Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Choose the right paint colour
the first time Let me show you how in just 5 easy steps!
BONUS: The Top 15 Shades of Gray by Benjamin Moore
Classic Gray OC-23 by Benjamin Moore
Classic Gray is just that, Classic. It’s a sophisticated light gray that can add calmness to any room.
In this colour review video of Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore, I share:
- The undertone of my featured colour
- Colour comparisons in order to easily see the different colour tones
- Best white paint colours for the trim and ceilings
- Beautiful colour combinations to inspire you for your decorating project
After you watch the video, if you would like all this information conveniently laid out for you in one place and have even more paint colour combinations to use with Classic Gray, take a look at my new Perfect Colour Palette.
A must-have for any colour enthusiast or interior design professional!
As a Certified True Colour Expert and an award-winning interior design professional, I’ve worked with many homeowners on various residential interior design projects.
My goal is to give you the confidence to make educated decisions about your own paint choices. I appreciate that it can be very overwhelming to figure out how best to choose paint colours.
When you get to the end of this paint colour review post, you will see our interior design projects where we have used this beauty, Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore. Now, let’s do this!
Watch the video of my Classic Gray Colour Review
Undertone: Green
This warm gray paint colour may appear lighter or darker depending on the lighting and what other decorative elements you pair with it in your interior decorating project.
Looking at the Benjamin Moore colour comparisons below will help give you a better idea of where Classic Gray fits in as a neutral.
Colour Comparisons
Edgecomb Gray HC-173 & Horizon OC-53
Edgecomb Gray is also a green gray and when it’s next to Classic Gray, you can see that it looks slightly more beige. Whereas Horizon, show at the bottom of this colour palette, is a soft blue gray.
Best Whites To Pair With Classic Gray
White Diamond OC-61 by Benjamin Moore
Cloud White CC-40 by Benjamin Moore
Chantilly Lace OC-45 by Benjamin Moore
I have around 6-8 white paint colours that are my best whites for trim and ceilings. You don’t need all of the thousands of whites available to you to get the right one and you definitely don’t need to mix two different whites or use only a certain percentage of paint colour to get the right one for you. The right white is out there.
When people try to get fancy and create a ‘custom colour’, what that really means is that they don’t really understand colour.
There are over 5132 paint colours alone between Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball – if you know what you are doing when specifying paint colour, you don’t need to create something new.
I can assure you that the best colour for your project already exists, you just need my 5 Steps on how to choose the right paint colour the first time.
Fabulous Colour Combinations
Classic Gray with Charmeuse, Jamestown Blue & Granite
Charmeuse AF-265 by Benjamin Moore
Jamestown Blue HC-148 by Benjamin Moore
Granite AF-660 by Benjamin Moore
Classic Gray in Interior Design
Below are professional photos from my portfolio where you can see Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore in two different projects that we’ve done for Burlington clients. I referenced these in the video, but here you will see more images to get extra interior design and colour inspiration!
This first project is a formal living room off the front foyer of my client’s home. You can see how beautifully it pairs with the accent wall painted Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. I love creating contrast in my designs!
See more photos from this project in my portfolio.
When working on this next project, the clients were looking for a more neutral palette overall. You can view the entire project here of this stunning main floor renovation.
Have you used Classic Gray in any of your home projects? Comment below to share your experience with this exquisite, warm green gray paint colour.
Convenience At Your Fingertips
All of the colour combinations shown above are included in my Perfect Colour Palette of Classic Gray
Classic Gray is now part of my Benjamin Moore Grays and Blue-Green Collection showcasing all 10 of my Benjamin Moore grays and blue-green Perfect Colour Palettes.
My Perfect Colour Palette library is expanding with more colours to help guide you through the process of choosing the best paint colour for your home.
Click here to see all of our Perfect Colour Palettes, including my carefully curated Collections for the best price.
If you want to get all my Benjamin Moore colour guides in one place, look no further than my Benjamin Moore Ultimate Collection. All 20 of my Benjamin Moore guides in one handy collection.
Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!
Take my Colour Quiz to find your Perfect Colour Palette.
Feature Room design by Claire Jefford, photo credit Stephani Buchman Photography.
Carrie
| 31 October 2020Hi Claire,
Thank you for doing this post. I have a question for you regarding paint color for my ceilings. I’m planning on using Classic Gray for the walls and Chantilly Lace for my doors and trim. Can I paint my ceiling the same color as the walls (Classic Gray) or should I use the trim color, or other white? Thank you, Carrie
Claire Jefford
| 1 November 2020Hi Carrie. For some past projects, albeit not many, we have used the same colour for trim as for the walls, especially if you are using white. It really depends on the look you are trying to achieve within the space and if you would like to draw extra attention to any trim or moldings.
Holly
| 16 June 2021Hello Claire! Do you think Classic Gray would work with a black and white kitchen in an open space with my dining table and living room? I have Benjamin Moore Oxford white kitchen cabinets, trim and millwork and my countertop is black pearl granite. My floors are LVP medium oak. I’m wondering Classic Gray has enough oomph to support a black and white kitchen. I found your blog after seeing your white bathroom on Maria Killam’s website. I was also wondering if I were to paint my walls Sherwin Williams Heron Plume (the closest color to BM Classic Gray, according to Maria Killiam) if I purchased your Classic Gray essential Colour Guide that the ten colors you suggest that coordinate with it would also coordinate with Heron Plume? I love your style and your essential colour guides are genious! Thank you. 🙂
Claire Jefford
| 16 July 2021Hello Holly. I’m so glad you found me through Maria’s blog post about my white bathroom. I love Maria! The best thing you can do is test the colour on a large sample. If your other finishes are black and white, then in theory, almost anything would work because those are both neutrals. We used Classic Gray on the walls in a clients home where her cabinets were done in Oxford Gray and it turned out beautifully.
Mary
| 14 July 2021Hi Claire, love your posts! Do you think Classic Gray walls would look nice with White Dove trim? Thanks, Mary
Claire Jefford
| 16 July 2021Yes!
Sarah
| 29 August 2021Would Classic Grey and Revere Pewter look okay together?
Claire Jefford
| 8 September 2021Absolutely Sarah! They are both green grays and make a fabulous colour combination.
Luciana
| 31 August 2021Hi Claire. Do you think Classic gray would look good in a family & kitchen room with honey oak cabinets! And we recently painted our fireplace build-ins kendall charcoal which came out great. Now trying to find a color for the rest of the space that will go well with Kendall and honey oat cabinets. Thank you in advance.
Claire Jefford
| 8 September 2021Hello Luciana. Just be careful that the colours of either the cabinetry or the walls don’t look too washed out. It really depends on the other elements in the space and the tone of the cabinetry. Kendall Charcoal and Classic Gray would look great with either Woodlawn Blue, Newburg Green or Pashmina -of course many others but that is a quick example of some ideas for you. It really depends on what else you have in your décor and what look you are going for. Good luck!
Mercedes
| 14 September 2021I just remodeled my apartment and wanted from the beginning an accent wall in hale navy; However had a hard time deciding what white to choose for the rest of the walls. My floors are grey tiles and because they grouted white I was afraid of using warmer whites on the walls ; like white dove. I decided hale navy accent wall with classic grey on the others. The girls room charmeuse and classic grey . Still need a nice white for ceiling and trims. Any advice?
Claire Jefford
| 16 September 2021Hi Mercedes! We have used both Classic Gray and White Dove with Hale Navy accent walls. It really depends which tone of white works best with all other finishes. Chantilly Lace is bright, Cloud White and White Dove are creamy options. Gather all of your samples and see how everything looks together.
Natalie
| 4 October 2021Hi there,
Does classic grey work with consc (leather) furniture? I was hoping to use two mid century chairs in my living room but am finding no examples of this palette! Help
Claire Jefford
| 14 October 2021Hi Natalie! If you mean cognac leather colour, yes, that with Classic Gray as a backdrop is lovely!
Brittany Arias
| 8 October 2021Hello. I recently had my painted my living room painted in classic grey and ceiling white dove. The trim, including molding, is a bright white. It seems the walls are warmer and darker than the walls, which was not a look I was going for. Any suggestions? Do you think the trim is what is causing the issue? Thank you!
Danielle Martin
| 9 November 2021Hi Claire,
Your paint reviews have helped me so much! Most of our house is Edgecomb Gray. I purchase your color palette for coordinating color suggestions but I’m still interested to know if Clasic Gray works with Edgecomb Gray for the bedrooms?
Thanks!
Claire Jefford
| 5 December 2021Hi Danielle! Yes, these are both green grays and would make a lovely,subtle paint colour combination.
Ian
| 4 December 2021Hi, for the Burlington client with classic gray and hale navy, what is the trim color that you used? I’m pairing blue note and classic gray and i’m looking for inspiration on the trim. I was originally thinking cloud white, because that matches my counters but I’m afraid it won’t stand out as well against classic gray. Whatever trim color you used looks great. thanks!
Claire Jefford
| 5 December 2021Hi Ian! Off the top of my head, I can’t recall the exact colour. But I believe it could have been Cloud White, as that white works with both these colours nicely.
Caitlin
| 29 September 2022Hi! We are moving into a house with very white trim, dark brown walls and the ceilings are different shades of cream. I am trying to take it more neutral and modern. Would it look okay to do walls and ceilings in Classic Grey?
Claire Jefford
| 3 October 2022Hi Caitlin. You need to look at Classic Gray with the other colours in the space. I can’t say for sure without seeing it. Please refer to my Free download for choosing the right paint colours the first time, as this will help. Thanks and good luck! –> https://clairejefford.com/ccd-freebies/
Judy
| 2 November 2022Hi Claire
I want to repaint my kitchen cabinets in classic gray . My counter is a whitish with gray green veining but I have a light beige tile with pink undertone. Do you think the classic gray may work?
I learned after I got my counter I should have picked a warm counter because of my floor
Claire Jefford
| 4 November 2022Hi Judy. I suggest painting a large colour board in Classic Gray and maybe even a couple of other colours you may be considering and see how those look when paired with your counters. As Classic Gray is a green-gray and you are saying that your counters have similar toned veining, it may very well be a great choice.
Margaret
| 18 December 2022Does classic gray on kitchen cabinets work well with dark red oak floors and white countertop (Viatera lumina to be exact.
Claire Jefford
| 19 January 2023Hi Margaret. You want to be looking at all the finishes together to know for sure if everything will work well. Just note that Classic Gray has a green undertone, so because you have red toned flooring and red & green are complimentary colours, it may bring out more of the green in the gray than you’d like. Always test first with a large colour board and move it around the room at different times of the day to see how the colour reads in your home with your finishes.