If you are looking for an alternative to Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray, the best all-around substitute is Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray (HC-173). It is a slightly warmer, creamier, and airier "greige" that avoids Agreeable Gray's tendency to pull purple or muddy in certain lighting conditions.
Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) is a warm "greige" (gray-beige) with very soft green/taupe undertones. It has an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 60, meaning it is a light-to-mid-toned neutral. Excellent alternatives vary depending on the specific undertone shift you are looking for.
Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray is no longer the default, trendy "it" color it was a few years ago. However, because it is a true greige (a blend of gray and beige), it functions as a highly adaptable neutral. It has evolved from a trendy fad into a reliable, classic staple.
The most popular wall colors right now are warm, soft whites and earthy neutrals like greige and muted greens. These shades dominate modern design because they are highly versatile and make spaces feel larger and more inviting.
Joanna Gaines’ favorite gray paint colors span from soft, silvery sage grays to moody charcoals. Her top picks offer timeless versatility that complements both modern and rustic spaces.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Interior designers are moving away from stark cool whites, "millennial gray," and heavily saturated accent colors. These rigid hues can make spaces feel cold or clinical. The shift is toward warmer, earthy, and highly nuanced tones that prioritize depth and coziness.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Wall colors for 2026 are all about warmth, nature, and rich, layered depth. Designers are largely ditching stark whites and cool-toned grays in favor of "mushroom" taupes, earthy warm neutrals, and grounded botanical greens.
While the original Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) remains a top-selling greige, design trends have shifted toward slightly warmer, earthier, and more dimensional "mushroom" neutrals and off-whites. If you are looking for an updated neutral, these trending alternatives are taking over:
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (Sample) is lighter, cleaner, and warmer than Agreeable Gray. They are both warm greige colors with green undertones. Edgecomb (sample here)would likely be the better choice for a room with low light or Northern exposure.
Finding the right "greige" can be tricky, but there are excellent, proven alternatives to Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) that offer a lighter, brighter feel without losing that cozy warmth.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Yes, Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) remains an incredibly popular and best-selling neutral for Sherwin-Williams. However, its role in interior design has shifted.
Dark or muddy browns, intense reds or purples, neon shades, certain pastels, cool grays and primary colors often appear harsh in natural light, absorb excess heat or feel out of place depending on climate and neighborhood context.
Create a luxurious-looking sitting room with a deep chocolate brown paint color. Pair the rich walls with a light pink ceiling and dark, red-toned décor for a bold and sophisticated design that works effortlessly.
4. Muted Greens. While beiges can often feel flat, these greens with their earthy undertones have greater depth and feel more 'alive in a way beige never can', according to Bari Jerauld, founder of Blank Slate. Taking their cue from nature, soft sages, olives, and mossy shades are soft and enveloping – never cold.
In color theory, forbidden colors (or "impossible colors") are hues that the human brain biologically prevents us from seeing.
Top Interior Colors
The old fashion rule is "blue and green should never be seen". However, modern styling ignores this adage. Other commonly debated pairs include red and green (often deemed too Christmasy) or red and pink, though all of these can be paired beautifully using the right shades.
Beige tones, hues of white, and grey should be the colors of choice for your furniture, curtains, drapes, and other home accessories. Neutral colors not only give that plush look, but they also give you that warm feeling.
The modern primary colors are Magenta, Yellow, and, Cyan. With these three colors (and Black) you can truly mix nearly any hue. With the three modern primaries alone you can mix an exciting array of beautifully vibrant secondary and intermediate colors (which are mixed from a secondary and a primary).