We decided to go for it: we tested two paint colors we already had on hand in our bedroom to see whether darker walls—something John has been campaigning for over the last few months—would work. We wanted to know if a moodier, more grounded wall color would help the headboard stand out and create a cozier atmosphere.
We’d previously mockuped the idea, but this time we pictured the wall as more of a brown-gray putty rather than blue-gray, since the bedding and rug already carry plenty of color. The two paints we sampled were Gray Horse by Benjamin Moore—a smoky gray we love that’s used under the chair rail in our office—and Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore, a darker, browner gray we used in the attached bathroom. The swatches surprised us: Gray Horse reads much lighter in the bedroom than it does in the office, while Rockport Gray immediately felt right.
Rockport Gray had that putty-like mix of mocha and gray that made the headboard pop, and the color felt richer and more dramatic in the bedroom than Gray Horse did. The images capture the difference, but seeing the paint on the actual walls was the deciding factor.
To be thorough, I painted test swatches of both colors in three different locations, because paint can read very differently depending on light and surrounding surfaces. I tried each color:
- on the wall next to the bedroom door
- on the wall beside the bathroom doorway
- on the wall behind the bed, where we especially wanted something darker so the headboard would stand out
You can see how subtle Gray Horse looks under the mirror while the Rockport Gray swatch makes the headboard area read much stronger. That was the moment we knew which way to go.
So Rockport Gray it is. Since we already use that color in the bathroom, extending it into the bedroom feels cohesive and intentional. Many homes carry the same tone between a bedroom and its bathroom, and doing so gives a calm continuity while allowing accessories—like the rug, pillows, and artwork—to add bright, energizing pops of color. Even though Rockport Gray is a neutral, it isn’t dull when the room is layered thoughtfully.
Rockport Gray is the darkest paint we’ve used in this house so far, other than the deep teal in the guest room and the back of the dining-room built-ins. That range of light and dark across rooms creates a balanced, deliberate palette for the whole house. It’s been fun to mix neutrals and strong colors—like the soft pink in Clara’s room, the greeny-yellow in the kitchen and laundry, and the dark teal accents—so each space feels distinct yet connected.
We’ve noticed that neutral walls—especially grays—free us to add color through furniture, textiles, and art. Neutral paint becomes a backdrop that makes rugs, pillows, and accessories read bolder and more intentional. Look at the office and living room: soft, neutral walls allow the colorful rugs, art, and chairs to take center stage while keeping the rooms balanced and lively.
So that’s our choice: Rockport Gray for the bedroom. We’ll share after photos and a time-lapse once the paint is dry and everything is back in place.
Painting is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to change a room, and we usually finish a project like this in about a day. If a color doesn’t feel right, repainting is fast and inexpensive—trial and error has always been our process, and it’s the best way we’ve found to figure out what we truly love for our home. Fingers crossed we can finish the rest today.
Psst—We also took our favorite monthly picture of Clara. That girl has officially gone diva. Check out her moves over on Young House Life.