Best Dupes for Light Gray
Light Gray sits between greige and sage. Despite the name, it’s a complex grey-green that people constantly confuse with Ammonite or Pavilion Gray, so dupe demand is high for comparison content and real-world testers. Renovators use it on panelling, cabinetry, and walls when they want more mood than beige but less commitment than deep green. The best substitutes hold onto the stony undertone, staying sophisticated next to travertine, oak, and black steel.
Dupes for Light Gray
| Brand ▲ | Colour ▲ | Rating ▲ | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dulux Trade | Setting Stone | 3 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Rocky Beach | 3 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Brandon Beige | 3 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Kid Gloves | 3 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Cotswold | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Rocky Road | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Jockey Hollow Gray | 2 ⭐ | |
| Fired Earth | Basswood | 2 ⭐ | |
| Little Greene | Rolling Fog Dark | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Ranchwood | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Clarksville Gray | 2 ⭐ | |
| Dulux Trade | Olive Tree | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Nutcracker Gray | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Chateau | 2 ⭐ | |
| Benjamin Moore | Sag Harbor Gray | 2 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | Desert Dune | 2 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | Aldabra | 2 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | True Khaki | 2 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | Scottish Moor | 2 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | El Capitan | 1 ⭐ | |
| PPG / Johnstone's | El Capitan | 1 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Garden Wall | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Safari Chic | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Stone Walls | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Desert Khaki | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Roadside | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Smoked Tan | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Safari Vest | 2 ⭐ | |
| Behr | Explorer Khaki | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Earthy Beige | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Gray Silt | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Artemis | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Oyster Shoal | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Oyster Shoal | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Soothing Sage | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Smoked Oyster | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Ashen Gray | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Sage the Day | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Sage the Day | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Ivory Brown | 2 ⭐ | |
| Valspar | Land of Nod | 2 ⭐ |
Light Gray is more than its name
Despite the straightforward name, Light Gray is a complex grey-green. It feels grounded and historic, almost as if limewash has weathered over time. On walls it gives just enough colour to outline mouldings; on cabinetry it reads like a muted sage that can swing modern or traditional depending on what you pair it with.
Use it to connect rooms where you need more mood than Ammonite but less depth than Pigeon. In kitchens, team it with honed marble, pale oak, and black steel to keep things contemporary; in cottages, pair it with terracotta, rush matting, and aged brass.
Auditioning dupes + finishes
Because Light Gray straddles beige and green, undertones can go wrong fast. Paint two-coat samples, set them next to your countertops or flooring, and watch them through daylight and lamplight. If a shade drifts yellow or charcoal, it won’t deliver the same calm. For panelling and cabinetry, specify satin or estate eggshell; for walls, washable matt keeps the stone-like look while hiding minor scuffs.
Always prime MDF or previously stained timber with a tinted primer; the colour is subtle enough that knot bleed will show. If you’re pairing Light Gray with cooler neutrals like Pavilion Gray or Cornforth White, match sheen levels to avoid visible transitions.
Where Light Gray excels
This shade shines in entryways, living rooms, and bedrooms where you want a relaxed, curated feel. It also elevates built-in bookcases, wardrobes, and radiator covers—especially with unlacquered brass knobs or matte black pulls. The trade-off is that mid-tone colours highlight lap marks, so cut in carefully and roll with a wet edge. Style the finished room with linen sofas, woven baskets, botanicals, and vintage art; Light Gray will keep everything cohesive while adding just enough colour to feel intentional.
Light Gray vs Similar Shades
| Compared Colour | Relationship | When to choose it instead | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonite | Lighter counterpart | Use on ceilings or adjoining rooms when you want to keep things airy while staying in the same family. | View colour |
| Pavilion Gray | Cooler grey | Ideal for cabinetry or trims when you need a more neutral read beside Light Gray walls. | View colour |
| Drop Cloth | Warmer khaki | Choose for kitchen islands or hallways that need extra warmth and resilience. | View colour |
| French Gray | Greener cousin | Pair on upper cabinets or interior doors to emphasise the green undertone. | View colour |
| Cornforth White | Neutral anchor | Great for trim packages or utility spaces when you want a cooler contrast. | View colour |