Benjamin Moore Metropolitan Review & Inspiration

The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Metropolitan

At first glance, Metropolitan appears as a perfectly neutral gray, but it has green undertones that add a hint of warmth.

In brightly lit spaces, the warm green undertones prevent it from taking on a cool blue cast. In North-facing rooms or cool climates, it may seem to develop blue undertones, but the effect is usually minimal. Metropolitan has a medium level of reflectance, so unlike some deeper shades of gray, it won’t make a room too dark, and compared to brighter grays, it won’t wash out in a sunny room.

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan on sunlight living room wall

A modern color with classical roots, Metropolitan is a reliable and versatile mid-tone cool gray that works beautifully in open floor plans.

Inspiration for a Metropolitan Color Scheme

This calm, sophisticated gray is an ideal neutral that looks equally elegant in both matte and glossy finishes. Its medium gray tone makes it an ideal complement to neutral home decor and bright and vibrant colors.

Transitional style living room in Benjamin Moore Metropolitan AF-690

Use Metropolitan to showcase the deeper beauty of your kitchen cabinetry, countertops, and dinnerwear.

Deep navy cabinet with BM Metropolitan wall paint

Whether you use it with dark, rich colors or warmer, lighter accents in your interior design, Benjamin Moore’s Metropolitan creates an elegant backdrop to let those colors shine.

BM Metropolitan AF-690 on a paneled bedroom wall;

The stylish, medium gray tone anchors rooms by being neither dark nor light. Surrounding whites and bright colors pop while the walls remain calm and relaxing.

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan gray and yellow living room

Natural light brings out Metropolitan’s green undertones, while darker rooms read more blue. These cool neutrals complement both modern and traditional styles.

Bedroom in Benjamin Moore Metropolitan

What Colors Go Best with Benjamin Moore Metropolitan AF-690?

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan color palette

Metropolitan pairs beautifully with a wide range of modern color options. If your interior design favors a neutral palette, you can select a deeper color from a similar color family like Smoke 2122-40 or pair it with Cloud White OC-130 on trim and cabinetry.

Home office with Benjamin Moore Metropolitan gray wall paired with cooler gray cabinetry

Metropolitan is a versatile, neutral shade that works beautifully with colors in adjoining rooms. When branching out to other colors, you can opt for light and delicious tones such as faint pinks like Head Over Heals AF-250 or Benjamin Moore’s 2020 Color of the Year, First Light 2102-70. For greater contrast, shift to rich emerald greens like Beau Green 2054-20 and deep-gray blues like Hale Navy HC 154.

Metropolitan AF-690 bedroom paint complements a pink bathroom cabinet

If you love bold colors and decor, Metropolitan also works as a soothing, balanced backdrop to any vibrant color palette that complements green or blue.

Other Similar Colors

If you like the mid-gray tones of Metropolitan but desire a slightly darker cool gray, check out Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray or Covington Gray. For a warmer, lighter gray with a more rustic feel, try Revere Pewter HC-172.

Buy a Metropolitan Benjamin Moore Paint Sample

The undertones in gray paint colors can shift depending on the lighting conditions and time of day. We recommend testing a sample of Metropolitan and any other options you’re considering before deciding on your final choice.

One of our designers’ favorite tips for an easy way to test paint swatches on multiple walls in your house, is to paint a large poster board using a Benjamin Moore Paint Color Sample so you can move it around the room to check out the color on different walls and in different lighting conditions.

This 2019 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year is available at Ring’s End in a variety of paint sheens and sizes and sheens from matte to semi-glass. Once you’ve made your final color choice, you can purchase it in our best-selling Benjamin Moore Aura paint line.