So you’ve been looking everywhere trying to find the perfect paint color that can take your kitchen to the next level, right? Well Repose Gray may be the perfect paint color for you. Sherwin Williams’ Repose Gray, is a versatile neutral gray paint color that’s been turning heads and winning hearts in the design world years, and for good reason.
So, let’s dive into why Repose Gray is the go-to choice for so many DIY warriors and designers alike. We’ll explore how it stacks up against agreeable gray, discuss how it looks as both a wall and cabinet color, and address a few common questions along the way. If you’re ready, let us show you why we believe that Repose Gray is such a great color for a kitchen.
Repose Gray

LRV: 58
Warm Or Cool: Warm Neutral
Paint Materials Needed: Purdy Brush, Purdy Roller Cover, Multi Purpose Primer, Paint Tray, Drop Cloth, Frog Tape
Pros
- Great main color
- It's a safe color choice
- It does well with dirt (Satin and up)
Cons
- Lighting exposes different undertones
What We Think About It
So what do we think about Sherwin Williams Repose Gray? Well overall it’s like the ultimate chameleon paint color that works great for your small kitchen upgrades or even full kitchen remodels. We like to think of Repose gray as a true multitasker, because it can adapt to pretty much any kitchen style which makes it a solid choice for your kitchen walls or kitchen cabinets.
• It's A Great Main Color
One of the best features of Repose Gray and lots of neutral colors in general is that Repose Gray plays well with others. You can use it as the main paint color and add pops of color or accent pieces and wall art. And let’s not forget about your cabinets—they can be from a pure white to a rich dark brown wood color, and Repose Gray will still be their best friend. It’s one of the features that we like the most about neutral gray paint colors like this.
• It Covers Well
Something that’s kinda overlooked about Repose Gray is that it actually covers pretty well (in Sherwin Williams paint), saving you time, effort and best of all, MONEY, during the painting process. Which is always a big plus. So say goodbye to those endless coats and hello to a smooth and easier finish.
• It's A Safe Choice
Repose Gray actually brings some really cool advantages to the table. It’s a light gray tone that’s dark enough for you to actually still see its gray color under bright natural light or brighter light bulbs, but it’s not too dark that it feels overbearing under low light conditions. That means that Repose Gray could work for small and large kitchens that don’t get a lot of natural light.
Plus, Repose Gray has been a fan favorite for a LONG time, meaning it won’t go out of style in a few years. It’s a long-term relationship kind of paint color.
• It Does Well With Dirt and Stains (Satin and up)
What We Don't Like About Repose Gray
• It Can Be a Little Cool Sometimes
Repose Gray is naturally a warm paint color but it can sometimes look a bit cooler depending on your lighting and other elements in your kitchen. So, do yourself a favor and grab some paint samples to see how it behaves in your specific kitchen space. Testing is caring.
Coordinating Colors

Eider White

Eider White by Sherwin Williams is a soft white that has some subtle gray undertones. Sherwin Williams considers it a cool color and in our opinion that makes it the perfect complement for Repose Gray. It’s a little bit darker than your typical white, but that’s what makes it stand out, because it works well with Repose Gray’s undertones.
It turns out that Eider White is pretty versatile as well. It can be used to get the look of fresh white kitchen cabinets, OR it can be the perfect trim color to frame Repose Gray walls.
So, if you’re thinking about what color would contrast well with Repose Gray, Eider White is a good choice for your trim or to get the popular look of white cabinets.
Pavestone

Sherwin Williams Pavestone is a medium-dark gray paint color that’s great at adding contrast and visual interest when paired with the lighter Repose Gray. The contrast between the light and dark grays of Pavestone and Repose Gray works great as an accent wall backdrop for showcasing wall art. So, if you want to make your art pieces pop and stand out, this is the way to go.
Now, with Pavestone, you should keep in mind that it’s a deeper gray paint color, so, it’s all about the right placement with colors like this. You don’t really want to go overboard with this, just a little bit in the right spots can do wonders.
Nomadic Desert

Nomadic Desert is an earth-toned neutral color that goes hand in hand with Repose Gray.
When it comes to incorporating Nomadic Desert into your kitchen, one great approach is through décor pieces and furniture that have a similar color palette.
By picking out furniture or accents that have the same warm tones of Nomadic Desert, you can create a really cohesive and balanced look. Think spice racks, plants, and island carts etc….these little touches can give your kitchen that extra something that it needs.
Coral Clay

Sherwin Williams Coral Clay is a nice rich red with orange undertones.
When it comes to incorporating Coral Clay into your kitchen, the approach with this paint color should be to introduce décor pieces like furniture that have similar tones.
However, in a kitchen with Repose Gray, it’s important to remember that because Coral Clay is such a strong and bold paint color, we want to keep it in check.. Therefore, it’s best to use it in moderation. Think of it as a little bit here and a little bit there. Maybe it’s a few kitchen utensils, a decorative bowl, or maybe even a unique backsplash.
By adding subtle touches of Coral Clay strategically, you can make a significant impact without overwhelming the kitchen.
Repose Gray In Action
Kitchen Walls

Repose Gray isn’t just your average gray paint color – it’s a like chameleon of a color that pairs beautifully with a wide range of kitchen décor styles. Whether you envision a farmhouse-inspired kitchen with rustic accents or a sleek and contemporary kitchen, Repose Gray can work its magic and tie everything together.
But not only is Repose Gray versatile, it also has the ability to pair well with kitchen appliances, offering you the flexibility to design or renovate your kitchen around a central color theme.
Whether you prefer stainless steel, matte black, or vibrant-colored appliances, with Repose Gray as your kitchen’s main color, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of countertops, floor finishes, backsplashes, and cabinet hardware, feeling comfortable knowing that everything will complement each other.

In this picture you can see the lighting affects on Repose Gray walls.

Kitchen Cabinets

Repose Gray on kitchen cabinets is a great color choice, especially when paired with modern kitchen cabinet styles like minimal and transitional styles.
One of the keys to bringing out the true beauty of Repose Gray kitchen cabinets is ample natural light. If you have big windows or lots of natural sunlight, Repose Gray will show its true colors. Its beautiful gray tones really come to the forefront, making your kitchen feel even more open and welcoming.
Something that really caught our attention about Repose Gray is that when you combine Repose Gray cabinets with white trim or white design elements like countertops, backsplashes, or even a kitchen island, it becomes like a match made in design heaven. The crispness of white perfectly complements the softness of Repose Gray, making it pop and creating a really nice contrast. Another reason to love Repose Gray.

One reason to consider painting your kitchen cabinets Repose Gray is because it’s one of those paint colors that gives lots of room for creativity and splashes of color.

Kitchen cabinets painted Repose Gray even look good in low lighting. It’s one of the few gray paint colors that doesn’t get too dark, even in darker rooms.
Repose Gray Undertones

One of the interesting things about Repose Gray is it can show multiple undertones depending on its lighting. Repose Gray’s undertones are very much influenced by the color of your kitchen lighting, the color of major design elements like your kitchen floors and countertops and also by the amount of natural light it gets.
Repose Gray can show subtle green undertones, brown undertones, green-brown undertones, sometimes a hint of violet undertones, and even a touch of blue undertones. So, in one setting, you might notice those lovely green or brown undertones coming through, but then, in a different lighting scenario or with certain surrounding colors, you might catch a glimpse of violet or even a soft touch of blue.

So it’s a great idea that before you go to the paint store and buy Repose Gray, you should definitely buy paint color samples so that you can make absolutely sure that Repose Gray has undertones that you can deal with.
Repose Gray VS. Agreeable Gray

Agreeable Gray
Repose Gray and Agreeable Gray are both super popular paint colors, and when you see them in action it’s no surprise why they’re so loved.
Agreeable Gray, is actually the best-selling color from Sherwin Williams (according to their website) and this just goes to show how well gray paint colors, in general, work for any space. It’s like a universal favorite.
Agreeable Gray is a versatile gray that adapts very well to a bunch of different lighting conditions, making it a great choice for a lot of kitchens. BUT, is it the best choice for your kitchen? Well, maybe, it depends.
Repose Gray
Repose Gray is just a tiny bit lighter than Agreeable Gray, which can add a touch of airiness or openness to your kitchen depending on the lighting, while Agreeable Gray leans more towards being a warmer gray.
Repose Gray at times can be considered more of a “true gray” because of its undertones so if you’re looking for a gray paint color that fits in the ‘true gray’ range then Repose Gray may be the better choice for your kitchen.
Which color is better?
Now, the big question: which one is better? Well, that’s where your kitchen’s individual characteristics come into play. Since both colors are so similar, subtle differences in your kitchen’s lighting and design elements will help you make the best choice. Think about the lighting conditions, the existing colors in your kitchen, and the overall look you want to achieve and that will lead you to the right color.
FAQ
Is Repose gray good for the kitchen?
Is Repose gray out of style?
Absolutely not. Repose Gray and neutrals that are similar to Repose Gay have been able to withstand the test of time. Neutral colors are a part of a color family that seems to work with pretty much everything.
Does Repose Gray go with everything?
Pretty much, Repose Gray is very versatile and works in almost any setting. The reason for this is because it’s a neutral color and also because it has so many different undertones that make it almost like a chameleon. It adapts to its surroundings.
What is the undertone of Repose Gray?
Repose Gray can show subtle green undertones, brown undertones, a combination of the two in green-brown undertones, sometimes a hint of violet undertones depending on its surrounding colors, and even some blue undertones depending on whether you have a north or south facing kitchen.
Painting Tips
- Always use 2 coats for repose gray
- Use a primer if you're doing a major color change
- DO NOT use cheap rollers and brushes. It can ruin your paint job
- DO NOT SKIP THE PREP WORK. Prep is the most important part of your project.
Final Thoughts
Repose Gray can be an excellent choice for your kitchen. Its best qualities are its versatility and neutral nature. The beauty of Repose Gray is in its ability to adapt to various decor styles and lighting conditions, making it a perfect foundational color for any kitchen design.
So, if you’re looking for a paint color that offers almost endless possibilities, Repose Gray can be the color that helps you turn your kitchen into the dream kitchen that you’ve always envisioned.






