Read all about Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, plus see 30 real homes that use it!
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (shade #HC-168) is a warm and velvety rich gray that is heading toward charcoal territory. The medium-dark gray shade looks fantastic on cabinets, bathroom vanities and kitchen islands (especially when paired with white countertops and gold hardware), and works really well as a wall color when paired with trim, wainscoting and ceilings in an array of white and off white shades. It’s also great as an exterior paint.
As we all know, Benjamin Moore has a way with words, so I’d be remiss to omit what the website has to say about Chelsea Gray paint color: “Like a well-dressed gentleman, this gracefully urbane shade of gray adds a sophisticated, scholarly quality to a den or library.” Actually, I’m pretty sure my husband has a cardigan in this same color (we call it the grandpa sweater).
Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is sophisticated. Seasoned. It has an air of wisdom to it. It’s also a unique color that has to be used in the right way, because of its warm nature and specific undertones. Want to learn more about Chelsea Gray paint color? Read on!
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So welcome to another edition of our paint series exploration series! Today we’re all in on Ben Moore Chelsea Gray:
Table of contents
- FAQs About Chelsea Gray
- LRV of Chelsea Gray paint (shade #HC-168)
- Chelsea Gray paint compared to other colors
- 30 Real Life Homes Using Chelsea Gray
FAQs About Chelsea Gray
While Chelsea Gray might sometimes look like a deep greige or taupe, it’s definitely gray, leaning into the depths of charcoal. There’s a little bit of brown mixed in, which warms up the shade.
Chelsea Gray paint color is a slightly warm gray. Why slightly? It has a lot of cool characteristics, including some secondary undertones, but since there is some brown in it, it’s much warmer than grays containing more obvious blue undertones.
While we’ve established that Chelsea Gray paint has some brown mixed in, you may detect green in its undertone makeup. It has been known to show a subtle hint of purple or blue in some lighting environments.
If using Chelsea Gray paint as an exterior color, be mindful of southern exposure or western light (as in the golden afternoon). Because such strong, warm lighting can bring out the green undertones, you’ll want to be sure you’re happy with the way light reflects on the shade. Remember to check sample swatches at different times of the day, in the exact environment where you want to use it.
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LRV of Chelsea Gray paint (shade #HC-168)
Let’s get into the “numerical” details of Chelsea Gray paint, or the LRV:
CHELSEA GRAY LRV = 22.16
LRV = Light Reflectance Value: Rated 0-100 with 0 being pure black, and 100 being pure white. Lighter paint shades REFLECT more light from them and therefore have a HIGHER LRV, and vice versa for darker shades). In other words, the higher the LRV number, the lighter the color is. Conversely, the lower the LRV, the darker the color is.
Below, see Chelsea Gray (22.16) side by side with pure white (100):
Chelsea Gray paint compared to other colors
Choosing the right gray paint color for your home can be fun, but it can also be frustrating. Sometimes, it’s really hard to decide what you like and if it will work best for your needs. Let’s look at Chelsea Gray next to a few other similar gray paint colors to give you a better idea how it compares.
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray vs Kendall Charcoal
All the things that Chelsea Gray is (a medium-dark warm gray with some brown mixed in), Kendall Charcoal is all of those things too, but more of it. It’s darker (LRV 12.96) and has more brown. I would say the amount of brown is pretty well correlated with how much darker Kendall Charcoal is than Chelsea Gray. When looking at Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore, it absolutely looks like a gray, but Kendall Charcoal has definitely crossed into the smokey charcoal territory (hence the name) and is overall a richer color.
Chelsea Gray vs Amherst Gray
With an LRV of 17.12, Amherst Gray is absolutely darker than Chelsea Gray, though they are similar. What else is different between the two paint colors? Amherst Gray is heading further down the road to charcoal. Overall, though it also has some brown to it, Amherst Gray is cooler than Chelsea Gray, and doesn’t have the same green undertones in its makeup. It can at times be too heavy as a wall color, especially in rooms lacking a lot of natural light. Amherst Gray works great for accent walls.
Benjamin Moore Graystone vs Chelsea Gray
Let’s turn around and head down the other direction of the color spectrum for a moment. Benjamin Moore Graystone (also known as Galveston Gray) is lighter than Chelsea Gray, with a Light Reflectance Value of 29.88. It still has about the same amount of brown to keep it feeling warm, and while still firmly rooted as a gray, has some taupe tendencies that makes it a great neutral paint color that stays cool. Like Chelsea Gray, Graystone has some subtle green undertones.
More Gray Paint Colors to Consider
Still don’t know if you’ve found The One? Check out some of these other pretty grays!
- Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams) – a dark, stormy gray
- Peppercorn (Sherwin Williams) – a pigmented, deep gray that’s close to charcoal
- Dorian Gray (Sherwin Williams) – mid-toned, warm gray
- Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a warm gray that leans taupe
- Light French Gray (Sherwin Willaims) – a balanced gray shade that’s not too warm
- Gray Owl (Benjamin Moore) – unassuming light, classic gray
30 Real Life Homes Using Chelsea Gray
Are you ready to see Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray in action? Let’s see 30 real homes using Chelsea Gray paint!
Chelsea Gray Living Rooms
1. @dbdliving
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray is great for accentuating unique or elaborate architectural details in your home. In this cozy living space, the shade adds interest to a wall with a fireplace and built-in shelving, while keeping the vibe feeling grounded. Because of the plentiful natural light in the room, the paint color reads taupe and appears somewhat brighter, revealing subtle green undertones.
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2. @hudsoncooperdesign
In this sophisticated home office, Chelsea Gray appears cooler as a deeper gray color. Again, it’s a wonderful shade for built-in shelving and cabinets. A rootsy color that encourages concentration, it’s a perfect pick for built-in writing desks.
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3. @sixtyfifthavenue
It can be tricky to select a paint color for a wall that has very little surface area visually exposed. In this room, the wall is mostly taken up by large windows, and otherwise covered by furniture, which is actually a great opportunity to experiment with some color. Chelsea Gray complements the neutral color palette, while still playing a support role as a dark, grounded base.
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4. @mandyenohome
Truly a chameleon paint color, Chelsea Gray reads as a medium-toned true gray in this cozy room with off-white trim and furniture, red natural brick and simple decor accents. It’s showing its cooler side here, and is dark enough for interest, yet not too dark that it makes the room feel small.
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5. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray | A Perfect Gray
Here are some of the purple undertones I mentioned earlier. Chelsea Gray looks deep, rich and moody in this vintage-inspired sitting room. It makes for a dramatic contrast with the wide, off-white trim.
6. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray Built Ins | Interior by Color
Chelsea Gray is wonderful as a statement wall color. It creates just the right touch of drama without feeling too bold or garish. I especially love the way it looks on built-in shelving, casting shadows to give the impression of depth without darkening the decor items.
Chelsea Gray Dining Rooms
7. @oakhousedesignco
Out with the stripe running through the middle of the wall and in with faux wainscoting! Chelsea Gray is lovely as a semi-dark upper wall color, paired with bright white lower wall and trim.
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8. Classic Chelsea Gray Dining Room | Kylie M Interiors
This dining room with bright white wainscoting gets a cozy, stormy feel with upper walls painted in Chelsea Gray.
9. Modern Chelsea Gray Dining Room | Interiors by Color
This elegant dining room uses the same principles as the one featured above by Kylie M. Interiors, but the result is a more classic contrast with the white ceiling and trim.
10. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray Dining Space | The Daily Haley
The golden sun streaming into this dining room reveals more of the brown in its color makeup, but Chelsea Gray still holds steady as a medium-deep shade with just a hint of purple undertones.
Bedrooms Painted Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
11. @chrislovesjulia
Chelsea Gray serves as a stunning background for the gallery wall in this cozy bedroom. Some of those green undertones are peeking through, allowing for a bit of contrast with the light gray upholstered headboard.
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12. Boys’ Bedroom in Chelsea Gray | Hirshfield’s
If you’re looking for a wall and ceiling color that contrasts somewhat dramatically with white trim and crown moulding, Chelsea Gray is a great choice. It delivers that sharp, crisp contrast but is still soft enough to be carried around the entire room.
13. Chelsea Gray Master Bedroom | Home Bunch
Chelsea Gray works great as a wall color in rooms with bug tray ceilings like this one. The emphasis of the room is on the ceiling, so the darker wall paint plays more of a supporting or background role.
14. Dark Bedroom Walls | Nesting with Grace
Chelsea Gray is pretty and just dark enough behind this bedroom gallery wall. It has enough weight for all furniture and decor accents to be lighter in color.
15. Cozy Bedroom | Ballard Designs
Because Chelsea Gray is flexible enough to work with a range of colors, including beige, greige and a range of neutrals, it works in this bedroom. It helps to ground the many layered textures and multiple colors and patterns.
Other Interior Spaces with Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
16. @jkath_designbuild
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Chelsea Gray works beautifully with minimalist decor styles, as an accent color in this mudroom against a background of crisp, bright white.
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17. Chelsea Gray with White Shiplap | Postcards from the Ridge
Chelsea Gray brilliantly juxtaposes white shiplap as a darker upper wall color in farmhouse-inspired homes like this one. It allows for the poppy red bench to add a burst of color against the more subdued, natural accents.
18. @amybethcupp
To best showcase a proud collection of books in a built-in bookcase and desk wall, work with a deep yet neutral background that allows the pieces to pop. Chelsea Gray fits the bill in this sunny home office.
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19. Color Spotlight: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray | The Creativity Exchange
Chelsea Gray helps set this dramatic kitchen office space apart from the white walls behind it, and pairs beautifully with brass hardware.
Chelsea Gray Bathrooms
20. @jkath_designbuild
Chelsea Gray adds the illusion of depth to this small, narrow bathroom, but sharing half of the wall with white subway tile prevents the space from feeling too closed in. I love the warm look of the shade in this lighting, with very subtle undertones peeking through.
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21. Best Gray Paints | Popsugar Home
Chelsea Gray adds a classic touch to this traditional style bathroom. In this lighting, it has some coolness to the color, with very slight purple undertones.
22. Chelsea Gray Master Bath | Kylie M Interiors
Chelsea Gray really is the perfect gray for bathroom cabinets. It has just enough warmth to add a touch of softness so that it’s not all drama.
23. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray with Marble | Decorpad
In this bright white bathroom, Chelsea Gray has a bit of a lighter feel, and looks like a true medium-toned gray with virtually no undertones.
24. Chelsea Gray with Gold Accents | Little DeKoning
There is just no denying that Chelsea Gray looks amazing as a bathroom vanity color, particularly when paired with warm brass hardware.
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray Exteriors
25. @faith.and.farmhouse
If you’re not into that colorful front door trend, Chelsea Gray is a good contender, offering just enough color interest. It complements the off-white painted brick perfectly without too much contrast.
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26. Chelsea Gray and White Dove | Koby Kepert
Chelsea Gray makes a great exterior siding color, pairing here with trim in White Dove. On cloudy days, it morphs into a deep, stormy gray with virtually no taupe or brown undertones detected.
27. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray with Palm Trees | Laurel Bern Interiors
Here’s an example of Chelsea Gray as an interior color paired with a brighter, white trim. It works particularly well in homes on America’s southern coast and even looks great on the steps of this front patio.
Chelsea Gray Kitchens
28. Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray with Farmhouse Sink | My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Although I said Chelsea Gray looks stunning as a kitchen cabinet color when paired with gold and brass hardware, it takes on a soft persona in this bright, white kitchen with more subtle cabinet knobs.
29. Benjamin Moore Gray Kitchen | Decorated Life
If you’re a sucker for before and after interior design stories, check out this post from Decorated Life. Chelsea Gray was a perfect choice as a wall color in this classic kitchen, contrasting nicely with white trim and low wainscoting.
30. Chelsea Gray Kitchen Cabinets | Scout & Nimble
Natural stone tiled backsplash and countertops with brownish shades can be tricky to match, but Chelsea Gray manages to pull down the color temperature, complementing these accents without adding to the yellowness of it.
That’s all, folks. I hope you enjoyed this post about Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, and the 30 beautiful, real-life homes that use it. Would you consider Chelsea Gray paint in your home, or have you used it? Tell me about it in the comments!
Pin this post for later! And if you decide to use this color, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this color, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! And before you’re on your way, make sure you grab your free copy of the 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking Paint, so you can avoid the heartache (and hole in your wallet) when your paint choices don’t quite work out! Click here, and I’ll send your free copy right now!
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