When it comes to home decor, choosing paint colors can be a difficult decision. Two popular neutral shades, warm grey and cool grey, are often debated. Warm greys have undertones of red, yellow, or orange that give a cozy feel. Cool greys have hints of blue or green for a more sleek look. This article will compare warm and cool greys to help you determine which is better for your space. We’ll look at how light affects these shades, which rooms they suit, how they coordinate with other colors, and more. With the right information, you can confidently pick a grey with the perfect temperature for your needs.
How Lighting Affects Warm and Cool Greys
Lighting plays a key role in how warm and cool greys appear in a room. Here’s how different light sources impact these shades:
Warm Greys
– Incandescent or natural light accentuates the warm undertones, making the color appear more tan or beige.
– Cool fluorescent lighting offsets the warm hues, making the grey seem icy or blue-ish.
Cool Greys
– Warm incandescent light offsets the cool undertones, giving the color a softer, more neutral look.
– Natural daylight emphasizes the icy blue and green undertones, making the grey appear crisp.
– Cool fluorescent light highlights the cooler tones, making the grey seem icy blue-green.
So warm greys look cozier in warm lighting while cool greys appear brighter in natural or cool fluorescent light. Take the lighting in your space into account when selecting a grey.
Which Rooms Suit Warm vs. Cool Greys
Warm and cool greys each work better in certain rooms based on the overall mood you want to create:
Warm greys are ideal for:
– Cozy living rooms
– Bedrooms
– Dining rooms
– Offices
The warm undertones create a relaxed, inviting environment perfect for lounging and entertaining.
Cool greys are well-suited for:
– Sleek, modern kitchens
– Minimalist bathrooms
– Bright laundry rooms
– Energetic kids’ rooms
The crisp, cool tone feels clean and contemporary, perfect for busy spaces.
When selecting a grey, consider the mood you want for each room and choose a warm or cool shade accordingly.
Coordinating Warm and Cool Greys with Other Colors
Warm and cool greys pair beautifully with different color palettes. Here’s how each grey color coordinates with other shades:
Warm greys complement:
– Earth tones like brown, tan, and terracotta
– Rich wood stains and finishes
– Brick, sandstone, and wood siding
– Warm metals like copper and bronze
– Cream, peach, sage, and olive greens
Cool greys look stunning with:
– Crisp black and white
– Sleek chrome and stainless steel
– Marble, granite, concrete, and tile
– Pine green, denim blue, and sky blue
– Pops of citrus yellow, tomato red, and violet
Matching your grey to colors with similar cool or warm undertones creates a cohesive, pulled-together look.
Comparing Popular Warm and Cool Grey Paint Colors
Looking at popular paint shades can help finalize your warm or cool grey choice. Here’s how some bestselling greys compare:
Warm greys:
– Agreeable Grey by Sherwin-Williams – warm beige-brown
– Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore – warm with hints of tan
– Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore – warm with subtle orange undertones
– Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams – warm sandstone beige
– Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams – warm stone grey
Cool greys:
– Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore – cool with hints of green
– Silverdrop by Behr – cooler tone with blue undertones
– Classic Gray by Sherwin-Williams – cool with hints of blue
– Sparrow by Behr – light silvery cool grey
– Rain by Sherwin-Williams – medium cool grey with hints of blue
As you can see, the warm greys lean beige and tan while the cool greys have icy hints of blue and green. Choose a grey with undertones you like.
Comparing the Pros and Cons of Warm and Cool Greys
Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of warm and cool greys can make your decision easier:
Warm Greys:
Pros:
– Cozy and inviting
– Give rooms a lived-in, relaxed look
– Warm lighting makes the color richer
Cons:
– Can read as tan or brown rather than grey
– Cool lighting makes it look dirty or icy
Cool Greys:
Pros:
– Crisp and modern
– Brighter and more vibrant
– Natural light makes the color shine
Cons:
– Can feel cold or sterile
– Warm light offsets the cool tones
So weigh whether you want a cozier warm grey or a sleek cool grey. The pros and cons can steer you towards the right temperature.
Should You Choose a Warm, Cool, or Neutral Grey?
If you’re still undecided between warm and cool, consider a more neutral grey without strong undertones. Some popular neutral greys include:
-ographer by Clare
– Anonymous by Benjamin Moore
– Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore
– Mindful Gray by Sherwin-Williams
– Cityscape by Sherwin-Williams
These shades fall evenly between warm and cool for a flexible, versatile grey option. They work in any lighting and pair with both warm and cool palettes. A neutral grey is a foolproof choice that’s easy to decorate around.
Tips for Decorating with Warm or Cool Greys
Decorating with warm or cool greys is easy with these tips:
– Add warmth with wood furniture, textiles, and finishes.
– Create a cool look with sleek metallics, marble, and glass.
– Pull out undertones with coordinating accessories and art.
– Add pops of contrasting colors for visual interest.
– Adjust lighting to emphasize the undertones you want.
– Repaint trim in crisp white for a sharp, modern look.
– Paint ceiling the same color for a soothing, cocooning effect.
– Ground the grey with an accent wall in a dark, saturated shade.
– Layer greys of different depths and temperatures for depth.
With smart decorating choices, you can really maximize the impact of your chosen grey shade.
Warm Grey vs Cool Grey – Which is More Popular?
Both warm and cool greys have been trending in recent years. But according to leading paint brands, warm greys are more sought-after overall.
For instance, Sherwin-Williams reported their top grey paint colors in 2020 were:
1. Repose Gray – warm with brown undertones
2. Agreeable Grey – warm with tan undertones
3. Mindful Gray – neutral
4. Gray Screen – slightly warm
5. Dorian Gray – warm with subtle red undertones
And Benjamin Moore’s 5 best-selling greys for 2021 included:
1. Revere Pewter – warm with tan undertones
2. Gray Owl – warm with orange undertones
3. Stonington Gray – warm with brown undertones
4. Kendall Charcoal – slightly warm
5. Horizon – warm brown-grey
As you can see, the majority of popular greys lean warm instead of cool. Consumers seem to favor cozy, inviting warm greys over crisp cool shades for most living spaces. However, cool greys have gained ground in modern and minimalist designs.
Conclusion
So should you choose warm grey or cool grey? When deciding between these versatile neutrals, consider your room, lighting, color scheme, and decor. Warm greys create a cozier ambiance perfect for sleeping and living areas. Cool greys have an airier, more contemporary look ideal for bright, busy spaces. Lighting also impacts how each shade appears. But you can’t go wrong with a neutral grey that works everywhere. Now that you know how to compare warm and cool greys, you can choose your perfect shade with confidence. With smart pairing and decorating, you’re sure to love how this classic neutral looks in your home.
