Why Your Perfect Gray Looks Purple: The Truth About Undertones
When I was younger, I remember walking into the paint store absolutely convinced I had found the perfect gray. It looked elegant, calm, and just a little sophisticated on that tiny paper swatch. I went home, painted my room… and ended up with lavender walls.
At first, I thought I had made a mistake and picked up the wrong can. But no—the color was correct. What I didn’t know back then was that the gray I loved so much had a violet undertone hiding inside. And that undertone was what completely changed the way it looked once it was on all four walls.
That was my first “real-life lesson” in undertones, and trust me, once you notice them, you’ll never unsee them.
So, What Exactly Are Undertones?
Undertones are like the secret ingredient in a recipe—the flavor that you don’t notice right away but that makes all the difference.
The main color is what you think you’re choosing (gray, white, beige, etc.).
The undertone is the subtle hue underneath (blue, green, pink, yellow, violet) that shows up depending on light and what you pair it with.
It’s why two “identical” grays can look completely different once they’re on the wall.
Why They Matter
Because they decide whether your home feels warm and cozy or cold and mismatched. That “neutral beige” can suddenly look pink against your cream sofa. That fresh white trim might look yellow when you put it next to a crisp, bright wall color. Undertones are small, but their effect is big.
Real-Life Examples of Undertones
Not all neutrals are created equal. Here are some popular choices that show just how much undertones can shift the final look:
Warm Neutrals
Warm neutrals are shades of beige, taupe, and soft browns that carry yellow, red, or orange undertones. These hidden hues give the color a sense of coziness and warmth, making spaces feel welcoming and comfortable. They work especially well in rooms with less natural light or when you want to balance cooler materials like stone, metal, or gray flooring.
Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036) – A beige with soft green-gray undertones that keep it from looking too yellow.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (HC-81) – A light tan with yellow undertones, which makes it feel warm and inviting.
Sherwin-Williams Balanced Beige (SW 7037) – A mid-tone beige with a taupe undertone, leaning toward brown.
Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige (HC-45) – A classic beige with orange-pink undertones, giving it a cozy glow.
Cool Neutrals
Cool neutrals are shades of gray, greige, and off-white that carry blue, green, or violet undertones. These undertones give the color a crisp, airy, and more modern feel. They work especially well in bright, sun-filled rooms or paired with warmer elements like wood tones and brass, creating a balanced and sophisticated look.
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray (SW 7015) – A versatile gray with subtle blue undertones, especially noticeable in cooler light.
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52) – A light gray that can shift toward green or blue undertones depending on the light.
Sherwin-Williams Big Chill (SW 7648) – A very light gray with blue-gray undertones that can read almost icy in north-facing light, giving spaces a clean and airy feel.
Benjamin Moore Silver Chain (1472) – A medium-light gray with subtle blue-violet undertones, modern and sophisticated without feeling too cold.
How to Spot Undertones (Without Losing Your Mind)
Compare, don’t look alone. Put two “similar” colors side by side and you’ll instantly see which one is warmer, cooler, pinker, or greener.
Test in your actual light. Morning light, afternoon light, lamps—they all reveal undertones differently.
Use a reference white. Hold up a true white (like BM Chantilly Lace or SW Extra White) to quickly see if your color is warmer, creamier, or cooler.
Check it against your furniture. A beige might look neutral on its own but suddenly yellow next to your gray sofa.
Undertones are the reason you sometimes feel like the color on your walls looks nothing like the swatch. But once you learn to recognize them, you’ll be in control, not at the mercy of surprise purple walls (like me at 17!).
👉 Having trouble with undertones? You can rely on my ready-to-use color palettes, perfectly coordinated and tested to work beautifully together.
