City Loft vs Repose Gray: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect light gray paint color, it’s easy to get stuck comparing two similar versatile shades from Sherwin Williams. Popular choices City Loft SW 7631 and Repose Gray SW 7015 appear very alike at first glance. But what really differentiates these two beautiful, subtle grays?

In this guide, we’ll analyze City Loft vs Repose Gray in-depth to help you determine the ideal neutral gray paint for your home. We’ll look at undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, room pairings and more.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between City Loft and Repose Gray

Before getting into the nitty gritty, here is an overview of the main differences between Sherwin Williams’ City Loft and Repose Gray:

Undertones – City Loft is a cool gray, Repose Gray is slightly warm
Light Reflectance – City Loft has an LRV of 70, Repose Gray has an LRV of 58
Use – City Loft suits modern styles, Repose Gray fits traditional decor
Rooms – City Loft excels in kitchens, Repose Gray shines in bedrooms
Availability – Both come in all sheens

Now let’s explore City Loft and Repose Gray more thoroughly.

Sherwin Williams City Loft SW 7631

With its crisp cool gray appearance, Sherwin Williams City Loft SW 7631 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for contemporary styles. This versatile neutral works across modern spaces.

Here are some details about City Loft:

LRV: 70
Undertones: Cool gray
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Bold colors, blacks, metallics

City Loft is a hushed blue-gray with the slightest hint of green. In all lighting it maintains its cool, understated neutral gray appearance.

The 70 light reflectance value provides ideal illumination without being too stark. City Loft gives an open, breathable feel.

This adaptable neutral complements a wide variety of colors from vibrant to muted. Popular City Loft pairings include:

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Black and white patterns
Polished chrome and stainless steel

While suitable anywhere at home, City Loft truly excels in these sleek, modern spaces:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Living Rooms
Offices
Hallways

City Loft’s cool crispness helps create a relaxing yet fresh backdrop, perfect for accentuating contemporary styles.

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015

With its subtly warm gray appearance, Sherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for accentuating transitional and traditional decor. This versatile neutral works across classic spaces.

Here are some details about Repose Gray:

LRV: 58
Undertones: Slightly warm
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Blues, bold colors, wood tones

Repose Gray is a relaxed, dove gray with the faintest beige undertone. In most lighting it maintains its neutral, understated gray appearance.

The 58 light reflectance value provides soft illumination without being too dark. Repose Gray gives a cozy, intimate feel.

This adaptable neutral complements both cool and warm accents beautifully. Popular Repose Gray pairings include:

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams Pure White
Wood furnishings and floors
Black and white patterns
Brass hardware accents

While suitable anywhere at home, Repose Gray truly excels in these refined yet relaxed spaces:

Bedrooms
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Libraries

Repose Gray’s versatility helps create an elegant yet livable backdrop, perfect for accentuating transitional decor. Use it to allow bolder colors to stand out.

Comparing City Loft vs Repose Gray

Now that we’ve examined City Loft and Repose Gray independently, let’s directly compare them:

Light Reflectance

City Loft and Repose Gray have LRVs of 70 and 58 respectively. City Loft will appear much brighter.

Undertones

Here’s where the main difference lies. City Loft is a cool crisp gray, while Repose Gray is a subtly warm neutral.

Use & Rooms

City Loft’s coolness excels in modern kitchens. Repose Gray’s subtle warmth is perfect for cozy bedrooms.

Availability

Both City Loft and Repose Gray come in any sheen from matte to high gloss.

Paint Color	City Loft SW 7631	Repose Gray SW 7015
LRV	70	58
Undertones	Cool gray	Slightly warm
Use	Contemporary styles	Traditional decor
Finishes	All sheens	All sheens
Style	Modern	Traditional

Real-Life Photos: City Loft vs Repose Gray

Let’s look at real-life photos to better visualize the differences between City Loft and Repose Gray:

Sherwin Williams City Loft

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

While they can overlap, City Loft generally appears cooler and crisper than the subtle warm hue of Repose Gray. But lighting affects their look.

Should I Choose City Loft or Repose Gray?

So how do you decide between Sherwin Williams’ City Loft or Repose Gray for your home? Here are a few tips:

Choose City Loft SW 7631 if you want:

A crisp, cool light gray
A versatile color suitable for modern styles
An airy feel for kitchens and baths
To allow bold colors to pop

Choose Repose Gray SW 7015 if you want:

A subtly warm and cozy gray
A sophisticated neutral for bedrooms and offices
A versatile color that works with traditional decor
A soft, peaceful backdrop

Get samples of both City Loft and Repose Gray. Paint large test sections to view at different times of day. This gives you the best sense of how the undertones read in your lighting.

You can also try decor pairings with each gray. Both offer beautiful, subtle neutral tones for varied styles.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are some rooms that are especially well-suited to City Loft and Repose Gray paint colors:

Sherwin Williams City Loft

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Living Rooms
Offices
Hallways

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Bedrooms
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Libraries

While both grays work well throughout the home, the above applications make optimal use of their unique strengths.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, City Loft and Repose Gray create peaceful backdrops. Complement them with other colors and materials for gorgeous spaces:

City Loft SW 7631 Pairings

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Black and white patterns
Polished chrome and stainless steel

Repose Gray SW 7015 Pairings

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams Pure White
Wood furnishings and floors
Black and white patterns
Brass hardware accents

City Loft vs Repose Gray – Which is Better?

So which neutral gray paint color is better for your home – City Loft or Repose Gray?

Consider City Loft SW 7631 if you want:

A crisp, cool light gray
A versatile color suitable for modern styles
An airy feel for kitchens and baths
To allow bold colors to pop

Consider Repose Gray SW 7015 if you want:

A subtly warm and cozy gray
A sophisticated neutral for bedrooms and offices
A versatile color that works with traditional decor
A soft, peaceful backdrop

While City Loft offers modern crispness, Repose Gray provides subtle warm elegance.

Get samples before deciding. Either beautiful Sherwin Williams gray you choose will suit your home perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between City Loft or Repose Gray? Here are answers to some common questions:

What are the main differences between City Loft and Repose Gray?

The main differences are their undertones and suitability for varied styles. City Loft is a cool, crisp gray while Repose Gray is a cozy, subtly warm neutral.