Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A Review

Many people really like Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) for their homes. It’s a light gray with warm undertones that makes rooms feel cozy and friendly.

This color isn’t too dark or light – it’s just right for many spaces. When you paint your walls Edgecomb Gray, the room can look fresh and clean but still feel warm and welcoming.

This neutral color works well in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. It complements many other colors and styles of furniture.

Whether your home is modern or traditional, Edgecomb Gray can fit right in. In this review, we’ll look at why so many homeowners and designers choose this popular color and how it might work in your home, too.

Understanding Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)

Color Terminology:

Undertones:

• Has subtle beige/taupe undertones
• Considered a “greige” (gray + beige) mixture
• Warmer than a true gray, but not as warm as a true beige

Key Characteristics:

• It’s not too bright or loud—instead, it’s calm and relaxing
• Works well in various lighting conditions
• Provides a warm, welcoming feeling while still being neutral

Best Applications:

• Excellent for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and common areas
• Works as an all-over color throughout a home
• Pairs beautifully with white trim and natural wood tones
• Creates a subtle, refined backdrop for various decorating styles

Complementary Colors:

• Pairs well with crisp whites, deeper grays, navy blues
• Blends with natural elements like wood and stone
• Can be accented with both cool and warm color schemes

Why Choose this Color?

Edgecomb Gray brings the serene neutrality of stone and mist into contemporary spaces, creating a versatile foundation that balances modern culture with timeless appeal.

Its subtle depth provides a refined presence while offering exceptional versatility to complement both bold accents and subtle design elements. The balanced undertones of Edgecomb Gray cultivate an atmosphere of calm grace that promotes focus and tranquility in any environment.

Key Features

Edgecomb Gray offers remarkable versatility across varying lighting conditions. It maintains its cosmopolitan character in bright spaces while creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in rooms with limited natural light.

Its timeless, neutral quality provides a lavish backdrop that blends with both cool-toned furnishings and warm wood elements without overwhelming the space.

Adaptability

Edgecomb Gray demonstrates exceptional adaptability with existing design elements like metal fixtures and textured textiles, creating transitions between spaces. It provides sufficient depth to feel substantial while maintaining a clean, enduring quality that won’t quickly date your interior design choices.

This versatile gray works equally well as a whole-home color or as a complementary shade for creating cohesive, designer-inspired environments.

Durability

Edgecomb Gray, particularly in premium finishes, delivers outstanding durability with excellent coverage in both new construction and renovation projects.

Its balanced tone and subtle undertones help camouflage minor wall imperfections and everyday marks better than stark whites while maintaining its refined appearance.

When properly applied, this paint resists wear and maintains color consistency even with regular cleaning.

Texture Patterns

Edgecomb Gray creates a smooth, refined texture that adds subtle dimension to walls and features. Its balanced undertones produce gentle shadow variations that improve textured surfaces and add visual depth to even plain walls.

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

Room-by-Room Color Recommendations with Edgecomb Gray

1. Living Spaces and Open Floor Plans

• Edgecomb Gray excels as an all-over color in open floor plans, creating a cohesive backdrop that allows structural features and furnishings to take center stage.
• The balanced LRV of Edgecomb Gray provides versatile illumination that adapts to changing daylight, maintaining an inviting atmosphere from morning to evening.
• Use Edgecomb Gray to visually connect adjacent rooms while allowing each space to maintain its distinct character through furnishings and accents.

2. Bedrooms and Relaxation Areas

• Edgecomb Gray establishes a serene, refined atmosphere in bedrooms that promotes peace and rest.
• The neutral undertones in Edgecomb Gray create a graceful canvas that allows bedding and textiles to shine while maintaining a calming presence.
• Consider Edgecomb Gray for all walls in primary bedrooms, paired with crisp white trim to enhance constructive details and create a refined retreat.
• In children’s rooms, Edgecomb Gray provides a timeless backdrop that easily transitions through changing tastes and styles as they grow.

3. Kitchens

• Edgecomb Gray in a satin or semi-gloss finish on cabinetry creates a contemporary yet timeless kitchen that balances warmth and culture.
• Edgecomb Gray’s versatile neutrality complements warm-toned countertops and cool marble surfaces, making it adaptable to various kitchen designs.
• Pair Edgecomb Gray cabinetry with deeper accent colors for islands or open shelving to create visual interest without compromising cohesion.

4. Bathrooms and Spa-like Retreats

• Edgecomb Gray establishes a clean, refined atmosphere in bathrooms. Its balanced undertones create a sense of spaciousness while complementing various fixture finishes.
• This adaptable shade works beautifully with both cool marble and warm wood elements, creating a pleasant retreat that feels both contemporary and enduring.
• In smaller bathrooms, Edgecomb Gray maximizes light reflection while providing more character and warmth than traditional white, creating an expanded sense of space.

Color Pairings and Combinations Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)

Edgecomb Gray is a versatile warm gray with soft beige undertones. Its moderate Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 63.09 makes it an adaptable neutral that brightens spaces while providing subtle warmth and dimension.

Complementary Trim Colors

• White Heron (OC-57) – A crisp, clean white that creates a refreshing contrast with Edgecomb Gray’s warm undertones
• Dove Wing (OC-18) – A soft off-white with similar warm undertones that pairs seamlessly with Edgecomb Gray for a cohesive, elegant look
• Boothbay Gray (HC-165) – A cooler blue-gray that balances Edgecomb Gray’s warmth while adding subtle depth to your color scheme
• Pashmina (AF-100) – A deeper taupe-gray with comparable undertones that provides gentle definition while maintaining balance with Edgecomb Gray

Creating Cohesive Color Schemes

Monochromatic Scheme

• Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) for main walls
• White Heron (OC-57) for trim
• White Dove (OC-17) for ceilings
• Revere Pewter (HC-172) for accent pieces or adjoining rooms

Warm Color Scheme

• Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) for main living areas
• Manchester Tan (HC-81) for the dining room
• Pashmina (AF-100) for hallways
• Pale Oak (OC-20) for bedrooms

Cool Color Scheme

• Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) for main walls
• Boothbay Gray (HC-165) for bathrooms
• Wickham Gray (HC-171) for bedrooms
• Stonington Gray (HC-170) for home office

Coordinating with Furniture and Decor

1. Wood Tones

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) creates a perfect backdrop for various wood tones in your home. This versatile neutral complements both light and dark woods, making furniture stand out beautifully.

• Medium and white oak pieces look naturally warm and inviting against Edgecomb Gray walls
• Dark walnut or espresso woods create a refined contrast that highlights both the walls and furniture
• Light maple or birch paired with Edgecomb Gray delivers a fresh Scandinavian-inspired look

2. Metals

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) works wonderfully with all types of metal finishes, allowing hardware and fixtures to make a statement in your space.

• Brushed nickel and chrome create a clean, contemporary look against Edgecomb Gray’s neutral backdrop
• Matte black hardware provides dramatic definition for a modern, structural feel
• Champagne bronze and satin brass introduce warmth that balances Edgecomb Gray’s neutrality

3. Decor

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) serves as a versatile foundation for various decor styles and accent colors, making it easy to update your space over time.

• Textural elements in ivory, greige, and natural tones add subtle depth against Edgecomb Gray walls.
• Geometric patterns in navy, charcoal, or sage introduce visual interest while maintaining harmony.
• Edgecomb Gray’s neutral warmth works equally well with cool blues and greens or warm terracottas.

Similar Paint Colors: Perfect Alternative to Edgecomb Gray

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) vs. Elmira White (HC-84)

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)

• Versatile greige with soft beige undertones
• A moderate LRV of 63.09 provides balanced light reflection without feeling too stark.
• Creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that works in virtually any room or lighting condition

Elmira White (HC-84)

• Slightly lighter than Edgecomb Gray with similar warm undertones
• Higher LRV creates a brighter, more luminous feel while maintaining warmth
• Offers the same versatility with a touch more reflection for spaces needing additional light

Final Thoughts

After seeing all the good things about Edgecomb Gray, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice. This warm gray color can make any room feel both new and comfortable.

It works well in all kinds of light and matches with many different colors and styles. If you’re unsure what color to paint your walls, Edgecomb Gray could be a safe bet that still looks special.

It’s not too boring like plain white, but it’s not too bold. This color can help create a calm background for your furniture and decorations to shine.

If you’re painting one room or your whole house, Edgecomb Gray offers a friendly, welcoming feeling that many people enjoy.

It truly deserves its place as one of the most loved neutral paint colors available today. For more such color reviews, click here!

Alex Guerrero

Alex Guerrero, a graduate with a Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, has been a visionary in the world of color and design for over 15 years. His professional journey began in the heart of the fashion industry in Milan, where he developed an acute sense for color harmonies and trends. Alex joined our team in 2018, offering fresh and innovative perspectives on color utilization in various spaces. Renowned for his ability to blend contemporary trends with timeless elegance. Outside of work, Alex is an accomplished painter and a volunteer art therapist, his artistic talents further enriching his professional insights.

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