Gray Owl is one of Benjamin Moore's most popular gray paint colors. It's a lovely light gray with slight green-gray undertone.
The Perfect Neutral Gray
The ever illusive perfect neutral gray. I bet you've been searching high and low for it. I'm sad to tell you, that it doesn't exist. Sure, you may find a gray that's perfect for you - but it will have an undertone of some variety. You might love how it looks on your walls, but it may not look exactly the same on someone else's walls!
Gray Owl (2137-60 or OC-52 - same color, 2 different collections!) has been a very popular gray paint color for the past half decade, alongside Benjamin Moore's other popular gray, Stonington Gray. If you are looking for a gray paint color that adds some brightness, but is certainly still a gray, then this may be the paint color you're looking for.
In the past year, the popularity of the cooler-toned grays has swayed in favor of warm grays as well as the uber popular greige paint color. Of course, many of you out there still love a cooler gray. They have a certain clean, modern look to them...when done right.
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What Color is Gray Owl?
Gray owl is a light gray paint color that reads as a neutral-to-cool gray on the wall. It is one of Benjamin Moore's most popular shades of gray and brings a fresh and modern look to any room.
What Undertones Does Gray Owl Have?
Gray Owl has a soft green undertone that can also look blue in certain light. While the green makes it warmer than some other "cool" grays, it will still look like a cool, neutral gray on your wall.
Let me demonstrate how different color schemes (and light) can impact the undertones of Gray Owl.
Paired with SW Extra White (similar: BM Chantilly Lace), you can see how Gray Owl comes off as a clean, neutral gray. It's lighter in color than Repose Gray (background color, a popular Sherwin Williams warm gray) and doesn't have the same level of warmth.
Above, Gray Owl takes on a much stronger green undertone, because it has been paired with this warm, sea-drift tone wood. If you prefer to keep it closer to a neutral, or even blue-gray, then pairing it with lots of bright white trim in a brightly lit room should do the trick.
The LRV of Gray Owl
Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 62. LRV, or Light Reflecting Value, is the number that refers to how light or dark a color is on a scale of 0-100. The closer the number is to 100, the lighter it is (white being the lightest). The closer the number is to 0, the darker it is (black).
At 65, it has enough saturation that it is clearly gray, but it’s also light enough that it won’t feel heavy. If your room is really dark and you're hoping this will perk it up, it may not be light enough. Instead try Benjamin Moore Paper White.
Colors That Coordinate Well with Gray Owl
Choose a crisp, white trim color like Benjamin Moore Super White or Chantilly Lace.
Gray Owl works well with a bright, beach vibe so shades of white, green and blue work really well. If you are looking to do an accent wall, or an adjoining room in complementary color, Benjamin Moore Beach Glass makes for a beautiful coastal vibe or BM Philipsburg Blue adds striking contrast, while working with Gray Owl's inherent undertones.
If you want to achieve a really modern look, pairing gray owl walls with black accents is really striking when done correctly.
Gray Owl vs Stonington Gray
Stonington Gray is another equally popular gray from Benjamin Moore. If you are trying to decide between the two, there are a few distinct differences that may help with your decision.
Gray Owl is a few shades lighter than Stonington Gray, with a more prominent green undertone. Gray Owl has more of a light, casual, almost beachy look, while Stonington Gray is a bit darker with a tendency to lean quite blue in cool light. I find that Stonington Gray lends itself well to bedrooms as well as more masculine spaces.
Final Thoughts on Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Clearly, Gray Owl is popular for a reason. If you're looking to achieve a fresh, clean looking gray on your walls, I think you will love it. Like any gray paint color, don't let the undertones scare you - they are what make this paint color so exciting!
You'll notice that this particular gray works well with wood tones as well as the more commonly used white. In fact, from what I can tell, it works beautifully with all tones and in all different lighting conditions. This isn't always true for a light-to-medium gray like this, so that's something that makes Gray Owl special!
Don't forget - no matter what you've read or photos you've seen online, it's really important to sample paint colors in your home before committing!
Samplize provides real paint samples that are easy to move around your home, and cheaper than buying a gazillion paint pots! It's the only way I buy paint samples.
Try Samplize For Yourself Here
Have I persuaded you to choose Owl Gray for an upcoming paint job? Or have you already used Gray Owl in your home? Do you have a paint color that you absolutely swear by? I'd love to hear from you!
Judy
I’m deciding between BM gray owl & SW gossamer veil for my north facing living room with very high cathedral ceiling
I have two red chairs and medium wood floors
HELP
Jenna Shaughnessy
Hi Judy, As per the statement above the comments section, personalized recommendations will only be answered through the Ask a Decorator service. Thanks!
Ashley McVickers
Hi there!
Who would have known how crazy light gray and white colors could drive a person? Well, I now know because I'm spinning! Ha. Quick and dirty...we have a large master bathroom that gets a lot of natural light. Ten foot ceilings and very substantial, pretty trim work around doors. On one side of the room...the side with the large window...there is a shower that is carrara marble up to about 8.5 ft or so. That marble continues down the wall and goes behind the freestanding tub...up to about 5ft, probably. The marble is very cool toned. On the opposite side of the room are our vanities. Floor is a white tile with really neutral gray and even some greige veining. Counter is a very white quartz with blue/gray veining (very spread out). Our walls were painted nebulous white by the previous owner and it screams blue to me.
I feel like it makes the marble even look more blue.
Here's the thing...I wanted very light gray cabinets that almost glowed. Just light and airy, but some color. I finally chose gray owl and I really like it. But in order for it to stand out and truly look light gray, I want some version of white on the walls. Chantilly seems a bit stark against the marble, but I was looking at Oxford White, as well. I was considering SW Pure White, too. Do you think Oxford White on the walls and trim would go well with Gray Owl? It seems to when I put the chip up next to a drawer, but I was curious if you had ever seen it done and if it looked good!
I know that was a lot. Thank you for any insight!!
Jenna Shaughnessy
Hi Ashley, As per the statement above the comments section, personalized recommendations will only be answered through the Ask a Decorator service. Thanks!
Patty
I presently have gray owl in my whole house, I’m moving and want to use it again, I love blue and see lots of blue undertones, I’m hoping it’ll still read blue at our next house
Jacqueline Lombard
Hi Jenna,
I’m in a funk with the choice of my living room color we are about to paint. I would love to try Metropolitan Gray AF-690 but it is 2 shades to dark with the natural light coming through the room. We love an airy space by the sea. I cannot seem to find a lighter alternative ? So far, I’m considering Sterling 1591 or Sleighbell ?
We live by the ocean on the South West side with lots and lots of natural light. I’ve been through several color schemes ranging from BM smoke , silver marlin to gray owl and neutrals in between. They all come out too dark or too light far from the original hue (Gray Owl for one). Any suggestion ? I know right ??
Jenna Shaughnessy
Hi! Trying getting it lightened by 50% and see how you like it. I don’t give personalized decorating advice over comments, but you’re welcome to submit via my ask a decorator service (linked above the comments section) if you need more specific advice!
Jacqueline
Thank you so much Jenna, we’ll try lightening our Colors. Not all suppliers can do this however, as we’d already inquired about this option.
Jenna Shaughnessy
Hi Jacqueline, I've never heard of a paint store that won't lighten the colors. I've had it done at several Ben Moore, Sherwin Williams and hardware stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace.
susan hansen
I"m getting ready to paint a beach house walls gray owl. All the trim in the house is extra white SW. The main floor which is great room, kitchen and dinning area face west. Lots of light! My concern is the cabinets are black and the island is a dark turquoise color with a black granite top. The countertops with the black cabinets are whitish with slight brown/gray undertones.Do you think the Gray owl will look more gray vs blue or green. Unfortunately I am unable to go to the house prior to the painter starting the job. I plan to paint bathrooms, few bedrooms with the Gray owl color. I'm hoping the extra white SW trim will make the walls look more gray vs the undertones... Help !!
Jenna Shaughnessy
It totally depends on the source of light, aspect of the room and everything around it! Even what's outside the window will dictate how it will look! If you have lots of bright light, more than likely it will look gray...but without seeing it in person, I can't guarantee it!
Laura Muzzo
Will Gray Owl pair well with existing Cloud White trim? I’m looking to brighten my office space which has a light wood desk and bookcases (brown antique pine, looks like oak). Will another shade of white gray pair better with the could white?
Also want to paint the adjoining small sunroom (5 x 8) in the same light neutral colours which is currently covered in tongue and groove pine walls and trim.
Jenna Shaughnessy
If you already have cloud white as your trim color, then yes, it's fine! It's a nice soft warm white for trim.