It’s easy to think of grey as a boring neutral. However, different formulations of grey can easily be paired with browns, blues, or red tones. This article compares pewter, steel, and iron grey colors.

Pewter vs Steel vs Iron Paint Colors

A large expanse of a rich grey tone can add elegance and warmth to nearly any space. Do make sure to monitor the colors that go into your grey paint or fabric.
Some greys contain a higher saturation of blue while others contain quite a lot of yellow.
Let’s look at pewter, steel, and iron grey colors in more detail.

Pewter Grey
Pewter grey is a rich, blue-based grey. This color works wonderfully with burgundy, navy, a crisp white, or even pink. Because it has so much blue, it is important that you don’t pair it with too much yellow.
For example, peach is a pretty color against a deep green and both colors read true; they balance. If you put peach next to pewter, the pewter will read blue because the yellow in the peach creates a contrast.

If you’re going to use pewter in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, consider adding blue, purple, and red to the space as well.
In a space that needs carpet, a pewter carpet can make your burgundy sofa look like a million dollars.
A tan sofa will make your carpet look blue.
Green tones against pewter can be touchy. Sage and celery will bring a lot of yellow to the space. Sadly, many tones that include yellow will actually appear dirty next to a pewter carpet or wall paint.
If you really want green in a room that features pewter, look for green tones that include blue so the grey will read true.
RGB: 79, 95, 118
Hex Code: #4F5F76
- Very good condition
- Benjamin Moore Classic Colors Fan Deck
- Classic Colors
- Includes the American Classic Colors (AC)
Dark Pewter (2122-10) by Benjamin Moore:
Dark Pewter is a rich, dark gray color with deep undertones. It exudes sophistication and modern elegance, providing a bold and dramatic look.


Best Uses:
- Accent Walls: Ideal for creating a striking focal point in living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
- Living Rooms: Adds depth and a contemporary feel, especially when paired with lighter furnishings and decor.
- Bedrooms: Creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a restful and serene environment.
- Home Offices: Provides a sophisticated and focused ambiance, promoting productivity.
- Kitchens: Can be used for cabinetry or islands to create a sleek, modern look.
- Bathrooms: Adds a luxurious and spa-like feel, particularly when balanced with light fixtures and accessories.


Colors that Complement Dark Pewter:
- Whites and Off-Whites:
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65): A crisp, clean white that offers a bright contrast.
- Simply White (OC-117): A warm white that balances the depth of Dark Pewter.
- White Dove (OC-17): A soft, warm white that provides a subtle contrast.
- Light Grays and Neutrals:
- Revere Pewter (HC-172): A light gray that offers a harmonious blend.
- Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A warm, light gray that complements Dark Pewter.
- Classic Gray (OC-23): A soft gray that enhances the richness of Dark Pewter.
- Warm Tones:
- Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4): A warm yellow that adds a cheerful contrast.
- Lenox Tan (HC-44): A warm tan that provides a natural, earthy balance.
- Palladian Blue (HC-144): A soft blue-green that adds a refreshing touch.
- Bold Colors:
- Hale Navy (HC-154): A deep navy blue that pairs well for a dramatic look.
- Hunter Green (2041-10): A rich green that adds depth and sophistication.
- Black (HC-190): For an ultra-modern and sleek aesthetic when used sparingly.


Practical Considerations:
- Lighting: Dark Pewter works well in rooms with ample natural light or sufficient artificial lighting to prevent the space from feeling too enclosed.
- Balance: To avoid making a space feel too dark or heavy, balance Dark Pewter with lighter accents, furnishings, and accessories.
- Texture and Finish: Using different textures and finishes, such as matte or satin, can add visual interest and prevent the dark color from appearing flat.
Dark Pewter (2122-10) by Benjamin Moore is an excellent choice for adding drama, sophistication, and a modern touch to various spaces, especially when paired with complementary lighter and warm tones.
Hex Code: #4E5856
LRV: 10.79
Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Dark Pewter (2122-10) – Pewter – Benjamin Moore
Steel Grey
Steel grey is a beautifully balanced color that will easily fade into the background. If you are looking for a rich, deep color for an accent wall, this grey is ideal.
The RGB numbers on this color offer home decorators a terrific option to incorporate a lot of different colors into their space without creating a contrast.


Because steel grey is so well-balanced, it’s a wonderful foil.
If you’ve been thinking about creating a library wall or a series of display cubbies, paint the background steel grey.
You can create a greater sense of space with a color that just disappears into the background.
Nearly anything you put against a steel grey wall will easily stand out. When you’re first decorating your home, one steel grey accent wall can be a terrific gallery wall; you can easily use frameless art on this background and it will read clean.
If your budget is very tight, take a walk and get several photos of flowers, water or the sunset. Get it transferred to canvas and mount it on your accent wall for a simple, elegant focal point.
Steel grey is happy to stay in the background. If you choose to paint an entire room in this color, consider setting up small pools of light to maintain visual interest.
One armchair, a small table, and a pretty lamp can create a beautiful spot to read, do crafts or lean back and take a nap.
Do make sure to use plenty of light in a steel grey room. It would be easy for a room that has steel grey walls to turn into a cave. Get creative with heights; table lamps will draw the eye.
Floor lamps can brighten a larger space. Wall mirrors will bounce light around easily. For an even more interesting visual feature, put a lit candle on a shelf in front of a wall mirror to increase the intimacy of the space.
RGB: 118, 118, 117
Hex Code: #767675
Steel Wool (2121-20) by Benjamin Moore
Description:
- Steel Wool is a dark, cool gray with blue undertones. It has a sophisticated, industrial look that can add a modern and sleek feel to any space.


Best Uses:
- Accent Walls: Ideal for creating a bold focal point in living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms.
- Living Rooms: Adds depth and a contemporary edge, especially when paired with lighter furniture and decor.
- Bedrooms: Creates a cozy and restful environment, perfect for a serene and sophisticated atmosphere.
- Home Offices: Provides a focused and professional ambiance, promoting productivity.
- Kitchens: Can be used for cabinetry or islands to achieve a sleek, modern look.
- Bathrooms: Adds a luxurious and spa-like feel, particularly when complemented with metallic fixtures and light accents.


Colors that Complement Steel Wool:
- Whites and Off-Whites:
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65): A crisp, clean white that offers a stark contrast.
- Simply White (OC-117): A warm white that balances the coolness of Steel Wool.
- White Dove (OC-17): A soft, warm white that provides a subtle contrast.
- Light Grays and Neutrals:
- Revere Pewter (HC-172): A light gray that offers a harmonious blend.
- Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A warm, light gray that complements Steel Wool.
- Classic Gray (OC-23): A soft gray that enhances the cool undertones of Steel Wool.
- Warm Tones:
- Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4): A warm yellow that adds a cheerful contrast.
- Lenox Tan (HC-44): A warm tan that provides a natural, earthy balance.
- Palladian Blue (HC-144): A soft blue-green that adds a refreshing touch.
- Bold Colors:
- Hale Navy (HC-154): A deep navy blue that pairs well for a dramatic look.
- Hunter Green (2041-10): A rich green that adds depth and sophistication.
- Black (HC-190): For an ultra-modern and sleek aesthetic when used sparingly.
Practical Considerations:
- Lighting: Steel Wool works best in rooms with ample natural light or sufficient artificial lighting to prevent the space from feeling too dark.
- Balance: To avoid making a space feel too heavy, balance Steel Wool with lighter accents, furnishings, and accessories.
- Texture and Finish: Using different textures and finishes, such as matte or satin, can add visual interest and prevent the dark color from appearing flat.
Steel Wool (2121-20) by Benjamin Moore is a versatile and sophisticated choice for adding a modern touch to various spaces, especially when paired with complementary light and warm tones.
Hex Code: #787B7C
LRV: 20.73
Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Steel Wool (2121-20) – Gray – Benjamin Moore
Iron Grey
Iron grey is a lighter shade than steel grey with less blue in it than pewter. There is a bit more blue in this mix than steel, but this color will probably not read blue if you pair it with anything in the yellow spectrum. Iron grey is a wonderful color to pair with logos.
For example, if your business is hosting a charity event and you want to feature your logo, invest in iron grey tee shirts to show off your logo to the best effect.


Yellow, orange, and red will hold their own against iron grey. It’s probably not a good idea to pair this color with tans.
While a rich brown will hold its own, colors in the sand spectrum may go yellow.
If you’re going for yellow, keep going for it. Do be aware that in the wrong light, tan in the company of grey will just look dirty.
Curiously, greys often do not work and play well together. If you put pewter on an accent wall, avoid steel or iron grey carpet. If you put iron grey on the walls and put pewter carpet on the floor, the carpet may well appear blue, especially in sunlight.
Trim color is critically important when working with any shade of grey. If you’re going to paint walls and trim in different colors, go ahead and look for a bright white. “Bright” indicates blue.
You may have seen bluing products on the laundry aisle. The function of these is to combat the yellowing of white clothes, especially if you have hard water.
A bright white trim paint will make any of the greys in this listing sparkle. Tan or yellow oak will dull down steel and iron grey, while pewter will read or appear blue.
If you have beige carpet and put grey paint on the wall, carefully check the corner where the wall meets the floor. If the nap of the carpet is suddenly obviously visible, or if the formerly clean carpet looks dirty, the yellow in the beige is tussling with the grey.
While grey tones are subtle, the colors you pair with them need to be bold. If you like yellow, use it with iron or steel. The yellow in beige or tan will just look worn and dirty.
RGB: 82, 89, 93
Hex Code: #52595D

