Acier Gray vs Dovetail: Stop Agonizing, Pick the Perfect Gray

Choosing the perfect warm gray paint feels like an impossible task. You stand in front of a wall of seemingly identical swatches, each promising to transform your space into a sophisticated haven. Yet, two colors consistently rise to the top of the list for homeowners and designers alike: Sherwin-Williams Acier (SW 9170) and Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018).

The problem is, on a tiny paint chip, they look remarkably similar. This leads to decision paralysis, a common frustration for anyone embarking on a home improvement project. You’re left wondering which color will look best with your lighting, your furniture, and your home’s unique character, terrified of making a costly and time-consuming mistake.

This guide is designed to end the debate. We will dissect the nuances of Acier and Dovetail, exploring their hidden undertones, how they react to light, and where each color truly shines. By the end, you’ll be able to choose your perfect warm gray with confidence.

Unmasking the Contenders: A Head-to-Head Introduction

Before diving into the technical details, it’s essential to get a feel for the personality of each color. Both are sophisticated, versatile neutrals, but they create distinctly different moods within a space.

Meet Sherwin-Williams Acier (SW 9170)

Acier is a medium-toned warm gray that many describe as a “greige” or even a complex taupe. It’s a balanced color that doesn’t lean too heavily into one undertone, making it a highly adaptable choice for various design styles. Its softness provides a refined backdrop that feels both modern and timeless.

Think of Acier as the more subtle of the two. It creates a calm and inviting atmosphere without demanding to be the center of attention. This makes it an excellent choice for open-concept spaces where you need a color that can flow seamlessly from one area to the next.

Meet Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018)

Dovetail is a richer, medium-dark gray with noticeable warmth. It has a bit more depth and saturation than Acier, giving it a slightly more dramatic and grounded presence. Dovetail is often described as a cozy, enveloping color that can make a room feel more intimate.

This color is perfect for creating a statement. Whether on all four walls, an accent wall, or kitchen cabinets, Dovetail provides a sense of luxury and sophistication. Its warmth prevents it from feeling cold or stark, a common issue with darker grays.

The Critical Difference: Undertones and LRV Explained

The secret to choosing between Acier and Dovetail lies in understanding two key concepts: undertones and Light Reflectance Value (LRV). These factors determine how the color will truly look and feel in your home.

Decoding the Undertones: Why Your Lighting Matters

Every gray paint has hidden undertones—subtle hints of other colors like blue, green, purple, or beige—that emerge under different lighting conditions. Acier has soft, subtle violet and sometimes green undertones. In a room with cool, north-facing light, these undertones can become more apparent, making Acier appear as a truer, cooler gray. In warmer, south-facing light, it softens and leans more into its gentle greige character.

Dovetail, on the other hand, possesses warm brown and sometimes faint purple undertones. These undertones are what give it its signature cozy feel. In natural light, it often reads as a perfect warm gray, but under certain artificial lights, the brown can become more pronounced, pushing it closer to a taupe or even a soft bronze.

Light Reflectance Value (LRV): The Secret to Room Brightness

LRV measures the amount of light a paint color reflects. The scale runs from 0 (absolute black) to 100 (pure white). A higher LRV means the color reflects more light and will appear brighter, while a lower LRV means it absorbs more light and will appear darker.

Acier has an LRV of 32, placing it in the medium range. It reflects a moderate amount of light, making it a solid choice for rooms where you want a sense of coziness without the space feeling too dark. Dovetail has an LRV of 26, which is noticeably lower. This means it absorbs significantly more light, resulting in a darker, more saturated appearance on the wall. This lower LRV is what gives Dovetail its dramatic and enveloping quality.

Feature	Sherwin-Williams Acier (SW 9170)	Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018)
LRV (Light Reflectance Value)	32 (Medium)	26 (Medium-Dark)
Primary Undertones	Violet, sometimes subtle green	Brown, sometimes subtle purple
Color Family	Warm Gray / Greige	Warm Gray / Charcoal
Best For	Open floor plans, living rooms, bedrooms	Accent walls, cabinets, cozy dens, exteriors
Overall Feel	Balanced, serene, sophisticated	Cozy, dramatic, grounded

Acier vs. Dovetail in Action: Room by Room Application

Understanding the technical specs is one thing; visualizing these colors in your home is another. Let’s explore how Acier and Dovetail perform in different areas of the house to help you find the perfect fit.

For a Bright and Airy Living Room

If your goal is a living space that feels open and calm, Acier is likely the better choice. Its higher LRV will help bounce light around the room, making the space feel larger and more serene. It provides a beautiful neutral background that allows your furniture, artwork, and decor to stand out without competing for attention.

Dovetail can also work in a living room, especially one with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. However, it will create a much cozier and more traditional atmosphere. In smaller or darker living rooms, Dovetail can feel a bit heavy unless balanced with very light trim and furnishings.

Creating a Cozy and Dramatic Bedroom or Office

For spaces where you want to create an intimate and focused environment, such as a bedroom, study, or home office, Dovetail is a superb option. Its lower LRV and warm undertones create an enveloping effect that is both comforting and sophisticated. It’s an excellent color for promoting relaxation and concentration.

Acier can also create a restful bedroom, but the result will be lighter and more tranquil. If you prefer a bedroom that feels like a peaceful retreat rather than a dramatic cocoon, Acier would be the superior choice.

The Perfect Gray for Kitchen Cabinets?

Both colors are extremely popular for kitchen cabinets, but they serve different design goals. Dovetail cabinets create a bold, high-end look. They pair stunningly with white or light gray quartz countertops, marble backsplashes, and brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware. The depth of Dovetail provides a strong anchor for the kitchen’s design.

Acier offers a softer, more transitional look for cabinetry. It’s a wonderful choice if you want gray cabinets that don’t feel overwhelmingly dark. Acier pairs beautifully with a wide range of materials, from granite countertops to stainless steel appliances and brushed nickel hardware, offering a timeless appeal.

Boosting Curb Appeal: Exterior Paint Choices

On an exterior, paint colors almost always appear lighter due to the abundance of natural sunlight. For this reason, Dovetail is an outstanding choice for exterior siding. It holds its depth and character in the bright sun, appearing as a substantial, elegant warm gray rather than washing out. It pairs beautifully with crisp white trim like Sherwin-Williams Pure White or a dark trim like Tricorn Black.

Acier can also be used on exteriors, but it will look significantly lighter than it does indoors. It can be a beautiful choice for a softer, more welcoming facade. However, if you are seeking a gray with more presence and contrast against your trim, Dovetail will deliver more reliably.

The Ultimate Pairing Guide: What Colors Go With Acier and Dovetail?

A great paint color is only as good as the colors that surround it. Proper coordination with trim, accents, and flooring is crucial to achieving a cohesive design.

Coordinating Colors for Acier

Acier’s balanced nature makes it a versatile partner. For a clean, classic look, pair it with a crisp white trim like Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006). To bring out its warmth, a slightly softer white like Sherwin-Williams Eider White (SW 7014) is an excellent choice. For accent colors, Acier harmonizes beautifully with deep navy blues like Naval (SW 6244) and rich, earthy greens.

Coordinating Colors for Dovetail

Dovetail’s depth calls for a trim color that can stand up to it. A clean, bright white like Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005) creates a stunning, high-contrast look. For a warmer, more seamless transition, consider a creamy off-white like Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008). Dovetail looks particularly sophisticated when paired with deep jewel tones, charcoal grays, and warm wood finishes.

The Unspoken Challenge: Avoiding the “Muddy” Look

One of the biggest fears when choosing a greige or warm gray is that it will end up looking flat, drab, or “muddy” on the walls. This often happens not because the color itself is flawed, but because the environment isn’t right for it. The key to ensuring Acier or Dovetail looks rich and intentional is to control the elements around it.

The primary culprit behind a muddy appearance is poor lighting. Using the right light bulbs is non-negotiable. Opt for LED bulbs with a color temperature between 3000K and 4000K. This range provides a clean, natural-looking light that will render the paint’s true undertones without casting a yellow or overly blue hue. Another critical element is contrast. A rich gray needs a crisp, clean line to separate it from other surfaces. Pairing Acier or Dovetail with a bright, pure white trim creates definition and stops the color from bleeding visually into the rest of the room.

Making Your Final Decision: The No-Regret Testing Method

Reading about paint is helpful, but you must see how it looks in your own space. Never, ever choose a paint color based on a small chip from the store or how it looks on a screen. You must test it in your home.

The best way to test paint is by using large, movable samples. You can paint a large poster board or use a peel-and-stick sample from a service like Samplize. Place the sample on different walls in the room you plan to paint. Observe it throughout the day—in the bright morning light, the warm afternoon sun, and under artificial lighting at night. This is the only way to see how the color and its undertones will truly behave with your home’s unique lighting conditions. While you’re at it, consider how to best care for your entire property; even the most beautiful interior can be complemented by a well-maintained exterior, which might include tasks as simple as having a reliable machine like an Ariens ST5-24 snowblower ready for winter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Acier or Dovetail more popular?

Both colors are highly popular, but Dovetail often appears more frequently in designer portfolios and on social media, particularly for kitchen cabinets and accent walls. Acier is a steadfast favorite for those seeking a more subtle, all-over neutral.

Can I use Acier and Dovetail in the same house?

Absolutely. Because they share similar warm, gray characteristics, they complement each other well. A common strategy is to use Acier as the main wall color in an open-concept space and then use Dovetail on kitchen cabinets, an accent wall, or in an adjacent room like a dining room or office to create depth and definition.

Which color is better for resale value?

Both are excellent choices for resale. They fall into the sophisticated neutral category that appeals to a wide range of buyers. The “better” choice depends on the application. A home painted in a light, neutral color like Acier might feel more universally appealing, while a kitchen with stylish Dovetail cabinets could be a memorable, high-impact feature for potential buyers. Thinking about long-term home value brings to mind all aspects of home ownership, even the tools that help us maintain our property, from landscaping equipment to a trusty 1980 Ariens snowblower.

The Verdict: Which Warm Gray Reigns Supreme?

In the showdown between Acier and Dovetail, there is no single winner. The superior color is the one that best suits your home’s lighting, your existing finishes, and the specific mood you want to create.

The earthy tones of these grays can inspire a connection to the outdoors. The subtle green undertones in Acier, for instance, pair beautifully with houseplants, bringing a touch of nature indoors. This concept is familiar to any gardener who understands the satisfaction of arranging plants for visual harmony, much like one learns how to transplant Solomon’s seal to create a lush landscape.

Choose Sherwin-Williams Acier if:

• You need a versatile, balanced neutral for a large or open-concept space.
• You want a sophisticated gray that feels serene and calming.
• Your room has moderate to low natural light, and you want to avoid it feeling too dark.

Choose Sherwin-Williams Dovetail if:

• You want to create a cozy, dramatic, and enveloping atmosphere.
• You are looking for a bold color for kitchen cabinets or an accent wall.
• Your space has ample natural light and can handle a darker, more saturated color.

By understanding their distinct personalities and testing them properly in your space, you can finally end the debate and choose the perfect warm gray to create a home you love.