Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore is one of those paint colours I get asked about all the time. On the surface, it looks like a simple, light grey, but once it’s on the wall, it can surprise you with its undertones and the way it shifts in different light. Sometimes it feels fresh and airy, other times a little cooler and crisp; it really depends on the room.

That’s exactly why I love digging into colours like this. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Gray Owl: its undertones, LRV, how it behaves in different lighting, where it works best, plus the trim and coordinating colours that pair beautifully with it. By the end, you’ll know whether Gray Owl is the right fit for your home.

Let’s dive in!

Gray Owl’s undertones

Here’s the thing about Gray Owl: it isn’t your typical flat, boring grey. It has sneaky undertones that can shift depending on the light and what’s around it. At its core, Gray Owl leans cool, which means you’ll often notice a soft green or blue peeking through.

Most of the time, the green undertone is what shows up first, especially in brighter natural light. But in north-facing rooms or spaces with less sunlight, you may see a subtle blue cast. That’s what makes Gray Owl a bit of a “chameleon”; sometimes it feels fresh and crisp, and other times it takes on a cooler, moodier vibe. Because of these undertones, Gray Owl tends to play best in homes that can handle a cooler grey without it looking icy. If you’re after a truly warm grey, this might not be your pick, but if you love a light grey that feels modern and airy with just a hint of colour shifting beneath the surface, Gray Owl is definitely worth sampling.

What is Gray Owl’s LRV?

In simple terms, LRV or Light Reflectance Value is a helpful little number that tells us how much light a paint colour reflects. The higher the number, the lighter and brighter the colour will look on your walls. 100 is pure white, reflecting all light, and 0 is pure black, absorbing all light. Gray Owl has an LRV of 65, which means it’s on the lighter side of the scale and it will reflect a good amount of light, so it won’t feel heavy or dark. Instead, it usually reads as a soft, light grey that keeps a room feeling open and airy. That said, it’s not so bright that it washes out completely. There’s still enough depth to keep it interesting.

Struggling to match this colour with the rest of your home?
Undertones can be tricky, especially when you're building an entire colour scheme. The Home Paint Colour Blueprint is a step-by-step digital guide that helps you confidently choose a full colour palette that works together, from walls to trims to accents.

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How does Gray Owl look in different lighting conditions?

Lighting can make or break Gray Owl. It’s one of those colours that really shifts with the conditions around it.

North-facing rooms: Because north light is cooler and more muted, Gray Owl will lean into its cool side here. You’ll likely see more of its blue undertones, which can give the room a crisp, calm feel, but sometimes it can feel a little chilly if you wanted warmth.
South-facing rooms: This is where Gray Owl really shines. Southern light is warm and bright, so it softens Gray Owl and balances out those cooler undertones. In these spaces, the colour feels light, fresh, and airy without looking too stark.
East-facing rooms: Morning light is warm and golden, so expect Gray Owl to look a bit softer and calm. As the day goes on and the light becomes cooler, it will enhance its grey base and undertones.
West-facing rooms: The opposite happens here. In the morning, Gray Owl can look a little flat and cool, but once that golden afternoon light comes in, it warms right up and can even feel like a softer neutral grey.

Because of all these shifts, Gray Owl really is a “try before you buy” colour. A paint chip won’t tell the whole story; you’ll want to sample it on your own walls and watch it throughout the day to see which version of Gray Owl you’ll be living with.

Where to best use Gray Owl?

Gray Owl is one of those versatile paint colours that can work in just about any room, if you like a cooler, lighter grey. Because it’s not too dark and not too stark, it strikes a nice balance that makes it easy to live with.

Living rooms: Gray Owl creates a fresh, modern backdrop that works beautifully with both warm wood tones and crisp whites. It helps a space feel open and airy, especially if you have lots of natural light.
Bedrooms: Its soft, cool vibe can feel calming and restful, perfect if you want a soothing retreat. Just be mindful of north-facing light, which can make it lean a little chilly.
Kitchens and bathrooms: Gray Owl pairs really well with white cabinetry, marble, or quartz countertops, and clean finishes like chrome or brushed nickel. It keeps these spaces looking bright and contemporary.
Hallways and open-plan spaces: Because it reflects a good amount of light, Gray Owl works nicely in transitional areas and large, open layouts. It helps connect spaces without feeling overwhelming.

Where I’d be a little more cautious is in rooms that don’t get much natural light or if you want a very warm, cozy feel. In those cases, Gray Owl can sometimes read too cool. But if you love a crisp, modern grey that feels light and versatile, this is a great choice.

Pairs well with: warm wood floors, soft natural textiles (linen, cotton, wool), white trim, and even pops of muted blues or greens. These touches help balance out its cool undertones and create a layered, inviting look.

Best white trim colours

Pairing Gray Owl with the right white trim can really make it shine. Because it leans a little cool, you’ll want to be mindful of which whites you choose: too warm and the contrast can feel a bit off, too stark and it can feel cold. Here are a few tried-and-true whites that play beautifully with Gray Owl:

Chantilly Lace (OC-65): A crisp, clean white with almost no undertones. If you want a sharp, modern contrast that feels fresh and bright, this one is perfect.
White Heron (OC-57): A soft, neutral white that feels fresh without being too stark. It’s a great choice if you want something slightly gentler than Chantilly Lace while still keeping the look clean and airy.
Simply White (OC-117): A slightly warmer white, but still fresh and versatile. This is a great choice if you want a touch of softness without losing that light, airy feel.
White Dove (OC-17): A warmer, creamy white. If your home has warmer wood tones or you want to soften Gray Owl’s coolness, White Dove balances it beautifully.

The good news is, Gray Owl is flexible. You can go clean and crisp or soft and warm, depending on the vibe you want. Just be sure to sample your trim colour alongside Gray Owl and in your actual light before making a final decision.

What about best coordinating hues?

Gray Owl’s cool, neutral base means you can go in a lot of different directions: soft and subtle, or bold and dramatic. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Soft whites: Colours like Chantilly Lace or White Heron keep the look fresh and clean, making Gray Owl the star of the show.
Deeper greys: Pair it with a darker grey like Chelsea Gray for contrast and a layered, modern feel.
Blues & blue-greens: Gray Owl plays really nicely with hues like Palladian Blue; they bring out its cooler undertones and create a serene, coastal vibe.
Greiges & warm neutrals: If you want to balance out Gray Owl’s coolness, try a warm neutral with subtle green undertones like Edgecomb Gray. They soften the palette and keep it from feeling too chilly.
Accent colours: For a pop, consider muted greens or even soft blush tones. These add a bit of personality without overwhelming the calm feel of Gray Owl.

The key with Gray Owl is balance. Because it leans cool, pairing it with either fresh cool tones or warmer neutrals can completely change the mood of a space.

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Gray Owl is one of those paint colours that earns its “fan favourite” status for good reason. It’s light enough to keep a space feeling open, but it has just enough depth and those sneaky undertones to keep things interesting. Depending on your lighting, it can feel crisp and fresh or a little cooler and moodier, which is why sampling it on your own walls is so important.

If you’re after a versatile, modern grey that plays well with both crisp whites and warmer neutrals, Gray Owl is definitely worth considering. Whether you use it in a whole house palette, as a calming bedroom colour, or as a backdrop in a kitchen or living room, it’s a shade that adapts beautifully to different styles.

If you’d like a little extra help pulling everything together, I’ve created ready-made whole house colour palettes (featuring designer-approved colours), offer custom colour consultations for a more personal approach, and designed a step-by-step guide, the Home Paint Colour Blueprint, to take all the stress out of choosing paint. These resources are made to give you the confidence to move forward and create a home you truly love.

Thank you for reading and happy painting!

Manon xx

Paint Colour Review: Gray Owl 2137-60 by Benjamin Moore