Portsmouth Bay

Technical Profile

What color is Portsmouth Bay? It's a light cool gray with the hex code #A0ACAE. Colors similar to Portsmouth Bay include Hirshfield's Citadel Blue, Hirshfield's Beacon Fog, Sherwin-Williams Breezy. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Portsmouth Bay has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Portsmouth Bay (#A0ACAE) by Behr is a light gray paint color with a understated, nearly neutral quality. It delivers a bright, welcoming quality that keeps interiors feeling fresh. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. Its RGB channels are closely balanced, contributing to its neutral, even-keeled visual character. Its Light Reflectance Value of 67 means it reflects a healthy amount of light, keeping spaces bright without feeling stark. Light neutrals like this are go-to choices for whole-home color schemes, working seamlessly in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and hallways without competing with decor. Eggshell or satin finishes complement light tones nicely, balancing a subtle sheen with durability for high-traffic areas. The cool cast of Portsmouth Bay pairs well with crisp whites, silvery grays, and blue-toned accents for a sleek, modern palette. Its cool (blue) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Behr is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Hirshfield's, Sherwin-Williams, Colorhouse and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Portsmouth Bay offers a breezy, coastal serenity that keeps spaces feeling clean and refreshed. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for virtually every design style from minimalist Japandi to rustic farmhouse to sleek contemporary. As part of the Behr palette, Portsmouth Bay benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Portsmouth Bay can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. This tone works well alongside natural textures like jute rugs, bleached wood, ceramic tile, and woven baskets, building an inviting, tactile space. You can order Portsmouth Bay (QE-52) directly from Behr or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.