When searching for the perfect soothing gray paint color, two popular Sherwin Williams options are Comfort Gray SW 6205 and Sea Salt SW 6204. At first glance they appear quite similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.
In this article, we’ll analyze Comfort Gray and Sea Salt in depth, comparing undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and room pairings. Read on to determine whether versatile Comfort Gray or aquatic Sea Salt is the best relaxing gray paint color for your home.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Comfort Gray and Sea Salt
Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Comfort Gray and Sea Salt:
- Undertones – Comfort Gray is a greige, Sea Salt is a blue-green gray
- Light Reflectance – Comfort Gray has an LRV of 54, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
- Use – Comfort Gray for flexible neutral spaces, Sea Salt for refreshing aquatic rooms
- Rooms – Comfort Gray ideal for whole home use, Sea Salt perfect for bathrooms
Now let’s explore Comfort Gray and Sea Salt more closely.
Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray SW 6205
With its warm greige appearance, Comfort Gray SW 6205 creates a soothing, welcoming backdrop. This adaptable neutral gray has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray:
- LRV: 54
- Undertones: Greige, warm gray
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color
- Pairings: Grays, browns, blues
Comfort Gray is a very soft, muted gray with subtle tan/greige influence. In most lights it appears as a true, neutral medium gray. But its faint warmth comes through occasionally, giving it more versatility than some cooler grays.
With a 54 light reflectance value, Comfort Gray supplies decent illumination and brightness. The barely detectable greige warmth keeps it feeling tranquil and inviting.
Comfort Gray works beautifully as a whole home gray with a flexible, adaptable nature. It pairs nicely with both cool and warm accents:
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
- Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
- Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
Use Comfort Gray to make rooms feel welcoming and casually sophisticated. Its greige warmth excels in nearly any space.
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204
With its gray-blue-green appearance, Sea Salt SW 6204 creates a refreshing, breezy backdrop. This aqua-influenced neutral is popular for its versatility.
Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Sea Salt:
- LRV: 63
- Undertones: Blue-green with gray
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens
- Pairings: Blues, greens, grays
Sea Salt is a pale muted aqua, heavily influenced by gray. In most lights it appears as a light gray-blue-green. Its soft aqua tones come through clearly in many environments, giving it a watercolor feel.
With a 63 light reflectance value, Sea Salt supplies moderate brightness for a lower-chroma color. The breezy aqua-gray tone makes it highly versatile. Popular pairings include:
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
- Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Thanks to its watery blue-green-gray tone, Sea Salt works well in bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens seeking a refreshing touch. Its muted aqua complements paint colors beautifully.
Comparing Comfort Gray vs. Sea Salt
Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Comfort Gray and Sea Salt:
Light Reflectance
Comfort Gray and Sea Salt have very similar light reflectance at 54 and 63 LRV respectively. Both offer decent illumination.
Undertones
This is a key distinction. Comfort Gray has faint greige/tan undertones, while Sea Salt skews towards aqua-green.
Comfort Gray’s subtle warmth provides a welcoming, flexible vibe. Sea Salt’s blue-green tint feels breezy and refreshing.
Use
Comfort Gray works well for adaptable, inviting spaces that benefit from its barely-there warmth. Sea Salt’s refreshing aqua tone is perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens.
Paint Finish
Both Comfort Gray and Sea Salt come in any sheen from matte to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful, casual finishes.
Comfort Gray vs. Sea Salt Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of how Comfort Gray and Sea Salt compare:
| Paint Color | Comfort Gray SW 6205 | Sea Salt SW 6204 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 54 | 63 |
| Undertones | Subtle greige/tan | Blue-green with gray |
| Use | Neutral, inviting spaces | Refreshing aquatic rooms |
| Sheen | Any finish | Any finish |
| Style | Casually sophisticated | Breezy, watery |
Real Photos: Comfort Gray vs Sea Salt
To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Comfort Gray and Sea Salt:
Comfort Gray
Sea Salt
As shown, Comfort Gray comes across as a warmer, more neutral greige while Sea Salt reads as cooler and bolder with its aqua-green. But their appearance varies greatly by lighting.
Should I Choose Comfort Gray or Sea Salt?
So how do you decide between Comfort Gray vs Sea Salt for your home? Here are some helpful tips:
Consider Comfort Gray if you want:
- A soft warm greige gray
- Subtle flexibility to complement any scheme
- A soothing whole home neutral
- Restful living rooms
Consider Sea Salt if you want:
- A refreshing blue-green-gray tone
- Inviting bathrooms, kitchens or bedrooms
- A breezy, watercolor feel
- A little more color than basic gray
As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. Lighting impacts these adaptable colors.
Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, peaceful backdrop for any room.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Comfort Gray and Sea Salt:
Comfort Gray SW 6205
- Soothing living rooms
- Casual dining rooms
- Flexible bedrooms
- Spa-like bathrooms
- Laidback kitchens
Sea Salt SW 6204
- Coastal bathrooms
- Breezy bedrooms
- Refreshing kitchens
- Boathouse spaces
- Relaxed dens
While flexible enough for any space, Comfort Gray excels whole home and Sea Salt shines in aqua-themed rooms.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
Comfort Gray and Sea Salt create peaceful backdrops. Pair them with these colors:
Comfort Gray Color Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
- Sherwin Williams Loyal Blue (navy)
- Sherwin Williams Peppercorn (black)
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (trim)
Sea Salt Color Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (blue)
- Sherwin Williams Oceanside (blue-green)
- White subway tiles
Varying tones and textures provides nice contrast against these soothing foundations.
Comfort Gray vs Sea Salt: Which is Best for Your Home?
So which relaxing gray paint color works best in your home – flexible Comfort Gray or aquatic Sea Salt? Consider the following:
Choose Comfort Gray if you want:
- A soft greige with subtle flexible warmth
- A whole home neutral
- Soothing casual sophistication
Choose Sea Salt if you want:
- A refreshing blue-green-gray tone
- Inviting bathrooms, kitchens or bedrooms
- A breezy, watercolor ambiance
While similar, Comfort Gray generally offers subtle greige warmth, while Sea Salt provides aquatic freshness. Test them in your lighting before deciding! Either one makes a gorgeous relaxing backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to choose between Comfort Gray vs Sea Salt? Here are some helpful answers:
Does Comfort Gray have purple undertones?
No, Comfort Gray does not contain purple. It is a soft greige with only very subtle warm undertones. In certain lights it may appear to have green or purple hints.
What colors complement Sea Salt?
Sea Salt works beautifully with whites, light blues, grays, sage greens and tan woods. Colors like Sherwin Williams Oceanside and Pure White make great pairings.
Should I use Comfort Gray in a living room?
Yes, Comfort Gray is perfect for living rooms! Its softly enveloping greige warmth provides a relaxing, inviting living room backdrop. Add pops of color with pillows and art.
Is Sea Salt suitable for a kids’ room?
Definitely! With its refreshing aqua-gray vibe, Sea Salt makes a fun, uplifting backdrop for a kid’s room. Pair it with bright accent colors for a cheerful space.
Does Comfort Gray brighten up a dark room?
Somewhat. With a 54 LRV, Comfort Gray does reflect decent light. But lighter paint colors like Sherwin Williams Pure White will brighten spaces more than Comfort Gray.
