Easy Neutral Paint Choice: Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist is one of the most popular neutral paint colors for homeowners who want a soft, airy backdrop without committing to a greige or stark white paint color.
While many paint trends are shifting toward darker greens and moody colors, Drift of Mist SW 9166 remains a timeless choice thanks to its versatility, subtle undertones, and ability to work beautifully throughout an entire home.
Read on for a complete Drift of Mist review, including color comparisons, coordinating colors, and real-home ideas for incorporating this neutral paint color into your home.
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Choosing paint color shouldn’t feel this hard.
If you’ve ever painted a room and thought, well… that looked better on the swatch, grab my free guide. I’ll show you the simple trick for spotting undertones before you paint.
What Color Is Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist?
One reason Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist remains so popular is that it strikes a balance between gray, beige, and white. It feels soft without looking sterile and bright without feeling stark.
Drift of Mist is an excellent whole-house paint color that allows furnishings, artwork, and architectural details to take center stage. It works especially well in open-concept homes where you want consistent color flow from room to room.
Drift of Mist is also an especially good choice for:
- Smaller rooms
- Hallways
- Homes with limited natural light
What are Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist undertones?
Although Drift of Mist paint color is technically a warm gray, it has subtle violet-gray undertones which might unexpectedly show up throughout the day depending on your lighting conditions. In bright natural light it often appears soft and airy, while north-facing rooms may reveal more of those cool purple undertones.
If you're worried about that undertone, do yourself a favor and head over to Samplize for their affordable peel-and-stick samples of SW Drift of Mist. Testing paint samples in the space you plan to use it in will save you a big headache later in terms of paint mistakes and repainting expenses.
Looking to test paint colors but don't want to paint? Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples from all major paint brands delivered to your door so you can put them up on the wall with no mess.
What is the LRV of SW Drift of Mist?
Understanding Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is an important part of choosing paint colors.
LRV measures how much light a paint color reflects on a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more light the color reflects. Whites are in the highest LRV range of 70-96 (with an LRV of 96, High Reflective White is Sherwin-Williams' brightest white), so whites reflect rather than absorb the most light. In contrast, Tricorn Black SW 6258 has an LRV of just under 3.
With an LRV of approximately 69, Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist falls into the light paint color category and reflects a significant amount of light. Drift of Mist paint is a great choice for helping rooms feel brighter, larger, and more spacious.
Drift of Mist Vs Other Neutral Paint Colors
Drift of Mist vs Agreeable Gray
SW Agreeable Gray is one of Sherwin Williams most popular greige colors.
Compared to Drift of Mist paint, Agreeable Gray has stronger beige undertones, making it feel warmer and cozier. It's also noticeably darker and has more depth on the wall.
Choose Drift of Mist if you prefer:
- A lighter look
- A cleaner gray appearance
- Less visible warmth
- A brighter overall feel
Choose Agreeable Gray if you want:
- More warmth
- More contrast
- Greater depth in bright rooms
Drift of Mist vs Gossamer Veil
Gossamer Veil SW 9165 is a tad darker and warmer than Drift of Mist due to a slight green undertone.
While both colors work beautifully as whole-house paint colors, Gossamer Veil has subtle greige and green influences that make it feel warmer and softer.
If you love a true neutral gray, Drift of Mist may be the better choice. If you prefer a warmer greige appearance, Gossamer Veil is worth considering.
Drift of Mist vs Repose Gray
Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams is another beautiful greige neutral that is cooler than Agreeable Gray or Gossamer Veil, but still warmer than Drift of Mist. Repose Gray paint is noticeably darker making it a better option if you're concerned about your walls looking washed out in bright natural light.
You May Also Like
Rooms With Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist Color Palette
Drift of Mist by Sherwin Williams has a soft, misty appearance that helps spaces feel inviting, serene, and timeless rather than stark or institutional. Feast your eyes on these inspiring interior and exterior Drift of Mist paint examples in real homes.
Drift of Mist living rooms
Walls painted with Drift of Mist don't look at all dreary in these relaxed contemporary living room examples. In the room below, multiple shades of subdued gray work together to create a light and airy feel while remaining warm and inviting.
Barely-there Drift of Mist walls are a perfect backdrop for a stunning stone fireplace in this modern farmhouse designed by A la Maison Home and Lifestyle.
Drift of Mist built-ins with a white oak countertop allow the shelf decor to shine. The soft neutral background doesn't appear too bright or stark.
Psssst… Get the secret to styling beautiful shelves in my post How to Decorate Shelves and Bookcases in 3 Easy Steps.
Drift of Mist kitchens
Drift of Mist on kitchen cabinets is an incredibly versatile choice which gives you room to play with the other design elements and make the space your own.
I love the different textures and how the design choices tie together (notice the subway tile, plank flooring, and shiplap light box all reflect the same long lines). By Kadilak Homes.
Have I said that Drift of Mist is easy to work with? Here it steps aside for the beautiful natural wood elements in this kitchen. It provides beautiful balance and keeps the deeper wood tones from overwhelming the room.
Drift of Mist walls
This next gallery of photos illustrates how SW 9166 Drift of Mist can look bright and beautiful throughout the home - foyer, hallways, bedroom, bathrooms. The possibilities are limitless, too, in terms of what other colors you can pair it with. It's absolutely a timeless and classic backdrop choice.
Drift of Mist Sherwin Williams exterior
A light tranquil gray like Drift of Mist is always smart exterior choice because it looks fresh and clean alongside shutters, trim, and roofing materials.
Drift of Mist Coordinating Colors
One of the reasons Drift of Mist is so versatile is that it pairs beautifully with a wide variety of colors and finishes.
For trim and cabinetry, consider:
For contrast and depth, pair Drift of Mist with:
- Perle Noir SW 9154
- Polished Concrete SW 9167
Drift of Mist also works exceptionally well with white oak, warm wood tones, natural stone, black accents, brass finishes, and soft blue-gray colors.
Final Thoughts on Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist
If you're searching for a light neutral paint color that feels timeless, bright, and easy to decorate around, Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist deserves a spot on your shortlist.
And if you're trying to create a cohesive paint plan throughout your home, be sure to read my guide on Easy Steps to Create a Whole House Color Palette, where I'll walk you through the process of choosing colors that flow beautifully from room to room.
P.S. There's no better way to create a cohesive feel than with color, but in order to avoid mistakes and get an updated look you've got to understand color like a designer.
Inside my online course, Color Made Clear, I will teach you exactly what you need to know about selecting colors for your home in everything from paint colors, to flooring and carpet, to fabrics so you can make confident color decisions and get the exact look and feel you're going for. - Even if there are finishes in your home you can't change, I'll show you how to use color to distract from them for an updated look!
