Steel Curtain featured
PPGPPG0994-5

Steel Curtain

We've categorized Steel Curtain as a versatile paint color because of its unique LRV profile. We have documented it across our network because it can add character and warmth to any space so effectively. Explore our collection of 10 room photos to see how it looks alongside coordinating accent choices.

Hex

#9b9f9a

LRV

34.00

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Light Reflectance Value
34.00
Medium
Official PageView on PPG

Steel Curtain's Color Strip

Steel Curtain is the fifth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Hippopotamus and Husky Gray. The strip spans from Afraid Of The Dark at the lightest end to Pencilpoint at the deepest. Strip PPG0994 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.

Steel Curtain in Real Rooms

Steel Curtain has a medium LRV of 34 — it adds real depth and will read noticeably darker as natural light fades.

1 Bathroom Photo

Pairing Steel Curtain with natural stone like travertine or slate creates an earthy, elemental bathroom that feels connected to nature. It moves the design away from plastic-heavy modernism toward something much more timeless and tactile.

Steel Curtain — modern luxury bathroom

Steel Curtain — modern luxury bathroom

@simplywalldecor

1 Bedroom Photo

Pairing Steel Curtain with tonal textures—like a silk rug or a bouclé chair—creates a layered, monochromatic look that is the height of sophistication for a bedroom. It proves that you don't need high-contrast colors to create a room that feels high-design and deeply personal.

A moody bedroom painted in Steel Curtain

A moody bedroom painted in Steel Curtain

@simplywalldecor

1 Home Office Photo

In a multi-use room where an office corner is required, Steel Curtain can be used to "zone" the desk area. By painting just that section, you create a visual boundary that separates your professional life from your personal space.

PPG Steel Curtain in a contemporary home office

PPG Steel Curtain in a contemporary home office

@simplywalldecor

1 Dining Room Photo

Dining rooms are often the best place to take a "color risk." By choosing Steel Curtain, you're opting for a shade that is saturated and confident, yet still refined enough to act as a neutral backdrop for colorful table linens and floral arrangements.

Steel Curtain paint in a traditional dining room

Steel Curtain paint in a traditional dining room

@simplywalldecor

1 Front Door Photo

A front door painted Steel Curtain makes a confident first impression without shouting. The color's depth draws the eye and signals personality before guests even step inside. Pair with crisp white trim and warm brass hardware to complete the look.

stylish front door featuring Steel Curtain by PPG

stylish front door featuring Steel Curtain by PPG

@simplywalldecor

1 Mudroom Photo

Steel Curtain handles the visual noise of a high-traffic entry point with ease. Coats, shoes, bags — the color grounds all of it without making the chaos worse. It's also incredibly forgiving of the scuffs and marks that come with daily use.

Steel Curtain paint in a tiny mudroom

Steel Curtain paint in a tiny mudroom

@simplywalldecor

1 Living Room Photo

Few colors transition as gracefully from day to evening as Steel Curtain. In natural light, it reads clean, grounded, and modern; by candlelight or lamp, it deepens into something much more soulful. For a living room that needs to function as a bright morning coffee spot and a moody evening lounge, that tonal range is an invaluable asset.

A cozy living room painted in Steel Curtain

A cozy living room painted in Steel Curtain

@simplywalldecor

1 House Photo

When choosing Steel Curtain for an exterior, you are opting for a color that respects the landscape. It feels like it grew out of the earth rather than being dropped onto it, creating a harmonious relationship between the architecture and the garden.

Steel Curtain color — eclectic house inspiration

Steel Curtain color — eclectic house inspiration

@simplywalldecor

1 Kitchen Photo

Using Steel Curtain 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.

Steel Curtain — classy kitchen cabinets

Steel Curtain — classy kitchen cabinets

@simplywalldecor

1 Patio Photo

Steel Curtain is particularly effective when used on a garden wall as a backdrop for plants. The deep tone makes the bright greens of leaves and the vibrant colors of flowers look almost neon in their intensity, creating a high-design garden look.

mediterranean patio featuring Steel Curtain by PPG

mediterranean patio featuring Steel Curtain by PPG

@simplywalldecor

Expert Perspectives

In-depth articles and real-home features from across our network of home and design sites.

Coordinating Colors

Trim Color

Color Codes

HEX#9b9f9a
RGB155, 159, 154
HSL108° 3% 61%
CIE LabL: 65.0 a: -2.4 b: 2.1
XYZX: 31.75 Y: 34.10 Z: 35.48
StripPPG0994 pos. 5