Gateway Gray vs Paper
Gateway Gray (Sherwin-Williams) and Paper (Tikkurila) come from different manufacturers. Gateway Gray reads as greige-grey, while Paper reads as beige-greige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 47-point LRV gap — 88 for Paper vs 41 for Gateway Gray — means Paper will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 25.8 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gateway Gray vs Paper in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Gateway Gray and Paper in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Paper reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Gateway Gray.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Paper returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Gateway Gray vs Paper Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gateway Gray on one side and Paper 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 Gateway Gray comparisons
See how Gateway Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
