Pewter Color – Exploring Shades of Pewter and Color Combinations

If you are not a person who works with color a lot like any designer might, you might think that one gray color is pretty much the same as another. However, this is far from the truth as you have a myriad of gray shades, and a pewter color is one of them. All shades of pewter are quite versatile and offer a timeless look, without ever becoming trendy.

What Color Is Pewter?

Many would simply say pewter is a shade of gray, and they would be correct but there is so much more to the color than meets the eye. Pewter has always first been metal and the color comes from this, which can be described as a dark shade of gray. However, the color can have a range of undertones like blue. Also, instead of being overly shiny and glossy, it tends to provide more of a matte sheen or muted appearance.

You may even consider the pewter color to be somewhere in the middle of charcoal and silver. As mentioned, the color usually has a gray-blue undertone, but some also have warmer shades with more brown undertones. So, you can say pewter is a neutral color that has shades from light to dark pewter colors, with cool to warm undertones. Since pewter is considered a neutral color, it is quite versatile and can go well with almost any color. The color can also be used as a background color or as a primary color scheme for interior design. However, since there are a variety of tones, it also works great as an accent color.

Pewter: A Brief History

There is no mention of a pewter color name in the past, but the color does come from the well-known metal. The metal itself has been used over the years for light fixtures and other items. However, today the color is used in paint and fabrics. The metal pewter has been used since Ancient Roman times when it was used to make utensils and other items. So, we know that pewter metal has been around for many years.

To begin, the pewter metal consisted of tin alloy, copper, and lead. This was used for many years until lead was discovered as being toxic and the cause of lead poisoning. This was only realized in the 1970s, so it was not all that long ago and if you have any pewter items in your home that come before 1980, it may be a good idea to test it out. Today, the makeup of pewter has changed and now only includes a tin alloy, copper, and antimony. Pewter containing more copper will have a warmer tone than others with less copper. Pewter has gained more popularity in the 21^st century as a color than as a metal, so let us now have a look at what meaning the pewter color provides.

Meaning of the Pewter Color

In general, gray, and pewter can be seen as a neutral, serious color that helps to balance other more vibrant colors. All shades of pewter are practical and portray a sense of maturity and also represent responsibility. Gray may seem to be a dull color that can be linked with emotions like sadness. However, pewter can have warmer or cooler undertones that help to bring more warmth and calm. Since pewter can be a little bit more lively than your average gray, it can appear more sophisticated. 

People who choose gray or pewter as their favorite color, are generally more introverted and they like to blend in with the crowd.

Shades of Pewter

When most of us think about a pewter color, the general description of the color would be somewhere around a mid-tone gray. However, pewter has a lot more depth than many think, which provides a choice of different shades of pewter that are quite appealing. Many of the pewter colors below are inspired by paint colors that have become popular for interior design. The main paint brands are Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams.

Pewter Color

This is the general pewter color that can be identified by its hex code. The RGB and CMYK codes are there to show you how much color is used for online graphics and printing. 

In this case, the pewter appears to be in the center of the grayscale as it is not too light and not too dark.

Pewter Green

This is based on the Sherwin-Williams color (SW 6208) and appears to be more of a dark pewter color or a cool, dark greenish-gray. The green undertone has a strong connection to nature and provides a sense of growth and balance as well as freshness. This shade of pewter works particularly well with cool whites and other shades of green.

Revere Pewter

This color is inspired by Benjamin Moore and is a warmer version of the pewter color. The color can be described as a grayish-orange or as some might call it greige. The color makes a nice background color in a room with plenty of light. 

The color seems to be quite popular and is considered a classic color.

Light Pewter

This pewter color is more of a light pewter with a warm undertone, which makes it quite popular as a neutral. When used in interior design, it makes the perfect backdrop to use with other design elements. You can use the color for light peter walls; however, it also works great on cabinets or cupboards. The color is inspired by the Benjamin Moore paint brand.

Dark Pewter Color

This is another cooler version of pewter, this time with more of a blue undertone and it is also a color from the Benjamin Moore brand. The color can be described as a dark gray cyan. 

It can work with almost any style around the home, adding a cool and calming effect.

Pewter Color Combinations

We have already established that pewter falls in the category of neutral colors, that being said, it can work well with most colors. However, the color works best with shades of gray and a beautiful crisp white. Depending on the shade of pewter, the color can work well with cream, beige, gold, burgundy, shades of green, and blue.

Neutral Pewter Color Combinations

Since pewter is a neutral color, it is safe to say that it will cork great with other neutral colors. Of course, you can use various lighter and darker shades to balance the color scheme. For example, a crisp white with dark pewter. Pewter is a shade of gray, so it can easily work well with other gray colors. 

Black is another color that works well with pewter, especially pewter colors that have a blue or green undertone.

Yellow and Pewter

You can try using any shade of yellow with pewter to bring more warmth into a room. If you choose a pewter color as your background in a room, it is best to add yellow as an accent color so as not to overwhelm the space.

Green and Pewter

Pewter walls will make a nice backdrop for other cooler shades of green. You can try using a warmer pewter color instead of a simple white to add a little more contrast. 

Add to this your touches of green, which should make for an interesting color combination.

Navy Blue and Pewter

Navy blue is the type of color that works easily with other neutral colors. When it comes to pewter, you may want to choose cooler gray pewter shades over your warmer pewter undertones. This combination is also a favorite for wedding color schemes. Add a hint of gold color for a more sophisticated look and to bring in a bit of warmth.

A Few More Pewter Color Combinations

Pewter is an elegant, classic, and sophisticated color that can work well with any décor theme. The color is highly adaptable and can be used to create both cooler, warmer, darker, or lighter options. 

This is why it works so well as a base color, to which you can add accents of most other colors in the form of furniture, cushions, carpets, and curtains.

Let us also not forget the web design, where pewter can also be used to great effect as a general background color. Below are a few more pewter color combinations that you might find appealing. First, you have a beautiful combination with light pewter. The second is a color combination with a brighter yellow and pewter. The third option is for those who cannot do without purple in their lives, while the last example is for those who enjoy a bit of green.

Creating Shades of Pewter With Acrylic Paint

There are many colors of paint you can purchase and use straight from the tube. However, there are also many unique colors you can create on your own by blending only a few basic colors. Pewter is a neutral and subtle color that can be found somewhere between your silver and gray colors. Creating a pewter color might take some experimentation, but here is a basic guide on how it can be done.

Add Black and White Paint

Take only a small amount of paint and place it onto a mixing palette. Remember to always document colors so you can create them again. Place a small amount of white and black onto your palette. Blend these two paints until you reach a medium-grayish color. 

You can add a little more black or white until you obtain the perfect pewter color.

Adding More Paint

Next, add small amounts of ultramarine blue as well as raw umber onto the palette. Take a little from each of these paints and then add them to the gray paint mix, using a little more blue. You can then bring in a little silver metallic paint. Add it to your paint mixture, making sure you only include a small amount as you are not looking for a shiny or reflective finish. Once you have reached a satisfactory color, you can compare it to the sample you have of pewter. If needed, you can then adjust the color by mixing in more of the various paint colors.

Pewter is a color that is neutral and comes in a variety of shades as well as color temperatures. It is truly a color that is more than your average gray and offers great versatility. This is no trending color, but remains constant and timeless, providing the perfect backdrop to any décor theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Is Pewter?

Pewter is considered a shade of gray but can be described as falling somewhere between gray and silver. Many of the pewter shades have a cool, blue, or green undertone, but others have warmer beige undertones. The color also ranges from your light pewter colors to dark pewter colors.

What Colors Go With Pewter?

Pewter is an extremely versatile color and can go with almost any color. The best colors you can pair pewter with neutral colors like white, beige, black, gray, and brown. However, you can also use pewter with various shades of blue and green. Other colors that go with pewter include gold, silver, peach, yellow, pink, magenta, and turquoise.

Does a Pewter Color Have Meaning?

Pewter is neutral and can be seen as a serious color, which has all the qualities of gray and is anything but dull. The color is practical and mature and offers a classic and timeless look. Depending on the undertone, it can also bring some of these qualities in. For example, a blue undertone and be calming and refreshing.

Can Pewter Be Used Outside the Home?

We know pewter can be used successfully inside the home, but can it work just as well outside the home? Yes, it can be used as siding or brick for a house, although the shade of pewter you choose might darken or lighten, depending on how the light shines onto the surface.