Olympus White vs Repose Gray: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect neutral paint colors, it’s easy to get stuck comparing two versatile shades from Sherwin Williams. Popular choices Olympus White SW 6253 and Repose Gray SW 7015 appear similar at first glance. But what really differentiates these two beautiful, subtle neutrals?

In this guide, we’ll analyze Olympus White vs Repose Gray in-depth to help you determine the ideal neutral paints 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 Olympus White and Repose Gray

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

Undertones – Olympus White is a crisp white, Repose Gray is slightly warm
Light Reflectance – Olympus White has an LRV of 68, Repose Gray has an LRV of 58
Use – Olympus White suits modern styles, Repose Gray fits traditional decor
Rooms – Olympus White excels in bathrooms, Repose Gray shines in bedrooms
Availability – Both come in all sheens

Now let’s explore Olympus White and Repose Gray more thoroughly.

Sherwin Williams Olympus White SW 6253

With its clean, crisp white appearance, Sherwin Williams Olympus White SW 6253 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for contemporary styles. This versatile neutral works across modern spaces.

Here are some details about Olympus White:

LRV: 68
Undertones: Crisp white
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Bold colors, blacks, metallics

Olympus White is a bright, clean white without strong undertones. In all lighting it maintains its neutral, understated white appearance.

The 68 light reflectance value provides ideal illumination without being too stark. Olympus White gives an open, breathable feel.

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

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
Black and white patterns
Chrome and stainless steel accents

While suitable anywhere at home, Olympus White truly excels in these sleek, contemporary spaces:

Bathrooms
Kitchens
Living Rooms
Offices
Hallways

Olympus White’s crispness helps create a relaxing yet fresh backdrop, perfect for accentuating modern 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 Olympus White vs Repose Gray

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

Light Reflectance

Olympus White and Repose Gray have LRVs of 68 and 58 respectively. Olympus White will appear much brighter.

Undertones

Here’s where the main difference lies. Olympus White is a clean, crisp white while Repose Gray is a subtly warm neutral.

Use & Rooms

Olympus White’s brightness excels in bathrooms. Repose Gray’s soft warmth is perfect for bedrooms.

Availability

Both Olympus White and Repose Gray come in any sheen from matte to gloss.

Paint Color	Olympus White SW 6253	Repose Gray SW 7015
LRV	68	58
Undertones	Crisp white	Slightly warm
Use	Contemporary styles	Traditional decor
Finishes	All sheens	All sheens
Style	Modern	Traditional

Real-Life Photos: Olympus White vs Repose Gray

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

Sherwin Williams Olympus White

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

While they can work together, Olympus White generally appears much brighter and crisper than the subtle warm hue of Repose Gray. But lighting affects their look.

Should I Choose Olympus White or Repose Gray?

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

Choose Olympus White SW 6253 if you want:

A clean, crisp bright white
A versatile color suitable for modern styles
An airy, open feel for baths and kitchens
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 Olympus White and Repose Gray. Paint large test sections to view at different times of day. This gives you the best sense of how the colors read in your environment.

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

Ideal Room Pairings

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

Sherwin Williams Olympus White

Bathrooms
Kitchens
Living Rooms
Offices
Hallways

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Bedrooms
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Libraries

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

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

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

Olympus White SW 6253 Pairings

Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
Black and white patterns
Chrome and stainless steel accents

Repose Gray SW 7015 Pairings

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

Olympus White vs Repose Gray – Which is Better?

So which neutral paint color is better for your home – Olympus White or Repose Gray?

Consider Olympus White SW 6253 if you want:

A clean, crisp bright white
A versatile color suitable for modern styles
An airy, open feel for baths and kitchens
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 Olympus White offers bright modern crispness, Repose Gray provides subtle warm elegance.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What are the main differences between Olympus White and Repose Gray?

The main differences are their undertones and suitability for varied styles. Olympus White is a clean, bright white while Repose Gray is a warm, cozy neutral gray.