When searching for the perfect light gray paint color, two beautiful options are Benjamin Moore Mountain Air CC-636 and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204. Both offer gorgeous, adaptable grays that work well across various design aesthetics. But what’s the difference between Mountain Air and Sea Salt? And how do you determine which is better for your home?
In this guide, we’ll do an in-depth analysis of Mountain Air vs Sea Salt. We’ll look at undertones, light reflectance values (LRV), real-life photos, and ideal room applications for each color. Let’s dive in to determine if green-influenced Mountain Air or Sea Salt is the best light gray paint color for your interior design.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Mountain Air and Sea Salt
Before diving into specifics, here is an overview of the main differences between Benjamin Moore Mountain Air CC-636 and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204:
- Undertones – Mountain Air has green-gray undertones, Sea Salt has blue-green undertones
- LRV – Mountain Air has an LRV of 52.69, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
- Use – Mountain Air complements traditional styles, Sea Salt contemporary spaces
- Rooms – Mountain Air excels in cozy rooms, Sea Salt open concepts
Now let’s explore Mountain Air and Sea Salt more closely.
Benjamin Moore Mountain Air CC-636
A beautiful light-medium gray paint color, Mountain Air CC-636 by Benjamin Moore is a gorgeous green-influenced neutral. This adaptable color works well across many design styles.
Here are some key details about Mountain Air:
- LRV: 52.69
- Undertones: Green-gray
- Finish: Available in all finishes
- Rooms: Whole home color, especially living spaces
- Pairings: Tans, greens, blues
Featuring noticeable green-gray undertones, Mountain Air has a natural, organic appearance. Depending on lighting conditions, the green is more or less apparent. This chameleon-like ability makes Mountain Air highly versatile.
At 52.69 light reflectance, Mountain Air reflects a moderate amount of light. This prevents it from feeling too dark while still providing subtle contrast against white trims and ceilings. The green-gray influence gives Mountain Air a relaxing, approachable feel.
Use Mountain Air CC-636 to create a calm, welcoming backdrop suitable for a variety of design aesthetics. This adaptable gray looks especially pleasing in these rooms:
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Offices
- Bathrooms
Some colors that pair beautifully with Mountain Air include:
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Wyoming Sky
- Benjamin Moore Maine Balsam
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204
Image Credit:@ to_mimishousewego
A bestselling light gray paint color, Sea Salt SW 6204 by Sherwin Williams is a versatile pale green-gray that works well across design styles.
Here are some details about Sea Salt:
- LRV: 63
- Undertones: Blue-green
- Finish: Available in all finishes
- Rooms: Whole home color, open concept spaces
- Pairings: Blues, grays, tans
Featuring soft blue-green undertones, Sea Salt has a slightly weathered, mineral appearance. Depending on lighting, the subtle blue-green comes forward more or less. This versatility makes Sea Salt highly adaptable.
With a 63 light reflectance value, Sea Salt reflects a moderate amount of light. This prevents it from feeling too dark or bright. The hint of blue-green gives Sea Salt a relaxed, peaceful feel.
Use Sea Salt SW 6204 to create a calm, inviting backdrop suitable for a wide variety of interior design styles. This flexible light gray looks pleasing in these rooms:
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Dining Rooms
Some colors that pair beautifully with Sea Salt include:
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
- Sherwin Williams Naval
Comparing Mountain Air vs Sea Salt
Now that we’ve looked at Mountain Air and Sea Salt individually, let’s compare them directly:
Light Reflectance
Mountain Air and Sea Salt have very similar light reflectance values, with Mountain Air at 52.69 and Sea Salt slightly higher at 63. They reflect similar moderate amounts of light.
Undertones
The main difference lies in undertones. Mountain Air has green-gray, while Sea Salt has blue-green.
Use
The natural greenness of Mountain Air suits traditional, transitional spaces beautifully. Sea Salt’s coolness complements modern contemporary rooms.
Rooms
Mountain Air’s cozy depth excels in bedrooms, offices and dining rooms. Sea Salt’s airy clarity shines best in open concept kitchens and living areas.
Paint Finish
Both Mountain Air and Sea Salt come in any sheen from flat matte to high-gloss.
Pairings
Mountain Air coordinates well with tans, greens and blues. Sea Salt pairs nicely with light blues, grays and crisp whites.
Mountain Air vs Sea Salt Comparison Chart
Here is an overview comparison between Benjamin Moore Mountain Air CC-636 and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204:
| Paint Color | Mountain Air CC-636 | Sea Salt SW 6204 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 52.69 | 63 |
| Undertones | Green-gray | Blue-green |
| Use | Traditional, transitional | Modern, contemporary |
| Rooms | Cozy bedrooms and offices | Bright open living areas |
| Sheens | All finishes | All finishes |
| Pairings | Tans, greens, blues | Blues, grays, crisp whites |
Real Life Photos: Mountain Air vs Sea Salt
To give a sense of how Mountain Air and Sea Salt compare in real spaces, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:
Mountain Air CC-636
Sea Salt SW 6204
Image Credit:@stephanieballdesign
In real world spaces, Mountain Air generally appears slightly deeper and greener than the cooler toned blue-green Sea Salt. But lighting affects their look. Overall, Mountain Air feels warmer and Sea Salt crisper.
Should I Choose Mountain Air or Sea Salt?
So how do you decide between Benjamin Moore Mountain Air or Sherwin Williams Sea Salt for your home? Here are some tips:
Consider Mountain Air CC-636 if you want:
- A light-medium green gray
- A cozy, welcoming ambiance
- To complement traditional and farmhouse styles
- A versatile whole home color
Consider Sea Salt SW 6204 if you want:
- A cooler light gray with subtle blue-green
- An airy, tranquil mood
- A relaxing backdrop for modern styles
- A versatile foundation for open concepts
To pick, get paint swatches and samples. View large in-home samples in different lighting. See how the undertones come across and complement your space.
While beautiful grays, Mountain Air suits cozier traditional spaces and Sea Salt brighter open concepts. Choose what meets your goals!
Best Rooms for Mountain Air and Sea Salt
Here are rooms that tend to be especially well suited to Mountain Air CC-636 and Sea Salt SW 6204:
Mountain Air CC-636
- Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Offices
- Living Rooms
- Libraries
Sea Salt SW 6204
- Living Rooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Open floor plans
- Dining rooms
Of course both can work in any space. But the above applications maximize Mountain Air’s coziness and Sea Salt’s airy tranquility.
Design Ideas Using Mountain Air and Sea Salt
On their own, Mountain Air and Sea Salt create simple backdrops. Use other paint colors, textures and decor to complete your room designs:
Mountain Air Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Simply White (trim/ceiling)
- Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (accent wall)
- Medium wood floor stain
- Sage green and cream textiles
Sea Salt Color Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (trim/ceiling)
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (accent wall)
- Polished chrome fixtures
- Navy blue and gray bedding
Mountain Air vs Sea Salt: Which is Better for Your Home?
Is cozy Mountain Air or airy Sea Salt the better light gray paint color for your space? It depends on your style and goals:
Consider Mountain Air if you want:
- A light green-influenced gray
- Subtle warmth for traditional cozy spaces
- To complement tans, sage greens, and blues
- A subtly colorful neutral
Consider Sea Salt if you want:
- A cooler light gray with faint blue-green
- An airy, tranquil ambiance
- A backdrop for modern open floor plans
- A versatile foundation for whole home use
Mountain Air shines in cozy bedrooms and traditional homes. Sea Salt excels in airy open concepts and contemporary spaces.
Be sure to get large in-home paint samples before deciding. Both offer gorgeous light gray versatility – choose the one that fulfills your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions about BM Mountain Air CC-636 and SW Sea Salt SW 6204:
What are the main differences between Mountain Air and Sea Salt?
The main differences are their predominant undertones. Mountain Air is a green-gray and Sea Salt is a blue-green gray.
Does Mountain Air have any brown or purple tones?
No, Mountain Air does not have significant brown or purple undertones. It reads as primarily a green-influenced gray rather than a complex neutral.
What colors complement Sea Salt?
Colors like light blue, gray, white, and even some greens complement Sea Salt nicely. Its soft blue-green undertone provides a tranquil, relaxing backdrop.
Is Mountain Air suitable for dining rooms?
Yes, Mountain Air is perfect for dining rooms. Its 52.69 LRV avoids feeling too dark or somber. And its green-gray tone is cozy and welcoming.
Can you use Sea Salt in bathrooms?
Definitely. At 63 LRV, Sea Salt provides adequate brightness for bathrooms without feeling overly stark. Its hint of blue-green is peaceful and relaxing.
