Update Your Gray Laminate, Carpet, LVT, Wood, & Tile
It seems crazy to type ‘the best neutral colors to UPDATE gray floors,’ but here we are in a new trend cycle. I’ll give it to gray for lasting longer than many, but its time has come, as many lean into warmer colors on their walls, cabinets, and floors.
But transitioning out of gray and into something warmer isn’t always easy. In fact, depending on how much gray you have, it can be darn hard (insert wine and funnel HERE). Wait, you don’t need wine—you have a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket (who pinches upon request—wink, wink).
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I won’t tell you these colors are fool-proof – no colors are, no matter your situation. However, they’re great GUIDELINE colors, giving you a place to start. Then, depending on your exact finishes and their needs, you can adjust accordingly. And if all else fails, you know who can help.
But while these neutral shades are hepful ‘guideline colors,’ there are also a few rules…
I CAN’T GIVE YOU WHAT DOESN’T EXIST (I’m good, but not THAT good)
Depending on your exact gray floor and the surrounding finishes, there might not be a ‘perfect color’ – a color that makes your gray finishes AND YOU 100% happy. The reality is that some gray homes don’t transition well into a new style and the only way into a new style…is with new flooring.
Remember to choose colors for the home you HAVE, not the home you WISH you had.
In this case, you’re often looking at gray or white walls. While many try to avoid gray, white isn’t so bad, as the right shade can handle a wide range of furnishings and accents!
COOLER VS. WARMER VS. LIGHTER VS DARKER
If you want your walls to be warmer in color than your gray flooring, they’ll need to be LIGHTER than your flooring. While you can learn more about this hot topic here, warm colors don’t like finishes that are cooler AND lighter than them. Another way to think about that is that cool colors/finishes don’t want colors that are darker and warmer than them. I know, it’s a lot to wrap the noggin’ around.
If that goes too deep, ignore me and keep on reading.
Now, you don’t get off THAT easy. I’m not just a ‘tell you what to do’ type of blogger; I’m a ‘help you LEARN what to do’ blogger. Learning about your home and its finishes can help you make smart choices or avoid a potential hot mess.
GRAY FLOORING – RIP 2020
Whether you have a gray wash wood floor, gray LVT or LVP (Luxury Vinyl Tile/Plank), carpet, laminate, or tile (I try to hit all the bases), gray is no longer trending. However, replacing a huge expanse of flooring is expensive, and most want to work with what they have rather than replace it (the same goes for hubby’s).
But guess what, Buttercup?
You may THINK your flooring is ‘just gray,’ but there’s a 99.9% chance it isn’t as ‘gray’ as you think.
The challenge is that, like with gray paint colors, gray flooring has undertones. The difference is that while you can get blue, green, violet, or a blend when choosing paint colors, regarding flooring, the options aren’t as varied or common. In fact, there is ONE undertone/color that dominates the others by a longshot, so let’s find out what that is…
GRAY CARPET
Whether warm or cool-toned, gray carpet usually has a VIOLET or violet-pink undertone. Sure, there’s the odd green hue (which I have in my home), but blue is rarer.
This is the carpet on my stairs, as I prefer green undertones over blue or purple.
If your carpet resembles one of these (below), it has a violet undertone. The ones on the left (top three) are warmer (pink-violet), whereas those on the right and the bottom left aren’t nearly as warm but still have a purple hue.
Do any of these look somewhat familiar?
The carpet in this staircase has a warm violet (violet-pink) undertone…
LAMINATE FLOORING & LVP
I bet your cute little booty that your gray laminate flooring has a VIOLET/violet-pink undertone. It’s rare to find blue or green. The laminate flooring in this next image has a violet-pink undertone, but not an overly warm one…
As for gray LVP, just like laminate, it almost always has a VIOLET (purple hue), rarely green or blue. This can be a soft violet or a warmer one that leans more violet-pink.
Do any of these look somewhat familiar?
This LVP bathroom floor has a warm violet (violet-pink) undertone…
This next floor has a more subtle, warm violet-pink hue. If you’re having trouble seeing it, compare it to the stone on the fireplace…
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)
LVT differs from LVP because LVT is in tile format (e.g., 12×24) and looks like a tile. LVP is a long, narrow plank that tends to look like wood. FUN FACTS! Anywaaaaay, there can be a range with LVT, depending on the type of tile they created/tried to mimic. Most often, there’s VIOLET, but I’ve seen some green. Again, blue isn’t as common.
WOOD FLOOR
Whether solid or engineered, most gray-wash wood floors have a violet-pink undertone. Sure, the odd one pops up a touch of green or blue, but violet is the main currency. The solid wood floor in this next image has a warm violet (violet-pink) undertone.
However, unlike most wood-look products, wood flooring can have some interesting variations. These variations can potentially offer more wall color options. While these exceptions are not the rule, if your floor has gray-violet tones and a good dose of brown or orange-yellow warmth, you could have a bit more room to move.
TILE FLOORING
While there can be some variety, the most common tiles cater to VIOLET. This next beautiful bathroom has a dark floor tile that’s still trendy and usable because it’s so dark and grounding (the light and mid-toned grays can be trickier). It has a violet undertone.
As you can see, violet/purple is the common factor in most gray flooring, and I’ll base my suggestions on it. We’d be here all day if I were to base my recommendations on all three undertones (however, you’d get to see me transition from coffee and Baileys to gin and tonic, which is always an adventure).
But here’s the deal, Aly McBeal (dating myself, which I’d never do, as I’m SUPER NEEDY). Anyway. My Online Color Consulting clients have just started transitioning.
While gray fell out of trend in flooring a few years ago, it’s only NOW that we’re seeing the masses shifting their attention to warmer/non-gray wall colors.
Heck, 70% of my clients are hiring me to update their 1990s and Tuscan-style 2000s homes – the 2010s-2020s are just starting to roll in!
This means I don’t have the BEFORE & AFTER images I desperately want to show you. So, if you follow my advice, please send photos! In the meantime, I have some wicked awesome colors to share with you…
SUPER IMPORTANT NOTE
Before you jump feet first and buck-nekkid into the color pool, please note that the colors listed below are IN ORDER.
These colors are listed from COOLEST TO WARMEST
If you sample a color and find it too cool for your flooring and room, nudge a bit warmer. If you go too far (story of my life, right, Mom?), tip back towards the grays again. Hopefully, by the time you’re done sampling, you’ll have your perfect shade!
Listen carefully to your home and its needs!
But most importantly, don’t just pick and sample one color – sample a range. I’ll include links to CURATED SAMPLER PACKS of colors for you to compare.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS LAZY GRAY SW 6254
Would I paint my home Lazy Gray, even if I had COOL gray flooring with violet-blue undertones? Nope. If I had that flooring, I’d lean into a shade of white – Lazy Gray is a darn cold look for the average room. However, it’s not all about ME, which is why we’re starting with it.
The flooring in this next living room has a violet-blue hue and would love a cool gray like Lazy Gray. The homeowner chose Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray, which is CLOSE but doesn’t have quite the right blend of undertones…
Lazy Gray has an LRV of 53, making it a light-medium depth. It’s best suited to a room with above-average natural lighting, as it could look too dark/heavy in a room with low-light. As for undertones, you guessed it—this bad boy has blue and violet ones, as does the ODD gray flooring.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Lazy Gray
THE THREE BEST COLORS TO COMPARE WITH LAZY GRAY
If you like Lazy Gray, sample and compare it to its most similar shades, including…
- Sherwin Williams Olympus White
- Sherwin Williams Rhinestone, for a considerably lighter, more crisp approach.
- Benjamin Moore Silver Half Dollar
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ON THE ROCKS SW 7671
On the Rocks is a beauty, and for those with a slightly cool-toned gray floor, it offers a subtle nudge toward warmth without any real commitment. This is because On the Rocks isn’t overly warm or cool – I call it a ‘stormy gray.’ It caters to a violet undertone, and while it can lean a wink violet-blue (cool) or violet-pink (warm), it’s situational.
Get your Samplize Peel & Stick sample of On the Rocks
As for depth, On the Rocks has an LRV of 62, which makes it a light-depth neutral shade of gray.
On the Rocks doesn’t always look THIS violet, but it sure as heck looks pretty with the gray tile flooring!
This is how On the Rocks usually shows up at the party – soft and subtle.
My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams On the Rocks
If you love the looks of On the Rocks, sample and compare it to similar shades of gray with a SAMPLER of Peel & Stick Grays.
3. BENJAMIN MOORE SMOKE EMBERS 1466
Smoke Embers has a bit more meat on its bones than some of the greys on this page, but with its LRV of 51.44, it sits snugly in the light-medium range—nowhere near the medium depths.
Get your Peel & Stick samples of Smoke Embers!
This gray has some warmth but not enough to balance out a cool, north-facing room – it will still read a bit stormy/heavy.
If you love the looks of Smoke Embers, sample and compare it to similar shades of gray with a SAMPLER BUNDLE of stormy and warm grays.
4. BENJAMIN MOORE NIMBUS 1465
Nimbus is right up there with On the Rocks as it winks at the cool gray world, but this time, it leans a bit warmer (in comparing the two).
Get your Samplize Peel & Stick sample of Nimbus
As for depth, Nimbus has an LRV of 59.4. This number means that Nimbus is a light-depth shade of gray but on the slightly darker end of the range (the light range runs approximately 55-73).
The Ultimate Guide to Using LRV for Choosing Paint Colors
The tile in this next bathroom has a range of tints and tones. The more variation your gray surface has, the more flexible it could be towards a range of paint colors.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Nimbus
If you love the look of Nimbus, sample and compare it to similar shades of gray with a LIGHT WARM GRAY SAMPLER BUNDLE.
5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EIDER WHITE SW 7014
Eider White is a popular shade of off-white. PERSONALLY, I find it a bit too violet, but for those who want to lean into their floors, but with a lighter, brighter (non-white) shade, Eider White could hit the spot!
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Eider White!
Eider White’s LRV of 73 puts it between the light and off-white depths. As shown in this next kitchen, Eider White can be a beautiful cabinet color…
My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Eider White
If you love the look of Eider White, sample and compare it to similar shades of gray with an OFF-WHITE WARM GRAY SAMPLER BUNDLE.
Remember, paint colors can reflect a LOT OF LIGHT and change depending on your room’s exposure – it’s not JUST about your interior finishes!
6. BENJAMIN MOORE COLLINGWOOD OC-28
Collingwood is one of my favorite warm shades of gray. With gentle violet undertones, Collingwood offers a modest contrast with white trim, while still giving your walls some ‘noticeable color’.
Get your Samplize Peel & Stick sample of Collingwood
If you’re looking for a gray with a reasonable depth without weighing your room down (assuming your room has a reasonable amount of light), Collingwood’s LRV of 61.52 is a great place to start.
I’ve been suggesting Collingwood to my Online Paint Color Consulting clients for YEARS, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. While trends are leaning warmer, Collingwood is one of my top recommendations when it comes to homes and finishes that NEED gray-violet.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood
If you love the look of Collingwood, check out this OFF-WHITE & LIGHT WARM GRAY SAMPLER to compare it to similar shades of gray.
7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CITY LOFT SW 7631
City Loft is quite comparable to Egret White (coming up shortly); however, some finishes demand more undertone than Egret White offers, which is where City Loft steps in with its more noticeable, warm, violet-pink undertones.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of City Loft
Check out City Loft in this next home. The grey laminate flooring has a strong violet hue…
City Loft does a great job of nodding toward the purple in the flooring without leaning in too hard.
My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams City Loft
If you love the look of City Loft, sample and compare it to similar shades with an OFF-WHITE WARM GRAY SAMPLER!
8. BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST 0C-27
Balboa Mist is right up there with Collingwood in popularity; however, not everyone loves its slightly more committed undertones. That’s right, Balboa Mist grabs the violet and pink that most gray floors are looking for, but takes them up a small notch.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Balboa Mist HERE!
As for depth, Balboa Mist has an LRV of 65.53, which is right in the sweet spot for the average room. While this next bathroom doesn’t have gray flooring, it’s easy to see how pretty Balboa Mist looks with the medium-toned gray vanity.
My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
If you love the look of Balboa Mist, sample and compare it to similar shades with a LIGHT WARM GRAY SAMPLER!
9. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23
Classic Gray has been in style for a long time, and with trends shifting out of gray and toward warmer shades, it’s one of those grays that will last (compared to cooler shades of gray). As for undertones, Classic Gray winks at violet-pink with a first Tinder date level of commitment.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Classic Gray
Not everyone loves seeing violet or pink hues on their walls – I get it, I don’t love them either. Just remember…
Sometimes, it’s about the right color in the right room.
For example, would I put Classic Gray in my living room and kitchen? HECK NO; the violet-pink undertones would make me twitch and cry in the corner with an empty wine bottle at my feet. However, I painted my YouTube studio in Classic Gray, as it suits the surrounding finishes and overall vibe, and ended up falling in love with its gentle, taupe-inspired look!
Classic Gray is an off-white gray with an LRV of 73.67. This depth offers a more subtle contrast with white trim than grays with lower LRVs. For this reason, it’s best if Classic Gray is partnered with a reasonably bright shade of white.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
If you love the look of Classic Gray, sample and compare it to similar shades with an OFF-WHITE WARM GRAY SAMPLER!
And the shift begins…
All the colors previously listed have a reasonably good chance of working with the average gray flooring.
Can you try the following colors with your traditional gray floor?
You bet your cute little booty you can – it NEVER hurts to sample and compare.These next ones are where we start shifting our intentions and our temperature. Sample and compare a range of these warm neutrals (above and below) to see which ones settle best with your gray laminate, tile, or carpet.
This said, the more warmth and variation your gray flooring has, the more likely it will handle the following colors…
10. SHERWIN WILLAMS EGRET WHITE SW 7570
I have mad love for Egret White. This great transitional color nods to the warm and cool worlds without a hardcore commitment. Sure, it can look warm compared to a traditional shade of gray, but put it next to beige, and you’ll see just how much gray it’s hiding!
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Egret White
This is because Egret White is a shade of taupe. Compared to many other taupe colors, it has the least noticeable undertones, which is why it’s becoming one of my top recommended shades. As for depth, Egret White has an LRV of 70, which brings it pretty darn close to the off-white world while offering a bit more depth and contrast than most off-whites.
While this next living room doesn’t have gray flooring, it’s still easy to see how friggin’ gorgeous Egret White can be…
Which is better, Classic Gray or Egret White?
Oooo, that’s a good question. Off the top, Classic Gray is more popular, for sure. However, I find many of my clients leaning into the slightly more purposeful warmth and depth of Egret White.
My FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White
If you love the look of Egret White,try a LIGHT TAUPE SAMPLER to compare it to similar shades!
11. BENJAMIN MOORE PALE OAK OC-20
Pale Oak is a beautiful shade of taupe. Its noticeable but not overwhelming violet-pink undertones make it a great fit with gray wood-look flooring or tiles in varying shades.
Many people get nervous about the ‘p’ word and consider it a four-letter word. Don’t be scared, as if your flooring has some of this color/undertone; you might be pleasantly surprised at how STUNNING your room looks when your walls and flooring coordinate properly!
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Pale Oak
Pale Oak is a light depth, thanks to its LRV of 68.64. However, unlike most other ‘light’ shades on this page, it’s on the higher end of this range.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
If you love the look of Egret White,try an OFF-WHITE & LIGHT TAUPE SAMPLER to compare it to similar shades!
If you’re looking for more COLORFUL SHADES to partner with your gray floor, that blog post is in progress!
If you want to check out some WHITES – click HERE!
12. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC-173
Edgecomb Gray is a classic shade. It’s considerably warmer than gray but seems much grayer than beige. This is because Edgecomb Gray is a bridge color between the two worlds!
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Edgecomb Gray HERE!
But (a big, Kardashian-inspired one), you need to sample it carefully to ensure it satisfies your particular gray flooring, as some gray floors demand a noticeable and committed undertone – which Edgecomb Gray doesn’t offer.
Edgecomb Gray is one of this page’s most ‘neutral’ options.
As for depth, Edgecomb Gray comes in at 63.09, which is right in my happy range!
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
If you love the look of Edgecomb Gray, try a LIGHT TAUPE SAMPLER to compare it to other popular shades!
13. BENJAMIN MOORE ELMIRA WHITE HC-84
While Elmira White doesn’t get nearly enough love as it should, as we transition to the warmer world, I imagine its party invites will be rolling in. Elmira White is similar to Edgecomb Gray but picks up more beige-taupe undertones. A color like this can be interesting for those with gray-stained wood floors with various tones, including brown-based warmth.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Elmira White
As for LRV, Elmira White is 64.67, roughly in the middle of the light range.
14. BENJAMIN MOORE CEDAR KEY 982
Cedar Key is an interesting shade. It sits on the edge of beige while still holding onto taupe for dear life!
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Cedar Key
Along with that dusky, taupe-gray backdrop, Cedar Key has an LRV of 61.05, which puts it on the slightly darker end of the light range.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Cedar Key
If you love the look of Cedar Key, try an OFF-WHITE & LIGHT BEIGE SAMPLER to compare it to other popular shades!
15. SHERWIN WILLIAMS KESTREL WHITE SW 7516
I love Kestrel White. For gray flooring with varying neutrals/tones, Kestrel White can add the touch of taupe some floors need while nodding at the warmer world.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Kestrel White HERE
With an LRV of 68, Kestrel White offers a bit more depth than some of the other popular, subtle shades of beige, without picking up the depth of some of the top shades like Benjamin Moore Muslin and Sherwin Williams Natural Linen.
If you love the look of Kestrel White, try an OFF-WHITE BEIGE SAMPLER (and add Kestrel White to the mix) tocompare it to other popular shades!
16. BENJAMIN MOORE MARITIME WHITE
Maritime White is a gentle, warm, neutral color stuck between the off-white and light worlds. Its beige base offers warmth without looking anything like the heavy, golden beiges of the early 2000s.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Maritime White
Generally speaking, the lighter your color, the better your chances of it working with your gray flooring.
With an LRV of 71.6, Maritime White is at the lightest end of the light range (approx. 55-73) while still offering a nice contrast with a brighter white trim. This isn’t to say it’s foolproof, but this approach has a better chance than colors with more depth (lower LRVs).
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Maritime White
If you love the look of Maritime White, try an OFF-WHITE BEIGE SAMPLER (and add Kestrel White to the mix) tocompare it to other popular shades!
THE IN-BETWEEN’S
Some floors are hard to get a good read on – do they have violet or green undertones? Or maybe there’s a flash of blue? WHO THE HECK KNOWS?!
When unsure of what you’re dealing with, it’s important to sample and compare, including colors like the three listed below…
17. BENJAMIN MOORE RODEO 1534
Rodeo is an interesting one for those with gray flooring that potentially has green undertones. While Rodeo can politely nod at the violet world, it loves flooring with a flash of green, as shown in the carpet on this staircase.
How to Update Your 1990s Staircase
With an LRV of 59.84, Rodeo has some meat on its bones and is best for rooms or spaces with a reasonable amount of natural light.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Rodeo
If Rodeo sounds like it will hit the spot, compare it to other popular shades with this LIGHT GREIGE SAMPLER!
18. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY SW 7029
When it comes to flexibility, it’s hard to beat Agreeable Gray. This color is stuck between warm gray, taupe, and greige, and can politely nod at all three with minimal allegiance.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Agreeable Gray HERE
For example, this next carpet has navy blue, but it also has an interesting light gray in the pattern that doesn’t cater hard to violet or green. In this case, Agreeable Gray is the perfect color…
As for its depth, Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60, which is about as low as I would go for the average, reasonably well-lit space.
However, before you jump on the Agreeable Gray bandwagon (as many have), it’s not foolproof, ESPECIALLY if you’re flooring really does cater to violet or pink undertones. For example, while Agreeable Gray is ‘okay’ in this next space, it doesn’t have the committed violet undertone that this LVP flooring would prefer…
Because of the warm violet-pink of the flooring, Agreeable Gray looks a touch green in comparison.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
If Agreeable Gray sounds like the color for you and your home, sample and compare it to other shades in this LIGHT & LIGHT-MEDIUM GREIGE SAMPLER!
19. SHERWIN WILLIAMS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY SW 0055
While the previous two colors nod vaguely at the potential of green undertones, Light French Gray offers a more ‘neutral’ approach. While it caters to violet, it has the least violet in the stormy gray range. This can make it an interesting choice if you think your flooring has some violet-blue hues without making your room as icy cold as Lazy Gray.
Light French Gray shiplap with Sherwin Williams Pure Whitewalls and trims.
Not everyone wants light and bright walls, and Light French Gray has a bit more depth than many others suggested. Its LRV of 53 offers more contrast with white trim and can humor a reasonable range of whites.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Light French Gray
However, when it comes to undertones, Light French Gray has some of the least noticeable violet hues, which is good if you’re nervous about purple.
If Light French Gray is the type of gray you and your home have been looking for, COMPARE it to similar shades in this LIGHT-MEDIUM WARM GRAY SAMPLER!
READ MORE
The Best WHITE Paint Colors to Update Gray Flooring
How to Transition from Gray to Beige
Is Gray Flooring Still Trendy?
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