Copen Blue vs Sea Salt: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect soothing blue paint color, two popular Sherwin Williams options are Copen Blue SW 0068 and Sea Salt SW 6204. At first glance they appear quite similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Copen Blue and Sea Salt in depth, comparing undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and room pairings. Read on to determine whether airy Copen Blue or aquatic Sea Salt is the best relaxing blue paint color for your home.

Key Differences Between Copen Blue and Sea Salt

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Copen Blue and Sea Salt:

Undertones – Copen Blue is a light sky blue, Sea Salt is a blue-green gray
Light Reflectance – Copen Blue has an LRV of 59, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
Use – Copen Blue for ethereal spaces, Sea Salt for refreshing aquatic rooms
Rooms – Copen Blue ideal for bedrooms, Sea Salt perfect for bathrooms

Now let’s explore Copen Blue and Sea Salt more closely.

Sherwin Williams Copen Blue SW 0068

With its pale sky blue appearance, Copen Blue SW 0068 creates an airy, peaceful backdrop. This light blue gray has broad appeal.

Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Copen Blue:

LRV: 59
Undertones: Light sky blue
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, especially bedrooms
Pairings: Blues, grays, greens

Copen Blue is a very soft, muted sky blue. In most lights it appears as an airy, barely-there blue. But its faint sky blue influence comes through occasionally, giving it more interest than basic blues.

With a 59 light reflectance value, Copen Blue provides outstanding brightness and illumination. The subtly detectable sky blue keeps it feeling ethereal and peaceful.

Copen Blue works beautifully as a whole home blue with an adaptable nature. It pairs nicely with both cool and warm accents:

Sherwin Williams Pure White
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Natural wood tones

Use Copen Blue to make rooms feel softly illuminated and tranquil. Its faint sky blue excels in bedrooms and other living spaces.

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 Copen Blue vs. Sea Salt

Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Copen Blue and Sea Salt:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 59, Copen Blue reflects noticeably more light than Sea Salt at 63 LRV. Copen Blue will make spaces feel brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction. Copen Blue skews to a muted sky blue, while Sea Salt is decidedly aqua-green biased.

Copen Blue’s faint sky blue feels peaceful and ethereal. Sea Salt’s blue-green provides a refreshing, watery vibe.

Use

Copen Blue works well for airy, tranquil spaces seeking soft illumination. Sea Salt’s refreshing aqua tone is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

Paint Finish

Both Copen Blue and Sea Salt come in any sheen from matte to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful, casual finishes.

Copen Blue vs. Sea Salt Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Copen Blue and Sea Salt compare:

Paint Color	Copen Blue SW 0068	Sea Salt SW 6204
LRV	59	63
Undertones	Light sky blue	Blue-green with gray
Use	Ethereal, airy rooms	Refreshing aquatic spaces
Sheen	Any finish	Any finish
Style	Peaceful, tranquil	Breezy, watery

Real Photos: Copen Blue vs Sea Salt

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Copen Blue and Sea Salt:

Copen Blue

Sea Salt

As shown, Copen Blue comes across as a cooler, more peaceful sky blue while Sea Salt reads as greener and bolder with its aqua-green. But their appearance varies greatly by lighting.

Should I Choose Copen Blue or Sea Salt?

So how do you decide between Copen Blue vs Sea Salt for your home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider Copen Blue if you want:

A very soft, subtle sky blue
An ethereal, peaceful ambiance
Airy bedrooms or living rooms
A relaxing cool undertone

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 blue

As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. Lighting impacts these adaptable blues greatly.

Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, peaceful blue backdrop for any room.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Copen Blue and Sea Salt:

Copen Blue SW 0068

Peaceful bedrooms
Ethereal living rooms
Meditative home offices
Airy kitchens
Spa-like bathrooms

Sea Salt SW 6204

Coastal bathrooms
Breezy bedrooms
Refreshing kitchens
Boathouse spaces
Relaxed dens

While flexible enough for any space, Copen Blue excels in bedrooms and Sea Salt shines in aquatic rooms.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Copen Blue and Sea Salt create tranquil backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Copen Blue Color Pairings

Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (blue)
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (trim)
Light wood tones

Sea Salt Color Pairings

Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
Sherwin Williams Oceanside (blue-green)
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (blue)
White subway tiles

Varying tones and textures provides nice contrast against these soothing cool blue foundations.

Copen Blue vs Sea Salt: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which relaxing blue paint color works best in your home – airy Copen Blue or aquatic Sea Salt? Consider the following:

Choose Copen Blue if you want:

A very soft, subtle sky blue
An ethereal, peaceful ambiance
Ethereal bedrooms or living rooms

Choose Sea Salt if you want:

A refreshing blue-green-gray tone
Bathrooms, kitchens or bedrooms
A breezy, watercolor feel

While similar, Copen Blue generally offers more ethereal tranquility, while Sea Salt provides bolder aquatic freshness. Test them in your lighting before deciding! Either one makes a gorgeous soothing blue backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to choose between Copen Blue vs Sea Salt? Here are some helpful answers:

Does Copen Blue have purple undertones?

No, Copen Blue does not contain purple. It is a very soft sky blue without strong undertones. In some lighting it can take on a very subtle lavender-blue sheen.

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 Copen Blue in a bedroom?

Yes, Copen Blue is perfect for bedrooms! Its airy, ethereal sky blue tone provides a peaceful relaxing backdrop. Add warmth with furnishings and bedding.

Is Sea Salt suitable for a bathroom?

Definitely! With its refreshing aqua-gray vibe, Sea Salt makes an inviting backdrop for bathrooms. It feels uplifting yet relaxing. Pair with white fixtures for a spa-like look.