Sherwin Williams Reflection – Too Gray Or Too Blue?
Choosing the right paint color isn't always easy. Even when you know you want a specific shade, there are often dozens of similar options, so gaining knowledge and understanding the differences matter more than you think.
That's where I come in.
In this post, we're breaking down everything you need to know about Sherwin Williams Reflection (SW 7661) so you can confidently decide if it's the right gray blue paint color for your home.
Blue gray paint colors can act as a perfect neutral, transforming your space into a calm, elegant retreat. They come in a wide range of shades - from the brighter, more vibrant Krypton to the softer, more subtle North Star - making it easy find one that complements your existing decor or creates a whole new look.
Let's take a closer look at what makes Sherwin Williams Reflection special and whether it's the right fit for you.
In This Article:
Struggling To Choose Paint Colors That Actually Work Together?
Before you pick a color, make sure your space works the right way.
Grab my Function First Decorating Guide to learn the first (and most overlooked) step that makes picking colors so much easier.
What Color Is Sherwin Williams Reflection?
The name alone suggests a meditative, calm feel, and that's exactly the mood Reflection by Sherwin Williams captures. As a cool blue gray neutral, SW Reflection is in demand for bedrooms, bathrooms, or any area where relaxation is key.
Sherwin Williams Reflection Undertones Explained
Reflection Sherwin Williams undertones lean strongly into gray with a hint of blue. (In contrast Sherwin Williams 2024 color of the year, Upward, is a blue gray shade that is much more blue.)
LRV And How It Affects This Color
Understanding LRV is important. LRV means Light Reflective Value (on a scale of 1-100) and it impacts how you see color, both outside and indoors under natural and artificial light. The higher the LRV, the more likely the paint is to reflect light and pick up the colors around them.
With an LRV of 66, SW Reflection is a light paint color that reflects a good amount of light. This means it will feel brighter in well-lit rooms and can help smaller spaces feel more open and airy.
Is Sherwin Williams Reflection too blue or too gray?
This is one of the most common questions about SW Reflection - and the answer depends on lighting and surrounding finishes.
Reflection leans more gray than blue, but that subtle blue undertone becomes more noticeable in:
- Rooms with lots of natural light
- Spaces with cool-toned finishes
- Areas with white trim or cabinetry
In lower light or warmer environments, Sherwin Williams Reflection can read as a soft, clean gray.
👉 This is why sampling is so important - you want to see how it interacts with your space, not just photos online. Just click to get a peel and stick sample of SW Reflection - or any other paint color. It's that simple!
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.
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SW Reflection Vs Other Blue Gray Paint Colors
Let's compare Reflection with some of its "cool cousins" in the blue gray category: Passive, Misty, and North Star.
Reflection vs Passive
SW Passive 7064 and Reflection have more gray than blue and are on the lighter end of the gray blue scale. Besides blue undertones, Passive has hints of purple and green which make it more likely to change under certain lighting conditions. Passive can even look a little stormy, while Reflection is a more peaceful shade.
Reflection vs Misty
These two are similar, with SW Misty 6232 being a touch darker and leaning more heavily into gray than SW Reflection. Both colors are easy to work with and your choice really comes down to your interior design style and whole house color palette.
Reflection vs North Star
North Star by Sherwin Williams and SW Reflection 7661 are light shades and North Star definitely has more blue than Reflection. Both are great choices for a cool color palette, work in large or small rooms, and pair well with cool white trim colors like Sherwin Williams Pure White.
More great blue gray paint colors
Real Homes With Sherwin Williams Reflection
Reflection SW 7661 is best used indoors as it can wash out and lose its subtle hue when used as a primary exterior color in bright sunlight. Reflection really shines in bedrooms, bathrooms, and any room where you want to create a calm, soothing atmosphere.
The examples below will give you a better sense of how SW Reflection interacts with surrounding colors, lighting, and finishes. Let's pretend we're walking through a model home, starting with the entry and moving from room to room.
Entry with Sherwin Williams Reflection
Understanding undertones is key to choosing the right paint - they can be sneaky but make a big impact. This homeowner was surprised when Reflection's blue undertones became more noticeable in her entryway. Knowing how to easily identify undertones ahead of time can help you avoid surprises like this.
Reflection living room
In contrast, Sherwin Williams Reflection paint appears grayer in this living room by Cynthia at Darling Down South. She chose it for the living room, parlor and hallways because it felt true to their home's early 1900s character.
The trim around the windows and baseboards, painted Sherwin Williams Pure White, keeps the space feeling fresh and balanced.
Kitchen walls SW Reflection
Reflection on kitchen walls acts as a sophisticated neutral. In this bright white kitchen by Sherwin Williams (the only photo in this collection not from "real life" homes), it adds just enough depth without competing with cabinetry or finishes.
SW Reflection dining room
Brooke and Summer from Identical Living updated their dining room in just half a day with a $30 can of SW Reflection paint - and the transformation is a great example of how impactful paint can be.
The color is light enough to play well against the dark wood furniture and flooring, while still providing contrast against the white board and batten.
Bedrooms with Sherwin Williams Reflection Gray
If you think this striped wall nursery is Reflection gray paired with white stripes - surprise! SW Reflection is the lighter color and SW Cityscape is the deeper gray. (Wanna know how to paint perfect stripes on walls? I've got the easy tips on this post!)
In another bedroom, Sabine from Sabine's New House says her new favorite neutral is Reflection. Here it creates the perfect backdrop for architectural details and furnishings; the result feels timeless and elegant.
Bathrooms with Reflection Sherwin Williams
In this custom bathroom by Musser Home Builders, Reflection picks up the blue tones from the vanity and In contrast, in this hall bathroom refresh by A Lovely Living, the gray shade is more dominant - showing how much lighting and surrounding finishes influence the color.
Is SW Reflection A Good Whole House Color?
Sherwin Williams Reflection can work as a whole house color - but only if you’re committed to a cool color palette.
Because of its blue undertones, it pairs best with:
- cool whites
- gray flooring or tile
- cooler wood tones
If your home leans warm (beige, cream, warm wood), Reflection may feel slightly off.
Best Coordinating Colors Sherwin Williams Reflection
Reflection works best with crisp cool whites and slightly muted accent colors.
For trim, consider:
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- High Reflective White
- Ice Cube (for a softer, slightly blue-leaning white)
For contrast and depth, try:
- Dustblu SW 9161
- In the Navy SW 9178
Final Thoughts On Sherwin Williams Reflection SW 7661
If you’re looking for a soft, calming paint color that leans more gray than blue, Sherwin Williams Reflection is a beautiful option to consider. It offers just enough color to add interest while still acting as a versatile neutral.
Like any blue gray paint color, it can shift depending on your lighting, surrounding finishes, and overall color palette so sampling in your space is key to getting it right.
And remember, choosing the right paint color is just one piece of the puzzle. The real magic happens when all the colors in your home work together.
👉 If you want help creating a cohesive, pulled-together look from room to room, check out my guide on Easy Steps to Create a Whole House Color Palette. It will walk you through exactly how to choose colors that flow beautifully and feel intentional throughout your home.
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!
