5 Reasons I Regret Painting My Home with Edgecomb Gray

If you are here reading this, you probably already know that Edgecomb Gray is a popular Benjamin Moore greige color. I am going to share with you the 5 reasons why I regret painting my home with Edgecomb Gray. 

Two years ago, my husband and moved into our builder grade home as its second owners. I knew immediately that the paint needed to be updated, however I struggled with the color choice. 

Ultimately, I felt rushed in my decision, as we needed to move and the decision was made to go with Edgecomb gray. Don’t get me wrong, Edgecomb Gray works in a variety of settings, just NOT in my house.

I don’t want you to make the same mistake I did.

First, let’s talk about the main properties of Edgecomb Gray and why it is SO popular.

It is 2023 and neutrals are still a hit. Many millennials are warming up to beige colors after the gray COVID-19 days and the younger Gen Z population coming into adult years of their life and seeking some simple sophistication with the use of neutrals.

Benjamin Moore is known for their rich color schemes and popular neutrals within the last few years.

According to Benjamin Moore, the LRV, or the light reflective value of Edgecomb Gray is 63.09, giving this color increased reflective properties. The higher the LRV, with the max being 100, means the more reflective properties the color has with its surroundings.  

LRV is an important concept when picking out a color scheme in your home, especially if the color will cover large areas with different lighting. 

This is where I got myself into trouble. LIGHTING. Picking out your paint colors in relation to lighting is SO important. 

MAKE SURE YOU CONSIDER THE LIGHTING IN YOUR HOME before picking your paint colors. Did I mention this already? 

Okay, really though, I want to make sure you understand how important that is, because I did not….

So here we are, let me share with you the 5 reasons why I regret painting my home with Edgecomb Gray.

1. Lighting, are you sure I haven’t mentioned this yet?

Seriously though, like I said I did not have much time to live in my house, assess the windows, lighting throughout the different times of the day, etc, you get the idea.

Not collecting this information led me to make the decision of Edgecomb Gray based on color swatches and popular opinion that doesn’t work as well in my house. 

If painting swatches on your walls is too scary of an idea for you, trying out sample colors on smooth poster type material for visualization is an option. I have linked some from Amazon below. There are typically also fancy peel and stick visualization options at the local paint shops.  

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Amazon Options…

My home has very little protection from the elements, as this house was new construction about 20 years ago and was built on cleared land. My house gets direct light in the front during the morning and direct light in the back during the evening hours. This makes for totally different looks throughout the day. 

Not to mention, living in Upstate NY is unreliable in the weather department and there are many days in the Winter that are gloomy and gray ALL day. 

The darkness during the Winter makes Edgecomb Gray appear darker and more yellow, as well as having other beiges in my house. I don’t care for this look and is almost TOO WARM for my liking…. 

2. Boring

After doing this, I realized that there is no interest and results in a BORING color scheme that I now have to dress up with other accents, which can sometimes be a tough ask. 

Unfortunately a vase majority of my home is painted Edgecomb Gray because all of the wall corners on my main floor are rounded (or bullnose style). 

There are tricks and special tools you can get to help with painting these areas with straight lines, but since my husband was doing the painting he was not up for the challenge of adding in accent color walls.

The end result is that my whole main floor of my home, stairway, and upstairs hallway is all Edgecomb Gray. 

3. Oak Floors and Cabinets

My home has traditional red oak flooring throughout the main floor and kitchen. Additionally, in my kitchen I have traditional red oak cabinets.

RED OAK + RED OAK + EDGECOMB GRAY = lots of orange looking wood

Again, this is all neutral and can be dressed up, but I am usually looking for more interest and some contrast that I am looking for without expensive furnishings. 

4. Gold accents are in style

Gold accents add to the orange, yellow blah beige them with the entire background as Edgecomb Gray. Not mention I like gold accents, sad but true.

White cabinets or the stark contrast of bright white looks great with Edgecomb Gray, I do see this project coming in the future….hint hint, wink wink. 

You can check out how I mixed metals in my Easy Master Bath Update post HERE with more contrast and interest after learning a thing or two after this painting project.

5. Beige Couch

Don’t tell me to get rid of my couch, I LOVE my beige couch and so does my husband. He is picky about his couch. I did have this couch reupholstered to the beige prior to our move here (That is a story for a different day)…

I am just not into the complete monotone look currently with Edgecomb Gray. 

Greige is good, Greige is good, Greige is good. Edgecomb Gray is just a little too warm for me in my current home.

There are other great greige neutrals out there with high LRVs that I can appreciate and would probably be better substitutes for my home.

Great greige colors to explore are Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore and Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams. (I have these both in other areas). Both of these are versatile colors, but have a little less yellow. 

Key Takeaways:

• Assess the LRV (the light reflective value) of any paint colors you choose.
• Paint swatches in various locations to assess lighting throughout the day.
• Consider your other decor and what the completed room will look like with the new color.
• Have confidence with your decision and do your homework-trust me it will be worth it!

Happy Painting!