I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Please click my Disclosure Policy to learn more
Lazy Gray is one of Sherwin Williams’s 50 most popular paint colors. This calming cool-toned gray is neutral with subtle hints of blue in it.
Hey all! Welcome to another fantastic paint color review!
Let me start off by saying I’m a sucker for colors like the one I’m talking about today.
There is no real reason I chose to review this color other than I wanted to, Also, spoiler alert, it’s a cool-tone color and I feel like I don’t talk about cold tones often enough.
I know you truly don’t care why I’m reviewing. You just want me to zip it and get into the review.
I get it, so without further ado, we are chatting about Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray SW 6254.
WHAT COLOR IS LAZY GRAY?
OK, I bet you already guessed that Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray is a gray paint color, but wait, there is more!
This is a soft mid-toned gray paint color that truly promotes a calming environment.
This is how Sherwin Williams describes it on their site:
A light gray that’s almost blue, but not quite. Consider it a leisurely mix of both. Perfect for any space where relaxation happens.
Sherwin Williams
I have to agree with their description. Lazy Gray is gray but it has those cool blue tones to it as well. It fits perfectly into the blue-gray paint color category.
Keep in mind that Lazy Gray may look more or less blue or gray depending on the situation of the room. For example, lighting, decor colors, fixed elements, and so on.
If you want to know for sure how this beautiful cool-toned paint color will look in your home, you have to sample it. This is the only way you will get a 100% guarantee of how the color will perform.
STATS & LRV
- LRV – 53
- HUE FAMILY – Blue
- COLOR COLLECTIONS – Top 50 Colors
Starting with LRV, this number means absolutely nothing to you unless you know what LRV means.
LRV or Light Reflectance Value is a measurement commonly used by design professionals that measures the amount of light reflected from and absorbed by a surface. LRVs range from 0 -100, with 100 being pure white and 0 being absolute black.
A great article to read to learn more about LRV is Light Reflectance Value: What Do Those Numbers Mean?
To sum it up, Lazy Gray has an LRV of 53. That’s right smack in the middle of the scale. So this tells us that this cool-toned beauty won’t reflect the most light.
Hue family. I think this is a super helpful piece of information to know about a paint color. I find it beneficial because it allows you to understand where the paint color comes from. This also helps determine what color it may shift to or show in certain qualities of light.
Lazy Gray is from the blue hue family.
As for the color collections, this is certainly not crucial information. Nevertheless, it’s always entertaining to see what other colors are also in the collection.
LAZY GRAY PAINT COLOR STRIP
- Olympus White SW 6253
- Lazy Gray SW 6254
- Morning Fog SW 6255
- Dustblu SW 9161
- Serious Gray SW 6256
- Gibraltar SW 6257
- Sea Serpent SW 7615
DOES LAZY GRAY LOOK BLUE?
Yes, SW Lazy Gray has the potential to look blue. In some cases, it may look almost like a blue paint color with gray in it, and in other cases, it may look like a gray paint color with some blue tones to it.
Overall, you can expect blue to be present in this paint color.
If you don’t want any blue in your gray paint color, this is not the color for you.
IS LAZY GRAY A WARM OR COOL PANT COLOR?
Lazy Gray is indeed a cool-toned paint color. You can thank the beautiful blue it has in it for that.
Some colors are much easier to recognize the tone of than others.
If you are struggling to determine whether a paint color is warm or cool, I suggest comparing it to another color you are familiar with.
For example, let’s take Lazy Gray and compare it to SW Agreeable Gray. It makes it easier to spot which is the cool and which is the warm paint color when the two colors are placed side by side.
In this case, Lazy Gray is the cooled-toned paint color.
If you find yourself struggling with the tone, compare it to another color. Occasionally all you need is a comparison to help you figure it out.
INTERESTED IN WARM-TONED PAINT COLORS?
- BM Soft Chamois
- SW Natural Choice
- BM Swiss Coffee
- SW Divine White
- SW Kilim Beige
- BM Classic Gray
- BM Manchester Tan
WHAT UNDERTONES DOES LAZY GRAY HAVE?
There are no surprises with the undertones of Lazy Gray. They are blue.
Undertones tend to be a sticky topic, and some are easier to recognize than others. Colors like this one are pretty straightforward.
If you are working with a bit more of a complex color trying to figure out the undertones or colors that may show up can get frustrating.
It’s a good thing to keep in mind that undertones and the colors you see a paint color exhibit are strictly reliant on what’s going on around them. For example, lighting, decor color, and fixed elements. Everyone’s home is different.
Undertones are subjective and may not be the same for everyone. This is something that really isn’t conveyed enough and it’s why I push sampling paint colors so much. (possibly too much)
Grabbing a paint sample and testing it in your home is the best way to get an exact representation of how the paint color will look for you.
LAZY GRAY, LIGHTING & CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
Lighting is one if not the most, important factor when it comes to what a paint color will look like
It largely impacts how you will perceive a paint color. For this reason, it’s a great idea to be knowledgeable about the lighting condition and the cardinal direction of the room you are choosing the right paint color for.
The table shows the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west, with a brief description of how the light looks from each direction.
NORTH-FACING ROOMS – Light in North-facing rooms comes off cooler and somewhat bluish. Lighter colors will appear more muted, while bolder colors will show up, or appear sounder.
SOUTH-FACING ROOMS – In South-facing rooms, there tends to be a consistently bright light throughout the day. Warm and cool tones work with south-facing light, This light intensifies colors, so darker colors will seem a bit brighter while softer colors will appear to look like they are gleaming.
EAST-FACING ROOMS – East-facing rooms have the brightest light in the mornings, with a yellow-orange tone. If an east-facing room will be used mainly in the evenings, going with a warm palette will help balance the lack of natural light.
WEST-FACING ROOMS – Early evening is when West-facing rooms have the most favorable light. Warmer tones might seem overwhelming because of the red-orange the light gives off. However, if the main use for the room is in the mornings, the colors won’t appear as strong as they would in the evening.
It’s noteworthy to always take lighting into consideration while choosing a paint color. Though you cannot forget about the other elements that influence how a paint color may look.
This includes fixed features like cabinetry, flooring, tiles, etc., as well as the decor colors you choose for your home.
Want to paint like a true professional?
Check out this must-have painting tool used by our painting crew
BUY THIS PAINTING TOOL
WHAT ARE THE BEST LIGHT BULBS TO USE?
Just as natural light affects paint colors, so does artificial lighting.
The color of the light bulbs you use will influence how a paint color will look in a room. And unfortunately, it’s an important detail that is often overlooked.
With the variety of light bulbs available it can become overwhelmingly confusing. I mean what really soft white and bright white?
Thankfully, it becomes easier once you know a little bit about light bulbs.
For reference, light color or light appearance is measured on the Kelvin (K)temperature scale. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more yellow light; the higher the Kelvin number the whiter or bluer light.
Remember, lower Kelvin (K) numbers = yellow light, Higher Kelvin (K) numbers = white/blueish light
I always recommend using this type of light bulb.
Be cautious of the light bulb names such as “daylight” or warm light”. I’d advise against picking a light bulb by its name.
Instead, always check the package for actual facts. This allows you to choose the best bulb for you.
Don’t forget, as much as lighting plays a major part in how a paint color will look at times, there are other determinants to be aware of. For instance, decor, furniture, fixtures, cabinetry, and floors. These are all elements that can affect and/or influence the way a paint color will look in your room.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SAMPLE?
I’m an advocate for testing and sampling paint colors. I wholeheartedly believe it’s a surefire way to see how a paint color will look in a room. Many people brush over this step in the painting process, and I think it’s wildly insane.
LEARN HOW TO TEST YOUR PAINT SAMPLE THE RIGHT WAY.
GRAB A SAMPLING PAINT COLORS WORKSHEET TO LEARN HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SAMPLES
Instead of physically going to your nearest paint store to grab your samples, you need to try Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples.
Why should you try Samplize?
- Super affordable
- Mess-free
- Non-damaging
- Made with real manufacturer paint
- Displays color just like a wall
- Environmental friendly
- Reusable
These peel & stick paint samples are super affordable and allow you to test a paint color in all different areas of a room without the mess of a traditional paint sample!
You know how I feel about testing paint colors. It’s a must!
Don’t create more work for yourself. Order Samplize now and have them shipped directly to you. No fuss, no mess! Check them out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Get $5 off your first Samplize order using the code “FIRSTFIVE“
WHAT IS THE BEST TRIM PAINT COLOR TO GO WITH SW LAZY GRAY?
I like to pair Lazy Gray with a clean white trim. Since it is a cool-tone paint color, I find it looks absolutely stunning with cool or neutral-tone white paint colors.
A few different white colors I think to work well with it are:
- Extra White
- Pure White
USE IT IN DIFFERENT SHEENS
Another way to use Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray is by using it in different sheens. Here’s an example.
Paint your bathroom vanity in an eggshell finish. Then on the walls, you can go with a satin or flat finish.
By changing the finish or sheen, the color will look different. A higher sheen will reflect more light, making it appear lighter, and a lower sheen will do the opposite and make it look a bit dark.
It’s a great way to use a color you love in multiple ways.
EXPLORE MORE PAINT COLORS:
- Sherwin Williams Riverway
- The Best Neutral Paint Colors
- Popular Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors
- A Benjamin Moore Best-Selling Gray
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
- SW Silverpointe
- BM Beach Glass
- Silver Satin – Benjamin Moore
- Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Review
- Iron Ore vs Wrought Iron
WHERE TO USE SHERWIN WILLIAMS LAZY GRAY
Use this color anywhere your heart desires. Truthfully, though, I have said this before, and I’ll say it again.
If you test a paint color in your home and you are happy with how it looks throughout the day and night, use it! You are decorating for yourself, not the world. So, if you are in love with how a paint color looks, that is your sign right there.
I do have a few examples of where some other people have used Lazy Gray. And I do think they are all fantastic!
KITCHEN
Lazy Gray makes a beautiful accent color in the kitchen.
home_at_its_best painted their kitchen island using SW Lazy gray. It’s a beautifully subtle contrast to the white cabinets in the kitchen.
Painting your kitchen cabinets yourself? Make sure you take all the right steps to do it right.
READ MORE: THE BEST KITCHEN CABINET PAINT COLORS
BEDROOM
The bedroom is the perfect place to use a soft and calming paint color like Lazy Gray.
Ellispaintingco painted this master bedroom using it and it proves to be elegant yet relaxing.
LIVING ROOM
Of course, the living room is a fantastic place to use those fantastic cool gray.
jv_painting_ painted this living room using Lazy Gray and here the color looks blue with gray in it to neutralize it.
IS LAZY GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
Absolutely! Lazy Gray is an amazing paint color to use on the exterior of a home. Why? Well, other than the obvious answer that it’s gorgeous, there are some other reasons it will work for the exterior of a home.
Since it’s a medium paint color, it is great for exteriors because it has the depth a color needs to stand up to the sun without fully washing out, as some very light paint colors can do. I find that paint colors in this depth are ideal for the exterior.
LOOKING FOR MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT:
- Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Colors
- Popular Sherwin Williams Exterior Colors
- Exterior Colors that go with Brick
- Awesome Front Door Colors
- Exterior Paint Color Combos
- The Perfect Dark Gray
- Blue Paint Colors for the Exterior
- Mushroom Paint Colors
- Amazing Green Paint Colors for the Exterior
SHERWIN WILLIAMS LAZY GRAY COORDINATING COLORS
The attractive gray-blue is rather reliable in that it tends to play with other colors. This means when it comes to creating a color palette you have so many different possibilities.
I am sharing a handful of colors that work with Lazy gray. Use these as inspiration to create your own color palette.
I also want to note that colors similar to this one look lovely, along with rich wood tones.
BENJAMIN MOORE EQUIVALENT TO SW LAZY GRAY
If you are looking for an exact Sherwin Williams dupe for Sherwin WIlliams Lazy Gray. I hate to break it to you but you aren’t going to find one. However, according to the spectatorial data, this color is the closest.
- AF-695 ETERNITY
- LRV 52.22
- Hue Family – Blue Green
Right off the bat, these colors are not alike. Eternity is more of a blue-green.
They are very close in value (how light or dark a color is) and they also have similar saturation. Where they fall off is the hue family.
Keep in mind that the colors on the computer screen are not 100% accurate representations of the actual paint color. This is why you need to sample the paint colors to see how they truly perform.
SHOULD YOU COLOR MATCH?
If you decide to try your hand at color matching, that’s entirely up to you.
There is nothing wrong with it and there is a chance the color you get is exactly what you hoped for.
The reason I am hesitant about color matching is that brands formulate paint colors differently. This means that if they mix a paint color that isn’t theirs, it has the potential of being slightly off.
If you are willing to give it a shot, I highly recommend starting with a sample of the color to start. This way you can see if the color is what you were expecting.
CONSTANTLY FORGETTING WHAT PAINT COLORS YOU USED IN YOUR HOME? KEEP TRACK OF THEM ALL WITH THIS HANDY PAINT COLOR KEEPER
COLOR COMPARISONS
I’m a fan of comparing colors. I find it can be helpful in your paint color decision. It also is fun to see how popular paint colors compare to one another.
REPOSE GRAY VS LAZY GRAY
- Repose Gray has an LRV of 58 which is a bit higher than LG’s 53
- Repose Gray is a warm-toned paint color
- LG is the darker paint color of the two
- Repose Gray is more on the neutral side.
READ MORE: SHERWIN WILLIAMS REPOSE GRAY REVIEW
LAZY GRAY VS GRAY SCREEN
- Sherwin Williams Gray Screen has an LRV of 59 which is a smidge higher than LG’s 53
- Gray Screen is the lighter paint color
- Lazy Gray is a bit more saturated or colorful
- Gray Screen is from the blue-green hue family
- LG has more blue in it
LAZY GRAY VS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY
- Sherwin Williams Light French Gray has the same LRV of 53 as LG
- Light French Gray is from the yellow hue family
- LG is cooler in tone
- Light French gray is a bit lighter and has a little less saturation. It’s more on the neutral side
READ MORE SHERWIN WILLIAMS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY REVIEW
Follow these helpful painting tips and avoid these mistakes to get the job done right!
RECAP
I know that was a ton of information I just dumped on you. So I’ll do a brief recap to refresh your memory of what we talked about.
- LRV – 53
- HUE FAMILY – blue
- COLOR COLLECTIONS – Top 50 Colors
- light to mid-toned gray
- has blue undertones
- has the potential to look bluer in certain lighting and room situations
- it’s a cool-toned paint color
- the best way to sample is by using SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES
- looks lovely with cleaner white paint colors such as Extra White
- It’s a fantastic paint color to use anywhere, especially the bedroom
- it has a very calming and relaxing presence in a room
- Looks great on the exterior of the home
Don’t start painting until you have the right tools!
SHOP MUST HAVE PAINTING TOOLS
FINAL THOUGHTS
Lazy Gray, in my opinion, is not lazy at all. The gorgeous gray is working its hardest at being the perfect blue-gray color.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m a sucker for paint colors with blue tones to them, so of course I’m going to be all in on Sherwin WIlliams Lazy Gray.
I find this to be a versatile paint color even though it does lean a tad bluer and cooler.
It also has an elegance about it that keeps your room feeling light and not weighed down
If you are sensitive to cooler blue tones and favor more warmth in your gray, this may not be a color for you. But if you are ready to embrace and love a brilliant cool-toned gray, I say get a sample of it right away.
One last note before you run. you cannot judge paint colors against a phone or computer screen. What you see on a screen are pixels and pixels are not paint. You need to get a sample of the paint to sufficiently evaluate your paint colors.
Sampling is the only way you can see what the paint will look like in your home. Please do not skip this step! It’s a common painting mistake that can easily be avoided.
Remember, color is relative, none of it stands alone in a room. Everything, including lighting, flooring color, and decor, will affect the way the paint color looks.
Are you planning on tackling a painting project on your own? Use these tips to help you paint your room like a pro.
Do you want to paint like a pro?
Get the painting tools the pros use.
Drop cloths are a must for any painting project. Paint is messy! Save yourself the hassle of unnecessary cleanup by using drop cloths. You’ll be happy you did.
A high-quality paint brush will go a long way. The same goes for paint rollers. You want to use tools that will work with you, making your painting job more manageable.
Looking for more color options? Grab your own Benjamin Moore fan deck
Looking for more color options? Grab your own Sherwin Williams fan deck.
RECENT ARTICLES:
- Review- Atrium White
- Ballet White
- Hale Navy Review
- Paint Color Review – Drift of Mist
- Sherwin Williams Paint Color Review – Reflection
- SW Yellow Paint Colors
- Gale Force SW
I’m Cate. As a seasoned paint color consultant and former proprietor of the highly regarded painting company WOW 1 Day Painting in Bergen County, my journey in the world of design and home improvement has been a colorful one, quite literally. Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Northern New Jersey, I’ve cultivated a passion for transforming spaces through the power of paint, furniture restoration, and thoughtful home decor.