Benjamin Moore Metropolitan: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect gray paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Benjamin Moore Metropolitan and if it might be right for your home!

Gray paint colors are a great choice when you want a neutral that still has some personality.

Gray is a favorite for a reason—it’s incredibly versatile. Whether your style is traditional, modern, coastal, or farmhouse, gray can fit right in.

But not all grays are created equal. Some lean more toward cool tones, some have a warmer feel, and some sit right in between, so there’s a shade for everyone.

If you're looking for a gray that’s calm yet elegant, cool but not too cold, keep reading. Benjamin Moore Metropolitan may be just what you're seeking.

Metropolitan, Benjamin Moore, AF-690

Metropolitan is a stylish, cool gray that feels both classic and sophisticated.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Metropolitan

Color Family

Metropolitan is in the neutral family.

Light Reflectance Value

50

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.

Metropolitan is a light-medium gray. It's light and bright enough to work in many rooms, but still saturated enough to hold its own.

RGB Colors

R: 186 G: 189 B: 184

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

#BABDB8

Undertones

Metropolitan has cool undertones, but it also can show a hint of warm green.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Metropolitan will lean a bit lighter, warmer, and closer to a greige You may catch a hint of warm green in these spaces.

In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, Metropolitan will lean darker, cooler, and more gray.

Best uses

You can use Metropolitan almost anywhere. It’s soft enough for a whole house paint color but still has enough body to stand out on furniture or cabinetry.

Here are some great places to try it:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Benjamin Moore Half Moon Crest
• Behr Alaskan Gray
• Sherwin Williams Chelsea Gray
• Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray
• Behr Quiet Time
• Sherwin Williams Argos
• Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Metropolitan

Coordinating Colors

As a cool neutral, Metropolitan pairs easily with many other colors, including crisp whites, blues, greens, violets, blacks, and darker grays.

Cool blacks:

• Black Horizon
• Witching Hour
• Baby Seal Black
• Raccoon Fur
• Gravel Gray

Light blues:

• Constellation
• Ocean Air
• Polar Ice
• Glacier Lake
• Iceberg

Cool whites:

• Frostine
• Paper White
• Oxford White
• White Ice
• White Wisp

Trim Colors

As a cool gray, Metropolitan pairs well with bright whites for trim.

Bright white trim colors:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Metropolitan

FAQS

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Metropolitan.

Is BM Metropolitan warm or cool?

BM Metropolitan is a cool gray paint color, although it's very close to the neutral line.

It will appear a bit warmer and more greige in brightly lit rooms and cooler in darker spaces.

What is Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2019?

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2019 is Metropolitan, a stylish, cool gray.

What are the undertones of Metropolitan BM?

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan has cool undertones, along with a subtle warm green.

Metropolitan will appear a bit warmer / more greige in brightly lit spaces and cooler / more gray in darker rooms.

What's the difference: BM Metropolitan vs Edgecomb Gray?

While these are both great options for a neutral wall color, Metropolitan and Edgecomb Gray are different colors.

Metropolitan is darker, cooler, and more gray / green, and Edgecomb Gray is lighter, warmer, and more tan / orange.

Edgecomb Gray is an extremely popular and often-used paint color, but popularity alone does not mean it will be the best fit for your home.

Swatching both colors will help you see the difference and decide which one suits your style best. Your decision will most likely come down to if you want to lean cooler / gray or warmer / tan.

What is the difference between Metropolitan and Coventry Gray?

Metropolitan and Coventry Gray are similar mid-toned grays, and while the differences between these two are subtle, they're there.

Metropolitan is slightly lighter, leans more green, and is more saturated. Coventry Gray is a touch darker and more muted.

Always swatch colors in your space before making a decision—especially when two colors are this close!

What color trim with BM Metropolitan?

BM Metropolitan is a cool gray and pairs well with crisp whites for trim. My favorites are SW Extra White, BM Simply White, and Behr Ultra Pure White.

Thanks for reading!