Looking for the perfect light gray paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Benjamin Moore Abalone and if it might be right for your home!
Light gray paint colors are a gorgeous option. They're neutral, they pair well with other colors and they provide a nice backdrop no matter what your decor style.
However, there are so many gorgeous light grays out there! Warm, cool, neutral. Undertones can vary from blue to green to pink to purple, even mauve! The possibilities are endless.
Warm light grays are often popular because they provide a cozy and welcoming wall color while still offering the desired blank slate. But which warm light gray to go with?
Let's talk about one gorgeous option: Benjamin Moore Abalone.
Abalone, Benjamin Moore, 2108-60
Abalone is a soft, light gray, light enough to keep a room feeling open but has just enough depth to add character.
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Abalone
Color Family
Abalone is in the neutral family.
Light Reflectance Value
62
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.
With an LRV of 62, Abalone is a light to mid-toned gray paint color. It brightens up a space without washing it out.
RGB Colors
R: 211 G: 207 B: 199
RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!
Hex Code
#D3CFC7
Undertones
Abalone has a very subtle mauve undertone.
In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Abalone will appear warmer and lighter. You may catch a glimpse of that mauve undertone.
In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, Abalone will lean more neutral or slightly cooler.
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!
Best uses
Abalone is a great whole house paint color, but it also works well in specific spaces:
- Interior doors, cabinets, and furniture – A subtle contrast to white walls.
- Living rooms – A soft, inviting backdrop.
- Bedrooms – Light and calming without feeling too cold.
- Kitchens & bathrooms – A fresh alternative to white.
Similar Colors
- Benjamin Moore Barren Plain
- Sherwin Williams Grey Heron
- Benjamin Moore Nimbus
- Behr Cotton Grey
- Sherwin Williams On The Rocks
- Benjamin Moore Wish
- Behr Chic Gray
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Abalone
🤯 Too many color choices?
Download my free Paint Color Planning Quick Start Guide—it’s the exact method I use to help readers choose a color that works the first time.
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Coordinating Colors
As a neutral, Abalone pairs well with many other colors, including bright whites, any combination of blue / green / gray (think coastal colors), dusty pinks and warm neutrals, such as beiges, tans, browns, and blacks.
Dusty pinks:
- Titanic Rose
- Rosy Tan
- Bouquet Rose
- Cherry Malt
- Amaryllis
Blue / green / gray combos:
- Beach Glass
- Iced Marble
- Imperial Gray
- Wales Gray
- Tranquility
Deep blues:
- Andes Summit
- Blue Gaspe
- Kensington Blue
- Newburyport Blue
- Van Deusen Blue
Trim Colors
Abalone pairs well with bright whites for trim. This look provides a nice contrast.
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
Abalone 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!
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Abalone
FAQS
Here are some common frequently asked questions about Abalone.
Is bm abalone warm or cool?
Benjamin Moore Abalone is a soft, warm gray with a hint of mauve undertone.
What's the difference: BM Abalone vs SW Agreeable Gray?
BM Abalone and SW Agreeable Gray are similar warm gray paint colors. However, there are always differences between two paint colors.
With an LRV of 60, Agreeable Gray is slightly darker than Abalone, which has an LRV of 62.
Abalone has a subtle mauve undertone, whereas Agreeable Gray has a warm beige undertone. Abalone leans more gray and Agreeable Gray more greige.
Between the two, Agreeable Gray is a bit more saturated and Abalone slightly more muted.
Agreeable Gray is a very popular paint color. However, that doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone's space. Always swatch colors in your space and see which paint color you like best!
What is the undertone of Benjamin Moore Abalone?
Benjamin Moore Abalone has a soft mauve undertone that warms it up a bit.
What color is Abalone gray?
Benjamin Moore Abalone is a soft gray with a slight mauve undertone. This adds some subtle warmth to the color.
What color trim goes with Abalone?
Benjamin Moore Abalone pairs well with bright whites for trim. This provides some contrast with the warm Abalone walls. Try BM Simply White, SW Extra White or Behr Ultra Pure White.
What's the difference: SW Grey Heron vs BM Abalone?
Abalone and Grey Heron are similar warm gray paint options. However, there are a few differences between the two.
Abalone, LRV 62, is slightly darker than Grey Heron, which has an LRV of 65.
Abalone has slight mauve undertones and Grey Heron has subtle violet undertones.
Always swatch colors in your space before making a decision—especially when two colors are this close!
Before you go...
So, you've found the perfect paint color, but here's the thing — there's another big decision you have to make: picking the right paint sheen. Seriously, the level of glossiness can totally change how your color looks on the walls and how long the paint lasts!
Check out our complete guide to understanding paint sheens.
Still unsure which paint color is right for your space?
Choosing paint doesn’t have to be stressful! My free Paint Color Planning Quick Start Guide walks you through the exact steps to confidently choose the perfect color — without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless swatch testing.
👉 Click here to download the free guide!
My Paint Color Formula course 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.
