Behr’s 50 Shades of Grey

A close up detail of a silk tie and multiple gray-toned paint swatches.
Even if you haven’t read the books or are planning to see the movie 50 Shades of Grey this weekend, there are plenty of grey shades out there to pique your interest! In honor of the movie’s release, I’ve gone out and painted my nails today in an intriguing shade of grey…If you’ve ever lived with a grey before, you know it makes rooms feel very chic and glamorous. Grey is a color that adds instant polish and even an air of mystery to a space. They aren’t really demanding, but they do command attention. They set any tone you like from light and spacious to smoky and mysterious. I like tone on tone greys because it is easy to mix in other colors and change the mood of the room.

Layered shades of gray in the bedroom for a comfortably masculine look.
Grey ranges in value from cool to warm shades. Steel grey may be considered on the cool side, while mushroom can feel warmer. Layering warm and cool greys gives bedding a sophisticated and masculine look.

 Grey ranges in value from cool to warm shades. Steel grey may be considered on the cool side, while mushroom can feel warmer. Layering warm and cool greys gives bedding a sophisticated and masculine look.

Mix and match textures when using tone on tone grays in a room.
Light to dark variations of grey works well too. Be sure to keep it interesting by using mix and match textures in a room that predominantly uses grey.

Light to dark variations of grey works well too. Be sure to keep it interesting by using mix and match textures in a room that predominantly uses grey.

And here they are: Behr’s complete range of popular greys! They vary in subtlety from warm to cool and light to dark. Some even carry nuances of other colors like green, blue or even violet – but all are fascinating and unqiue!
Is there such thing as a “true grey” that perfect balance between warm and cool? We like to think it is Classic Silver PPU18-1.
Fifty paint spills showcasing different tones of gray.
Colorfully yours,

Erika

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  • Cheryl Christine Mendez says...

    Hi there! My living room gets tons of natural light but my long hallway gets none at all. I would like to paint both the same color – a light, warm grey. Could you recommend a few colors that can resist getting completely washed out as well as keep my dingey hall from looking like a dungeon? Or should I paint these areas different shades, and if so, which? Thanks so so much!!!

    • Larayne Boaz says...

      Hi Cheryl,
      Try Toasty Gray in your living room and then go a shade lighter in the hallways with Campfire Ash. The colors are so similar but Campfire Ash is just a shade lighter which will help keep your hallways from getting too dingey. If you prefer a darker gray for the living room, go a shade darker with Perfect Taupe. This has just a touch more color than Toasty Gray and will still look nice with Campfire Ash in the hallways.
      Colorfully yours,
      Larayne

  • Sabine says...

    I’m looking for a medium grey with olive undertones to paint the exterior of our house

    • Diana Olvera says...

      Hi Sabine – some of the BEHR’s most popular grays with a slight olive undertone include: Old Celadon PPU25-05, Still Gray N360-3 and Battleship Gray N3560-4. Any of these options would be great for the exterior of the home.

      Colorfully yours,
      Diana

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