Horizon Gray vs Austere Gray
Horizon Gray is a Benjamin Moore color while Austere Gray comes from Sherwin-Williams. These are both greige-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within greige-grey to land. With LRVs of 51 and 51, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Horizon Gray's yellow character against Austere Gray's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. With a ΔE of 1.1, the difference is subtle — you'd need them side by side to reliably tell them apart. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Horizon Gray vs Austere Gray in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Horizon Gray and Austere Gray are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Mudroom
A mudroom color needs to hold up under the most casual scrutiny: a glance as you're coming and going, often in mixed or artificial light. Horizon Gray brings more warmth to the space, while Austere Gray keeps things cooler and crisper.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The temperature contrast between Horizon Gray and Austere Gray is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Horizon Gray vs Austere Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Horizon Gray on one side and Austere Gray on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Horizon Gray comparisons
See how Horizon Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
