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Charcoal Rooms & The Best Dark Gray Paint Colors

MARCH 16, 2023 - Written by Kevin O'Gara

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal, best gray paint colors, living room design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal via Gracious Home Interiors)

When it comes to sophisticated interiors, a coat of dark charcoal grey paint can be depended on to create an atmosphere of intimacy and moody drama. While you may gravitate towards lighter colors for living areas, there is an undeniable appeal to using deep, moody shades of gray to instantly elevate a room. One of the surprising benefits of using dark hue paint colors (like I did in this small living room) is that they can obscure the edges of a room, creating the illusion of greater space. This may seem counterintuitive, but by blending walls and corners together, the resulting sense of cohesiveness can open up smaller spaces.

While gray paint colors vary tremendously in undertones, warmer grays in the charcoal grey color family complement darker wooden antique furnishings – and I tend to lean towards these warm-undertone grays myself. Alternatively, cooler gray (such as Englewood Gray below) are better paired with warm brass accents. The coolness of the paint helps to balance out the warmth of brass decor, resulting in a balanced space that lends itself to more contemporary decor. One of the great aspects of using dark gray paint is its versatility across various design styles – find gray paint color inspiration from some of my favorite interior examples and my list of go-to colors below.

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, best gray paint colors, modern dining room design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Sherwin Williams Iron Ore via Color of the Month)

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, best gray paint colors, living room design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray via Accent Wall Ideas)

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn, best gray paint colors, bedroom interior design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Sherwin Williams Peppercorn dark gray accent wall via Creativity Exchange)

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal, best gray paint colors, modern home office design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal via Interiors by Color)

Clare Paint Irony, best gray paint colors, powder room bathroom design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Clare Paint Irony via My Homier Home)

Benjamin Moore Englewood Gray, best cool gray paint colors, living room design, dark gray walls on Kevin Francis Design

(Benjamin Moore Englewood Gray via Jean Stoffer)

Designer-Approved Popular Charcoal Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore living room study design, bookshelf with ladder, dark gray wall paint, best charcoal paint color ideas on Kevin Francis Design

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069)

This cool, deep and mysterious charcoal grey by Sherwin Williams can lend an air of sophistication when used in spaces for a truly moody look.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal paint color

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166)

With its rich, varied undertones, this charcoal grey interior paint works beautifully with a wide spectrum of colors.

Clare Paint Irony

Inspired by the color of Iron, this is Clare's darkest gray color, and as with all their paints, is Greenguard Gold certified and zero-VOC.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn dark gray paint color

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn (SW 7674)

This versatile dark charcoal gray paint, evenly balanced between warm and cool, can create a bold focal point in your home or a rich and timeless exterior.

Benjamin Moore Englewood Cliffs cool gray paint color

Benjamin Moore Englewood Cliffs (1607)

A mid-tone cool charcoal gray, evocative of rocky cliffs overlooking a vast river, which provides cooler undertones.

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168)

A handsome mid-tone charcoal gray with rich brownish-violet undertones, making it a warm and approachable hue that doesn't overwhelm.

- xoko

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