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Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86 [Paint Color Review 2024]

By: Susie
Updated On: September 10, 2023

Are you yearning to bring a touch of elegance and a dash of sophistication into your living space? If you've been thinking about updating your surroundings with a new shade, let us introduce you to the world of Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86. This color review will answer all your queries and have you grabbing that paintbrush in no time!

Aptly named after the beautiful city in Tennessee, Kingsport Gray HC-86 is emerging as one of the hottest color trends.

Whether you're considering an interior makeover or wish to update a single room, this remarkable hue can transform your abode into a place of serene tranquility.

Stick with us as we delve deeper into what makes this color a standout choice for any homeowner seeking an aesthetically pleasing change.

Casting the First Glance at Kingsport Gray HC-86

'Kingsport Gray HC-86' - When you first come across this color, a subtle blend of brown and gray nuances welcomes you.

It's a color presenting a unique charm through its perfect balancing act between warm and cool tones. Its depth gives your space an intimate, inviting feel while maintaining a certain sense of sophistication.

This earthy gray hue is ideal for adding an elegant touch to any room, making it seem more composed, calm, and subtly connected to the outdoor environment.

Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray: Interior and Exterior

Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray: Interior and Exterior

Kingsport Gray HC-86 shines brightly in both interior and exterior applications. Its versatile nature allows it to adapt to any environment effortlessly.

If You want to accentuate your home's architectural features or breathe new life into dull, tired spaces, this color is a fantastic choice.

Interior

In your home, you can utilize Kingsport Gray HC-86 practically anywhere. It's enchanting in living rooms, creating a relaxing ambiance perfect for winding down after a long day. This color works wonders in bedrooms, too, enveloping the room with a calming vibe.

The earthy shade of gray also beautifully complements kitchen cabinets and islands, making them stand out against white interiors or marble countertops.

If you have an open floor design, painting the dining area seamlessly links it with other house parts. Use it subtly as an accent wall along these spaces, or go bold by painting the entire area—either way, it exudes understated elegance.

Exterior

Ever thought about how great your home would look bathed under a cloak of Kingsport Grey? This warm gray color boosts curb appeal and blends naturally with various architectural styles and landscapes.

Making a striking contrast against white trims on traditional homes or harmoniously blending with stone and brickwork on more modern designs—Kingsport Gray truly shines outdoors.

Even if you're looking at reviving outdoor furniture items such as benches or garden planters, this paint color flawlessly ties everything together, guaranteeing an elegant outdoor space that feels welcoming all year round.

Why Testing with Samples is Necessary

Before moving ahead with a color as distinctive as Kingsport Gray, you must test it in your specific environment.

Lighting conditions, room size, and furnishings can all impact how the color truly appears in your space. By purchasing a Benjamin Moore sample pot, you can paint a small area of your room to see how the color works throughout different times of the day under varying light conditions.

This way, you experience the color firsthand before committing to it completely. Remember that testing is always better than assuming and regretting later on.

Also Read About Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan HC-44 [Paint Color Review]

Deciphering the Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

Deciphering the Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

The Light Reflectance Value of Kingsport Gray HC-86 is 25.05. Simply put, the LRV is a measurement that calculates the percentage of light a paint color reflects.

The scale typically ranges from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white); the higher the number, the more light it reflects.

Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86, with an LRV of 25.05, is regarded as being in the lower-medium range of this spectrum.

This indicates it has a slightly darker hue than mid-tones while providing enough light reflectance to avoid an overly dark or heavy appearance.

It's important to note that an LRV of this level also means that Kingsport Gray will absorb more light, resulting in less brightness in the room when compared to paint colors with higher LRVs.

This makes it an excellent choice for areas where a cozier, more intimate feel is desired or in large and bright spaces where a sense of warmth and envelopment is sought.

Recognizing the Undertones of Kingsport Gray

Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86 does indeed have gray undertones. An undertone is a color that is subtly present beneath the primary color you see when you look at a paint shade.

For instance, even though the primary color of Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86 is gray itself, it carries an underlying tone or 'undertone', giving it its distinctive look.

The paint shade might have a warmer 'feel' thanks to slight brown hues mixed into its composition. Still, the dominant undertone here is undoubtedly gray, giving this particular paint shade its coolness.

The Warm or Cool Verdict

The Warm or Cool Verdict

Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86 is considered a Warm paint color. In paint colors, hues are often classified as either warm or cool.

Warm colors are those that are usually vibrant and cozy and evoke a sense of warmth, while cool tones convey calm and soothing.

Even though Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray has gray undertones—typically associated with coolness—its primary color leans towards the warmer side because of its brownish hints. It is these subtle notes that give this hue its inviting warmth.

While individual perceptions can vary slightly, generally speaking, this brown hue's injection softens the gray undertone's inherent coolness, pushing Kingsport Gray into the warm color category.

This sophisticated blend gives it a versatile appearance that combines the sophistication of gray with the homeliness of deep, warm tones.

Pairing with Trim Color Names and Codes

Masterfully pairing your primary wall color, Kingsport Gray HC-86, with the perfect trim color can make your space seamless.

Look for colors that either contrast or complement our hero color to enhance its beauty further. Here are some perfect trim pairings worth considering:

  • Linen Sand 2151-60: This soft, off-white is a magnificent choice to subtly contrast and highlight the richness of the gray-brown in Kingsport Gray.
  • Swiss Coffee OC-45: An ever-popular creamy off-white, pairing Swiss Coffee with Kingsport Gray allows the latter to become an understated focal point.
  • Revere Pewter HC-172: Sharing similar undertones with Kingsport Gray, Revere Pewter complements it gracefully. This match creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your living space.
  • Ballet White OC-9: Slightly warmer than Linen Sand, Ballet White can add another layer of elegance when paired with our primary color. The result is a cohesive look that oozes sophistication.

Choosing the right trim color may also depend on lighting and furniture style. So keep these in consideration while trying out different pairings.

Explore More: Benjamin Moore Moonshine 2148-60 [Paint Color Review]

Top Similar Colors to Consider

Top Similar Colors to Consider

While Kingsport Gray stands out for its unique charm, you might also want to consider other colors that resonate with the same aesthetic.

  • Equestrian Gray 1553 - A color that resembles soft clay, this shade adds a relaxed vibe to your spaces, infusing them with warmth and coziness.
  • Stardust 2108-40 - A much cooler tone than Kingsport Gray but still carrying an earthy appeal. It's a muted blue-gray that speaks of calmness and serenity.
  • Smoky Ash 986 - As the name suggests, this smokier variant has deep gray undertones. This color provides a subtle touch of elegance and sophistication.
  • Beigewood 1007 - The lightest among these options, Beigewood is a warm creamy-beige shade that imparts an airy and spacious quality to your rooms.

Each of these shades carries unique attributes while maintaining similarities to Kingsport Gray’s gracefulness—a great palette to let your creative juices flow when envisioning your home's new look!

Influences of Lighting and Cardinal Directions on Paint Color

The interior lighting of your space and the compass direction your room faces, play influential roles in determining the look and feel of your chosen paint color.

Kingsport Gray HC-86 is an especially chameleon-like color that will greatly impact these factors. The color may appear warmer or cooler depending on the sunlight that enters the room and the type of artificial lights you use. Let's see how this versatile shade responds in rooms facing different cardinal directions.

North-facing Rooms

In north-facing rooms, natural light tends to carry cooler hues and may lean towards a muted intensity during most parts of the day.

This cooler light can accentuate the graceful gray tone in Kingsport Gray, making it appear slightly darker and more profound. The warmth inherent in this hue helps offset any coolness and keeps your room cozy rather than chilly.

South-facing Rooms

Unlike north-facing rooms, south-facing spaces bask generously in warm sunlight throughout the day. This intense lighting manifests Kingsport Gray's earthier tones more vividly - making it look noticeably warmer but also brighter than it might in north-facing rooms. It becomes a joyful blend of light brown and tender gray, enhancing natural sunshine.

East-facing Rooms

Kingsport Gray blooms beautifully in east-facing rooms that receive the most abundant morning light, with its warm side coming more to play.

But as the sun gradually shifts, you’ll notice its elegant gray side subtly prevailing as artificial lighting starts to play its part during later hours of the day.

West-facing Rooms

Rooms facing west get ample, softer afternoon sunlight, balancing out warm brownish undertones and sophisticated grays found in Kingsport Gray HC-86.

But remember, once evening settles in, artificial lighting plays an important role in affecting how this shade appears—generally encouraging either its browner or grayer side to blossom, depending on the type of light you choose.

Read More: Benjamin Moore Barren Plain 2111-60 [Paint Color Review]

FAQs About Kingsport Gray HC-86

Is Kingsport Gray a good choice for my kitchen cabinets?

The balanced earthy qualities of Kingsport Gray HC-86 make it a fantastic choice for kitchen cabinets, giving them an upscale touch.

How does Kingsport Gray compare to other grays in Benjamin Moore's collection?

Kingsport Gray is warmer and carries more depth than many other grays, making it stand out with an added tint of sophisticated brown.

Can I use this color in my open-concept living space?

Yes, you can! It will work wonderfully in open-concept areas by smoothly transitioning from one space to another.

What are some complementary colors for Kingsport Gray?

It pairs well with colors like Linen Sand or Swiss Coffee for trims and Ballet White or Revere Pewter for the walls.

Is Kingsport Gray a safe choice if I aim to sell my home?

Its warm yet sophisticated appeal makes it popular among homeowners and potential buyers, increasing your home’s market desirability.

Conclusion

Benjamin Moore's Kingsport Gray HC-86 brings a unique harmony between warmth and sophistication to any living space.

Its ability to adapt to various lighting conditions and room orientations makes it a versatile choice for your next decorating project.

If you're seeking a color that equally embodies coziness and elegance, Kingsport Gray is worth considering. It can wonderfully transform and uplift your interior or exterior space with depth and character.

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