Read all about Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray, plus see real homes that use it!
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) is a balanced, warm-leaning medium-dark gray paint that adds eye-catching sophistication to many homes.
In this paint series, I’ve covered many “shades of gray” because there are more options for gray paint than there are Starbucks locations (okay, maybe not REALLY, but you get the point).
I’m a girl who loves having options – who wants to feel stuck or confined? But even I can get overwhelmed at times when there are too many.
Choosing gray paint tends to feel that way for many people because there are SO many possibilities – and some only have very subtle differences between them. And with so many opting for medium to light shades, I’ve spent some time focusing on shades such as Light French Gray or Stonington Gray.
After covering several of those types of grays, I’m excited to break out of my self-created “mold” and go a little bolder with Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray.
What color is Gauntlet Gray?
Gauntlet Gray is a medium-dark gray paint that leans towards the warm side of the temperature scale.
Shades that lean warm have yellow, cream (which has yellow), orange, red, or brown in their base. Gauntlet Gray gets its warmth from a little bit of brown in its base.
It’s an inviting color that lends a cozy, moody look to interior spaces, although it’s not as deep as you would expect dark paint colors to be. Gauntlet Gray is a rich and gorgeous color that will add depth and sophistication.
Exterior spaces will see Gauntlet Gray display more of its warmth and softness due to warm natural lighting.
FAQs about Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray
What other colors are similar to Gauntlet Gray?
Unfortunately, Benjamin Moore doesn’t have a color exactly like this beautiful hue because differences in the color mixing process inherently produce variances in temperature, depth, and undertones.
If you’re seeking a color like Gauntlet Gray in the Benjamin Moore line of paints, check out Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray or Metropolis.
Is Sherwin Williams’s Gauntlet Gray warm or cool?
Gauntlet Gray is a warm color. People who are looking for a traditional gray will probably find that this color will not be as neutral as they seek. It won’t show up as overly warm, but it will help to warm up a cool room. 
Where should I use Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray?
This is a gorgeous color that can truly be used anywhere. However, I say that with the provision that it is a dark color. But, if you move forward with an eyes wide open attitude, Gauntlet Gray can shine in so many spaces, including:
• Cabinets
• Kitchen islands
• Accents
• Trims
• Exterior doors
• Laundry rooms
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Living rooms
• Kitchens
• Theater room
• Exteriors
Gauntlet Gray is a beautiful neutral shade that will look stunning in modern, traditional, contemporary, farmhouse, and transitional styles of homes.
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray Undertones
Gauntlet Gray is a pretty balanced warm gray.
It has a VERY mild purple undertone. Many people don’t like purple undertones and shy away from amazing colors such as Benjamin Moore Pale Oak for that reason. If you are one of those people, I highly encourage you to give Gauntlet Gray a look because the purple undertones are so mild that they are often not even noticeable.
One thing to note about undertones is that colors with mild undertones tend to pick up other undertones since they aren’t truly committed to an undertone. In the case of Gauntlet Gray, it can occasionally pick up a hint of green.
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How Different Types of Lighting Affect Sherwin Williams’s Gauntlet Gray
Natural light exposure shifts throughout the day as the sun moves through the sky. Thanks to this shifting natural light, don’t expect ANY paint color to look the same in two different areas or at different times of the day (even sometimes in different places in the same room!).
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Here’s an idea of how you can expect Gauntlet Gray to look in homes based on different types of natural lighting.
- North-facing light – blue-tinted, cool northern light will cause Gauntlet Gray to look a little darker and subdued. It will tend to read grayer and cooler (but still maintain passive warmth) in northern lighting.
- South-facing light – warm yellow southern light will make this shade appear lighter and warmer. You’ll likely notice more of the brown undertones.
- East-facing light – eastern light is warm and yellow in the morning and shadowy and blue-tinted in the afternoon. Gauntlet Gray will read warm and lighter in the morning before changing to display its shadowier side later in the day.
- West-facing light – expect cooler light in the morning and very warm light later in the day. Gauntlet Gray will start the day on a grayer note and shift toward its warmer brown undertones later in the day.
Great Coordinating Colors for Gauntlet Gray
Gauntlet Gray is one versatile bold shade. Some darker, bolder colors can be pretty darn picky. Although Gauntlet Gray isn’t AS versatile as a deep color like Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams, It does offer a lot of flexibility.
And it absolutely loves pairing with lighter, warmer neutrals!
If you need some specific color pairing ideas, check out these shades to safely pair with Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray:
- Repose Gray
- Armagnac
- Eider White
- Agreeable Gray
- Amazing Gray
- Outerspace
- Krypton
- Pure White
- Silvermist
- Riverway
- Dorian Gray
- Creamy
- Light French Gray
- Elle Gray
- Aesthetic White
- Mindful Gray
- Sea Salt
- Urbane Bronze
LRV of Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019)
LRV is an abbreviation for “light reflectance value.” Why does that number matter? It’s a helpful and objective way of measuring how much light is reflected (instead of absorbed) by a particular shade. In other words, it’s a reliable indicator of how light or dark a shade will appear in your home.
LRV ranges from 0 – 100. A color with an LRV of 0 is pure black. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an LRV of 100 is the brightest white you can imagine.
The LRV of Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray = 17
This LRV value means that SW Gauntlet Gray sits on the lighter end of the dark end of paint colors. Some people might say it’s on the dark side of the medium saturation range. Either way, this range is awesome to add some depth – especially in well-lit rooms.
You’ll notice some softness as well as a bold quality to this color. And since it kind of straddles both dark and medium ranges, it’s easy to use in A LOT of spaces.
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Gauntlet Gray Compared to Other Colors
It’s time to compare and contrast this hue with some similar paint colors to highlight the unique qualities of each shade. Let’s dive in!
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray vs. Dovetail
To kick things off, let’s compare Gauntlet Gray to the popular Sherwin Williams Dovetail (SW 7018).
A true medium gray, Dovetail’s LRV of 26 makes it quite a bit brighter than Gauntlet Gray. Although they’re both gorgeous warm grays, Dovetail is slightly more versatile for spaces that have poor natural light.
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray vs. Grizzle Gray
Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray (SW 7068) comes in a bit darker than Gauntlet Gray, with an LRV of 13. In addition to being darker, it’s also cool-toned and lacks the brown undertones of today’s highlighted shade.
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray vs. Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069) has an impressive LRV of 6 (remember, 0 is pure black!), making it appear black in many uses. Like Gauntlet Gray, it has a subtle softness and warmth that sets it apart from true black. You can almost use these two colors interchangeably.
More Colors to Consider
Gah! Choosing deep colors can take some work! If you just aren’t ready to commit to Gauntlet Gray at this point, check out these other lovely moody shades.
- Chelsea Gray (Benjamin Moore) – a sophisticated shade of gray
- Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams) – a dark, stormy, moody gray
- Urbane Bronze (Sherwin Williams) – dark, moody, and Sherwin Williams’ “2021 Color of the Year”
- Peppercorn (Sherwin Williams) – a true, deep, dark, gray
- Wrought Iron (Benjamin Moore) – a dark, muted black with gray and brown undertones
- Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a lightened-up, unassuming gray shade
- Pewter Green (Sherwin Williams) – very dark green with strong gray undertones
- Anew Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a popular greige paint
- 15 BEST Brown Paint Colors For Rich, Velvety Warmth
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- 13 FAVORITE Soothing Blue-Gray Paint Colors To Love
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Get a zero-cost 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!⤵️
Real Life Homes Using Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray
Okay, the information overload is complete! You need the background info on Gauntlet Gray so that you’re armed with knowledge. But information only takes you so far. After a certain point, you need to SEE how colors behave, and my friends, we have reached that point.
Here are real homes and spaces using Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray for you to see!
SW Gauntlet Gray Living Rooms
Sheen note: Picking the right color is only winning the battle, not the war. Remember to pick the right paint finish, or sheen, also! Read up on what you need to know about picking the perfect paint sheen.
1. Moody Color for a Living Space
The Graphics Fairy made great use of this moody shade to create a chic and inviting space for unwinding after a busy day. Gauntlet Gray reads neutral without any obvious undertones here.
2. Showing a Hint of Green
The warm light and surrounding decor in this living room from A Pretty House Rocks make the walls pick up a wink of green undertone.
Bedrooms Painted Gauntlet Gray
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
3. Chic Master Retreat
I know this bedroom is Style Blueprint‘s, but can it be mine?! The white and cream perfectly complement the dark paint to create a classic, chic space.
4. Gauntlet Gray is Out of this World
Are you looking to create a space-themed kids’ room? Although this room from Houzz is a bedroom, the same theme could work well as a playroom, too!
5. Modern Gray Bedroom
Young House Love created a modern bedroom using Gauntlet Gray as the background color so that the fun colors in the decor can take center stage.
6. Just Right for an Accent Color
Medium-dark grays like this shade make terrific accent colors. Home with Krissy shows a great example of this by painting the door and hallway wall.
Gauntlet Gray in Kitchens
For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).
7. A Classic Charcoal Look
Buckeye Paint employs a classic charcoal and white color combination, which gives this kitchen a sophisticated decor palette. Love!
8. Warm Gray Cabinet Paint
A Pinterest Addict shows off two-toned cabinets. The Gauntlet Gray lower cabinets are eye-catching, while the white uppers keep the small kitchen feeling airy and spacious.
Dining Spaces using Gauntlet Gray Paint
9. Beautiful Feature Wall Paint Choice
Pamela Harvey Interiors shares a beautiful example of using Gauntlet Gray on an accent wall to create a drool-worthy dining room seen via Houzz (photo credit: Chuck Thomas).
10. Rustic Yet Modern
Let those wood tones and white accents shine! Using Gauntlet Gray in this eat-in area from Little Brags draws the eyes to the large windows to enjoy that unbeatable view.
11. Fantastic for a Feature Wall
Deep, moody colors are ideal for accent walls, and the woodwork pattern on this wall from @sprucedandco helps to create a chic space you long to see every day.
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray Bathrooms
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
12. Relaxing Retreat That’s Leaning Green
Remember how I mentioned that Gauntlet Gray can have a tendency to pick up green undertones? That’s exactly what’s happening in this bathroom from Evolution of Style, thanks to all the green coming through that gorgeous window.
13. A Deep Neutral Gray Master Suite
Turn a huge bathroom like this one from Buckeye Paint into a cozy spa-like retreat by using a rich, sophisticated shade on the walls.
Exteriors using Gauntlet Gray SW
14. Stunning in the Sunlight
A Simpler Design expertly uses Gauntlet Gray on the exterior. The natural light lightens up the color, so it still reads rich and gorgeous without looking too dark. Trim color seen here is Eider White.
15. Warm Compliment to Red Brick
Gauntlet Gray is a great color for the siding on this house exterior by Elegant Painting. It is a lovely background color that complements the dark tones in the bricks while also letting them be the element that draws the eye.
Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray in Other Homes
16. Plays Well with Lighter Grays
He and She Eat Clean knows that Gauntlet Gray plays well with light, warm greiges. In this hallway, they used Agreeable Gray on the walls, and Gauntlet Gray for the interior side of the front door. If you’re craving a monochromatic color scheme, consider this shade for the dark portion.
17. Works with Wood Tones
This gray shiplap fireplace from At Home with the Barkers is lovely, right? The bright lighting lightens up the shade – and so does the gold flower accent!
Sonya was right when she decided that SW 7019 was the best gray paint color for this beautiful accent area. Look how strongly it pops agains the bright white trim color (the crown molding).
18. Bold Entry Look
Now, doesn’t that Gauntlet Gray accent wall from @jackpowers84 catch your eye immediately? The gorgeous staircase shines in front of it.
Now that you’ve had a chance to see Gauntlet Gray in action, have I convinced you to grab a peel and stick paint swatch of this rich shade? I hope you love all that this gorgeous bold gray color has to offer as much as I do!
Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!
Ready to show those boring, bland walls who’s the boss at home? This no-cost guide will help you sidestep mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
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