When selecting a soothing, versatile green paint color, popular picks from Sherwin-Williams include Topsail SW 6217 and Sea Salt SW 6204. Both are sophisticated greens that work beautifully throughout homes. But what exactly sets these two similar shades apart?
In this article, we’ll thoroughly compare Topsail and Sea Salt. We’ll analyze undertones, light reflectance, real life photos, and best room usages. Read on to determine which green is the right fit for your home’s interior design needs.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Topsail and Sea Salt
Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Topsail and Sea Salt:
- Undertones – Topsail is grayer, Sea Salt is greener
- Light Reflectance – Topsail has an LRV of 75, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
- Use – Topsail for modern spaces, Sea Salt for diverse rooms
- Rooms – Topsail excels in bright rooms, Sea Salt fits any room
- Availability – Both come in all finishes
Now let’s explore Topsail and Sea Salt more thoroughly.
Sherwin-Williams Topsail SW 6217
Sherwin-Williams Topsail SW 6217 is a stunning gray-green with widespread appeal across interior design styles. This tranquil color works well in homes both modern and traditional.
Here are some details about versatile Topsail:
- LRV: 75
- Undertones: Green-gray
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color
- Pairs Well With: Grays, blues, tans
With its perfectly balanced green-gray undertone, Topsail reads as a gorgeous neutral green suitable for diverse spaces. The 75 light reflectance strikes a nice balance of adequate illumination and color richness.
Topsail has just enough gray influence to feel sophisticated without appearing drab or dull. Its adaptable nature allows it to complement varied aesthetics and palettes. Use it anywhere you want a relaxing hint of green.
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 is a tranquil medium-toned green with widespread appeal. This sophisticated color works beautifully across design styles.
Here are some details about Sea Salt:
- LRV: 63
- Undertones: Green-gray
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color
- Pairs Well With: Grays, blues, tans
With its perfectly balanced green-gray undertone, Sea Salt reads as a versatile neutral green for diverse spaces. The 63 light reflectance strikes a nice balance of illumination and color depth.
Sea Salt has just enough gray influence to feel sophisticated without appearing dull or olive-toned. Its adaptable nature allows it to complement varied aesthetics and palettes.
Thanks to its flexibility, Sea Salt is suitable for any room in homes of different styles. Use it anywhere desiring a tranquil green backdrop.
Comparing Topsail vs Sea Salt
Now that we’ve examined Topsail and Sea Salt independently, let’s compare them directly:
Light Reflectance
Sea Salt has a slightly higher LRV of 63 compared to Topsail’s 75 LRV. However, they are quite close in illumination abilities.
Undertones
Here is where the main difference lies. Topsail has more gray undertones, while Sea Salt leans slightly greener.
Topsail’s grayness gives it a more refined, sophisticated vibe. Sea Salt feels a bit more relaxing and laidback.
Rooms
With its prevalent gray undertone, Topsail excels alongside brighter spaces with cool color schemes.
Sea Salt’s very slight green dominance makes it more flexible as an overall home neutral green.
Availability
Topsail and Sea Salt are both available in any Sherwin-Williams paint finish from flat to high gloss.
Topsail vs Sea Salt Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of how Topsail and Sea Salt compare:
| Paint Color | Topsail SW 6217 | Sea Salt SW 6204 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 75 | 63 |
| Undertones | Green-gray | Green-gray |
| Use | Bright modern rooms | Diverse styles |
| Sheens | All sheens | All sheens |
| Style | Contemporary, modern | Casual, eclectic |
Real Life Photos – Topsail vs Sea Salt
Let’s look at real life spaces painted in Topsail and Sea Salt to better see how they compare in actual room environments.
Topsail SW 6217
Sea Salt SW 6204
The photos showcase how Topsail typically appears a bit brighter and cooler thanks to its dominant gray undertones, compared to Sea Salt’s more relaxed green-gray essence. However, depending on light they can often look quite similar.
Should I Choose Topsail or Sea Salt?
So how do you decide between Sherwin-Williams’ Topsail vs Sea Salt for your space? Here are some helpful considerations:
Consider Topsail SW 6217 if you want:
- A sophisticated green-gray with dominant gray undertones
- A brighter backdrop for modern spaces
- A relaxing but not too bold green
- A versatile neutral suitable for diverse rooms
Consider Sea Salt SW 6204 if you want:
- A green-gray with slightly more green influence
- Sherwin-Williams’ most popular sophisticated green
- A laidback earthy green suitable for whole home
- Maximum color flexibility across styles
As always, get paint samples before deciding. View large swatches on walls in your actual lighting and with your decor. This gives you the best sense of which green you prefer before finalizing your choice.
While Topsail excels in modern spaces, Sea Salt’s slight greenness offers greater flexibility across diverse aesthetics.
Ideal Room Pairings
While Topsail and Sea Salt work well throughout homes, here are some rooms best suited to their individual traits:
Topsail SW 6217
This sophisticated green-gray excels in brighter rooms. Perfect Topsail spaces include:
- Sunny living rooms and kitchens
- Bright, airy bedrooms and bathrooms
- Laundry rooms and mudrooms
- Dining rooms and foyers
Sea Salt SW 6204
This flexible green-gray looks beautiful anywhere as an all-over color. Ideal Sea Salt rooms include:
- Living rooms, bedrooms, offices
- Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms
- Dining rooms, entryways, halls
- Moldings, ceilings, cabinets
Use light-reflecting Topsail in your modern bright spaces. Let adaptable Sea Salt work in any room desiring a hint of green.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
On their own, Topsail and Sea Salt create peaceful backdrops. Paired with other colors and textures you can design beautiful, engaging spaces:
Topsail SW 6217 Ideas
- Light green dining room with brass accents
- Cool gray-green bedroom with linen sheets
- Pale green open shelves against charcoal accent wall
- Glossy teal green front door against gray-green exterior
Sea Salt SW 6204 Ideas
- Soothing gray-green shiplap fireplace wall
- Light green kitchen island contrasting crisp white cabinets
- Blue accent wall against relaxing gray-green living room
- Sea Salt exterior siding with white trim
Color Pairings for Both
- Crisp whites, soft blues, warm naturals
- Black and white graphic prints and patterns
- Earth tone accent colors
- Aged bronze, brass, gold finishes
Keep walls green to let accent colors truly pop. Easily change accents seasonally for fresh new looks.
Topsail vs Sea Salt – Which is Best For You?
So what’s better for your home – bright Topsail or flexible Sea Salt? The right choice depends on your goals:
Pick Topsail SW 6217 if you want:
- A sophisticated green-gray with dominant cool grays
- A relaxing but not too bold green
- A brighter backdrop for modern spaces
- Mainly flexibility across contemporary styles
Choose Sea Salt SW 6204 if you want:
- A green-gray with slightly more natural greenness
- Sherwin-Williams’ most popular sophisticated green
- Maximum adaptability across diverse aesthetics
- A laidback earthy green suitable for whole home
Get large in-home paint samples before deciding. While Sea Salt works in any design style, Topsail excels in brighter modern spaces seeking soft subtle sophistication.
Choose the green paint color that best complements your existing design, furniture, and interior style. Both create gorgeous, versatile backdrops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to decide between Topsail and Sea Salt? Here are some commonly asked questions:
Does Topsail lean blue or yellow?
Topsail SW 6217 is considered a blue-green due to its dominant gray undertones, which give it a more sophisticated refined essence.
What undertone does Sea Salt have?
Sea Salt SW 6204 is a green-gray, meaning it has both green and gray tones that create an adaptable relaxed neutral green.
Which green would work better in a north-facing room?
Topsail’s cooler blue-gray influence and lower 75 LRV help brighten and amplify light in darker north-facing rooms without appearing drab.
Can you use Sea Salt in a bedroom?
Yes, Sea Salt is suitable for bedrooms thanks to its relaxing green-gray essence. Use it on walls or as an accent feature wall or ceiling color.
What finish should I use for Topsail cabinets?
For added durability, use a semi-gloss or high gloss finish Topsail on kitchen cabinets. This adds nice dimension against neighboring flat wall paint.
