Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray (HC-168): A Full Review

Like the refined classiness of weathered stone, Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray envelops your space in refined depth.

This medium-toned neutral transcends ordinary grays, carrying just a whisper of warm brown undertones that bring subtle richness to your walls.

Chelsea Gray creates a sanctuary of refinement—a cultured, inviting atmosphere that advances both mind and space.

Its subtle complexity invites natural light to play across surfaces, changing throughout the day without ever losing its grounded, timeless character.

More than just another gray, Chelsea Gray is an experience—one that brings the balanced harmony of nature’s most enduring elements into your everyday environment.

Understanding Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray (HC-168)

Color Terminology

Undertones:

• Chelsea Gray has subtle warm brown undertones
• It’s a medium-toned gray with a refined, earthy influence
• Not a flat or one-dimensional gray, but a complex, refined neutral with noticeable depth

Psychology of Medium-Toned Gray Colors

Medium-toned grays like Chelsea Gray create a sense of balance and timeless elegance.

• Grounding tones: Offer stability and visual anchoring of spaces
• Warm-tinted grays: Evoke culture, refinement, and classic luxury
• Benefits: More nuanced than stark grays, adds substantial presence to spaces, creates a refined backdrop for both statement furniture and natural elements

Chelsea Gray provides the perfect balance for those seeking a considerable gray that isn’t too stark or overwhelming.

Its subtle warm undertones make it particularly versatile in spaces with varied exposures, where it helps maintain depth while contributing a sense of refined warmth.

Why Choose This Color?

Chelsea Gray’s balanced warmth evokes a sense of culture and refinement, which promotes a cultured atmosphere in any environment.

This enduring color carries complex undertones that shift subtly with changing light, ensuring your space feels both contemporary and timelessly elegant.

1. Key Features

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray offers exceptional depth and versatility across different lighting conditions. It maintains its subtle warm undertones in bright spaces while creating a rich, enveloping atmosphere in rooms with varied natural light.

Its timeless neutral quality provides a refined backdrop that complements both colorful elements and natural textures without appearing overly dark or heavy.

2. Adaptability

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray demonstrates remarkable adaptability with existing elements like light-colored furniture and natural wood fixtures, creating harmonious blends between spaces.

It provides enough depth to feel substantial and grounding while maintaining a refined, enduring quality that won’t quickly date your interior design choices.

This versatile gray works equally well as an all-over color for creating refined, atmospheric environments or as a striking accent wall that commands attention.

3. Durability

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, particularly in premium finishes like Aura or Regal Select, delivers outstanding durability with excellent coverage in both new and repainted areas.

Its medium tone and subtle warm undertones maintain a refined appearance throughout your home while providing a forgiving surface for everyday living.

This paint resists staining and maintains color consistency even with regular cleaning when properly applied.

4. Texture Patterns

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray creates a rich, velvety texture that adds subtle dimension to walls and architectural features.

Its complex undertones produce a stunning light play that enhances moldings and adds visual interest to even simple walls.

When applied to different finishes, it can elegantly highlight architectural details while maintaining a consistent, refined appearance throughout connected spaces.

Room-by-Room Color Recommendations with Chelsea Gray

1. Living Spaces and Open Floor Plans

Chelsea Gray works exceptionally well as an accent wall in open floor plans. It creates a focal point while maintaining a refined, timeless palette.

The 23.3 LRV of Chelsea Gray provides a substantial, grounding feel that makes spaces appear more refined and refined without feeling heavy.

Use Chelsea Gray to define different areas in larger spaces while allowing light-colored furnishings and artwork to stand out against its rich backdrop.

2. Bedrooms and Relaxation Areas

Chelsea Gray creates a cozy, refined atmosphere in bedrooms that promotes relaxation.

The subtle, warm undertones in Chelsea Gray evoke a sense of comfort while creating a refined backdrop for light-colored bedding and furniture of any style.

Consider Chelsea Gray for an accent wall behind the bed to create a serene sanctuary that feels both anchored and intimate without sacrificing culture.

3. Kitchens

Chelsea Gray in satin or semi-gloss finish on cabinets creates a rich, timeless element that pairs beautifully with white islands or accent pieces.

The warm depth of Chelsea Gray enhances both light countertop materials and brass fixtures, making it adaptable to various kitchen styles, from traditional to modern.

Chelsea Gray lower cabinets paired with white upper cabinets create an appealing contrast that grounds the kitchen while maintaining a refined, cohesive feel.

4. Bathrooms and Spa-like Retreats

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray creates a rich, refined atmosphere in bathrooms. Its subtle, warm undertones establish a sense of luxury while complementing brass fixtures.

This versatile shade pairs beautifully with both brass and matte black fixtures, marble, and natural wood, creating a timeless, refined retreat that feels both elegant and inviting.

Use Chelsea Gray on an accent wall in larger bathrooms to create a sense of intimacy without sacrificing spaciousness.

Chelsea Gray Color Combinations

Chelsea Gray is a rich, refined, medium-toned gray with subtle, warm undertones. Its moderate Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 23.3 makes it a substantial, grounding foundation that adds culture and versatility to spaces while maintaining a refined warmth.

1. Complementary Trim Colors

• White Dove (BM OC-17) – A soft white that creates a dramatic contrast with Chelsea Gray
• Simply White (BM OC-117) – A bright, clean white that highlights Chelsea Gray’s death
• Cloud White (BM OC-130) – A versatile soft white that balances Chelsea Gray’s richness
• Decorator’s White (BM OC-149) – A cool white that creates crisp definition against Chelsea Gray

2. Coordinating Wall Colors

• Revere Pewter (BM HC-172) – A light, warm gray that creates flow while complementing Chelsea Gray
• Edgecomb Gray (BM HC-173) – A versatile greige that creates a balanced, cohesive palette
• Pale Oak (BM OC-20) – A light taupe that contrasts beautifully with Chelsea Gray’s death
• Stonington Gray (BM HC-170) – A cooler gray that creates serene harmony with Chelsea Gray

3. Accent Colors

• Hale Navy (BM HC-154) – A deep navy that creates a refined palette with Chelsea Gray
• Sanctuary (AF-620) – A muted blue that provides a calming complement to Chelsea Gray’s warmth
• Concord Ivory (HC-12) – A warm neutral that balances the depth in a compatible palette
• Angelica (AF-665) – A soft pink that softens Chelsea Gray’s substantial presence

Coordinating with Furniture and Decor

1. Wood Tones

Chelsea Gray pairs beautifully with a wide range of wood tones, offering different refined effects. Light oak, maple, and birch create a striking contrast against Chelsea Gray’s rich backdrop.

Medium wood tones like walnut provide complementary warmth that enhances Chelsea Gray’s subtle undertones.

Darker woods create elegant depth for a more harmonious look, complementing Chelsea Gray’s refined quality and creating a refined palette.

Natural, unstained wood creates organic contrast that highlights Chelsea Gray’s depth and richness.

2. Metals

Brass, gold, and bronze hardware enhance Chelsea Gray’s warm undertones and create a rich, luxurious look.

Matte black fixtures create a contemporary statement that complements Chelsea Gray’s depth. While Chelsea Gray works beautifully with warm metals, chrome, and nickel accents create a vibrant tension between cool and warm elements—opt for brushed or satin finishes for a more refined pairing.

Copper and rose gold finishes provide an elegant, timeless combination that complements Chelsea Gray’s refined character with additional warmth.

3. Decor

Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool in light tones create textural contrast against Chelsea Gray walls while providing necessary brightness.

Colorful accents in soft yellows, muted blues, and pale pinks offer a striking complement against the rich backdrop.

Glass, ceramic, and stone elements add texture and prevent Chelsea Gray from feeling too monochromatic in spaces with limited natural light.

Introducing natural elements with varied textures—like rattan, jute, or wool—reinforces the organic balance inherent in this versatile gray while adding tactile interest.

Similar Paint Colors: Perfect Alternative to Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray vs. Dolphin (SW 6187)

Chelsea Gray (Benjamin Moore HC-168)

• A medium-toned gray with subtle warm undertones
• Moderate LRV (Light Reflectance Value) that creates rich, refined spaces
• Works well in contemporary, transitional, or traditional interiors
• Best for spaces where you want substantial, refined depth

Dolphin (SW 6187)

• A versatile medium gray with balanced undertones
• A similar LRV (around 24) creates a balanced, adaptable backdrop
• It contains slightly cooler undertones that create a more contemporary atmosphere
• Popular for creating neutral, refined environments that work with many design styles

Key Differences:

• Chelsea Gray has more noticeable warm undertones, while Dolphin has more balanced undertones
• Chelsea Gray appears slightly richer in most lighting conditions
• Chelsea Gray creates more gentle warmth, while Dolphin is more versatile and neutral
• They serve similar roles in design – both as medium-toned neutrals with slightly different character and undertones

Final Thoughts

Chelsea Gray exceeds trends, representing the perfect balance between depth and warmth that makes it a perennial favorite among designers and homeowners seeking refined, refined spaces.

Its subtle complexity allows it to adapt effortlessly to changing styles and seasonal accents, ensuring longevity in your design choices.

If anchoring your walls in bright light or creating a canvas for opposite elements, Chelsea Gray delivers a timeless quality that both advances and grounds a space.

In choosing this exceptional shade, you’re not simply selecting a color—you’re welcoming a design philosophy that values culture, refinement, and enduring beauty in the spaces we call home.