Ashen
Ashen is a versatile and reflective paint color from PPG. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to provide a clean, timeless feel that works across various lighting conditions. Below, you'll find 10 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.
Hex
#c9bfb2
LRV
52.00
Ashen's Color Strip
Ashen is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Cool Concrete and Desert Dune. The strip spans from Oatmeal at the lightest end to Afternoon Tea at the deepest. Strip PPG1023 lines up the full value range so you can see exactly where this color lands among its closest relatives.
Ashen in Real Rooms
Ashen has a medium-high LRV of 52 — present enough to register on the wall without making a room feel heavy.
1 Front Door Photo
There's a psychological sense of "arrival" when you step up to a door painted in Ashen. It feels solid, grounded, and permanent, giving both residents and guests a sense of stability as they cross the threshold.
minimalist front door featuring Ashen by PPG
@simplywalldecor
1 Home Office Photo
A home office in Ashen strikes the perfect balance between focused and inviting. The color grounds the room without feeling corporate, and its depth gives the space a sense of purpose. Pair with dark wood furniture to make long working hours feel more comfortable.
PPG Ashen in a unique home office
@simplywalldecor
1 Bathroom Photo
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Ashen holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
Ashen — coastal bathroom
@simplywalldecor
1 Bedroom Photo
A bedroom finished in Ashen rewards the time you spend in it. The color is deep enough to feel intentional and luxurious, but not so saturated that it becomes visually tiring over time — it strikes the perfect balance for a space meant for both deep sleep and the slow, reflective hours before it.
A moody bedroom painted in Ashen
@simplywalldecor
1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Ashen provides a sophisticated backdrop for artwork and large-scale mirrors. The color's depth helps to "absorb" the room's edges, making the flickering light of candles and the sparkle of glassware the stars of the show.
Ashen paint in a art deco dining room
@simplywalldecor
1 Kitchen Photo
Using Ashen in the kitchen allows the architectural details—like open shelving or a custom range hood—to stand out. It creates a soft-focus background that makes even a simple stack of white plates look like a deliberate design choice.
Ashen — classy kitchen
@simplywalldecor
1 House Photo
Ashen is particularly effective on modern-style homes with flat planes and large windows. The color emphasizes the geometry of the house, using shadows and light to create a dynamic, ever-changing facade throughout the day.
Ashen color — rustic modern house inspiration
@simplywalldecor
1 Patio Photo
For outdoor kitchens or bars, Ashen provides a professional, "indoor" level of sophistication. It bridges the gap between the comfort of the house and the ruggedness of the outdoors, making the patio feel like a true extension of the living space.
wabi-sabi patio featuring Ashen by PPG
@simplywalldecor
1 Mudroom Photo
For smaller entries, Ashen provides a "box" of color that defines the space. It tells you exactly where the "messy" zone ends and the "clean" house begins, using color psychology to manage the flow of the household.
Ashen paint in a traditional mudroom
@simplywalldecor
1 Living Room Photo
There is a specific "glow" that Ashen takes on during the golden hour in a living room. As the sun sets, the pigments react with the low-angled light to create a hazy, ethereal atmosphere that feels incredibly high-end. It's a color that rewards those who use the room during the transition of the day.
A traditional living room painted in Ashen
@simplywalldecor
Coordinating Colors
Ashen reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Trim Color
Delicate White reflects far more light (LRV 88 vs 52), opening up a space where Ashen encloses it.