Looking for the perfect gray paint color for your home? Let’s compare Stonington Gray vs Gray Owl to see if one might be perfect for your space!
Gray paint colors are popular because they provide a great neutral backdrop for a variety of spaces. They’re easy to work with and can complement any style of decor effortlessly.
Sounds easy enough to go with a gray paint color then, right? Unfortunately, not so fast!
Gray paint colors can have various undertones, lean warm or cool, and be light or dark, so it’s important to understand the details before committing to one.
Today I want to compare two super popular shades of gray paint – Stonington Gray and Gray Owl.
Let’s talk about the difference between these two popular shades.
Read my full review of Stonington Gray
Read my full review of Gray Owl
Stonington Gray vs Gray Owl
BM Stonington Gray and Gray Owl are similar neutral, gray paint colors that work well in a variety of spaces. The biggest difference is that Stonington Gray is darker.
What is similar about Stonington Gray vs Gray Owl?
Stonington Gray and Gray Owl are both considered light to mid-toned gray paint colors.
Both are light and neutral enough to work as whole house paint colors. Both Stonington Gray and Gray Owl pair best with bright whites for trim.
While both Stonington Gray and Gray Owl have blue and green undertones, they come across differently, as outlined below.
What is different about Stonington Gray vs Gray Owl?
Stonington Gray is darker and more muted, and Gray Owl is lighter and more saturated.
Also, Stonington Gray has very minimal undertones, and Gray Owl has noticeable blue and green undertones.
| Stonington Gray | Gray Owl | |
| LRV | 59 | 65 |
| RBG | R: 201 G: 201 B: 194 | R: 212 G: 210 B: 203 |
| Undertones | minimal, subtle blue and green | some blue and green |
Light Reflectance Value
Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.
Stonington Gray and Gray Owl are both light to mid-toned gray paint colors. With an LRV of 59 vs 65, Stonington Gray is noticeably darker than Gray Owl.
Undertones
Stonington Gray and Gray Owl have similar colored undertones, although they come across differently.
Stonington Gray has minimal undertones, but it can show subtle blue or green undertones, with the blue often being a bit stronger.
On the other hand, Gray Owl has more undertones overall, but they’re still not super strong. It also has blue and green undertones.
In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Stonington Gray will appear very gray. Gray Owl will appear a bit warmer, sometimes even looking a bit greige.
In north-facing rooms without much natural light, those blue and green undertones will be more apparent in both Stonington Gray and Gray Owl, although they’re often more noticeable in Gray Owl.
In some situations with very little light, Stonington Gray has been known to show subtle purple undertones as well.
It’s very important to swatch colors on your wall to make sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
How do I decide between these two colors?
Looking for the perfect gray paint? Stonington Gray and Gray Owl are solid choices.
Gray Owl goes well with coastal and farmhouse themes, while Stonington Gray shines in modern settings. Yet, both are neutral enough to suit most decor styles.
Opt for Gray Owl for a lighter touch or to warm up a south-facing room.
If you prefer deeper hues, Stonington Gray is your pick. Just be cautious with north-facing or dimly lit rooms, as Stonington Gray might show subtle purple undertones.
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl paint color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Still not sure what paint color to choose?
My Paint Color Formula ebook walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!
Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.