Blue Gray paint colors are fresh, modern and work with any design style. They look sophisticated and stylish in any home. Read on to see some of the most popular blue gray paint colors for 2021!
This post was originally published December 11 2018, but has seen been updated with new information.
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What is a Blue Gray Color?
I know what you're thinking - what on earth is blue gray paint? Well, when I say blue gray paint I mean a color that is a blue with strong gray undertones, or conversely, a color that looks gray on the color swatch but actually has a strong blue undertone.
When I'm working with my e-design clients, many times they request a blue gray paint color. I like to pull out color chips to make sure we are on the same page - whether they want a gray with a strong blue undertone, or a blue with a gray undertone.
Why Are Blue Gray Paint Colors So Popular?
Bluish Gray paint colors are fresh, modern and work with any design style. They look sophisticated and stylish in any home.
Blue Gray paint colors work particularly well in bedrooms and bathrooms because they are soft, soothing and relaxing colors. We can all use more sleep so if a paint color can help, that's even better!
The Blue Gray paint colors that I'm sharing with you today are some of my favorite colors to work with, especially when trying to create a modern coastal feel. However, these paint colors will work with any decorating style and in and room of your home - yes, they are inherently suited to bedrooms and bathrooms, but work equally well on living room walls, front doors and even kitchen cabinetry.
Personally, I like to stick with the colors that are closer to gray with a blue undertone, as they are a more neutral canvas for me to work with. The colors that are a stronger blue tone work wonderfully when paired with white wainscoting, as a kitchen island color or even as a door or cabinet color.
RELATED: The Best Gray Paint Colors For Your Home
What are the Most Popular Blue Gray Paint Colors?
There are several blue gray paint colors that have proven popular in 2020:
Benjamin Moore Blue Gray Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (the most popular)
- Benjamin Moore Water's Edge
- Benjamin Moore Nimbus Gray
- Benjamin Moore Summer Showers
- Benjamin Moore Smoke
- Benjamin Moore Gentle Gray
- Benjamin Moore Gray Wisp
- Benjamin Moore Arctic Gray
Sherwin Williams Blue Gray Paint Colors
- Sherwin Williams Icy
- Sherwin Williams Krypton
- Sherwin Williams Serious Gray
- Sherwin Williams Santorini Blue
- Sherwin Williams Silver Strand
Behr Blue Gray Paint Colors
- Behr Light French Gray
- Behr Reflecting Pool
Benjamin Moore Favorites
Benjamin Moore - Boothbay Gray
I've had this image pinned to one of my Pinterest boards for several months and it really makes me want to paint all my doors and add brass hardware.
Boothbay Gray leans closer to gray but with the softness of blue. It's very pretty and feminine and works wonderfully as a wall color, too.
This particular shade of light gray has a soft dusty blue undertone. It has been extremely popular in 2020 as a front door color in particular, but looks beautiful in bathrooms, bedrooms and on kitchen cabinetry, too.
Benjamin Moore - Santorini Blue
Santorini Blue is a color I've loved for years but have yet to use in my own home. It's one of those colors that looks amazing paired with crisp white wainscoting.
This is a paint color that's definitely a blue, but with a gray undertone. However, the gray side is more apparent in a room with less sunlight.
Benjamin Moore - Water's Edge
Decidedly more blue with just enough gray to tone it down, Water's is a fun pop of color in this otherwise neutral entryway.
This is another blue gray color that has a lovely coastal feel, especially when paired with lots of bright white trim.
Benjamin Moore - Nimbus Gray
Nimbus Gray is one of those colors that completely changes color based on the time of the day and lighting in your home. Sometimes it's blatantly blue and at other times it's a moody gray, and yet other times there's even a wee hint of green.
Benjamin Moore - Summer Showers
The name alone is so pretty, right? This is a very soothing paint color for a bedroom or bathroom but would work equally well for a cabinet door or island.
Benjamin Moore - Smoke
These Smoke painted cabinets are another image that I've been drawn to for a while now. When I saw this laundry room reveal from Jillian Harris, I immediately wanted to paint my cabinets the same color. I haven't yet, but I might do very soon!
Benjamin Moore - Gentle Gray
Proof that blue-gray colors are not just for bedrooms and bathrooms. To truly create a soft, casual coastal feel in your home, flow a soft blue-gray like Benjamin Moore's Gentle Gray throughout the main floor.
Benjamin Moore - Gray Wisp
Benjamin Moore - Arctic Gray
Is it gray? Is it blue? Is it green? Are you seeing a trend with these chameleon colors? Artic Gray does actually lean a bit green/blue which makes it stunning in a bathroom, don't you think?
Sherwin Williams Favorites
Sherwin Williams - Icy
Icy (SW6534) is a beautiful light blue gray. You won't confuse this with a gray paint color. It is truly a blue with a gray undertone. The gray undertone stops it being too babyish or feeling like a color that should be a nursery. It's perfect for bedroom and bathrooms and works well in both bright and darker rooms.
Sherwin Williams - Krypton
One of my new favorite colors, Krypton is a light gray with a light blue undertone. Depending on who you ask, they will say it's either gray or baby blue.
I love how Chrissy Marie painted both her island and pantry door this soft shade. It works so well with the bright white cabinets and brass accents, for the perfect cool, coastal vibe.
Sherwin Williams - Serious Gray
One of my all-time favorite chameleon colors, sometimes Serious Gray looks like a dark gray, sometimes it's very blue.
I adore how it changes depending on the time of day and space that it's in. I've used it in multiple spaces in my home, from the inside of my front door to my bathroom and even the backs of my living room built-ins.
It's moody and dramatic and so pretty!
Sherwin Williams - Morning Fog
Morning Fog is a shade lighter on the color card than Serious Gray. I chose it for our inside of our mudroom and garage doors. It's a beautiful color and I love how it adds color to our otherwise white kitchem.
Unfortunately it can have a slight purple undertone at certain times of the day, so if you're inclined to use it, make sure you test it in your space first!
Sherwin Williams - Silver Strand
Silver Strand is a great choice when you want to keep things fairly neutral on your walls. It's a beautiful light gray with a blue undertone that really pops against white and lots of greenery. It feels very clean and fresh.
Looking For More Interior Paint Colors?
- The Best Greige Paint Colors For 2020
- The Best Green Paint Colors
- The Best White Trim Paint Colors
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
- Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
- Sherwin Williams Naval
- Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
Behr Favorites
Behr - Light French Gray
Behr's Light French Gray (not to be confused with the Sherwin Williams color of the same name) is another beautiful blue-gray color.
I originally chose it for our master bedroom when we moved into our house several years ago, but had to switch it out for a less "blue" color. I definitely recommend using it in a room that gets warmer light to stop it feeling overly blue and cold.
Behr - Reflecting Pool
We've used Reflecting Pool several times now. When I hear "blue/gray paint" this one immediately springs to mind. It's a very light color that definitely looks pale gray in some lights and almost baby blue in other light.
It's very soft and calm, perfect for a bathroom or nursery. We even used it in our basement and kids' playroom.
Reflecting Pool is actually one shade lighter than Behr's Light French Gray which was directly mentioned above.
Now that I've shared some of the best blue gray paint colors, can you pick a favorite?
I hope I've provided some inspiration for your future paint projects today! These blue gray paint shades are the perfect way to add a cool neutral, spa-like feeling to any room in your home.
