Looking for the perfect gray paint color for your home? We review Sherwin Williams Popular Gray to see if it's the right match for your space.
Warm greiges have been stealing hearts for years, and it’s no surprise why. They bring a cozy, comforting vibe while keeping things nicely neutral.
But here's the thing — warm greiges can be a bit sneaky. Depending on the lighting, they might lean gray, taupe, beige, or hit that sweet spot: greige!
So we've picked one of the most beloved of these darker beiges, Popular Gray, to do a thorough analysis.
Keep reading to learn if this charming warm greige will suit your space!
Popular Gray, Sherwin Williams, SW 6071
Popular Gray is a warm greige that leans a bit more taupe than gray, despite its name.
It's a cozy, subtle neutral that pairs perfectly with just about any style of decor.
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Popular Gray
Color Family
Popular Gray sits comfortably in the neutral family, making it super versatile.
Light Reflectance Value
61
LRV tells us how much light a color bounces around. On a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white), Popular Gray hits that perfect middle ground.
It's just right — not too dark, not too light.
RGB Colors
R: 212 G: 204 B: 195
RGB breaks down the amount of red, green, and blue in a color. This mix gives us the lovely shade of Popular Gray.
Hex Code
#D4CCC3
Undertones
Popular Gray has warm clay undertones with a hint of purple and pink.
In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Popular Gray will look warmer, lighter, and more like a taupe.
In north-facing rooms without much natural light, Popular Gray will look cooler, darker, and more gray.
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
Popular Gray is neutral enough to work throughout your entire home. Here are some ideas:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Home exterior
- Interior doors
- Cabinets
- Furniture
Moreover, Popular Gray could also work as a whole house paint color.
Similar Colors
If Popular Gray has you swooning, you might also fall for these:
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
- Behr Granite Dust
- Sherwin Williams Pediment
- Benjamin Moore Collingwood
- Sherwin Williams Whirlwind
- Sherwin Williams Modern Gray
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Popular Gray
Coordinating Colors
Popular Gray pairs well with a variety of colors, including dark neutrals, rich purples, cool whites, blues, and greens.
Here are some top picks:
Dark neutrals:
- Spalding Gray
- Garret Gray
- Timeless Taupe
- Backdrop
- Warm Stone
Dark purples:
- Exclusive Plum
- Midnight
- Soulmate
- Expressive Plum
Cool whites:
- Heron Plume
- Zurich White
- Origami White
- White Heron
- Windfresh White
Trim Colors
In my opinion, Popular Gray looks fantastic with a bright white trim.
I think softer whites look too creamy or yellow next to it, so they're best avoided.
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
Sherwin Williams Popular Gray 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!
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Popular Gray
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Popular Gray!
Is SW Popular Gray warm or cool?
SW Popular Gray is a warm gray with clay and taupe undertones.
It also has some purple and pink hints.
What's the difference: SW Agreeable Gray vs. Popular Gray?
Agreeable Gray and Popular Gray are both light to medium warm grays, often called greige.
However, Agreeable Gray is slightly darker, with an LRV of 60 compared to Popular Gray's 61.
When you compare them side by side, Agreeable Gray looks more neutral, while Popular Gray appears warmer and slightly pinker due to its undertones.
Just remember to always swatch colors in your space before committing!
What's the difference: BM Balboa Mist vs. SW Popular Gray?
BM Balboa Mist and SW Popular Gray are similar warm gray paints.
Balboa Mist is a bit lighter, with an LRV of 66, compared to Popular Gray's 61.
Both share warm clay and beige undertones with a touch of purple. But Popular Gray's pink undertones make it look slightly pinker than Balboa Mist when compared.
Swatch them in your space to see which one you love!
Is SW Popular Gray a good choice for kitchen cabinets?
Absolutely! Popular Gray is a fantastic choice for kitchen cabinets.
It pairs well with a variety of colors and finishes, especially crisp whites like white counters or a white backsplash.
Just remember, if your kitchen gets a lot of natural light, Popular Gray will look more taupe. In less natural light, it leans more gray.
What color trim goes with SW Popular Gray?
Popular Gray looks amazing with bright white trim. Some favorites are BM Simply White, SW Extra White, and Behr Ultra Pure White.
Soft whites might look too creamy or yellow next to Popular Gray.
Does SW Popular Gray look taupe?
Yes, in certain lighting, Popular Gray can look slightly taupe.
In south-facing rooms with plenty of natural light, it leans warmer and more taupe.
In north-facing rooms with less light, it shows its cooler, grayer side.
As usual, always swatch colors in your space to see how they look!
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.
