Unusual Gray
Often used for its versatile qualities, Unusual Gray remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 18 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#A3A7A0
LRV
38.07
Unusual Gray's Color Strip
Unusual Gray is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Magnetic Gray and Illusive Green. The strip spans from Silver Strand at the lightest end to Laurel Woods at the deepest. Browsing strip 237 alongside this color helps you gauge whether to go lighter, darker, or stay right here.
Unusual Gray in Real Rooms
Unusual Gray has a medium-high LRV of 38.07 — present enough to register on the wall without making a room feel heavy. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a misc, dining room, kitchen cabinets, living room, bathroom, house and bedroom.
4 Misc Photos
More spaces painted in Unusual Gray, shared by homeowners and designers across kitchens, hallways, dining rooms, and beyond. This collection shows how one color can take on a dozen different personalities depending on the room.
Shiplap paneling in Unusual Gray creates visual depth and architectural character.
@jamie_athome
Matte wall finish in Unusual Gray delivers understated sophistication and refinement.
@colletteosuna
Painted wood furniture in Unusual Gray transforms traditional pieces with modern appeal.
@goodbonesfurniturerestoration
Dresser and side tables painted in Unusual Gray showcase versatile color application.
@goodbonesfurniturerestoration
1 Dining Room Photo
Dining rooms benefit from colors with some weight to them — lighter shades can feel too open for a space meant for intimate evening gatherings. Unusual Gray does what good dining room color should: it makes the table feel like the center of the world.
Dining room walls wrapped in Unusual Gray establish an intimate gathering space.
@emileeminks
3 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
Unusual Gray on cabinets gives a kitchen a sense of intentionality without the risk that comes with louder choices. It's grounded enough to feel permanent, versatile enough to work with whatever countertop material surrounds it.
Kitchen cabinets painted in Unusual Gray bridge traditional and contemporary styles.
@ejbcabinetry
Kitchen cabinetry in Unusual Gray offers timeless elegance and subtle visual interest.
@turningtraditional
Lower cabinets finished in Unusual Gray balance lighter upper shelving and countertops.
@turningtraditional
5 Living Room Photos
The beauty of Unusual Gray in a living room lies in its versatility with textures. It provides a smooth, matte-like quality that contrasts beautifully against plush velvet sofas or chunky wool rugs. It's a color that invites you to stay a little longer, creating an atmosphere that feels established rather than just decorated.
Living room walls in Unusual Gray provide a serene backdrop for furnishings.
@fields_of_green_homestead
An accent wall in Unusual Gray adds subtle dimension to this living space.
@sunflowerlane.blog
The accent wall in Unusual Gray draws focus to the living room seating.
@christie.reissiger.interiors
Living room walls in Unusual Gray establish a cohesive neutral environment.
@design_central_project
Floor-to-ceiling walls in Unusual Gray unify the expansive living space.
@fields_of_green_homestead
2 Bathroom Photos
In a powder room, Unusual 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.
Bathroom walls in Unusual Gray create a spa-like atmosphere with cool undertones.
@robles.corp
Vanity cabinetry in Unusual Gray brings sophisticated elegance to the bathroom.
@stoneridgehomesok
1 House Photo
Unusual Gray 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.
Exterior siding in Unusual Gray creates a sophisticated, neutral backdrop for landscaping.
@esteuwe18
2 Bedroom Photos
Lighting is key in a bedroom, and Unusual Gray reacts beautifully to dimmers. As you lower the lights for sleep, the color takes on a velvet-like quality, losing its daytime crispness in favor of a smoky, mysterious depth that is incredibly conducive to relaxation.
Bedroom walls painted in Unusual Gray provide a calm, versatile foundation for decor.
@roomsbyroxanne
Soft Unusual Gray walls establish a serene atmosphere in this restful bedroom space.
@roomsbyroxanne
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 74 vs 38, Reserved White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 59 vs 38, Silver Strand is decisively the brighter choice.
Unusual Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 13), opening up a space where Waterloo encloses it.
Trim Color
At LRV 74 vs 38, Reserved White is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 39 vs 38), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 38 vs 38), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 38 vs 38), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 3-point LRV gap (38 vs 35) makes Unusual Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Mineral Deposit reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 40 and 38, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 39 and 38, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 41 and 38, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Oyster Bay reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 38 and 37, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
Unusual Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 16), opening up a space where Wood Violet encloses it.
Unusual Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 39 vs 38), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 38 vs 11, Unusual Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 81 vs 38, Feathery Lilac is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 72 vs 38, Elation is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 71 vs 38, Inspired Lilac is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
At LRV 57 vs 38, Autonomous is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (46 vs 38) makes Magnetic Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 59 vs 38, Silver Strand is decisively the brighter choice.
Oyster Bay reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Darker Colors
Unusual Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 21), opening up a space where Retreat encloses it.
Unusual Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 32), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Unusual Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Unusual Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 22), opening up a space where Cityscape encloses it.
A 8-point LRV gap (38 vs 30) makes Unusual Gray the marginally brighter of the two.