Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

We’ve been exploring paint colors for a while now at MHB and it never gets old. I love getting a closer look at paint colors with you guys. If you’re new to picking paint colors and want a more in-depth look beyond the paint chip that you might pick up at the paint store, then you are in the right place. What’s the color of the day? Edgecomb Gray!

All About Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Well, it’s as popular with designers as Elmo is with toddlers. Say hello to Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray! Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) by Benjamin Moore is one of the most popular and best-selling neutral paint colors. This shouldn’t be a surprise since it’s a beautiful, highly versatile, light-medium gray/greige that can be used anywhere or everywhere. It’s a great all over paint color! This light gray has warm undertones that give it a soft, inviting look – making it perfect for many home styles from traditional to modern.

Benjamin Moore describes Edgecomb Gray as, “a go-to neutral that can refresh a space, while providing a warm, welcoming feeling.” If that’s not a description of “the perfect” neutral, I don’t know what is. As we’ve already covered, it’s a best-selling color. It’s also part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection which celebrates some of Benjamin Moore’s most tried and true paint colors.

How Light or How Dark is Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

I always start by examining the value of a paint color because all too often when we select paint colors from a paint card, we get home, and get it on the walls only to realize the color is too dark or too light. For that not to happen, we have to get a good sense of the value of the color we are choosing. To do that we take note of a particular number called the LRV or the Light Reflectance Value.

LRV is a useful tool for determining how light or dark a paint color is. This value is determined by how much light is reflected. The value ranges from 0-100 with 100 being the whitest white and 0 being the darkest black. The more reflective the color, the lighter it will appear.

What is the LRV?

With that tool in mind, we can look at the LRV and gather information about how dark or light this color will be. The Light Reflectance Value or LRV of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is 63.09. This would be considered a light to medium gray. Compared to another popular medium gray paint color, Repose Gray with an LRV of 58, Edgecomb Gray is slightly lighter than Repose Gray.

Is Edgecomb Gray a Warm or Cool Color?

If understanding LRV is important to getting the right color value, then understanding undertones is important to making sure you get the shade. When selecting paint colors, especially in gray shades – you have to keep undertones in mind. Every paint color has undertones whether or not they are super obvious. Edgecomb Gray is a warm paint color because of its undertones. All grays have undertones. Some blue/violet undertones push a gray towards the cool end while pink/brown undertones give a warmer feel. Edgecomb Gray is relatively neutral even with its green undertones but it’s still considered a warm gray.

A paint color’s warmth or coolness is directly affected by the color’s undertones so the next important question to ask is…

What Undertones Does Edgecomb Gray Have?

As I said, Edgecomb Gray is a warm paint color but that warmth comes from green undertones. I know, if you are pulling out your color wheel confused right now, I get it. Edgecomb Gray is neutral. I mean neutrallllll. So even though it has green undertones, it’s balanced with the slightest hint of pink. Please don’t let this talk of green and pink when you are looking for a greige paint color scare you off. It all makes sense on the walls.

What are Some Coordinating Colors to Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray?

I think you’ll be pleased with Edgecomb Gray and how easy it is to find complementary colors. For trim, I always recommend Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. It’s a gorgeous crisp white that really pops beautifully against gray walls.

Some other beautiful colors that work well with Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray include:
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

• Sherwin Williams Naval
• Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Eider White
• Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
• Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog
• Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue
• Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
• Sherwin Williams Iron Ore
• Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
• Benjamin Moore White Heron

What Paint Sheen Should I Use for Edgecomb Gray?

I think eggshell and satin are both great options as paint sheens for Edgecomb Gray. I actually even like a flat finish but flat paint isn’t very forgiving on the walls. It will show every blemish. I prefer more matte finishes but that isn’t to say that high gloss finishes don’t have their place. If you want to evoke a more luxurious feel you could go with a semi-gloss or high-gloss sheen. For trim though, I recommend a satin or semi-gloss for easy cleaning.

Edgecomb Gray in Real Spaces

We can talk about paint colors endlessly but no words work as well as just seeing the paint color in real spaces. How does it look in a bathroom? What about Edgecomb Gray kitchen cabinets? Let’s dive in and see what HC-173 looks like in real spaces!

The elegant balance of gray and beige makes Edgecomb Gray a great paint color for cozy living spaces like this one here. It’s the perfect amount of warmth and softness that really creates an inviting atmosphere.

In an abundance of natural light, Edgecomb Gray softens slightly. Still a beautiful shade, you can see here that Edgecomb Gray looks a little bit washed out but not in an unpleasant way. It’s gorgeous – just the right amount of contrast for the rich wood floors.

We already know Edgecomb Gray works well in living spaces. It’s just as lovely in bedroom spaces. The light and airy feel that Edgecomb Gray creates, helps to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. It’s the perfect backdrop for any bedroom space.

Edgecomb Gray is a superb choice in this bedroom as well. Again, the layering of neutral with the greige backdrop creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere which is everything we want in a bedroom.

This elegant spacious kitchen shows us how lovely Edgecomb Gray can be in kitchens too. It’s light and airy enough to feel open, yet it’s still even contrast for white cabinets and trim.

If traditional is your vibe, then I think you’ll enjoy Edgecomb Gray as a bathroom paint color. It’s a nice backdrop of a neutral space. Paired with a white vanity and gray tile. It’s really achievable monochrome space.

Another calming bathroom featuring Edgecomb Gray. I love how the wall color creates a spa-like oasis feel in here.

I think greige sometimes gets a bad rap as being too traditional but this space has a modern edge and Edgecomb Gray works so well in here. I think that proves how wildly versatile this paint color is.

As you can see, Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray HC-173 is a beautiful and highly versatile neutral paint color that will look great in any space. Whether traditional or modern, this greige shade provides the perfect contrast for all your design needs.

Alternative Griege Paint Colors and How They Compare to Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Is there a Sherwin Williams Equivalent to Edgecomb Gray?

The answer is yes, kind of. Let’s take a look at Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige…

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray vs. Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige

There is not an exact match on the Sherwin Williams side for Edgecomb Gray but I’d say SW Accessible Beige is pretty close. Accessible Beige is comparable in warmth. It’s a tad bit more saturated than Edgecomb Gray with an LRV of 58 compared to Edgecomb Gray’s 63. Both colors are considered soft neutral greige paint colors but Accessible Beige is slightly more brown/beige than Edgecomb Gray. If you want something just a touch deeper in color, then Accessible Beige is a great option to consider.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray vs. Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Balboa Mist is another great alternative for Edgecomb Gray. It’s slightly cooler and just a smidge lighter than Edgecomb Gray. If the greige in Edgecomb is too warm for you then Balboa Mist is a nice option. You can get more acquainted with Balboa Mist here.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray vs. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

Another nice light greige shade, let’s see how Pale Oak and Edgecomb Gray square up. Both paint colors provide a warm and inviting feel. Pale Oak like Edgecomb Gray is a warm paint color although, next to Edgecomb Gray, Pale Oak looks slightly cooler. However, both colors are warm, beautiful light greige shades. If you want something a tad softer, you might pick Pale Oak over Edgecomb Gray but Edgecomb Gray definitely has the reputation of a top paint color which has it edging out Pale Oak.

Our Final Thoughts on Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is one of my favorite go-to neutral paint colors. Its versatility makes it easy to use in many different spaces, whether traditional or modern. The undertones give the gray a warm feel that still remains neutral and inviting. Paired with warm white trim, Edgecomb Gray is inviting and cozy. With its subtle sophistication paired with its easy-to-live-with characteristics, Edgecomb Gray is sure to be a win.