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Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray Paint Color Spotlight

In the search for the perfect gray, Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray should definitely be one to consider. It’s one of the most popular grays and will add warmth and depth to any space. 

benjamin moore chelsea gray

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Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray is from the Historical Collection of Benjamin Moore and is a timeless neutral shade. The Historical Collection from Benjamin Moore includes colors that begin with “HC” and are inspired  by 18th and 19th century classic architecture throughout North America.

Colors from this collection are timeless and versatile, and you just can’t go wrong when you paint your home with them.  

As with any color, I recommend trying a sample can before buying a whole gallon and painting a room. Colors always look different on computer monitors than they do in reality.

Peel and stick samples of this and all Benjamin Moore paint colors are available here: Peel and Stick Paint Sample Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray  

Chelsea Gray FAQ’s

What color is Chelsea Gray?

Chelsea Gray is a deep, warmer gray, as opposed to being a cool, blue-gray.  It leans a little towards taupe in certain lighting situations, but is still a true gray.  

Chelsea Gray HC-168 LRV

On a scale from 0 to 100 with 100 being the lightest, Chelsea Gray is on the darker side with a 22.16 light reflective value.

Using a higher gloss will change this slightly since it will reflect more light and make it appear the tiniest bit lighter.

See more about paint gloss levels here: The Ultimate Paint Sheen Guide

light reflective value of Chelsea Gray illustration

How to use Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray is a fairly neutral gray and will work in most rooms and with many different colors. It works especially well for these areas:

What colors coordinate with HC-168 Chelsea Gray?

benjamin moore chelsea gray coordinating colors

Warm colors such as coral, copper, pink, and red would be good accents for Chelsea Gray. It would also look great with muted colors like these:

What is a darker shade of Chelsea Gray?

These are the darker versions of Chelsea Gray:

What is a lighter shade of Chelsea Gray?

Here are several lighter versions of Chelsea Gray:

Chelsea Gray HC-168 Color Strip

Although Chelsea Gray doesn’t appear on a full color strip but only on a 3-color strip, I’ve created one here with the darker and lighter shades. You can use any of these colors for a monochromatic color scheme.

color strip for Chelsea Gray

What trim colors look best with Chelsea Gray?

You should be careful when choosing your trim color. Whites and off whites always have very slight tints to them and you want to be sure you don’t pick one that will clash.

See my full post for whites and off-whites from Benjamin Moore here: 20 Best Whites and Off-Whites from Benjamin Moore

These are the best trim colors for Chelsea Gray.

For a fresh clean white, try these colors:

For a softer white, these colors work well:

Real Homes painted with Chelsea Gray HC-168

Chelsea Gray with Revere Pewter

In this classically styled home Revere Pewter looks lovely with the next room painted in Chelsea Gray. The white trim makes all of it look sharp and crisp. Simply beautiful.

living room painted with Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Closest wall: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, Trim: Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White

Chelsea Gray Exterior Siding

Here’s a great example of how nice Chelsea Gray looks with Wythe Blue. Caitlyn transformed the look of her house when she changed it from yellow to Chelsea Gray. 

chelsea gray paint on exterior of home

Caitlyn Peterson on IG

Chelsea Gray Kitchen

I’m in love with this kitchen featured at dear lillie.  The rich, deep gray tones contrast beautifully with the white cabinets.  And the copper pots add just the right punch of color.

kitchen with hanging pots and Chelsea Gray Walls

From dear lillie

Furniture Painted with Chelsea Gray

This vintage dresser with the classic lines was given a brand new look with a fresh coat of Chelsea Gray. Isn’t is gorgeous?

dresser painted with Chelsea Gray

The Elowen Estate

Chelsea Gray Office

As you can see in this traditional office, Chelsea Gray is a wonderful complementary color for natural wood tones. 

office with wood secretary desk and Chelsea Gray walls

Ballard Designs

Kitchen Cabinets painted with Chelsea Gray

Laura at Inspiration for Moms renovated her kitchen and painted her cabinets with Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray. The new look is so fresh and invigorating.

kitchen cabinets painted with benjamin moore chelsea gray

Inspiration for Moms

Chelsea Gray Bathroom

Again, Chelsea Gray is a great backdrop for all of the colors on these fabulous oil paintings in this bathroom from Little Green Notebook.  I think I need to start collecting vintage paintings after seeing this space.

bathroom with benjamin moore chelsea gray walls

From Little Green Notebook

Chelsea Gray Living Room

This living room belonging to Brooke Shields looks amazing with the Chelsea Gray walls. It pairs perfectly with the warm woods and crisp white trim. 

living room with benjamin moore chelsea gray walls

Photo: William Waldron

Architectural Digest

Chelsea Gray bathroom vanity

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia updated her dated wood vanity with a coat of Chelsea Gray and it looks like a brand new piece. Painting your vanity is an easy way to do a quick makeover for your bathroom. It only takes about a quart of paint.

Chelsea Gray bathroom vanity

My Uncommon Slice of Surburbia

What’s your opinion of Chelsea Gray?  Too dark?  Too gray?  Just right?  I haven’t used it yet, but really like the way it looks in all of these spaces.  

I’m Angie!

Are you wondering how I know so much about paint? (I’m sure it’s keeping you awake at night😄) Here’s the scoop. Paint is in my DNA. My parents owned a paint and decorating shop in east Tennessee for 40+ years, and my husband and I also owned an independent paint and decorating store in Nashville for 13 years. I’ve spent 30+ years answering every imaginable question related to painting, wallpapering, and choosing colors. Thousands, literally.

They say to write about what you know, so you’ll find my best tips here on my blog. If you have a question, send me an email at angie@postcardsfromtheridge.com and I’ll either answer you directly or possibly write a new post!

See all of my paint related posts here: Favorite Paint Colors & More

15 Comments

  1. I am so in love that I wish to copy everything here….I hope you don't mind, imitation is the best form of flattery!! 🙂

    1. Isn't it a great color? I love all the rooms too. They have some great ideas, they? Thanks for stopping by! ~ Angie

  2. For those that have used chelsea gray or who are experienced with paint….what finish would you recommend? Eggshell or satin? I am considering for above chair rail in dining room and am wondering with this dark color what is the best finish? Should I use flat, eggshell or satin? Thank you for any recommendations.

  3. I meant to ask in my last message… do you have any bold color suggestions that might compliment Chelsea Gray? We have a large East facing wall that we'd like to paint. Thank you!

    1. Hi! You didn't leave an email address for me to reply to. Please contact me via the contact form or leave your email so I can reply.

  4. Hi there! I am using Chelsea gray to paint my kitchen cabinets, but an struggling to find a light color to use on my kitchen walls. My floors are a mid tone brown oak flooring. Any suggestions of a good light color that would go with Chelsea gray cabinets? email: vln_00@yahoo.com
    Thanks!

  5. hello – would you agree or not, this color on kitchen cabinets with a dark grey or nearly black soapstone countertop. TIA!

  6. Hi there! Love this article! I am using Chelsea gray to paint my kitchen cabinets also, and struggling to find a color to use on my kitchen walls. (we have white trim). Our large kitchen island cabinet is walnut and we have white countertops (with a slight gray veining). Any suggestions? thanks! rhoades1121@yahoo.com

  7. We just painted our 2 story craftsman BM chelsea grey and I love it. We painted the front door SW tricorn black and the trim is SW extra white.
    My only complaint is that at certain times of the day the house looks green. I will say that the extra white is a perfect trim color and I just love the black door.

  8. I am trying to find a nice coral/peach to go with Chelsea gray and gray owl. Do you have any suggestions?

    1. Hi Stephanie.
      While doing a quick look through my fan decks I found these: #1172 Pink Beach; #1173 Southern Charm; HC-56 Georgetown Pink Beige. Not sure how you’ll be using it, but pinks, corals, and peaches (& yellows) look much more intense on the walls than on a color swatch. Definitely sample the colors first, and go lighter and more muted than what you like on any color chips. Good luck, and let me know what you go with!
      Angie

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