Why Designers Claim Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath Is the Chicest Gray Paint To Use in 2026 – 'It's a Neutral For People Who Don’t Usually Choose Neutrals'

Bathroom with Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball painted walls, a double sink vanity unit with marble countertops, wooden drawers, two mirrors and sconces either side.

Cool-toned grays may have had their moment, but that doesn't mean that all grays are taking a backseat in 2026. In fact, those warm, more complicated grays that shift in the light are starting to feel like a welcome palette cleanser among some of the more striking hues that make up today's color trends.

While designers have long loved the timeless neutral that is Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath, this year, it feels like one of the few accepted gray paints that actually stand up against the eye-catching shades that are dominating this year. Layered with purple notes, it's a refreshingly layered gray that couldn't stray further from the controversial cool-tone that we've said goodbye to.