Paint Colour Review: Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams
Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) by Sherwin Williams is a warm and inviting colour that works beautifully in almost any space. With its balanced undertones and ability to adapt to different lighting, Agreeable Gray is a versatile and stylish grey tone to consider to refresh your interior. In this post, we talk about what makes this colour so special, from its undertones and LRV to the best white trim colours and coordinating tones. Whether you're planning a small refresh or a full home makeover, this guide will help you decide if Agreeable Gray is the right choice for your space.
Agreeable Gray’s undertones
Agreeable Gray is a soft grey with subtle and well-balanced beige undertones giving it its warmth. Some consider it a true greige, although it has a strong grey base and its undertones are only subtle so I see it more as a grey rather than greige. Its warm undertones prevent it from feeling too passive or cool and make it a great choice for creating cosy, inviting spaces. Whether you choose to use Agreeable Gray as a backdrop colour throughout your entire home or sparingly in specific rooms, its undertones ensure it always looks sophisticated and well-balanced.
Photo by Passion 4 Decor via Welsh Design Studio
Agreeable Gray’s LRV
LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) helps determine how much light is absorbed or reflected by a paint colour. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, 0 being absolute black and absorbing all light, and 100 being pure white and reflecting all light. The higher the LRV, the lighter and brighter the paint colour. The LRV of a paint colour is an important factor to consider, especially if you're concerned about brightness or creating a specific ambience. Colours with higher LRVs tend to make a room feel brighter and more spacious, while colours with lower LRVs can create a more intimate or cosy atmosphere.
Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60 which means that it reflects a moderate amount of light, helping to brighten a space without overwhelming it. This makes it a great choice for rather dark rooms that could benefit from some brightness but still want to maintain a sense of warmth and cosiness. In spaces with ample natural light, Agreeable Gray can appear even lighter and more airy with still enough colour for subtle depth and character, making it a great option for living rooms, kitchens, and open floor plans.
Agreeable Gray has the ideal medium LRV to bring balance into a space and makes it a dependable colour choice to brighten up a dim space or add warmth to a well-lit room.
How does Agreeable Gray appear under different lighting conditions?
Lighting greatly impacts how a paint colour is perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and the evening, which is why it’s essential to use samples before fully committing to a paint colour so you can see how colours look at various times of the day and you can decide if a paint colour is the right one for your space.
In south-facing rooms or afternoon western light, Agreeable Gray tends to lean more towards its beige tones, appearing warmer and more welcoming. In north-facing rooms or afternoon eastern light, you might notice its grey base coming through, giving your space a more neutral look. In spaces with limited natural light such as in hallways, it can brighten up the space and hold its colour well without appearing too dark and heavy. Instead, it maintains its warm, inviting tone, providing a comfortable backdrop. This versatility and adaptability are some of the reasons why Agreeable Gray is such a popular paint colour choice.
Best white trim colours to use with Agreeable Gray
Pairing a warm grey like Agreeable Gray with a fresh white trim creates a polished, sophisticated look. Here are a few of the best white paint options to consider for your trims:
Sherwin Williams Extra White (SW 7006): Extra White is a crisp bright white with a subtle cool case that provides a striking contrast against Agreeable Gray’s warm undertones. This combination is perfect if you’re aiming for a modern, clean look.
Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005): Another great white trim option is Pure White. It is a soft white with a very slight warmth that complements Agreeable Gray without competing with it. This pairing is ideal if you want a soft transition between your walls and trim. Pure White’s subtle warmth helps to enhance the cosy feel of Agreeable Gray.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008): For added warmth, Alabaster is an excellent choice. This white colour has a yellow undertone that creates a soft warm contrast and adds richness to the room, while still providing enough contrast to define the trim.
Ideal coordinating colours
Agreeable Gray is an ideal colour to pair with soft whites (consider Greek Villa SW 7551 or Shoji White SW 7042), warm dark greys and darker greiges such as Anonymous SW 7046 or Urbane Bronze SW 7048, browns, blue-grey blends like Sleepy Blue SW 6225, muted greens, and blue-greens.
Each of these coordinating colours can enhance the beauty of Agreeab le Gray, allowing you to create a balanced and cohesive colour palette that suits your style. Whether you’re going for a calm, neutral look or want to incorporate a bit of colour, these combinations offer a range of possibilities to help you achieve your design goals.
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Agreeable Gray is a gorgeous warm neutral and balanced tone to create an elegant, cosy, and natural interior.
Discover Agreeable Gray’s whole house colour palette, a ready-to-download, comprehensive, expertly put together, and budget-friendly colour palette with 12 coordinating colours to help you transform your home.
If you find choosing the right colour for your home too stressful and overwhelming, I also provide a Custom Interior Colour Palette service. I would love to make this process easier for you and help you create your dream home. If you need more information about my services or simply want to get in touch with me, click here.
Thank you for reading and happy decorating,
Manon xx