Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray HC-169

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Coventry Gray HC-169 is one of Benjamin Moore’s best-selling gray paint colors. It’s a soft, neutral, mid-toned gray that is extremely versatile.

I have such a fantastic paint color to talk about today. I’m surprised I haven’t already mentioned it.

I don’t have much of a reason for choosing this color today other than I saw it and thought I needed to review it.

I will say it is another neutral. I know I just reviewed Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist, which is another amazing neutral. But this one is too good not to review.

Today’s paint color review is for Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray HC-169.

WHAT COLOR IS BENJAMIN MOORE COVENTRY GRAY?

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray is a gray paint color. Big surprise there, right?

To be a tiny bit more specific, it’s a mid-toned neutral gray. Benjamin Moore sums it up well.

A steadfast medium gray with relatively neutral undertones.

Benjamin Moore

STATS

1. Hue Family – YELLOW GREEN
2. LRV – 48.18
3. Color Collections – Historical Colors • Colors for Vinyl, Best Selling Paint Colors

Coventry Gray LRV 48.18

In the world of paint colors, knowing and understanding what LRV is can be super beneficial when choosing a paint color.

Don’t stress, if you aren’t familiar with LRV, I’m going to give you a very quick summary of what it is.

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. It 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?

Essentially, the higher the LRV, the more light the paint color will reflect.

BM Coventry Gray has an LRV of 48.18, which is just about the dead center of the scale. It’s not the most light-reflecting by any means, yet it’s not the least, either.

HUE FAMILY OF COVENTRY GRAY – YELLOW-GREEN

One of the lesser-talked-about stats is the hue family of a paint color. The hue family is based on the origins of the colors we can see, such as red, blue, green, and yellow.

Coventry Gray is from the yellow-green hue family.

Overall, the hue family allows you to understand the paint color’s origin. It also can tell you how a paint color may or may not react in certain lighting.

IS COVENTRY GRAY WARM OR COOL?

Now, we are diving a little bit deeper. Is Coventry Gray a warm or cool paint color?

It’s a cool-toned paint color. It’s not particularly the coolest gray, but it does have a subtle coolness to it.

Many people refer to it as the perfect neutral gray paint color. I agree, but it is not for everyone.

As we know, it’s a cool-toned paint color, so depending on lighting and the other elements in a room, the coolness can either be amplified or toned down. Lighting is truly king.

Now, a great tip I have for figuring out the tone of a color is to compare it to another color that you are familiar with.

For example, let’s compare Coventry Gray to Edgecomb Gray.

You can see that in comparison to Edgecomb Gray, Coventry is the cooler of the two.

If you are really struggling with tone, try comparing some colors; it may just help you see it better.

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 COVENTRY GRAY HAVE?

BM Coventry Gray has blue /bluish-green undertones or colors that can possibly be seen.

Lighting plays a monstrous role in this. In a room with ideal lighting, Coventry Gray will look like an exceptionally perfect neutral gray. But in a room with less-than-ideal lighting, it may look more blue or blue-green.

Undertones are subjective, so what I see from a paint color is not necessarily what you will see.

Lighting, fixed elements, decor, and even what is outside your windows affect how a paint color will look.

This is why I always push sampling your paint colors. Yes, hearing what other people say about paint colors can be hugely beneficial, but to get a 100% guarantee of how it will look in your home, you need to sample.

COVENTRY GRAY, LIGHTING, AND CARDINAL DIRECTIONS

Lighting is one if not the most, important factor when it comes to what a paint color will look like

It primarily 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.

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 significant to always take lighting into consideration while choosing a paint color. However 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.

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 room’s paint color looks. Unfortunately, this is 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. I feel as though many people brush over this step in the painting process, and I think it’s wildly insane.

WHAT IS THE BEST TRIM COLOR TO USE WITH BM COVENTRY GRAY?

The most popular trim color is white. That said, I think Coventry Gray looks exceptional with crisp white trim.

This doesn’t mean that you can only use a white paint color. There are many options you can go with, of course, depending on the look you are going for.

You can try a monochromatic look and use a gray that is a shade or two lighter than Coventry.

You can also keep it super cohesive by using Coventry Gray on both your walls and trim but in different finishes. The various finishes will give a subtle differentiation between the two surfaces.

Some of my favorite trim paint colors to go with Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray are:

• Chantilly Lace
• Pure White
• Decorators White

READ MORE: THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FOR TRIM

WHERE TO USE BENJAMIN MOORE COVENTRY GRAY?

When it comes to where you should use a paint color, I like to say paint it anywhere. I know that is not helpful whatsoever. But if you sample the paint color and you are happy with how it looks, then what more to say?

There are no hardcore set-in-stone rules. Decorating is supposed to show your personality and make you happy. So do what makes you happy.

Now, I know everyone loves to hear suggestions, so here are a few suggestions where you can use Coventry Gray in your home.

CABINETS

IS COVENTRY GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Yup, BM Coventry Gray is a fantastic exterior paint color. However, there is something to keep in mind.

When you are working with paint colors on the exterior, you have to remember that the sun will make colors appear lighter and brighter and possibly even wash them out a bit.

Coventry is more of a mid-to-light color, so It will be able to hold its own on the exterior. It will look lighter, but It won’t wash out as a lot of other lighter gray paint colors do.

I think it is a great option if you are looking for a light gray exterior color.

EXPLORE MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS:

• The Best Sherwin Williams Exterior Colors
• Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Colors
• Paint Colors for the Front Door
• Best Paint Colors to go with Brick
• A Fantastic White Exterior Paint Color

WHAT IS THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS EQUIVALENT TO COVENTRY GRAY?

Let’s talk about color dupes and equivalents to Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any Sherwin-Williams paint colors that are exact replicas of CG. There are, indeed, colors that look very similar and could possibly fit the bill if you like CG but need to use a Sherwin color.

WHAT ABOUT COLOR MATCHING?

You can color match Coventry with Sherwin Williams paint, but do it with caution and always start with a small sample of it.

The thing with color matching is that there are times when it works, and you are happy with the color. However. I have seen it go terribly wrong.

Paint manufacturers formulate paint differently, so no two are alike. This is why color matching doesn’t always work.

With the amount of paint colors brands carry, you are bound to find one you like. I say skip the color matching and pick from the brand’s collections.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH BM COVENTRY GRAY?

Coventry Gray looks great with a bunch of colors. In ideal light, it is pretty neutral, so if that’s what you are working with, you can use just about any color.

But as I said earlier, there are no strict rules in decorating. Go with what appeals to the eye and roll with it. If you are happy, you made the right choice. Of course, you can probably guess what I’m about to say, but swatch your paint colors first.

That being said, I think it’s helpful to share a few different paint colors that will work with CG. It can help guide you toward creating your own color palette.

1. SILVERY MOON 1604
2. TEMPTATION 1609
3. STEAM AF-15
4. HALE NAVY
5. BM PURE WHITE OC-64
6. YORKTOWN GREEN HC-133

I also want to add that brass is an absolutely amazing complement to Coventry Gray. I really adore the stylish appearance of CG cabinets when paired with brass hardware. It gives off a sophisticated vibe.

COLOR COMPARISONS

Comparing paint colors is one of my favorite things to do.

It’s fun to see how popular colors compare, but it’s also helpful in determining the tone of a color, and it helps you narrow down your paint color choices.

I selected a few paint colors to compare to Coventry Gray. Let’s see how they stack up.

COVENTRY GRAY vs STONINGTON GRAY

• Stonington Gray has an LRV of 59.36, which is higher than CG’s 48.18
• Coventry Gray is a shade darker than Stonington Gray
• Both paint colors are cool paint colors and similar in tone.
• Both Coventry and Stonington are softer grays that have the potential to show a bit of blue in certain lighting.

READ MORE: FULL REVIEW- BENJAMIN MOORE STONINGTON GRAY

COVENTRY GRAY vs BOOTHBAY GRAY

• Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray has an LRV of 43.26, similar to CG’s 48.18
• Boothbay Gray is a smidge darker than CG
• Both are cool-toned paint colors
• There is the potential for both these colors to show blue in certain lighting.
• Boothbay Gray has a more blue feel to it.
• Coventry Gray is slightly more neutral.

READ MOORE: BOOTHBAY GRAY FULL REVIEW

COVENTRY GRAY vs METROPOLITAN

• Benjamin Moore Metropolitan has an LRV of 49.96, which is awfully close to CG’s 48.18
• Metropolitan is a hair lighter
• Both colors are cool-toned and from the Green-Yellow hue family
• They are very similar, and both can show blue tones in certain lighting

COVENTRY GRAY vs REVERE PEWTER

• Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter has an LRV of 55.51. That is a bit higher than CG’s 48.18
• Revere Pewter is a warm-toned paint color
• Coventry Gray is the darker paint color of the two.
• Revere Pewter has the possibility of showing some green tones in unbalanced lighting.
• BM Revere is more saturated

READ MORE: FULL BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER REVIEW

RECAP

I know my paint color reviews contain a ton of information, and honestly, it’s a lot to remember. Therefore, I would like to give a quick recap to refresh your memory on some of the key points of this fantastic Benjamin Moore gray paint color.

• Hue Family – YELLOW GREEN
• LRV – 48.18
• Color Collections – Historical Colors • Colors for Vinyl, Best Selling Paint Colors
• it’s a cool-toned color
• can show ‘undertones’ or flashes of blue in unbalanced lighting
• in ideal lighting, it can look like a neutral gray
• A North Facing roo will enhance the cool tones
• Looks great with a bright white trim like Chantilly Lace
• Gray Clouds is a similar Sherwin Williams paint color.
• It is a great gray paint color to use anywhere, especially on furniture
• It works well on the exterior of the home

Doing some painting yourself? Make sure you pick up this essential painting tool!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’ll say it: Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray is one spectacular neutral paint color. There’s no wonder it is on the most popular and best-sellers list.

I know that many people tend to favor warm-tone gray, but there is something about this one that is calling to me. Granted, I gravitate towards blue colors, so I suppose it’s no shock that I like Coventry Gray because it can flash blue in certain lighting.

Even if you usually go for warmer colors, I think Coventry Gray is worth checking out.

In balanced lighting, it can look like a soft neutral gray, no surprises.

If you are in the market for a contemporary gray paint color, I say order a Samplize sample of Coventry Gray. I really think it will surprise you just how beautiful it is.

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