Colonial Gray works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 55 it sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas, soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #C5C4B5 · 422-2DB
Colonial Gray
55%LRV Value
Colonial Gray Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Colonial Gray (422-2DB)? It's a medium warm gray — hex #C5C4B5, LRV 55. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Colonial Gray is Vista Paint Dillard — a near-identical match on the wall, with Hirshfield's Palatine and Behr Arbor Hollow also close. At LRV 55, Colonial Gray sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. As a warm neutral, Colonial Gray pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. At mid depth, Colonial Gray grounds a space without darkening it — it holds up on lower walls, kitchen islands, and as a wraparound where a lighter neutral would feel washed out. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler. At mid depth Colonial Gray holds its character across bulb temperatures, shifting only slightly warm under 2700K and slightly crisper under cool daylight.
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Colors Similar to Colonial Gray
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Colonial Gray
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Colonial Gray
#C5C4B5
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9CAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Colonial Gray
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Colonial Gray Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Colonial Gray.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Colonial Gray — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Colonial Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Colonial Gray are Dillard by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Palatine by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Arbor Hollow by Behr (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Colonial Gray's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Colonial Gray?
Colonial Gray has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 54.7, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a mid-light color — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Colonial Gray
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Colonial Gray depends on the room. Here's how to choose.