Many people say gray is a perfect neutral color because it can go with almost any color out there, and perhaps there’s a grain of truth to that. However, it is one of the hardest neutrals to get right. When it comes to gray paint colors, you have either a cool gray or a warm gray. A cool gray has blue-gray, violet-gray, or blue-green-gray undertones.
But when it comes to a warm gray, you have green-gray or a green-gray-gray undertone. What makes gray so complicated is the undertones underneath the color of a gray. It fluctuates depending on the type of lighting and the color that you have in your interior decor.
Introducing Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore
Now, I know we all love Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams—but did you know there’s also a color of the same name by Benjamin Moore that is equally as awesome? It’s part of their Color Stories palette, exclusive to Aura paint, and it truly is a color worth looking into.
I’m going to give you a breakdown of it, but also give you some color pairings so you can put together an awesome color palette for your home, ranging from the lightest of off-whites to the deepest of paint colors.
If that sounds like something you’d be into, hit that like button for me and press the red subscribe button if you haven’t already—because that is the best way to stay up to date with all of the painting and decorating content we put out.
There is a paint color that I want all of you to know about. It’s called Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore.
I’m going to show you the undertones of this paint color and what makes it so unique. Also, I’m going to show you how it reacts to lighting, and I’m going to give you three valuable tips that you need to know about this paint color before deciding to paint it in your home.
Why I Recommend It
I treat every single one of my online clients as if their home is my home. I know colors inside and out, and the last thing I want is to have them make a costly mistake. And the same thing goes for you. So I want to show you what makes this color so unique and how this color could be the right one for you.
What Makes Benjamin Moore’s CSP Line Stand Out
I’ve got to say, the CSP color collection by Benjamin Moore has some of the most interesting and dynamic colors that I’ve seen—especially for neutral tones.
Normally, when you’re mixing a gray paint color, you start with gray or black colorant and maybe add a bit of yellow, blue, or red. That’s it. But the CSP colors are way more complex, often containing formulas with five or six different colorants in just one paint color.
The more colorants you add, the more nuanced that paint becomes. This also means they’re pretty much impossible to match exactly—and they’re designed exclusively for Aura paint. That’s fine by me, because I tend to use Aura more and more these days.
In fact, all of the colors I’ll be talking about today are from the CSP line because I’m just a big fan.
Complex Undertones and Lighting Sensitivity
The undertones in Sea Salt are fascinating. On the surface, it seems grayish, but I feel like it behaves more like a red-undertoned, taupey gray—with hints of brown, yellow, and red. And believe it or not, there’s also a green undertone underneath.
It’s versatile: you can pair it with brown-based neutrals or trendier green-based tones. Because of its complexity, it’s very sensitive to lighting conditions. So, make sure to use a mighty board when testing it out.
I’ll link to some mighty board info in the description if you’re looking to pick some up.
Comparing Sea Salt with Other Shades
Right here: Sea Salt. Now watch what happens when I compare it to Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. Notice a warm gray and Sea Salt.
Now I want to show you something else about Sea Salt. So watch this: right here—Sea Salt. Now watch what happens when I compare it to Wool Skein by Sherwin Williams. You’ll notice how there’s a gray and there is a beige. But notice how it’s cooler than a beige, and this is what makes this color a gray.
What I want you to know about Sea Salt is that it has more brown color mixed into this paint, and that’s what makes this gray paint color so unique.
Lighting Matters: Sea Salt and Room Direction
However, when it comes to lighting, it will play a major role in whether or not this paint color could work for your home.
Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore is not for everyone, and not every home will have the right lighting, interior decor, or design layout to pull it off. But for those of you that are looking for a touch of gray without any of the complicated undertones, then this just might be the right paint color that you’re looking for.
How Sea Salt Reacts to Natural Light
Let’s take a look at Sea Salt in a south-facing room. You’ll notice that it has all the hallmarks of a grayish paint color. It’s almost white, but it has a shade of gray and brown when you receive a lot of natural lighting.
However, if you have a room that flushes your waste of lighting, or you have a room that’s north-facing that doesn’t receive a lot of natural lighting, then you need to watch this.
In a north-facing room or any room where you receive less natural lighting, you’ll notice that this paint color will have a soft gray-brown color, and it will look almost like a white sand that you will see on a beautiful beach.
Useful Color Advice You Can Trust
I give you valuable information just like you’re seeing right here in this blog. I talk about anything related to color for both the interior and the exterior of your home.
3 Must-Know Tips Before Using Sea Salt
Tip #1: Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
I get asked this question all the time—what’s the difference between Benjamin Moore Sea Salt versus Sherwin Williams Sea Salt? Right here is Benjamin Moore Sea Salt. Now watch what happens when I compare it to Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. You can see the difference almost immediately. Benjamin Moore Sea Salt is greige, and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a blue-green.
Tip #2: Consider the Paint Depth
A gray paint color is only 15 to 30 percent darker than a white paint color. So for all of you out there that are not a fan of off-white paint colors or light paint colors, then I would not recommend this paint color for your home.
Tip #3: Pairing with Decor
For those of you who have taupe furniture, true white fabrics, light gray floor rugs, and gold accents, then Sea Salt would pair perfectly with this type of interior decor. But this is just one of many different styles that could work for your home.
Color Pairing #1: Crisp Linen – Bright Warm White
Let’s move to some color pairings I’ve selected for Sea Salt. First up: Crisp Linen—the new kid on the block. It’s a super-bright warm white with a nearly 92 LRV. That’s immensely bright.
It has a creamy yellow warmth that’s subtle but definitely present. I wanted to add vibrancy to this palette, and Crisp Linen was a clear choice.
Color Pairing #2: Cake Batter – A Creamy Companion
Next, we have Cake Batter—another creamy tone that’s similar to Sea Salt but skips the green undertone. It leans more into beige warmth and is slightly brighter. Perfect for spaces that need a livelier feel due to poor lighting.
Just a note: if you use Cake Batter and Sea Salt in the same space, Sea Salt might feel a bit grayer or dull in comparison—or you might interpret it as sleek and modern. Perspective matters.
Color Pairing #3: Cashmere Wrap – The Dusty Pink Clay
Our mid-tone pairing is Cashmere Wrap, which brings a lot of red undertones. It’s a dusty pink clay color with a 51 LRV—adding more depth but not too dark.
It has a definite rosy or peachiness, so don’t confuse it with beige or brown. It complements the green undertone in Sea Salt wonderfully, creating a back-and-forth harmony.
You can see in the photo how well Cashmere Wrap works with greenery—whether that’s from plants or the undertones in Sea Salt.
If you’re scared of pink, this one might be a tough sell—but I encourage you to give it a shot. You only live once!
Color Pairing #4: Wall Street – Bold, Cool, and Grounded
Our dark color pairing is Wall Street—a cool slate gray that pulls out Sea Salt’s warmth beautifully.
It’s grounded, straightforward, and not overwhelmingly dark. It also reflects a decent amount of light, so you can use it in full rooms without making them feel gloomy. It’s a great anchor for this palette.
Have You Tried Sea Salt?
What do you think of Sea Salt? Or have you painted your home with a gray paint color, and how did it turn out for you?
Let me know in the comment section down below. I would love to hear your story. And for those of you that are looking to paint your home right the first time, then feel free to check out the link in the description section down below. I show you how I can help you, regardless of where you live in North America.
Thank you for reading, and feel free to share this blog with your friends and family. Until then, I’ll see you in the next blog.
