If you want gray cabinets, the three Sherwin-Williams grays I’d start with are Repose Gray (SW 7015) for a light, soft gray, Dorian Gray (SW 7017) for a mid-tone with more depth, and Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) for a dark, dramatic gray. Which one is right depends less on the chip and more on your light, your countertop and your floor. Here’s how I’d choose between them, and what a gray refinish costs with us.
The three grays at a glance
| Color | How light | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repose Gray SW 7015 | Light (LRV about 58) | Opening up a dark or small kitchen; next to white quartz | Can read slightly green or purple next to some stone |
| Dorian Gray SW 7017 | Medium (LRV about 39) | Islands, lowers, or whole kitchens with lots of light | Looks darker on a full wall of cabinets than on a chip |
| Gauntlet Gray SW 7019 | Dark (LRV about 21) | Islands and lower cabinets against light uppers | Shows dust and fingerprints; can feel heavy in a small, dim room |
LRV (light reflectance value) is how much light a color bounces back, on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the number, the lighter the room will feel.
Repose Gray: the safe, light choice
Repose Gray is light enough to brighten a kitchen but has enough warmth that it doesn’t look stark the way a cool gray can in Florida sun. It hides everyday wear better than white. We used it on a Redington Shores kitchen that went from dark wood and brown granite to light and bright.
Cabinet refinishing at Bayshore starts at $5,000. Most kitchens run $8,000–$10,000 and large kitchens $11,000–$15,000, with 5 to 7 working days on site. A second color for a two-tone look is a $500 add-on, and the sprayed finish carries a 2-year warranty against blistering and peeling.
Typical ranges from our recent projects. Your written estimate, built after we see your space, is what your project is priced on.
The catch: Repose has a subtle undertone that can lean a little green or purple next to certain granites and cool white quartz. Always look at a sample next to your actual countertop.
Dorian Gray: more depth, still livable
Dorian Gray sits in the middle. On an island against white perimeter cabinets, it gives the kitchen a focal point without going dark. On every cabinet in a kitchen with lots of windows, it can look rich and grounded. In a small kitchen with one window, it’ll feel darker than you expect.
Gauntlet Gray: the dramatic option
Gauntlet Gray is a deep, warm charcoal. It’s at its best on an island or the lower cabinets, with lighter uppers keeping the room open. Dark colors show dust, fingerprints and the occasional chip more than light ones, so it’s a better fit for the lowers than for every cabinet in a busy kitchen. If you want this look, a two-tone refinish adds about $500 with us.
How to pick the right gray
- Start with what’s staying. Your countertop, floor and backsplash decide the undertone. Pick the gray that works with them, not the one that looks best alone.
- Test a big sample in your kitchen. Look at it in the morning, at midday and at night with your lights on.
- Go a shade lighter than you think. Color looks darker on a full wall of cabinets than on a small chip.
- Think two-tone. A darker gray on the island with a lighter color up top is easy to live with and easy to change later.
You can compare cabinet colors next to countertops and tile in our Design Portal. Here are more cabinet colors that hold up in Florida light and darker options like Iron Ore and Urbane Bronze.
The finish matters as much as the color
A great gray brushed and rolled still looks painted. We spray. Doors and drawer fronts go to our shop, and the frames get the same steps on site: a chemical sand, a physical sand, two coats of shellac-based primer, then two coats of a 1-part pre-catalyzed finish, sanded between coats. Here’s our full process.
What does it cost to paint cabinets gray?
With us, cabinet refinishing starts at $5,000. Most medium kitchens land between $8,000 and $10,000, and most large kitchens between $11,000 and $15,000. A second color adds about $500. Most jobs take 5 to 7 working days. Sprayed finishes carry a 2-year warranty against blistering and peeling, and we leave a touch-up bottle in your color.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gray for kitchen cabinets?
For most Florida kitchens, Repose Gray. It’s light, warm and forgiving. Go darker with Dorian or Gauntlet on an island or the lowers.
Is gray still in style for cabinets?
Warm, light grays still look good. Cool grays that lean blue tend to look cold in bright Florida light and date faster.
Do dark gray cabinets show dirt?
More than light ones. Dust and fingerprints show on dark colors, so they work best on lower cabinets or an island.
Where do you refinish cabinets?
Across Pinellas County, including Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Belleair and Seminole.
Trying to choose a gray? Book a free consultation. I’ll look at your kitchen, your light and your counters with you and tell you which one I’d use. Bayshore Remodels is licensed (CRC1335471) and insured, with 500+ projects across Pinellas and Tampa Bay since 2021.
