Sometimes, it’s just challenging to find that perfect shade of gray for your home.
Is that happening to you? Maybe you’re looking for the neutral gray but it tends to incline to blue, green, red, or purple undertones?
Well, yes I’ve been there too!
It goes without saying how important it is to thoroughly understand and analyze the colors you’re considering.
As a consultant I get questions thrown at me about grays often.
Considering this is one of the most challenging color categories to work with, I decided to review one of the famous Behr gray paint colors today.
Behr Silver City is a medium-toned gray paint color that may reflect a tinge of cool blue or green undertone.
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Yes, you’re going to observe this undertone dominantly – which means it’s not sneaky at all.
So, are you wondering if this is the paint color you want to head to?
Well, let’s have a look at the detailed review to make informed decisions!
This color review will help you learn in detail about this gray paint color along with various do’s and don’ts, where, how, and when.
So, sit back and relax! Enjoy that cup of coffee while we take a deep dive into this paint color.
Behr Silver City MQ2-59 Details and Specifications
There is some difference between the silver-grays, warm grays, and cool grays. And some differences between the grays with blue, green, or purple undertones.
And the details and specifications are the way to know it!
So, you must always remember to read through the color’s details and specifications to analyze what it’s truly composed of.
Believe it or not, most homeowners tend to ignore this aspect – and then tend to repent it later!
And you don’t want to do that either, right?
First, let’s take a look at the Light Reflectance Values or the LRVs that determine how light or dark the paint color is.
You can easily find that value on the Behr website.
Here, in this case, the LRV of the Behr Silver City is 57.
And that means it falls on the medium to the darker end of the scale.
(Remember, the lesser the value, the darker the paint – on a scale of 1-100)
Also, just in case you wonder where to find the Behr decks – well, simply visit your nearest Home Depot store!
Secondly, other important associated terms are the RGB and the HEX Values.
Red = 200
Green = 200
Blue = 194
HEX Value = #c8c8c2
Since we have discussed the technical and scientific information, let’s get started with the practical aspects of this popular gray Behr paint.
How Does This Color Feel in a Space?
This gray paint will readily make your space feel refined, formal, cool, calm, and modern.
Yes, generally these tones of gray clash with a casual vibe – thus, making your space always feel formal and strict.
I highly recommend this paint color in the formal living and dining rooms.
And, since this is a medium to heavy-weighted gray paint color, you can expect it to make your space feel bold and heavy.
Well, not so much of a paint color for the smaller spaces in your home.
With deep cool blue and green undertones, this color is also expected to make your space feel cooler and chilly. (But not too much – similar to Behr’s Classic Silver paint).
How Does Light Affect the Color?
Light – whether natural or artificial will have a major role to play here!
First and foremost, you must consider the compass directions of a space. Yes, especially with grays and whites – this is one aspect you must not forget.
In the north-facing rooms, this gray paint will feel cooler and darker!
On the other hand, in the south or west-facing rooms, this color is bound to feel slightly warmer and lighter.
Secondly, if you have a large front lawn-facing window, you must expect tinges of green peeking through the gray paint color.
What are the Best Coordinating Colors?
Choosing a well-balanced and well complementary color scheme is necessary.
You simply can’t pair any random hue with the other.
And moreover, if you have a great command of the color wheel, it’s like a cherry on the top.
So, here are a few complementary tones you can pair with.
With Behr Silver City, you can best pair shades of neutral whites, midnight blues, mustards, dark sage greens, and charcoal grays.
However, you must remember to be very careful when pairing them – so as to avoid making a mess!
Also, if you are planning to introduce material and metallic accents through floating shelves, chandelier, artwork frames, and furniture frames – remember to add tinges of gold or matte black.
Discussing further, you have the option to choose from either a monochromatic or contrasting color palette!
Here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a monochromatic color palette!
- HDC-MD-26 Sonic Silver
- HDC-AC-19 Grant Gray
- PPU24-21 Greyhound
Here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a contrasting color palette!
- S460-6 Mammoth Mountain
- S170-4 Retro Pink
- 75 Polar Bear – see my review here!
For your ceilings, trims, and moldings – you can use Behr Ultra Pure White or Behr Frost as it is a true white paint and will further protrude the original adjacent hue.
Behr Silver City Vs Similar Colors
This medium-toned gray is common and comparatively has a tone of similar alternatives.
The gray with deep blue and green undertones are what they all have – but the two major differences could be undertones and reflectivity.
So, to name a few, the two closely related colors are SW 7657 Tinsmith and BM HC-170 Stonington Gray.
Let’s see how all of them differ.
Silver City Vs Stonington Gray
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray is a bold gray paint color with minimal blue or gray undertones – learn more here.
With an LRV of 59.36 – this gray paint color is comparatively darker and deeper.
Yes, this paint may also feel silverish at some times.
Silver City Vs Tinsmith
Sherwin Williams Tinsmith is a neutral gray color with more blue undertones to it.
It has an LRV of 57 – thus, equally lighter and airier.
Yes, this color comparatively feels more crisp and chilly! So, beware the use of this paint in the north-facing rooms.
Where to Use Silver City?
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Behr Silver City is a beautiful gray that makes a versatile and timeless option in any corner of your home.
Especially for interior design styles like Scandinavian, Modern, Contemporary, and Coastal – this popular gray is something to look forward to.
So, let’s see where and how to incorporate this color into your home.
Silver City in Living and Dining Rooms
Behr Silver City is a great color option for the formal living and dining rooms.
You can consider painting all the walls in this gray paint and further using crisp white for trims, moldings, door, and window frames.
To create a visually interesting appeal, you can add tones of gold to the furniture frames, lighting fixtures, and artwork frames.
Lastly, add shades of deep blue to make the palette soothing, intriguing, and also magical.
Walnut woods or even mahogany textures would complement this paint color on the wall.
Using in Bedrooms
In the bedrooms, this color can be used on all the walls. Although I recommend avoiding it in the north-facing rooms!
Your furniture frame could be satin brass, matte black, as well as wooden textures.
Don’t hold back from using faux fur rugs and throw pillows to add a cozy factor.
And lastly, let the white sheer curtains play airy in your bedroom!
Silver City in Kitchens
All gray kitchens will always prove to be timeless and versatile.
And they will never feel old-school and monotonous.
So, you can consider adding a fresh coat of this paint on the upper as well as lower cabinets – in amalgamation with white on the backsplash tiles and marble countertop.
For pull handles and knobs, try playing with brushed brass or matte black.
To add a sense of visual contrast, you can even add bold blue on the lower cabinets.
Using on Exteriors
This color can be used in Mid-Century Modern, Modern, Transitional, Craftsman, and Ranch-style homes.
You can choose to pair it with an all-white theme where you add that tone to the porch columns, wainscoting, and roof.
In contrast, you can splash a contrasting hue on the entryway door (cherry red, mustard, sakura pink or steely blue).
In the case of columns on the patio and porch – you can use natural stone wainscotting to add an authentic detailed character to this facade!
Lastly, if you have a deck – pick mahogany or cherry red color that will play smoothly and seamlessly.
So, how do you plan to use this color in your home?
Kitchen cabinets or focal console tables? Living room or bedrooms? Maybe home offices?
Well, trust me! When done right, you won’t regret using this color in your home.
Should there be any questions or thoughts, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!