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Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray: The Perfect Neutral

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Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173

If you are trying to decide on a neutral paint color that would be suitable for your whole house, let me introduce you to Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray. Whether you are wanting to go for the ever-so-popular minimalist look or you have a decor style that needs a neutral backdrop, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray could be the perfect color for you.  

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection, is a highly sought-after gray paint color renowned for its warm and inviting nature. This classic hue strikes the perfect balance between warm and cool tones, making it an excellent and versatile choice for both traditional and contemporary design schemes. With its understated elegance, Edgecomb Gray effortlessly enhances the beauty of any room.

As you continue reading we will discuss the unique qualities of Edgecomb Gray and why it’s one of Benjamin Moore’s top-selling paint colors. I’ll give you the facts and some styling tips. Then, you can decide if this extremely popular paint color belongs in your home!

What Color is Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray?

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is a versatile and nuanced hue that defies strict categorization. Its gentle gray undertones are complemented by a subtle hint of warmth, evoking a sense of tranquility and comfort. 

Simply put, Edgecomb is a mix of gray and beige, making it a greige. If you haven’t heard of the term greige yet, then buckle up because greige is all the rage. If you’re looking into Edgecomb Gray and similar colors, you’re going to run into this term a lot.

A good greige is great when you are pondering whether you should go gray or beige. With greige, there is no need to choose! A greige color like Edgecomb Gray is the answer because it is perfect in almost any space. Greige colors are very successful due to the fact they are SO versatile.

Some Things To Consider About Edgecomb Gray

One thing to note is that you can use Edgecomb Gray in your whole house and it may appear more gray in one room and more fawn in another. Edgecomb adapts really well to the lighting around it.

I think its adaptability is a super cool feature of Edgecomb Gray. You can paint your house all one color but it can still appear as if you have a variety of shades happening that all play well together. I do however see how this may bother some people. 

Maybe you want a color that stays true to itself and doesn’t change with the lighting in the room – if that’s the case you may want to consider a new color. But read on anyways, cause I will be going over some other classic greige colors further down in the post. 

However, if you are looking for a timeless color that stands the test of time, and is pliable, then I say go for it, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is a fantastic choice.

Not to mention, if you think you’ll be selling your home in the near future, Edgecomb Gray is the perfect neutral color for putting your house on the market.

What Undertones Does Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray Have?

The beauty of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray lies in its VERY subtle undertones. The color strikes a delicate balance between gray and beige, with a touch of warm taupe and green undertones that add depth and richness. These undertones give Edgecomb Gray its unique character and are so subtle that they rarely throw off the color.

Not sure what paint undertones are? Read this!

Despite having green undertones it rarely ever appears green, ensuring it harmonizes beautifully with a wide range of color palettes and decor styles.

It is very common for grays to pull in purple undertones. This is NOT the case with Edgecomb Gray. It stays true to its gray/beige self.

In my opinion, Edgecomb Gray is the most easygoing color of its kind. There is very little chance of it accidentally appearing green or pink in your home.

What Is The Light Reflectance Value of Edgecomb Gray?

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray has a moderate LRV of 63.09. This means it reflects a sufficient amount of light, but it won’t be overwhelmingly bright like a white paint color would be. Its balanced LRV makes Edgecomb Gray an ideal choice for both well-lit areas and rooms with limited natural light.

edgecomb gray LRV graphic

According to Benjamin Moore’s website, “LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measurement commonly used by design professionals – such as architects and interior designers- that expresses the percentage of light reflected from a surface. LRVs range from 0-100, with 100 being pure white and 0 being absolute black.”

Keep in mind that the lighting in a room will make an impact on the appearance of the color. Edgecomb will look more gray in a room with a lot of natural light. If your room has more artificial lighting, be prepared for the paint color to look more beige. 

Which Colors Are Similar To Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray?

While Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is an exceptional color, there are several similar shades from other paint brands, as well as Benjamin Moore, that can achieve a comparable aesthetic. 

Why are there so many shades of basically the same color? This can often leave us downright confused when looking at paint swatches. What’s the difference and which one should you pick?!?!

Well, for one thing, every brand is competing with each other, so they all try to offer you what the other has.

Plus, the slight variations in undertones from one gray to the next really do matter! This is what can make them appear more green or pink in certain spaces.

Have you ever noticed how the paint swatch in a store looks totally different than you were expecting it to on your walls? The other colors and lighting within a room make a significant difference. Wood floors, decor, furniture, and which direction your widows are facing, all impact how a color looks in a space. 

So let’s break it down and compare some of these colors to see if any of them will suffice, or if the slight difference in undertones will have you turning away from any particular color.

Some similar paint colors to Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray are Sherwin Williams Accolade, Behr Aged Beige, and Benjamin Moore Elmira White. These colors share Edgecomb Gray’s sophisticated and versatile appeal. Yet their subtle differences ensure you have a range of options to suit your preferences and project needs.

examples of 3 paint colors that are very similar to benjamin moore edgecomb gray

The Differences In These Paint Colors

  • Sherwin Williams Accolade → Accolade is just one LRV point darker than EG, and a touch warmer than Edgecomb but VERY similar.
  • Behr Aged Beige → Has the exact same LRV as Edgecomb (63), and it’s soooo close, but like Accolade, it leans a tad more red/pink than Edgecomb.
  • Benjamin Moore Elmira White → Elmira White has a LRV of 64 so it’s point brighter than Edgecomb, and has a SMIDGE more pink making it perfect for combining with greens, blues, and purples. VERY close match here as well! It blends in so well I can hardly read the swatch on top of the Edgecomb swatch in the graphic I made below.

Check out the comparison swatches below – the larger dots have the colors overlaid on top of each other so you can see how close they really are. Does that make sense? I hope so, lol.

comparison chart of colors that are very similar to benjamin moore edgecomb gray

There are actually a ton of other similar colors to Edgecomb Gray other than the ones I mentioned. Two that you may have come across because of their popularity are Revere Pewter and Manchester Tan. I will take a deeper dive into those colors and how they compare to Edgecomb in a bit. 

What Colors Go Well With Edgecomb Gray?

When it comes to creating a harmonious color palette with Edgecomb Gray, several options stand out. 

Being a strong neutral color, it also pairs beautifully with an overall neutral color palette. You can’t go wrong with a classic white trim and a good greige wall. 

Or, Edgecomb Gray kitchen cabinets with oak wood floors is a stunning look, as we can see in the lovely luminous pantry space below.

Sita Montgomery Interiors – Cabinets painted in Edgecomb Gray

While a neutral palette is attractive and timeless, I personally would avoid creams with Edgecomb Gray. For example, Edgecomb Gray cabinets with too dark of a cream wall, would make everything look muddy to me. The colors don’t complement each other.

Here is an example of a swatch of Edgecomb Gray next to a swatch of Benjamin Moore Windham Cream, which is a classic cream paint – see how it doesn’t really work?

edgecomb gray paired with cream paints does not look good! don't do it lol

But what about pops of color? I say go for it! Edgecomb is so neutral and so versatile there is no need to shy away from color. Whether it be in your decor or an accent wall, adding pops of greens and blues can add to the brightness of the room. I love all of the added colors in the photo below.

Here are some of my favorite Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray color pairings:

  • BM Edgecomb Gray + BM White Dove
  • BM Edgecomb Gray + BM Boothbay Gray
  • BM Edgecomb Gray + BM Smoky Ash
  • BM Edgecomb Gray + BM Hale Navy
  • BM Edgecomb Gray + SW Tricorn Black

Also, the color palette below made by Fremont Home is expertly done. These colors would look stunning in a cozy living room or master bedroom, or even throughout your entire home. To see exactly which colors are included in the palette, you need to purchase the digital file (linked here).

Edgecomb Gray vS Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

sherwin williams agreeable gray little girls nursery with lavender decor
This Adorable Nursery By Honey We’re Home Has The Top Half Of The Room Painted In Agreeable Gray

While both Edgecomb Gray and Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray fall into the same warm gray category, they possess distinct characteristics. First of all Edgecomb Gray is slightly brighter than Agreeable Gray. Edgecomb Gray also exhibits a touch more warmth and contains taupe undertones, whereas Agreeable Gray leans slightly cooler. 

comparison graphic of benjamin moore edgecomb gray versus sherwin williams agreeable gray

If you are wanting more gray than beige, I would go with Agreeable Gray. As you can see in the top half of the nursery above, in certain rooms it can even read blue – and honestly it looks nothing like the swatch! So that’s something to keep in mind.

Agreeable Gray is Sherwin Williams best selling paint color for a reason. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the desired ambiance and personal preference.

Edgecomb Gray vS Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

kitchen cabinets painted with benjamin moore revere pewter
Kitchen Cabinets painted with Revere Pewter – High Street Homes

Edgecomb Gray and Revere Pewter (also by Benjamin Moore) are two popular choices in the gray family. Both seem to be the perfect neutral greige for any space, so is one better than the other? How do you choose? 

Edgecomb Gray leans slightly warmer, and appears more taupe, while Revere Pewter has a cooler, gray appearance. It’s difficult to see this in the graphic below, but you can definitely see the difference in brightness.

comparison graphic of benjamin moore edgecomb gray versus bm revere pewter

As I mentioned before, Edgecomb Gray is extremely neutral and rarely appears green or pink in a space. This isn’t always the case for Revere Pewter. 

Revere Pewter has gained recognition for its remarkable ability to adapt to various lighting conditions. Edgecomb Gray shares this quality but its LRV is slightly higher than Revere Pewter, making it a brighter color choice. 

Keep in mind that Edgecomb Gray can show up lighter in some rooms because of the way it reflects light. It also may appear just above Revere Pewter on a paint swatch. This does not mean that Edgecomb Gray is a lighter version of Revere Pewter. This is a common misconception. They are two completely different colors.

These details may seem minor but they could make a huge difference in your home. Take your time when making your decision and be sure to check out this post to get a complete overview of Revere Pewter.  

Edgecomb Gray vS Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan

Edgecomb Gray is a gray color that can show up as beige in certain lighting, while Manchester Tan is a true beige. If you have no doubts that a classic beige is what you want then go ahead and go with Manchester Tan.

Manchester Tan’s yellow undertones do give it the possibility of looking yellow in specific lighting, so if that’s not your thing you might want to pass on this color. 

The same goes for green. Manchester Tan does carry an ever so slight green undertone. If you were to pair it with cabinets with strong yellow or pink undertones, that green hue is sure to show up. 

Traditional dining space, open floor plan, with tans and browns, walls painted Machester Tan by Benjamin Moore
Traditional Dining Space Painted In Manchester Tan – image via Decor Pad, original source unknown

Both colors have almost identical LRVs so either would be an excellent choice for keeping a room bright and cozy at the same time. 

While the two colors are similar I feel like they have enough differences for the choice to be easy, especially when you look at the swatches side by side:

comparison graphic of benjamin moore edgecomb gray versus bm manchester tan

Once you paint a whole wall it’s very apparent you are dealing with completely different colors, so it all comes down to what kind of look and feel you are going for. Edgecomb Gray imparts a contemporary and understated charm, while Manchester Tan delivers a classic and traditional appeal.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray truly lives up to its reputation as the perfect neutral paint color. Its warm gray tones and subtle beige undertones create a soothing and inviting ambiance in any space. Edgecomb Gray’s versatility shines through as it effortlessly pairs with a wide range of colors, allowing for endless design possibilities. Whether you’re looking for a main color or a complementary shade, Edgecomb Gray’s timeless appeal and adaptability make it a top choice!

More in depth paint guides you may be interested in:

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