A Complete Guide to Paint Undertones

Understanding the nuances of paint undertones is essential when curating a color palette for your home. Have you ever bought a shade of white paint only to discover it looks yellow or pink on your walls? You may not have noticed the undertones.

An undertone is a subtle color that isn’t always easy to identify when you view the mass tone (the dominant shade) but becomes glaringly apparent when you place it next to other shades in your home. We share how to match undertones and a few of our favorite Benjamin Moore gray paint colors with green undertones.

You can highlight the undertone by placing it next to a true shade of the color. The most accessible way to identify undertones is to set the color on top of white printer paper. The contrast will help you determine the paint’s unique undertones and ensure you have the right paint colors for your project.

Since undertones are a muted presence in color, matching temperatures is the crucial element to master. Mixing warm and cool tones isn’t taboo, but you don’t want a particular shade with cool undertones sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of warmth. For a three-color palette, you can choose all warm or cool undertones or contrast the underlying hues of the primary shade with tones of the opposite temperature.

An example of an all-cool color palette is Benjamin Moore Mauve Bauhaus 1407 as the primary shade paired with Benjamin Moore Rhine River 689 and Benjamin Moore Seapearl 961. All three colors have cool undertones – Mauve Bauhaus is a deep purple with a hint of blue, Rhine River is a stony gray with a soft touch of green, and Seapearl is a classic white with a cool gray cast.

If you prefer the contrast of warm and cool, try pairing Mauve Bauhaus with Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak White OC-121, a rich, creamy white, and Benjamin Moore Ylang Ylang AF-305, a delicate light yellow.

You can never go wrong with gray paint. It goes with most interior design styles and décor elements. Here are a few of our favorite gray paint colors with unique undertones for your consideration:

This soothing gray with soft green undertones has a subtle complexity that looks outstanding in any space. Sea Haze pairs beautifully with a range of colors, from the rich, muted navy blue of Benjamin Moore Downpour Blue 2063-20 to the bold yet understated red of Benjamin Moore Million Dollar Red 2003-10. You can also pair it with Benjamin Moore Copley Gray HC-104, a grayish neutral with a delicate green cast.

Smoky green undertones lend depth to this darker mid-tone gray. The deep bronze tones of Benjamin Moore Mystic Gold HC-37 or the subtle blue and green tones of Benjamin Moore Woodland Green 459 can add elegance to this hue and create a light, refreshing ambiance. Adding a creamy neutral, like Benjamin Moore Monterey White HC-27, will balance the palette, making it more versatile.

Gray Cashmere is a soothing gray with uplifting green notes and is an excellent choice for kitchen islands and cabinetry. Pair it with Benjamin Moore Rainforest Dew 2146-50, a charming yellow with notes of light green, to give your kitchen an uplifting aesthetic. You can add depth to the palette with Benjamin Moore Storm Cloud Gray 2140-40, a dark gray with hazy green undertones.

Now that you can confidently identify paint undertones, it’s time to freshen up your NYC apartment with a new color palette from Janovic. We are the city’s premier Benjamin Moore paint and Hunter Douglas window treatments dealer.

Visit one of our many paint stores across New York City, including Chelsea, Gramercy Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Long Island City, Soho, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Uptown West, Yorkville, and The Bronx, or Book a Consultation Online Today.