8 Best Gray Paint Colors From Valspar in 2023

Gray paint colors have always had a place in every home or workspace decor. Since they sit somewhere between the more versatile white and black, these neutrals offer a little bit of both worlds. However, there are numerous options out there, including Valspar Gray Paint Colors.

Therefore, I have made a comprehensive list of my 8 Best Gray Paint Colors from Valspar in 2023. These neutrals offer different perks and are unique in their way. Join me as we explore these lovely options from Valspar!

Valspar Gray Paint Colors

As I mentioned earlier, gray paint colors offer more depth than white and more flexibility than black. This makes them just as popular as the other two neutrals for homes and workspaces. What more? Gray paint colors become the safest choice when you don’t want extra color or when you don’t to mess up your decor.

Valspar Gray Paint colors fall into different categories, depending on your basis for separating them.

Based on LRV

LRV, which is short for Light Reflectance Value, refers to a paint color’s strength at reflecting light. It runs on a numerical scale of 0 – 100, with lower values indicating weak reflectance but high absorbing power. This is why dark paint colors have low LRVs; they absorb more light than they reflect. The opposite is the case for bright paint colors with higher LRVs.

Using this basis, Valspar Gray Paint Colors fall into the following groups.

Dark Gray

While these guys offer significantly more depth and tend to maintain their looks in any space, they have lesser versatility than brighter ones. The reason is that dark gray paint colors don’t do well in dim-lit areas of a home or workplace.

They absorb more light than they reflect, making the spaces dimmer and casting a moody look on already dark spaces. However, they look way better on cabinets and doors than other gray types.

Light Gray

On the other hand, Light Gray Paint Colors have higher LRVs and appear significantly brighter. They go well in any space, regardless of lighting, because they brighten such areas by reflecting more light than they absorb. This gives them a much higher versatility.

However, light gray paint colors have lesser depth than darker ones. On the upside, both types pair up nicely, especially for monochromatic palettes.

This list has paint colors from both sides of the category and some sitting in the middle too!

Based on Temperature

Every paint color reads either cool or warm, with some falling in the neutral or balanced range. The closest paint colors to true black, white, and gray don’t look warm or cool, they sit somewhere in between.

Based on this grouping, we can separate Valspar Gray Paint Colors into

• Warm Grays (have undertones of yellow, violet, warm green, and warm purple)
• Cool Grays (have undertones of blue and cool green).

8 Best Gray Paint Colors From Valspar in 2023

1. Valspar Summer Gray (7006-17)

Most of the time, gray paint colors have lower LRVs than whites and some off-whites. However, Valper Summer Gray has an LRV high enough to rival some white paint colors. Despite its brightness, the lovely gray paint color adds some color to any space.

Valspar Summer Gray belongs to the White Paint Color family and mostly displays a cool undertone. However, cool lights can give it a hint of blue, while warmer lights bring out more of its green. Nevertheless, the paint color always reads cool and goes well in any room in a home or workplace.

Suitable coordinating colors for Valspar Summer Gray include Valper Polished Silver, Sailboat, and Mystic Sea.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Summer Gray	80.271	R:234 G:231 B:225	Green and hints of Blue	Cool

2. Valspar Notre Dame (5006-1B)

Valspar Notre Dame is a mid-toned gray paint color with good depth. It has an LRV of 56.809 and sits at a pretty good range on the scale. This means that Valspar Notre Dame doesn’t reflect enough to be too bright, nor does it absorb too much to become unsuitable for dark spaces.

The lovely neutral has subtle green undertones that you will rarely notice, regardless of the lighting. Unlike Valspar Summer Gray, which belongs to the White Paint Color Family, Notre Dame comes from the Gray Paint Color Family.

Despite its cool look, Valspar Notre Dame doesn’t wash out in bright light. Also, the paint color never looks icy or cold in any space. Paint colors that pair best with it include Valspar Sky Space, Du Jour, and Blue Arrow.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Notre Dame	56.809	R:200 G:199 B:191	Subtle Green	Cool

3. Valspar Foggy Mirror (CI126)

Valspar Foggy Mirror is the first warm gray paint color on this list looks amazing too. It belongs to the Neutral Paint Color family and The Soft Color Collection. If you want a soothing and cozy look for your space, consider this paint color for your palette.

The warm neutral has subtle undertones of violet that give it a pinkish tinge. While you will not see it right away in cool lighting, warm lights make it more evident. However, you can rest assured that this will not overwhelm the paint color’s appearance.

With an LRV of 57.801, Valspar Foggy Mirror does well in both dark and well-lit spaces. While it will not single-handedly warm up your space, the neutral can add to the overall coziness. Homeowners have also found the paint color to look welcoming and homely in interior spaces.

Suitable pairings for Valspar Foggy Mirror include soft shades of purple and some other warm colors. Examples are Valspar Lamb’s Ear, Cinnamon Sugar, and Crème Fraîche.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Foggy Mirror	57.801	R:207 G:199 B:189	Subtle Violet	Warm

4. Valspar Hazy Stratus (4004-1C)

Here, we have a gray paint color that can warm spaces in a subtle way. Valspar Hazy Stratus is a medium to dark-toned gray  with an LRV of 35.248 . While it works fine in dark spaces, you will get the best results in well-lit areas or by pairing it with brighter paint colors.

Valspar Hazy Stratus has subtle cool green undertones that rarely surface and contribute to balancing its temperature. Although it looks good in any room in a home, best spaces include kitchens, washrooms, and family spaces. You can also use it on exterior walls and doors.

The paint color pairs best with Valspar Swiss Coffee, Desert Fortress, and Secluded Garden.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Hazy Stratus	35.248	R:161 G:160 B:155	Cool Subtle Green	Balanced

5. Valspar Tempered Gray (4004-1A)

While most gray paint colors have a soft and relaxed look, Valsper Tempered Gray take on a more crispy appearance. This gives it an airy vibe that fits small spaces and looks natural in larger areas. It has an LRV of 64.929, which means it is suitable for both dark and well-lit rooms.

With subtle green undertones, Valsper Tempered Gray has an earthy look that makes it valid for nature-themed palette. The neutral reads cool regardless of lighting and color pairings, but it will never look icy or cold.

A high versatility means that the color pairs well with several other paint colors. Examples include Valspar Dove White, Wet Pavement, and Cream in My Coffee.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Tempered Gray	64.929	R:213 G:211 B:204	Cool Subtle Green	Balanced

6. Valspar Smoked Oyster (6005-1C)

At first glance you might mistake this paint color for beige, however, Valspar Smoked Oyster is a medium to dark-toned neutral. Although it looks very warm, the yellow undertones reins it in, prevent the paint color from looking beige. However, warm lighting might sometimes give it such an appearance.

Valspar Smoked Oysters belongs to the Classic Paint Colors Collection and works well in almost any space. It brings a sophisticated vibe and more depth than the other members on this list. If the lovely neutral feels too warm, you can always pair it with cooler, brighter paint colors to balance it out.

The paint color pairs well with others like Valspar Ultra White, Blue Arrow, Secluded Garden.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Smoked Gray	36.286	R:172 G:161 B:148	Yellow	Warm

7. Valspar Gravity (4005-1B)

Valspar Gravity is a mid-toned gray with the homeliest vibe on this list. It has an LRV of 56.262 and looks great in any room or space. With cool purple undertones, the neutral can sometimes display a hint of blue but you are more likely to notice the purple more.

The paint color reads cool and while it won’t look cold or icy, it will not look warm due to lighting either. Valspar Gravity has a fresh look and pairs well with a wide range of paint colors. Examples include Ultra White, Sailboat, and Oatbran.

Fun Fact: Most homeowners see Valspar Gravity as a cleaner version of Tempered Gray.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Gravity	56.262	R:195 G:198 B:199	Cool Subtle Purple	Cool

8. Valspar Filtered Shade (4003-1B)

If you want a little bit more color in a gray neutral, consider Valspar Filtered Shade. The paint color has subtle purple and brown undertones that do little to alter its overall cool look. For a neutral, Valspar Filtered Shade can look slightly more beautiful, depending on lighting and color pairings.

It has an LRV of 58.446 and belongs to the Popular Paint Colors Collection. The paint color works great in any room or space in a home. Valspar Filtered Shade has good versatility and pairs well with several other paint colors.

Color pairings that work best with it include Valspar Bistro White, Antique White, and Royal Navy. While it looks good on cabinets and doors, the paint color works best on walls, whether interior or exterior.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Filtered Shade	58.446	R:203 G:201 B:196	Subtle Purple and Brown	Warm

FAQs

Which Valspar Gray Paint Color is the Brightest?

The brightest Valspar Gray Paint Color is Valspar Summer Gray. Although it belongs to the White paint color family, it is technically gray on account of its shade and tone. It has a high LRV of 80, which puts in the range of white and off-white paint colors.

Do Valspar Gray Paint Colors Work on Cabinets?

Yes, they do. Just like other every other paint color out there, gray paint colors work great on cabinets too. You simply have to pair them with the right colors, as the difference between shades, tones, or tinges remains the key to make them work.

However, note that darker paint colors generally look better on cabinets, hence their high popularity for such among homeowners and experts.

What is the Best Valspar Gray for Nursery?

Valspar Notre Dame is the best Valspar gray for nurseries and also bedrooms in general. The neutral has a cool and relaxed vibe that suit such spaces. It also pairs nicely with several other paint colors, making it easy to incorporate into your palette.

Which Valspar Gray has a Stony Look?

As a gray paint color with an earthy shade and vibe, Valspar Tempered Gray can easily give a ‘stony’ look. This occurs more on exterior walls, giving them a more natural look. Nevertheless, the paint color also works well in interior spaces and has good versatility.

Conclusion

The Best Gray Paint Colors from Valspar cover a wide range. This means that you will always find one that suits your tastes and space. The neutrals I have included in this list have varying shades, Light Reflectance Values (LRVs), undertones, and even temperatures.

To ensure that you get the best of Valspar gray paint colors, always perform a swatch test before use. Most paint colors tend to look significantly different on walls then they do in pictures or on screens. As such, performing the test helps to prevent unpleasant surprises.