Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray HC-169: Review & Inspiration

So, you’ve picked Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray and are probably wondering if you made the right choice. It’s a mature and elegant color, so it’s little wonder you’ve picked it. But do you know all there is about this paint color? There’s more to it than meets the eye.

So, let’s take this opportunity to learn about Coventry Gray and all it has to offer, including its undertones and LRV. This guide also explains possible color palettes with this paint color at the center to get you started. Ready to roll? Let’s hit the road!

When to Choose Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

This paint color is relatively neutral, so it works in pretty much any space. However, you must consider the lighting condition and surrounding elements before deciding the best place to use it.

Need a neutral background color?

We all love neutral background colors because of how easy they are to work with when using other colors. So, Coventry Gray is a favorite in this department since it’s not too fussy and accommodates other colors.

Remodeling your bathroom?

You may already know it, but bathrooms love soft and bright colors. While Coventry Gray may look a little dark, it’s all a matter of good lighting. Use bright lighting in your bathroom, and you’ve hit the jackpot with Coventry Gray.

Upgrading your kitchen?

Coventry Gray looks amazing on cabinets, and your kitchen will feel some love if you change the cabinet color to this beautiful one. You can use bright white on the walls.

How about some outdoor love?

As I said, Coventry Gray loves light, so it looks amazing on exterior walls or front doors.

There’s a reason Coventry Gray is popular and well-liked. It’s easy like Sunday morning and doesn’t give too much fuss. Before you start painting your house, let’s see some other exciting aspects of this paint color.

What Color Is Coventry Gray?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, coventry refers to exclusion or ostracism. But the name is popularly associated with a town in England. There’s nothing to indicate that the color’s name represents any specific color from the town.

Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray HC-169 is a medium gray paint color with a versatile neutrality. It works well in any space and can exhibit some depth when the lighting is right. As mentioned, though, it loves light like other colors.

A Snapshot of the Specifications of Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

Here’s a chart with all the important details you need to know about Coventry Gray. You can call it a summary of some sort for easy reference.

	Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray
RGB	184, 186, 182
LRV	48.18
Undertone	Relatively neutral
HEX Code	#B8BAB6

 

The LRV of Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

You may be new to paint color terms, but LRV means the light reflectance value of color. It refers to the amount of light the color reflects on a scale of 0 to 100. 0 is the LRV of pure black, while 100 is the LRV of pure white.

But while this may be true, paint colors are a little different because there are no pure white or black ones. Because of this, the scale is between 2.5 to 94, which means no color is darker than 2.5, and none is lighter than 94.

Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray has an LRV of 48.18, making it a medium color. It means the paint color reflects only a fair amount of light and may look dark in low light.

The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

At first glance, Coventry Gray looks like a blue-gray or a gray paint color with a cool blue undertone. However, the paint color has relatively neutral undertones. The hue you see in it depends on the lighting condition; sometimes, it looks blue, and at other times, it looks green.

Coventry Gray is of the hue family of green-yellow. When the light is balanced and just right, the paint color looks like a normal gray. But if there is a shift, no matter how small, you may notice a blue or green hue.

In the photo above, Coventry Gray looks more gray than any other color. You may notice a hint of blue-green as color can be subjective.

But here, it shows less of its undertones than in the photo above, even though the lighting is bright enough.

And here, the hallway walls are a solid gray but instead of blue, you can see just a bit of greenish-yellow on some parts.

Does Light Affect Coventry Gray?

The question should be, “How much does light affect Coventry Gray?” This paint color is like a chameleon, changing hues with different lighting conditions, including artificial ones.

In low or shaded light, Coventry Gray can take on a muted hue, looking darker than you would expect.

When natural light is fading or is cold – that is without warm or direct sunlight – Coventry Gray may reveal more of its blue undertone.

But in brighter and warmer light, the true beauty of this paint color reveals itself.

The same applies if the light is bright white artificial light. It makes the paint color look brighter than usual.

In warm yellow artificial lighting, the color also changes. In this room, it looks bodied and shows a bit of reddish purple, although you can attribute this to the surrounding elements, especially the rug.

How Does Coventry Gray Feel in a Room?

It’s an elegant color that provides sophistication to any decor. It can fit in any color scheme, so you can use it as a backdrop to accommodate cool colors or warm up the place with warm whites and wood tones.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray: Warm or Cool?

Coventry Gray is a neutral color. That means it doesn’t lean warm or cool in most cases. However, because it shows a bit of blue in some lighting conditions, you can say it’s slightly cool. But take it with a pinch of salt; this paint color can surprise you.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration

Perhaps Coventry Gray is not exactly the shade you want. It may also be that you have other options on the table before deciding. Don’t worry; I’ve carefully picked colors from the same strip and arranged them from light to dark in descending order for easy reference.

• Benjamin Moore Tundra 2133-70
• Benjamin Moore Sterling 1591
• Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray HC-169
• Benjamin Moore Sabre Gray 1482
• Benjamin Moore Cos Cob Stonewall 1483

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Complementary Color

This color is opposite Coventry Gray on the color wheel. While grays are technically not on the color wheel, this color is because of its peculiar shade. Complementary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

The complementary color for Coventry Gray is a light to medium shade of blue-magenta. Benjamin Moore’s Silent Night 1613 is close to this color. You can also try Sherwin Williams’ Swanky Gray SW 6261 for a different effect.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Coordinating Colors

These colors pair well with each other when used in a color scheme. As a neutral paint color, Coventry Gray has Yorktowne Green, Steam, and Temptation as some of its coordinating colors.

• Benjamin Moore Yorktowne Green HC-133: A pretty dark teal paint color with green and blue undertones that match the much lighter Coventry Gray.
• Benjamin Moore Steam AF-15: A warm and bright white paint color with a soft glow that makes it easy to use in any room, even with colors like Coventry Gray.
• Benjamin Moore Temptation 1609: A deep gray paint color that brightens the Coventry Gray hue, especially with its blue undertone that matches the blue in the main color.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Color Palettes

The following are color palettes that you can use with Coventry Gray, although it’s not a difficult color to use. Try getting creative and coming up with unique palettes by using this guide.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Olympus Green 679: A rich shade of green with a little blue undertone that brings out the green and blue colors in Coventry Gray
• Silvery Moon 1604: A silver-hued paint color with a slightly blue cast that keeps it from being too bright or bland.
• French Beret 1610: A deep gray paint color with a hint of navy that deepens and adds character to the already fantastic color.

Monochromatic Paint Color

• Amherst Gray HC-167: A dark gray with neutral tones that make it easy to use the color in a home, whether for old-fashioned decor style or sophisticated modern ones.
• Tundra 2133-70: A pale and soft paint color nuanced by violet and gray to add some depth and beauty.
• Rainy Afternoon 1575: A gorgeous shade of deep green with a wink of gray that grounds it and makes it compatible with Coventry Gray.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Yorktowne Green HC-133: A pretty dark teal paint color with green and blue undertones that match the much lighter Coventry Gray.
• Steam AF-15: A warm and bright white paint color with a soft glow that makes it easy to use in any room, even with colors like Coventry Gray.
• Temptation 1609: A deep gray paint color that brightens the Coventry Gray hue, especially with its blue undertone that matches the blue in the main color.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray vs Similar Colors

The following are colors similar to Coventry Gray and how they perform side by side with the main color. You may find other alternatives or colors that work well together here.

BM Stonington Gray vs BM Coventry Gray

Stonington Gray is noticeably lighter than Coventry Gray, although both colors have the same blue that can lean purple on rare occasions and green in them.

BM Gray Owl vs BM Coventry Gray

Both colors have the same green and blue hues, but Gray Owl reveals more green than Coventry Gray. Also, it’s lighter than Coventry Gray because of its higher LRV.

BM Boothbay Gray vs BM Coventry Gray

Boothbay Gray is darker than Coventry Gray, with an LRV of about 43. But both colors have blue in them, with Boothbay Gray looking more like a true blue-gray.

BM Winter Solstice vs BM Coventry Gray

Winter Solstice is bluer and crisper than Coventry Gray. Apart from this, both colors have about the same LRV.

BM Smoke Embers vs BM Coventry Gray

Smoke Embers is warmer than Coventry Gray but is brighter, with an LRV of 51.44.

BM Metropolitan vs BM Coventry Gray

Metropolitan is cool and has a higher LRV of 49.96, almost 50. Placed side by side, both colors look almost exactly the same.

BM Half Moon Crest vs BM Coventry Gray

Half Moon Crest is the brighter of the two colors, with an LRV of 51.02. It also shows a little blue, although it’s a neutral color.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color Equivalent to Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

You won’t find an exact equivalent paint color from Sherwin Williams to match Coventry Gray. But you can compare the paint color to March Wind SW 7668 because they are almost a match when you compare the red, green, and blue (RGB) codes. Sherwin Williams’ Argos SW 7065 and Gray Clouds SW 7658 are also comparable, although there are slight differences.

Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray?

It’s a versatile color and as I’ve already mentioned, it blends into any room or color scheme. So, try it in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Walls with White Trim

White is the best color to use on the trim if the walls are done in Coventry Gray because of its deep shade. Try BM Chantilly Lace or Cloud White on the trim.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on a Door

Use Coventry Gray for a splash of color if the rest of the decor is bright and neutral. The color works best if the door is an exterior or front one, but any door also works.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on Kitchen Cabinets

This is a gorgeous kitchen and not just because of the layout. Coventry Gray looks great on the cabinets, especially with the white walls.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on Bedroom Walls

The paint color can bring a cozy vibe if the light is right. Check out this simple bedroom for inspiration.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray in a Laundry Room

The color combination and lighting transform what would have been a dingy and boring laundry room.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on a Mantelplace

To use any color on a mantel bracketing a brick fireplace, you must know the undertones of the brick. In this room, the owner did a great job picking the right neutral.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on Kitchen Walls

It’s not every day you find colors on kitchen walls. The cabinets are usually the focal point, but here, some of the walls have Coventry Gray.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on Shutters

The color looks great against the off-white brick walls.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray in a Living Room

This can be a visitors’ room or a living room, but Coventry Gray fits right in with the rest of the colors.

Best Ceiling Color for Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray Walls

I recommend white because it sets off the tone of the wall color. Bright whites like BM Chantilly Lace are ideal.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray in a Bathroom

Use a lot of light in the bathroom and add white to enjoy this color.

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray on Exterior Walls

Paired with BM Wrought Iron on the accents, Coventry Gray looks like its true shade, but the decor is stunning.

Conclusion

Neutral paint colors are easy to use, as you can see with Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray. Although it tends to show blue, green, or both, it’s usually a simple color and quite lovable. Even with an LRV of 48.18, Coventry Gray still manages to look light and bright in many settings.

It goes without saying that it works with many colors, so feel free to pair it as you like. However, note the room’s exposure or the type of lighting you plan to use there. These, together with the accessories, environment, and paint finish, can transform the color.

Use samples in the rooms before deciding to get a feel of the color and see how it looks at different times of the day. Don’t hesitate to reach me in the comments section if you have any questions.