Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is one of the most loved paint colors for homes right now. This soft, warm gray makes any room feel calm and welcoming. Classic Gray OC-23 is a warm gray paint color that works beautifully as a neutral paint color throughout your home. Many people choose it because it fits in almost every space, from bedrooms to living rooms. If you’re looking for a color that feels cozy and modern at the same time, Classic Gray might be perfect for you.

Quick Specs at a Glance

• Brand: Benjamin Moore
• Color Code: OC-23 / 1548
• LRV: 74 (very light and airy)
• Tone: Warm gray / greige
• Best For: Whole-house color, living rooms, bedrooms
• Pairs With: White trim, warm wood floors

What Color Is Benjamin Moore Classic Gray?

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a warm, soft gray paint color. It sits somewhere between gray and beige, which designers call “greige.” This color doesn’t feel cold or boring like some grays do. Instead, it has a gentle warmth that makes rooms feel comfortable.

When you look at Classic Gray on the wall, you’ll notice it’s not a true gray. It leans slightly toward beige, especially when natural light hits it. This warmth is what makes it so popular for homes. It’s light enough to make rooms feel bigger, but not so light that it looks like plain white.

LRV of Classic Gray (OC-23)

The Classic Gray LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is 74. This number tells us how much light the color reflects. The scale goes from 0 (completely black) to 100 (pure white).

With an LRV of 74, Classic Gray reflects a lot of light. This means your rooms will feel bright and open. It’s a great choice if you want a light, airy feeling in your home. Colors with an LRV above 70 work well in rooms that don’t get much natural light because they help bounce light around.

Classic Gray LRV Snapshot

• LRV: 74 (light and reflective)
• Reflects a lot of natural and artificial light

• Works well in low-light rooms because it bounces light around
• Doesn’t appear stark white — still has a soft gray warmth
• Ideal for small rooms, hallways, or basements

Classic Gray Undertones (Warm or Cool?)

Understanding Classic Gray undertones helps you know how it will look in your home. This paint has soft warm undertones that lean slightly beige. In bright, sunny rooms, it can look almost like an off-white with just a hint of gray.

Here’s what you might notice:

• In rooms with lots of natural light, Classic Gray looks very light and warm
• In rooms facing north (with cooler light), it shows more of its gray side
• Some people notice a slight purple or violet undertone in low light or at certain times of day
• Next to bright white trim, the warm beige undertones become more obvious

Don’t worry if the color looks different in various rooms. This is normal for all paint colors. The lighting in each space changes how we see the color.

According to The Spruce’s guide to choosing gray paint, warm grays like Classic Gray work better in most homes than cool grays because they feel more welcoming.

Does Classic Gray Work as a Whole-House Color?

Yes! Benjamin Moore Classic Gray makes a wonderful whole-house paint color. Many designers recommend using one neutral paint color throughout your home to create a smooth, flowing feeling from room to room.

Here’s why it works so well:

• It’s neutral enough to match different furniture styles
• The warm undertones make every room feel cozy
• It’s light enough that hallways and small spaces don’t feel dark
• You can use different decor colors in each room while keeping the walls the same

When Classic Gray works best:

• North-facing rooms where it adds warmth
• Medium-sized rooms with normal lighting
• Homes with white or light wood trim

When to be careful:

• Very bright, south-facing rooms might make it look washed out
• Rooms with yellow-toned lighting might make it look too beige
• Small, dark rooms might need something even lighter

Best Trim & Ceiling Color Pairings

Choosing the right trim and ceiling colors makes Classic Gray look even better. Here are the best combinations:

Most people choose bright white trim like Chantilly Lace or Simply White. The contrast makes Classic Gray’s warmth stand out beautifully. If you prefer a softer look, White Dove trim creates a gentle, flowing feeling.

For ceilings, you have two good choices. You can paint them in Classic Gray using a flat finish for a modern look. Or you can use a white ceiling for a more traditional feel.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray vs Other Popular Grays

How does Classic Gray compare to other favorite gray paints? Here’s a simple breakdown:

Classic Gray vs Edgecomb Gray: Edgecomb Gray is a bit darker and has more beige. If Classic Gray feels too light, try Edgecomb Gray.

Classic Gray vs Gray Owl: Gray Owl is cooler and has subtle blue undertones. Choose Gray Owl if you want a true gray without warmth.

You can learn more about comparing paint colors at Benjamin Moore’s official color gallery.

Where to Use Classic Gray (Room-by-Room Inspiration)

Living Rooms

• Creates a calm backdrop for colorful furniture and artwork
• Works with both modern and traditional decor
• Makes the room feel spacious and bright

Bedrooms

• The warm undertones create a peaceful sleeping space
• Pairs beautifully with white bedding and wood furniture
• Doesn’t feel cold or unwelcoming like some grays

Kitchens

• Light enough to make kitchens feel clean and open
• Goes well with white, gray, or wood cabinets
• Handles kitchen lighting (both warm and cool) nicely

Hallways and Entryways:

• Makes narrow hallways feel wider
• Creates a welcoming first impression
• Connects different rooms smoothly

Bathrooms

• The warmth prevents that cold, sterile feeling
• Looks fresh with white fixtures
• Works in both small powder rooms and large master baths

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Very easy to decorate around – matches almost everything
• Warm enough to feel cozy, light enough to feel fresh
• Works in most rooms and with different lighting
• Popular enough that you’ll find lots of design ideas online
• Doesn’t go out of style quickly

Cons:

• Can look washed out in very bright, south-facing rooms
• The undertones might surprise you in certain lighting
• Some people find it too safe or neutral
• Might need darker accent walls in very large, open spaces

Final Verdict — Should You Choose Classic Gray?

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray deserves its place as a designer favorite. This warm gray paint color works beautifully in most homes and with most decor styles. It’s especially perfect if you want a neutral color that doesn’t feel cold or boring.

Choose Classic Gray if you:

• Want a whole-house color that flows from room to room
• Like warm, cozy neutrals more than cool, crisp ones
• Have a mix of different lighting throughout your home
• Want something safe but still stylish

Before you paint your whole house, always test the color first. Get peel-and-stick samples or paint a large poster board. Look at it in different rooms and at different times of day. This helps you see the undertones and make sure you love it.

Pro Tip: Order a peel-and-stick sample from Samplize instead of guessing. These removable samples let you test Classic Gray on your actual walls without any mess or commitment. Move them from room to room to see how the color looks in different lighting throughout the day.

FAQ — Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Is Classic Gray greige or gray?

Classic Gray is technically a greige color. Greige means a mix of gray and beige. It leans more toward gray than beige, but the warm beige undertones are definitely there. In very bright light, it might look more beige. In normal light, it looks like a soft, warm gray.

Which decor styles pair best with Classic Gray?

Classic Gray works with almost every decor style. It’s perfect for modern farmhouse, traditional, contemporary, coastal, and minimalist styles. Because it’s so neutral, you can easily change your decor style without repainting. It looks great with both warm wood tones and cool metal finishes.

What flooring colors work best with Classic Gray?

Classic Gray pairs beautifully with many flooring options:

• Medium to dark wood floors (walnut, oak, hickory)
• Light natural wood or whitewashed floors
• Gray or beige carpet
• White or light gray tile
• Even darker floors in espresso or ebony

Avoid very yellow-toned or orange wood floors, as they might clash with the gray undertones.

Can Classic Gray be used on kitchen cabinets?

Yes, but it works better on walls than cabinets. Classic Gray is quite light, so cabinets might look almost white instead of gray. If you want gray cabinets, consider going a few shades darker like Chelsea Gray or Kendall Charcoal. Save Classic Gray for your kitchen walls to create a soft, neutral backdrop.

Is Classic Gray a good exterior color?

Classic Gray can work on home exteriors, but be careful. As an exterior color, it might look very light or almost white depending on your climate and how much sun your house gets. It works best for:

• Homes in shaded areas or with lots of trees
• Accent walls or shutters rather than the whole house
• Homes in northern climates with less intense sun

For exteriors, many people choose slightly darker grays like Stonington Gray or Chelsea Gray for better visibility and contrast. Always test exterior colors with large samples because outdoor light is much stronger than indoor light.

Final Tip: Remember that every home is different. What looks perfect in one house might look different in yours. Always test paint colors before committing. Good luck with your painting project!

Daniel Hartman

Daniel Hartman is a paint color specialist with several years of experience helping homeowners choose the right shades for their spaces. He focuses on paint color reviews that explain undertones, finishes, textures, and color coordination in clear, practical ways, making complex decisions simple and approachable. Outside of writing, Daniel enjoys traveling, visiting art and design exhibits, and studying how different environments use color to transform interiors.