PPG • PPG1038-6

Lava Gray

Name: PPG Lava Gray PPG1038-6
Brand: PPG

Lava Gray is a genuinely dark paint color from PPG. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. Below, you'll find 10 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.

Hex

#5e686d

LRV

13.00

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Light Reflectance Value

13.00

Dark

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Lava Gray's Color Strip

Lava Gray is the sixth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Feldspar and Midnight Hour. The strip spans from Evening Mist at the lightest end to Midnight Hour at the deepest. Strip PPG1038 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.

1Evening Mist 2Dewdrop 3Winter's Breath 4Smoke Screen 5Feldspar 6Lava Gray

7Midnight Hour

Lava Gray in Real Rooms

Lava Gray has a low LRV of 13 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color.

1 Dining Room Photo

The best dining room colors look different lit by daylight versus candlelight, and Lava Gray is one of them. It holds the room's warmth in the evening in a way that makes dinner feel like an occasion even when it's just a casual weeknight.

Lava Gray paint in a parisian dining room

@simplywalldecor

1 Bedroom Photo

In the context of a primary suite, Lava Gray suggests a boutique-hotel level of refinement. It creates a seamless flow between the sleeping area and the dressing room, providing a steadying influence that makes the morning routine feel more organized and serene.

A art deco bedroom painted in Lava Gray

@simplywalldecor

1 Bathroom Photo

In a powder room, Lava Gray can be used floor-to-ceiling to create a dramatic, high-impact experience for guests. Because these rooms are small and transitional, they can handle the full intensity of the color's personality without feeling overwhelming.

Lava Gray — industrial bathroom

@simplywalldecor

1 Front Door Photo

Lava Gray on a front door looks particularly stunning when framed by greenery or seasonal wreaths. The color provides a deep, matte background that makes the organic textures of a boxwood wreath or autumn garland really pop.

stylish front door featuring Lava Gray by PPG

@simplywalldecor

1 Home Office Photo

For those who spend their day on camera, Lava Gray is a highly flattering background color. It doesn't wash out skin tones or create weird reflections, providing a professional and "expensive" look for virtual meetings and presentations.

PPG Lava Gray in a scandinavian home office

@simplywalldecor

1 House Photo

The way Lava Gray interacts with exterior lighting—like sconces or path lights—is dramatic. At night, the house takes on a protective, fortress-like quality that feels incredibly secure and welcoming to those returning home.

Lava Gray color — scandinavian house inspiration

@simplywalldecor

1 Kitchen Photo

In a farmhouse or traditional kitchen, Lava Gray adds a layer of modern relevance. It updates classic cabinetry and apron-front sinks without clashing with the traditional "bones" of the house, offering a bridge between the old and the new.

Lava Gray — classy kitchen

@simplywalldecor

1 Mudroom Photo

In a laundry/mudroom combo, Lava Gray adds a touch of luxury to a space that is usually purely functional. It makes the chores feel a little less like work by surrounding you with a color that is sophisticated and calming.

Lava Gray paint in a earthy mudroom

@simplywalldecor

1 Living Room Photo

Lava Gray anchors the living room with a quiet, architectural confidence. Its depth shifts subtly through the day — cooler in the crisp morning light and significantly warmer by lamplight in the evening — making it a natural fit for a space meant for both high-energy gathering and silent unwinding. To maximize the effect, layer in natural white oak, heavy linen, and soft metallics to let the color truly breathe.

A mid century living room painted in Lava Gray

@simplywalldecor

1 Patio Photo

Exterior color behaves differently than interior — there's more bleaching, more weather, and more competition from the natural surroundings. Lava Gray holds its character in open light and tends to look even better after a few seasons than it does fresh from the can.