Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray HC-165: Paint Color Review

What does it feel like trying to decide the right gray paint color to use? There are many out there, and picking the right one usually feels like walking on pins. But it doesn’t have to be like that, especially when you come across one like Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray.

However, you may be skeptical about using this paint color, but I’m sure you picked it for a reason. So, let me help you make a final decision by showing you how it works and what makes it unique, including its undertone and LRV. ready? Let’s go!

When to Choose Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

Knowing when to use a specific paint color is crucial, and this includes when you pick Boothbay Gray. Because of its peculiar shade, you must be careful how and when you use Boothbay Gray. Let’s look at some ideas for using this gray color.

Working with a cool color scheme?

Boothbay Gray works best with cool colors because of its undertone. If you already have other cool colors, you will find that it blends quite well with the rest of the decor, even as a backdrop.

Looking for a balanced color?

Because it is gray, this paint color works well with many other colors, whether bright, soft, or bold. Besides, the color is bodied because of its LRV, so it can accommodate bright light without looking washed out.

Don’t mind nuanced neutrals?

You must know that Boothbay Gray doesn’t look bland but has an obvious hue. If you are not a fan of grays with obviously cool undertones, you may want to skip this color.

Every color has many sides to it, and Boothbay Gray is no different. You will be surprised at how the color can change in different settings, but we will get to that later. Right now, I want to show you other aspects of this paint color, beginning with its specific shade.

What Color Is Boothbay Gray?

There’s nothing to indicate that Boothbay Gray got its name from a special item, event, or place. But it may be reminiscent of the dark waters of Boothbay Harbor town in Lincoln County, Maine. Wherever the color’s name came from, it suits the shade to perfection.

Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray HC-165 is a mid-tone gray paint color that brings a steely sophistication to a space. You can use it as an accent or background color, depending on the style you have in mind for your decor.

A Snapshot of the Specifications of Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

A chart is one of the best ways to bring different aspects of one thing together in one place. I’ve created one for Boothbay Gray to show you specific details that make it unique, including its LRV and undertone.

	Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
RGB	170, 178, 176
LRV	43.26
Undertone	Blue
HEX Code	#AAB2B0

 

The LRV of Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

LRV is the light reflectance value of color and refers to the amount of light the color throws back into a room. This value is measured on a scale of 0 to 100; black has an LRV of 0, and white has an LRV of 100.

While paint colors use the same scale, the measurement is narrower. Since there are no true white or black paint colors – every color has an undertone – the value is between 2.5 and 94.

Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray has an LRV of 43.26, which is below the middle point. This value still makes it balanced because it’s not too dark or too light. In simple terms, Boothbay Gray doesn’t reflect a lot of light.

The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

Undertones are crucial, perhaps the most important aspect of any paint color. They can change the top color to give you a different shade, especially if the color is easily influenced. Boothbay Gray has a blue undertone that gives the top color a steely look.

In certain lighting, the paint color may show a bit of green, but it’s rare, so don’t look out for it. Here is Boothbay Gray looking cool and laid back.

And here it is looking more gray than blue. It doesn’t appear bright, although it’s not dull in any way. It’s an excellent background color here because of the busyness of the decor. Peep the ceiling color!

And here, Boothbay Gray looks more like a slate blue paint color with a gray undertone than an actual gray color.

How Does Lighting Affect Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray?

Different lighting conditions can darken or lighten this paint color. Boothbay Gray looks muted and darker than usual in low light.

In cool light or northern exposure, it may look cold or even steely. But in warm light, Boothbay Gray may reveal a little green, barely there, but reducing its coolness.

Here is the paint color in bright natural light, although there’s no direct sunlight.

The paint color looks brighter than usual in this next photo but has a slightly green cast.

With warm yellow artificial light, Boothbay Gray appears muted and darker. You may notice it looks almost the same when the light is dim or cool. The color looks amazing with the white window, trim, and that beautiful rug.

How Does Boothbay Gray Feel in a Room?

If you picked this color, you must have a reason for it. Boothbay Gray is laid back and elegant if you pair it with the right colors and lighting.

It brings solidity and balance to any decor, and you can put your feet up knowing you made the right choice. Best of all, it works in any room; I mean, you can use it in a nursery, so what else is there, right?

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray: Warm or Cool?

Boothbay Gray is a cool color because of its steely blue undertone. That means you can only use it with other cool colors to avoid clashing hues. But it also means the color feels refreshing and airy, especially when used in a brightly-lit room.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration

If you find that Boothbay Gray is slightly lighter or darker than you prefer, you may want to switch things up. I’ve carefully selected colors from the same strip, from lighter to darker options, to give you alternatives.

• Benjamin Moore Whitestone 2134-60
• Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray HC-165
• Benjamin Moore Gull Wing Gray 2134-50
• Benjamin Moore Whale Gray 2134-40

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Complementary Color

The colors you see on the color wheel are not randomly arranged but are carefully placed to show their relationship with each other.

Complementary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, expressing how they relate. Each brings out the vibrant hue from the other color, and the colors cancel each other when mixed.

Boothbay Gray is not your usual bland gray because of its undertone. So, unlike the usual neutrals, it is easy to find its complementary color. It is a dark shade of purple-gray, close to plum. Benjamin Moore’s Mauve Desert 2113-50 is pretty close to it, but you can also try Sherwin Williams Flexible Gray SW 6010.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Coordinating Colors

If you want to get the best out of any color, try finding its coordinating colors. These are colors that pair well in any decor because of the similarities between them that create a seamless flow. Chantilly Lace, Frosted Petal, and White Wisp are the coordinating colors for Boothbay Gray.

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65: This is one of the brightest whites in the Benjamin Moore collection and pairs well with Boothbay Gray because it has almost no undertones.
• Benjamin Moore Frosted Petal 2089-70: A pale pink paint color with a muted cast but soft enough to blend with the solid Boothbay Gray.
• Benjamin Moore White Wisp OC-54: You can use this cool crisp white paint color for the trim if the walls are painted in Boothbay Gray.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Color Palettes

Let’s look at some color palettes you can try with Boothbay Gray in your decor. Who knows? You may discover that warm colors also pair well with it, especially to mute the blue undertone a little.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Yarmouth Blue HC-150: An airy blue-green paint color that is similar to Boothbay Gray but lightens the room with its hue.
• Stone 2112-40: This neutral paint color is balanced between brown and gray, deepening the decor and contrasting sharply with the lighter Boothbay Gray.
• Horizon OC-53: A light gray paint color whose blue undertone pairs well with the blue in Boothbay Gray.

Monochromatic Color Palette

• Puritan Gray HC-164: A medium gray paint color with a blue undertone and pretty similar to Boothbay Gray to act as a perfect alternative.
• Duxbury Gray HC-163: A much-darker version of Boothbay Gray, but its green undertone gives it depth and something different for the decor.
• Whitestone 2134-60: A light gray with a similar undertone as Boothbay Gray but complementing it in any decor.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Chantilly Lace OC-65: This is one of the brightest whites in the Benjamin Moore collection and pairs well with Boothbay Gray because it has almost no undertones.
• Frosted Petal 2089-70: A pale pink paint color with a muted cast but soft enough to blend with the solid Boothbay Gray.
• White Wisp OC-54: You can use this cool crisp white paint color for the trim if the walls are painted in Boothbay Gray.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray vs Similar Colors

Are there colors similar to Boothbay Gray? Of course, there are, and I want to compare them side by side for easy reference.

BM Coventry Gray vs BM Boothbay Gray

Coventry Gray is the lighter option, with an LRV of 48.18. Other than that, both colors look pretty similar, although Boothbay Gray shows more of its undertone than Coventry Gray.

BM Cobblestone Path vs BM Boothbay Gray

Cobblestone Path is darker with an LRV of 37.29. But its shade is pretty close to that of Boothbay Gray, including its undertone.

BM Puritan Gray vs BM Boothbay Gray

Puritan Gray looks more blue-green with a hint of gray, while Boothbay Gray looks blue-gray. It is also the darker of the two colors.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color Equivalent to Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

You won’t find an equivalent to match Boothbay Gray from Sherwin Williams because there’s none. However, you’ll find colors that come close to it. Uncertain Gray SW 6234 is one of those colors. You can also compare it to Mineral Deposit SW 7652 and Online SW 7072.

Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray?

You can use this paint color wherever you like if your decor accommodates it. Boothbay Gray works in a bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, living room, kitchen, and even outside the house. Let’s take a look.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray on Kitchen Cabinets

It may surprise you how light this paint color can look when the lighting is right. Check out Boothbay Gray on these cabinets for inspiration.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Nursery

If you use it right, Boothbay Gray looks fantastic in any room. Nurseries don’t always have to be done on soft pastels, you know.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Closet

Ok, this is not a space that you really think about painting. But if you have a walk-in closet like the next photo, you may want to consider the best shade that doesn’t bore you.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray as Trim Color

You may already know it, but blue grays are ideal for coastal-themed decor. They also work well for trims because of their unique shade.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Living Room

This paint color works well as a background color, allowing you to throw in different shades to create a striking appearance.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Bedroom

This is not your regular bedroom; it’s more of a bunkroom but looks amazing. Apart from the cleverly designed bunk beds, the color of the bunk – Boothbay Gray – also draws attention.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray on a Door

Blue-gray is a popular paint color of choice for doors, especially front doors. This next photo looks lovely with the warm white around it.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Laundry Room

Laundry rooms usually have little natural lighting, but Boothbay Gray looks great in this one, paired with white and using bright white artificial lighting.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray on Exterior Walls

Boothbay Gray works in at least two ways. In good lighting, it can appear lighter than its LRV indicates. But at other times, like on this house’s exterior, it looks muted and darker than usual. I believe the lack of sunlight contributes to the shade.

Best Ceiling Color for Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Walls

This beautiful bedroom features Boothbay Gray on the walls, looking like powder blue. The ceiling is white and beautifully contrasts with the light blue. Consider using BM Chantilly Lace for the job.

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray in a Bathroom

Whether you use it on the walls or vanity, Boothbay Gray comes out great in a bathroom.

Best Trim Color for BM Boothbay Gray on Exterior Walls

While Boothbay Gray can accommodate many colors, you must use trim colors cautiously with it. White is your safest option, and I recommend Chantilly Lace again because it reveals no undertones.

Conclusion

Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray is a medium gray paint color with a steely blue undertone that gives it a slate look. With an LRV of 43.26, this paint color doesn’t reflect a lot of light. However, it can look brighter than its LRV in bright lighting and may reveal a little green in the right setting.

Pair it with cool colors or slightly warm colors, although you must avoid colors with creamy, beige, or yellow undertones. Blue undertones may look jarring against these ones, although there are exceptions. Slightly warm colors tone down the undertone of Boothbay Gray.

Follow my guide to create unique color palettes and get busy painting I’m rooting for you, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me in the comments section if you have any questions.