houses.
(Click here to read about my post on my favorite white paint color)
How to Test Paint Colors in a Room
It’s important to know how each paint color looks in a room by painting it on the wall. I tried all the colors I picked in one spot in the kitchen.
It’s important to paint on at least two coats to get the full infused color effect.
Greys can have odd undertones so it’s really important to test it on your wall first.
If you can’t paint it directly on a wall, paint it on white poster or foam board then go around to each room to see what the various shades look like in each room.
I painted Benjamin Moore Cloud Nine OC-119, Simply White OC-117 and Snowfall White OC-118 on form board and tested the color out in each room.
So where is the grey going?
On my kitchen island.
I love an all white kitchen but with so much white going on I wanted the island to stand out a bit.
When I put Revere Pewter on the wall I knew it was too beige so I didn’t paint it on the poster board.
The greys I tried were Benjamin Moore Moonshine OC-56, Gray Owl OC-52 and Stonington Gray HC-170.
I have a countertop sample so I made sure to put it next to the white and grey poster boards as well.
I also painted the whites in the living room.
It’s hard to tell in this photo but they looked totally different in this room than the kitchen.
So my final decisions?
Simply White for the walls and trim and smoky Gray Owl for the kitchen island.
It’s going to look gorgeous.
I’ve also made a decision on flooring.
I wanted a rustic feel for my flooring but something not shiny and hid dirt well.
Between the darker and the lighter, I picked the lighter.
It’s an engineered flooring: Dansk Hardwood Monterey Wire Brushed Weathered Saddle (Oak)
The soft cream carpet is going in the bedrooms and the patterned carpet I’m putting on the staircase like a runner.
Remember the French chandelier I was picking for my dining room?
I made a decision!
I’ve also had this sophisticated beaded chandelier forever and I’m having it hung in the little vaulted ceiling part of my living room.
My hardworking contractor Dan is holding it up for me.
It was quite the challenge getting electrical to that spot in the ceiling and hanging it centre of the window but he did the first time.
It’s going to go perfect in that little seating area.
Next week the drywall will be getting finished and painting will start.
Click here to read more about my renovations.
Check out all my paint color posts:
- Simply White by Benjamin Moore
- Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore
- White Dove by Benjamin Moore
- The Best Greige Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
- The Best Black Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
- Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
- The Best Green Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
- The Best Navy Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
- The Best Brown Paint Colors
- The Best Gray and Greige Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
I hope this has helped you in figuring out how to pick grey and white paint colors for your home
Make sure to pin it for later!
Click in Case You Missed:
Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
hey girl love your choices! Can’t wait to see the reveal! YAY It’s going to look so pretty! Have fun girl!
Thanks Shawnna 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Love the choices you made. Can’t wait to see it all finished.
Thanks Mary 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Really looking forward to seeing it all completed – great paint choices – and I love the Aidan chandelier! I am in the process of repainting using all grays and whites and it has been making me nuts! All the grays which are favorites, Revere Pewter, Gray Owl, Repose Gray etc. – turn green on my walls. It finally dawned on me that I need cool grays – which actually appear warm in my home. I found BM Thundercloud to be perfect. Now I am onto the whites – hopefully I won’t have to purchase 38 samples as I did with the grays!
Greys are so hard, right? And they are different in different homes. I’m really loving Simply White. Good luck with the search!
Hugs, Jamie
Love the post Jamie. The colour choices are awesome and it’s going to look fabulous! Thanks the insight into picking colours. You realy do have to see the colour in the house!
Thanks so much, April!
Hugs, Jamie
Love all your choices!! You are so talented! Can’t wait to see it. Can you do a post on how to pick hardwood flooring?
Thanks a great idea, Jill! I’ll look into doing that 😉
Hugs, Jamie
My 17 year old hates when I paint samples all over the rooms to see which one will suit! But better that than repaint a bad choice. Thanks for sharing your process. Have a good day.
Yes! It’s the only way, right?
Hugs, Jamie
We’re currently looking at re-doing and designing our home, so this post is fab, as it isn’t all that big. I’m looking to completely change the styling and these are right up my street! Thank you so much for sharing so many amazing ideas.
Hi…first time on your site and I love your home! Would you mind if I asked what color you painted your fireplace and mantel? It’s perfect with the simply white. Thanks so much!
Hi Catt,
Thank you for being here! I had the fireplace installed when I moved in and it’s made out of cast stone.
Hugs, Jamie
Loved your ideas and pictures. What is the best light gray color without blue or green undertones for gray and white marble in bathrooms and kitchen. Thanks,
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Hi Joann,
Thank you! You would have to match up samples of paint colors to the countertop. Chelsea Gray from Benjamin Moore is a good warm gray with no blue or green undertones but it’s dark so you’d have to find something that matches but a shade lighter.
Hope that helps!
Hugs, Jamie