Silver Strand vs Sea Salt: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect cool-toned gray paint color, two popular Sherwin Williams options are Silver Strand SW 7057 and Sea Salt SW 6204. At first glance they appear quite similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Silver Strand and Sea Salt in depth, comparing undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and room pairings. Read on to determine whether airy Silver Strand or breezy Sea Salt is the best cool gray paint color for your home.

Key Differences Between Silver Strand and Sea Salt

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Silver Strand and Sea Salt:

Undertones – Silver Strand is a bluish gray, Sea Salt is a grayish blue-green
Light Reflectance – Silver Strand has an LRV of 59, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
Use – Silver Strand for airy tranquil spaces, Sea Salt for refreshing aquatic rooms
Rooms – Silver Strand ideal for bedrooms, Sea Salt perfect for bathrooms

Now let’s explore Silver Strand and Sea Salt more closely.

Sherwin Williams Silver Strand SW 7057

Real Sherwin Williams Silver Strand — Image Credit: @the_willow_teahouse

With its light blue-gray appearance, Silver Strand SW 7057 creates an airy, soothing backdrop. This refined gray is a perfect neutral that works anywhere.

Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Silver Strand:

LRV: 59
Undertones: Blue-gray
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, especially bedrooms
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Silver Strand is a very pale blue-gray, resembling a sun-bleached cloud. In most lights it appears as a soft neutral gray. But its faint blue influence comes through occasionally, giving it more interest than basic grays.

With a 59 light reflectance value, Silver Strand provides outstanding brightness and illumination. The barely detectable blue-gray tones keep it feeling light and airy.

Silver Strand works beautifully as an ethereal, whole home gray. It also 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 Silver Strand to make rooms feel softly illuminated and tranquil. Its barely-there blue influence 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, inviting backdrop. This breezy aqua 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 Silver Strand vs. Sea Salt

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

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 59, Silver Strand reflects much more light than Sea Salt at 63 LRV. Silver Strand will make spaces feel brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction. Silver Strand skews more to a blue-gray, while Sea Salt is decidedly aqua-green biased.

Silver Strand’s blue-gray tone feels airy and tranquil. Sea Salt’s blue-green tint provides a refreshing, watery feel.

Use

Silver Strand works well for serene spaces seeking soft, bright illumination. Sea Salt’s refreshing aqua tone is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms.

Paint Finish

Both Silver Strand and Sea Salt come in any sheen from matte to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful, soothing finishes.

Silver Strand vs. Sea Salt Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Silver Strand and Sea Salt compare:

Paint Color	Silver Strand SW 7057	Sea Salt SW 6204
LRV	59	63
Undertones	Blue-gray	Blue-green with gray
Use	Tranquil, airy rooms	Refreshing aquatic spaces
Sheen	Any finish	Any finish
Style	Soft, peaceful	Breezy, watery

Real Photos: Silver Strand vs Sea Salt

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Silver Strand and Sea Salt:

Silver Strand

Sea Salt

As shown, Silver Strand comes across as a cooler, more subtle neutral while Sea Salt reads as bolder and more aqua-toned. But their appearance varies greatly by lighting.

Should I Choose Silver Strand or Sea Salt?

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

Consider Silver Strand if you want:

A very light muted blue-gray
An airy, tranquil ambiance
A softly illuminated neutral
Restful bedrooms

Consider Sea Salt if you want:

A refreshing blue-green-gray tone
A breezy, watercolor feel
Inviting for bathrooms and kitchens
A little more color than basic gray

As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. Lighting impacts these chameleon-like colors.

Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, peaceful cool-toned backdrop.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Silver Strand and Sea Salt:

Silver Strand SW 7057

Airy bedrooms
Tranquil living rooms
Relaxed dining rooms
Bright offices
Serene spa bathrooms

Sea Salt SW 6204

Coastal bathrooms
Breezy bedrooms
Watery kitchens
Relaxed dens
Boathouse spaces

While flexible enough for any space, cool Silver Strand excels in bedrooms and Sea Salt shines in baths and kitchens.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Silver Strand and Sea Salt create soothing backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Silver Strand Color Pairings

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

Sea Salt Color Pairings

Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
Sherwin Williams Loyal Blue (navy blue)
Sherwin Williams Oceanside (blue-green)
White subways tiles

Varying tones and textures provides nice contrast against these cool backdrops.

Silver Strand vs Sea Salt: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which cool-toned gray paint color works best in your home – airy Silver Strand or aquatic Sea Salt? Consider the following:

Choose Silver Strand if you want:

A very subtle blue-gray neutral
An airy, peaceful ambiance
Restful bedrooms or living rooms

Choose Sea Salt if you want:

A refreshing light blue-green-gray
Inviting bathrooms and kitchens
A watercolor feel with more color

While similar, Silver Strand generally offers more subtle tranquility, while Sea Salt provides bolder aquatic freshness. Test them in your lighting before deciding! Either one makes a gorgeous cool-toned backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to choose between Silver Strand vs Sea Salt? Here are some helpful answers:

Does Silver Strand have purple undertones?

No, Silver Strand does not contain purple. It is a very pale blue-gray without strong undertones. In certain lights it can take on a very subtle lavender 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 Silver Strand in a nursery?

Yes, Silver Strand is a perfect nursery color! Its airy soft blue-gray tone is peaceful and relaxing for a baby’s room. Add colorful accents and furnishings.