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. 

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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

How to use Chelsea Gray

What colors coordinate with HC-168 Chelsea Gray?

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:

• Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue
• Benjamin Moore White Mountains
• Benjamin Moore Brittany Blue
• Benjamin Moore Prescott Green
• Benjamin Moore Chippendale Rosetone

What is a darker shade of Chelsea Gray?

These are the darker versions of Chelsea Gray:

• Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray HC-167
• Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166

What is a lighter shade of Chelsea Gray?

Here are several lighter versions of Chelsea Gray:

• Benjamin Moore Bone Black CW-715
• Benjamin Moore Moonshine OC-56
• Benjamin Moore Gray Owl OC-52

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.

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:

• Benjamin Moore White OC-151
• Benjamin Moore Dove Wing
• Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White

For a softer white, these colors work well:

• Benjamin Moore Intense White OC-51
• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
• Benjamin Moore Calm
• Benjamin Moore White Dove

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.

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

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.