When selecting a grey paint color for your home, it’s important to consider the undertones. While some grey paints have a cool blue or green undertone, others feature subtle hints of purple or pink. The undertone can dramatically affect how the grey paint looks once it’s on your walls and can complement or clash with your existing decor. So how do you find the perfect grey with just a touch of purple? Here’s what to consider when shopping for grey paint colors with purple undertones.
What Causes Grey Paint to Have Purple Undertones?
The purple or pinkish tint in certain grey paint colors is created through carefully mixing the paint pigments. Grey is naturally a neutral color, meaning it lacks strong color pigments. True grey contains equal parts black and white pigments only. However, paint manufacturers will often add a small amount of color pigment to grey to create an undertone.
Adding a tiny bit of purple, red, or pink pigment to the grey base results in a grey with purple or pink undertones. You may see these shades labeled as lavender grey, heather grey, or antique grey at the paint store. The amount of purple pigment added will determine how subtle or prominent the purple undertone appears once the paint is on your walls.
Benefits of Choosing a Grey Paint with Purple Undertones
A grey paint color with faint purple undertones offers several benefits:
- Provides a warmer, cozier effect than plain grey – the hint of purple makes the grey feel more inviting and lush
- Complements blues and greens – a grey with purple undertones pairs beautifully with cool blues, emeralds, and sage greens
- Works well with metallics – the purple undertone makes greys pop when paired with champagne golds, bronzes, silvers, and other metallics
- Distinct from blues and greens – greys with purple stay neutral but the purple sets them apart from blue-green grey shades
- Easier to decorate with than true purple – the neutral grey base makes accessorizing simpler than using a bold purple paint
Overall, grey paint colors with subtle purple undertones provide a unique neutral backdrop that feels warm, inviting, and upscale. The versatility of the color also makes it easy to decorate the space.
Popular Grey Paint Colors with Purple Undertones
If you’re seeking the perfect grey paint with just a kiss of purple, here are some of the most popular options to consider:
| Paint Color Name | Paint Brand |
|---|---|
| Accessible Beige | Benjamin Moore |
| Chelsea Gray | Benjamin Moore |
| Gray Cashmere | Behr |
| Mindful Gray | Sherwin Williams |
| Silverpointe | Valspar |
| Tradewind | Valspar |
Here is an overview of some of the most popular grey paint selections that feature subtle purple tones:
Accessible Beige – Benjamin Moore: A light grey beige with vague purple undertones. The pale grey canvas lets decor pop while the faint purple adds warmth.
Chelsea Gray – Benjamin Moore: A grey with strong purple undertones to create a taupe-purple effect. Provides a calm, soothing backdrop.
Gray Cashmere – Behr: A soft, pale grey with just a whisper of purple. Reads as subtle neutral with a touch of lavender.
Mindful Gray – Sherwin Williams: A light grey with barely detectable hints of purple. Cool yet soothing on walls.
Silverpointe – Valspar: A greige (grey-beige) paint with light purple undertones. Warm and mellow neutral color.
Tradewind – Valspar: A warm light grey paint with subtle purple finish. Inviting backdrop that complements bold accent colors.
Choosing the Right Grey Paint with Purple Undertones for Your Space
When selecting a grey paint color with purple or lavender undertones for your home, here are a few tips:
- Decide on light or dark – Do you want the purple grey to read as soft and airy or rich and cocooning? Light purple greys feel ethereal while dark hues are enveloping.
- Mind the undertones – Go for grey with strong purple undertones if you want it to contrast with yellows and reds. Choose a subtle undertone to coordinate with more colors.
- Sample in your space – Never decide on paint color without sampling it on your walls in natural light. The purple undertones may look different in your room lighting.
- Pair with warm metals – The purple hints in greys make them perfect for pairing with polished brass, gold, and oil-rubbed bronze.
- Coordinate textures – Accent smooth grey walls with nubby purple textiles and rugs for dimension. Mirrors also reflect the purple in the paint.
Pay attention to adjoining rooms too. A grey with strong purple undertones may clash with a bright red dining room but suit a nursery with purple accents. Think about the overall home color scheme when selecting grey paint.
Achieving Different Moods with Purple-Grey Paint Colors
Varying the intensity of the purple undertones and the lightness or darkness of the grey base allows you to set different moods with purple-tinged grey paint. Here are some of the looks you can achieve:
Ethereal: For an airy, dreamy vibe, use a very light grey paint with faint lavender hints like Silverpointe by Valspar or Pale Violet by Glidden. Trim windows with gauzy panels and add purple flowering plants.
Romantic: Medium grey paint colors with distinct purple notes set a romantic ambiance. Try Backdrop or Smokey Violet by Behr. Add candles, fresh flowers, and lace or velvet accents.
Mysterious: Deeper shades of grey with obvious purple undertones seem exotic and alluring. Colors like Argos by Sherwin-Williams or Evening Dove by Benjamin Moore set this mysterious mood. Illuminate the room with sconces and accent with rich colored textiles.
Regal: For a majestic feel, cover walls in a darker grey with strong purple undertones, like Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore. Use as a backdrop for ornate gilded mirrors and metallic decor.
Cozy: For a warm, welcoming effect, opt for a greige paint with subtle violet-grey undertones, such as Accessible Beige by Benjamin Moore. Add plush blankets and stained wood accents.
Applying Grey Paint with Purple Undertones
Use these painting tips to properly apply your chosen grey paint with purple undertones:
- Prep walls properly by cleaning, spackling, sanding, and priming so the purple grey paint goes on smoothly.
- Choose the right paint finish – shiny pearl or glossy finishes will bring out bolder purple tones while flat or matte sheens are more muted.
- Use a primer tinted to match the purple grey paint for best coverage.
- Apply two coats using overlapping “W” strokes to avoid streaks and inconsistencies.
- Work in sections and maintain a wet edge as you paint to ensure the purple undertone looks even throughout the space.
- Let each coat fully dry before adding the next coat.
- Use angled cutting brushes for clean lines along ceilings, trim, windows, and corners.
- Backroll edges to blend overlaps seamlessly.
Proper prep and technique will allow you to achieve flawless walls in your perfect hue of purple-toned grey paint.
Conclusion
Grey paint colors with subtle purple undertones provide a gorgeous, versatile neutral backdrop in any room. Light greys with a hint of lavender create an ethereal vibe, while deeper shades cloaked in purple inspire a regal, mysterious ambiance. Popular grey paint options like Accessible Beige, Mindful Grey, and Tradewind offer a neutral canvas with a dose of warmth from the violet undertones. Prepping surfaces thoroughly and applying two coats in a “W” pattern ensures you’ll achieve flawless, even coverage. A well-chosen grey paint with the perfect undertone of purple complements your room beautifully.