Are you trying to choose a blue-gray paint color? Whether you’re leaning towards bright and light or deep and bold, use this list of blue-gray paint colors to help you find the right shade!
Blue is classic. As a color, it represents the sea and the open sky and means trust, openness, stability, and confidence.
If you’ve been reading this site for nearly any length of time, you probably know I’m naturally drawn toward blue. On its own, blue can be a little tricky to choose because it can vary so much with different lighting influences.
But when you mix in some gray, now that’s where the magic happens.

I’m not gonna lie – choosing the PERFECT paint color isn’t as easy as seeing what you like online and simply adding it to your space. There’s an entire science behind it! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
What color is blue-gray?
Adding some gray to blue paint introduces a neutral element. What once was a baby blue that maybe looked too bright or too blue now looks toned down and perfect for any room.
To put it simply, blue-gray is simply a mix of blue and gray that creates a neutral shade with a fun blue element. A shade can vary significantly in how blue or how gray it looks.
Is gray-blue the same as blue-gray? Blue-gray…gray-blue…tomato…tomahto. Yep, basically, they mean the same thing. I say basically because some people will use the phrasing to distinguish whether a shade is bluer or more gray.
For example, a color that is mostly blue with a tinge of gray to soften it would be called blue-gray. On the other hand, a shade that looks mostly gray with a hint of blue to add a little color would be called gray-blue.
Some people (mostly designers) make this distinction, while others use the term blue-gray to refer to every blend of blue and gray.

And to move you quickly from paint zero to hero, I have a great, free resource for you. Grab a copy of 5 Massive Paint Mistakes to Avoid…because when all else fails, as long as you stay away from these 5 cardinal painting sins, you’re probably doing A-OK!
FAQs about Blue-Gray Paint
Yes! Gray offers a neutral element that makes blue more versatile and less bright.
Blue provides a color that projects relaxation, sophistication, and serenity. As a result, blue-gray is calming, neutral, and beautiful.
What colors pair well with blue-gray?
Many colors look terrific with blue-gray! Black, white, and brown tones are usually the go-to’s.
However, if you want a pop of color, pastels, beige tones, pinks, purples, reds, and gold can look amazing with blue-gray.
Where can I use blue-gray paint colors?
Anywhere! This soothing family of colors can look absolutely incredible on your walls. However, if you are looking for more inspiration, consider using blue-gray paint for:
Ceilings
Accent walls
Cabinets
Furniture pieces
Fireplaces or other accent pieces
Home exteriors
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
How Different Types of Lighting Affect Blue-Gray Paint
Every single paint color available contains undertones, which are due to the paint color mixing process.
As a result, different types of lighting impact how colors appear. That happens to a varying degree based on the undertones and the color and temperature of the lighting.
Some paint colors are more likely to shift, and blue-gray happens to be a family of paint that has a strong chameleon quality.
Warm-tinted lighting (eastern morning light, western evening light, incandescent light bulbs, and halogen light bulbs) enhances warm tones and mutes cooler tones.
On the other hand, cool-tinted lighting (north-facing sunlight and fluorescent lighting) will enhance cool tones while muting warm tones.
Since blue-gray is a color shifter, you’ll see it change throughout the day as the light shifts. That’s great for anyone who quickly gets tired of seeing the same thing!
Blue-gray will look darker and grayer in cool-toned lighting. On the other hand, warm lighting will brighten up gray-blue so that it not only appears lighter but also typically bluer.

Great Coordinating Colors for Blue-Gray Paint
If you’re searching for a few reliable standbys to pair with blue-gray, I have some suggestions.
Note: it’s ALWAYS important to check paint colors against each other to make sure they pair the way you want them to before committing to them and spending $$$.
Peel and stick paint samples are a GREAT tool that allows you to see how paint colors appear in your home as the light shifts through the day. And they make it easy to place certain shades next to each other so you can see if you like them together.
As far as sampling goes, I highly recommend these mess-free, re-usable, re-positionable peel and stick paint samples ⤵
And here are some colors to consider pairing with your new blue-grey paint choice…
- Benjamin Moore Pure White – warm white that can lean slightly greige.
- Benjamin Moore Super White – a bright, crisp, clean white.
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black – deep, bold, neutral black.
- Sherwin Williams Snowbound – clean and neutral white that leans slightly cool.
- Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron – a dark, almost black neutral with blue undertones.
- Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White – bright neutral white that leans cool.
- Sherwin Williams Iron Ore – rich, deep gray that acts neutral.
- Sherwin Williams Cyberspace – deep blue, almost black.
- Benjamin Moore White Dove – a soft, warm-leaning white.
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace – neutral, crisp, clean, bright white.
13 Great Blue-Gray Paint Colors for Your Home
Ok, let’s check out some of the best blue-gray paints! This list is a mix of colors that I have personally loved and recommend as well as colors that other designers recommend.
In order to prevent overwhelming you with too many choices, I’m only including a few of the most popular and versatile shades. Please note that if you don’t see the perfect shade on this list, there are many other options out there!
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
1. Benjamin Moore Smoke
This shade has slight green undertones that give Benjamin Moore Smoke a coastal vibe.

It has enough gray in it and is deep enough that it can appear moody in rooms with low levels of natural light.
It is a favorite paint shade for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and bedrooms, like this amazing space from Erin Kestenbaum, where she used Smoke for the trim and area below the chair rail molding.

2. Sherwin Williams Krypton
If you want a shade that can do a good amount of color-shifting, Sherwin Williams Krypton may be the winner.
This gorgeous blue-gray paint color is a good balance of blue and gray, so it can play around a LOT with how it appears.

These cabinets from @dicherryhomes read more periwinkle blue, but there are other times when Krypton can appear steely blue.
3. Sherwin Williams Olympus White
Although this shade lives in the pale gray family, it has noticeable blue undertones that can be quite pronounced at times.

You can see these undertones coming through in this nursery image from Meghan Mosakowski. Thanks to the light gray base, Sherwin Williams Olympus White often pairs extremely well with other (darker) blue-gray paint colors!
One of Ben Moore’s most popular shades of navy, Hale Navy HC-154, has a little secret. This color isn’t true blue. It’s actually quite gray.
Personally, I think its dark and moody undertones amp Hale Navy’s usability quite frankly, making it more of a neutral shade.

This is a shade we’ve used and embrace in our own home. You can see it here on our dressing room ceiling.

5. Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray
If you’re looking for a bold and moody blue-gray paint color, this might be a great option.

Benjamin Moore’s Gentleman’s Gray would probably best be described as stormy, but it’s oh-so-gorgeous! Check out this bedroom from Z Design at Home.
6. Benjamin Moore Van Courtland Blue
I would describe Van Courtland Blue as a medium blue with slight gray undertones.

It’s clearly more blue than gray, but it’s just muted enough to act neutral and lovely. I think it’s the perfect blue-gray paint color for this accent wall from Lilac and Lip Gloss!
7. Sherwin Williams Sea Serpent
Here’s a deep stormy blue-gray paint that’s more gray than blue.

There’s enough blue in it that it offers color, but it’s also neutral enough that wood and fall-toned colors shine when paired with Sea Serpent. And it’s dark enough to tone down this fall-themed entryway from Mindfully Gray.
8. Sherwin Williams Honest Blue
If you want a toned-down baby blue, check out Honest Blue.

It’s a pale blue-gray and acts neutral enough to work well with fun pops of color, as @candidlyashleigh did in this kids’ bedroom.
9. Behr Streetwise
How about a blue-gray paint color that almost (but doesn’t quite) fades into the background?

Take a page from @_angelabelt and use Behr Streetwise on the walls to tie together other bolder pops of color!
10. Sherwin Williams Poolhouse
Create a restful getaway by choosing Poolhouse for the bedroom like Decor and the Dog did.

This blue-gray paint color leans slightly more blue than gray, so it offers an ideal pop of color in this otherwise white and gray room.
11. Sherwin Williams Waterloo
Evolution of Style drew inspiration for this kitchen makeover from a beautiful fabric pattern. If you’re having a hard time choosing colors, this is a GREAT technique.

It works so well because the fabric will guide your color choices and then tie everything together if you use it as an accent piece, like this window treatment!
While the island is painted the fun blue-grey “Waterloo” the perimeter cabinets are a nice, crisp white…SW Snowbound. As for the wall color here, Jenny can’t recall for sure, but she thinks it is SW Silvermist.
12. Behr Alice White
Light blue-gray paint colors can be a great way to tie other dark and bold colors together, as Casa Watkins Living did in this living room.

Alice White was an inspired choice here because it’s just light and neutral enough to work well with both the deep teal and lime green!
13. Sherwin Williams Meditative
Just the name of this blue-gray paint makes me feel calmer and more serene!

I think Meditative is an ideal choice for this nursery from @thisearlhouse because it’s neutral enough to let almost any nursery theme shine. And it doesn’t hurt when a color helps to calm down a fussy baby.
14. Benjamin Moore Normandy
BONUS COLOR! Had to throw this one in, because Normandy is a hard color to forget!

Whether you want a bold but easy-on-the-eyes bedroom color (like this one from Patrick Ediger) or a shade that looks great on Zoom calls, this medium-depth blue-gray paint color is a winner every time.
Aren’t blue-gray paint colors amazing? Pick one to add a peaceful ambiance to any room or to tie together other bold colors. Really, I don’t think you can go wrong when it comes to blue-gray paint!
Be sure to grab some re-usable, re-positionable paint samples to see how your top shades will look in your home before committing to them.
Need even more color options? Here are some saturated shades that may fit the bill! No whites, or boring beiges here…
- Cyberspace (Sherwin Williams)
- Pewter Green (Sherwin Williams)
- Aegean Teal (Benjamin Moore)
- Beach Glass (Benjamin Moore)
- Naval (Sherwin Williams)
- Cheating Heart (Benjamin Moore)
- Palladian Blue (Benjamin Moore)
- Wrought Iron (Benjamin Moore)
- Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams)
- Peppercorn (Sherwin Williams)
- 10 Best Blue-Green Paint Colors For A Beautiful Home
- 13 Most Popular Navy Blue Paint Colors Right Now
- Best Timeless Blue Kitchen Cabinets (Ideas + Tips)
- 15 Best Blue Paint Colors To Make Your Home Beautiful
Pin these perfect blue gray paint colors for later. And if you use one in your own home, leave a comment on the pin. That helps others decide if one of these blue grey shades is one they’d like to try in their own home!

Ready to show those boring, beige walls who’s the boss at home? Grab my free guide to help you sidestep the mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.

Leave a Reply