This Gray Paint Color Just Pulled Off the Ultimate Glow-Up
Proof that gray is anything but boring.
It's the first thing you see when you walk through the door after a long day, the backdrop for welcoming guests, and the space that quietly sets the tone for the rest of your home. So, if yours feels a little... blah? You're not imagining it.
For creator Van Tuyet (@percivalinbloom), the answer wasn't a full renovation. It was paint.
Using Grayish, Van transformed her dated entryway into a soft, sophisticated space inspired by French châteaux, proving that sometimes the biggest transformation starts with the smallest room.
Why Gray Entryways Never Go Out of Style
If you're searching for gray entryway ideas, think beyond basic gray walls. The right gray creates atmosphere.
Grayish is one of those rare colors that change beautifully throughout the day. In bright light, it feels soft and airy. As the sun sets, it becomes richer, moodier and incredibly cozy. It's the kind of color that lets architectural details, vintage finds and natural materials shine without stealing the spotlight.
That versatility made it the perfect choice for Van's home.
A Dated Entryway Gets a Fresh Start
Van describes her home as "ordinary and dated," with a beige-and-pink color palette that never quite matched her style. "The aged and peeling wallpaper was the view I saw most often, in the morning, when I got home from work and in the evening when I was winding down on the couch. It was an eyesore."
Before
Rather than tackling wallpaper removal, she chose a smarter DIY route: covering the walls with new trim and shiplap before painting everything in Grayish. The result feels architectural, intentional and completely transformed.
After
Choosing the Right Gray Paint Color
Gray can be surprisingly tricky, but Grayish strikes the perfect balance.
While deciding, Van considered several blues, greens and grays from us before landing on Grayish because of its versatility. "This space gets a range of lighting, and this chameleon color is exactly what I wanted. It can look moody and saturated at different times, but it's also a great neutral."
That ability to adapt makes Grayish an excellent option for entryways, where lighting often changes dramatically throughout the day as doors open and natural light shifts.
The Details That Make the Space
Paint laid the foundation, but the finishing touches brought the room to life.
Warm brass finishes, including a vintage mirror and artwork suspended from brass picture rails, stand out beautifully against Grayish's soft backdrop. Needlepoint artwork adds personality, while the new trim gives the walls timeless character inspired by classic French interiors.
Van's favorite view?
"The vintage mirror with the needlepoint art pieces next to it. I positioned it specifically so that it's the view from my spot on the couch."
It's a reminder that the best-designed spaces aren't just beautiful for guests—they're meant to be enjoyed every single day.
A Paint Color That Changed More Than the Walls
Sometimes paint changes how a room looks.
Sometimes it changes how you feel about your home.
"The whole vibe is different. I get excited to invite people over, with this sight to welcome them into our home." One unexpected bonus? Van no longer wanted to replace her front door. "I used to hate my front door and wanted to replace it, but it looks so much better now, painted with Grayish and blending in with the walls."
That's the magic of choosing the right paint color. It can completely change how you see the things you already have.
Why Clare Was the Right Choice
This wasn't Van's first Clare project.
As a parent of a toddler, she prefers using our zero VOC paint for a healthier home. For this makeover, she also used a paint sprayer, making our water-based formula especially convenient.
"Using Clare's water-based paint was key for cleaning out the sprayer, it only requires water, not oil-based cleaners."
A smoother cleanup means more time to enjoy your finished project.
Get the Look
If you're collecting gray entryway ideas, take inspiration from Van's makeover:
-Paint the walls, trim and even the front door in the same color for a seamless, elevated look.
-Pair Grayish with warm brass accents for timeless contrast.
-Add molding or shiplap to create architectural interest without a major renovation.
-Mix vintage artwork and mirrors with soft neutrals for a collected, lived-in feel.
Choose a paint color that changes beautifully with the light, adding depth throughout the day. Your entryway doesn't have to be the biggest room in your home to make the biggest impact. Sometimes all it takes is the right shade of gray.
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