Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 Complete Review

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Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams is a stunningly gorgeous greenish-blue paint color. It inspires tranquility while feeling warm and welcoming.

The paint color I’m reviewing today is the one the only Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt paint can swatch

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WHAT COLOR IS SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT SW 6204

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 is categorized as a green paint color.

This is a shade of green that is unique and quite special because it has some blue in it.

Sherwin Williams describes it as,

This cool, muted green with blue undertones makes every day feel like a relaxing beach day. Set it off nicely with white trim
Sherwin Williams

This is certainly not the lightest paint color, nor is it the darkest. Overall, It has a good amount of depth to it, allowing it to hold its own.

There is a softness to Sea Salt that gives it a very calming feel.

It’s also relatively on the muted side, though don’t let that make you think it’s a dull paint color. Sea Salt does not lack personality or charisma. This stunning paint color will liven up any space.

Regarding this being a non-neutral color, I’d have to say it’s versatile.

Sea Salt is not a vibrant and fully saturated color, yet it still has color,

The versatility comes from some gray it has in it. The gray tones down the vibrancy of the green and blue this color has.

Keep in mind that depending on the lighting and the other elements in a room, Sea Salt has the potential to look either more blue or green. You may see it look bluer in a room with tons of natural light, whereas in a room with less natural light, it may show its green side.

LRV, HUE FAMILY & COLOR COLLECTIONS

LRV 63
HUE FAMILY: Blue
COLOR COLLECTIONS: Living Well (Recharge), Pottery Barn Teen (Fall/Winter)

Sea Salt has an LRV of 63.

Now that number means nothing unless you are familiar with what LRV is.

LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measurement typically used by design professionals. It measures the amount of light reflected from and absorbed by a surface. LRVs range from 0 -100, with 100 being pure white and 0 being absolute black.

A fantastic article to read to learn more about LRV is Light Reflectance Value: What Do Those Numbers Mean?

It is not the highest LRV, but it’s pretty much smack in the middle of the scale. You can expect it not to reflect the most light, but it certainly won’t be absorbing a ton, either.

Sea Salt is from the blue-green hue family. I like to share this information because it lets you know the roots of a color, which can give you a better understanding of the color. It’s particularly useful with near-neutral paint colors, but it is still a valuable piece of knowledge when looking at any color.

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IS SEA SALT A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

SW Sea Salt is a cool-toned paint color.

This is pretty much defined by what’s happening around the color. For example, lighting in a north-facing room with cool light will enhance the cool tones of Sea Salt.

When determining whether a color is warm or cool in tone, I find comparing it to a paint color you are familiar with helps tremendously.

INTERESTED IN MORE WARM PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT!

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES SEA SALT HAVE?

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt has blue undertones. It also has a bit of gray in it,

Paint colors can show different colors depending on the lighting and elements in the space.

For example, Sea Salt in a room that has a ton of natural light will not look the same as it would in a room with no windows.

It’s a good thing to keep in mind that undertones and the colors you see a paint color present are strictly reliant on what’s going on around them—for example, lighting, decor color, and fixed elements.

Undertones are subjective and not the same for everyone. This is something that nearly isn’t conveyed enough, and it’s why I push sampling paint colors so much.

If you are curious about what undertones Sea Salt will present, whether it is green or blue, you need to grab a paint sample and test it in your home. It’s the best way to get a clear representation of how the paint color will look.

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DOES SW SEA SALT LOOK BLUE?

Not all the time, but it has the potential to look blue in certain lighting and fixed elements.

Sea Salt is categorized as a green paint color, but it has a bit of a green-blue feel to it.

If you want a paint color that looks a bit more on the blue side, check out SW Reflection.

SEA SALT, LIGHTING & CARDINAL DIRECTIONS

Let’s talk about lighting, cardinal directions, and how they are major players in how a Sea Salt will look in a home.

The lighting in your space will affect how your paint color looks. There’s no denying it. Is it the only factor? No, but it’s kind of a big deal.

That said, being aware of the lighting in your home and in which direction your rooms sit will ultimately assist with your paint color selection.

The Cardinal directions are North, South, East, and West.

For reference, here is a cheat sheet of light appearing in different directions.

NORTH-FACING ROOMS – Light in North-facing rooms comes off cooler and somewhat bluish. Lighter colors will appear more muted or grayed down, while bolder colors will show up, or appear sounder.

SOUTH-FACING ROOMS – In South-facing rooms, there tends to be a consistently bright light throughout the day. Warm and cool tones work with south-facing light, This light intensifies colors, so darker colors will seem a bit brighter while softer colors will appear to look like they are gleaming.

EAST-FACING ROOMS – East-facing rooms have the brightest light in the mornings, with a yellow-orange tone. If an east-facing room will be used mainly in the evenings, going with a warm palette will help balance the lack of natural light.

WEST-FACING ROOMS – Early evening is when West-facing rooms have the most favorable light. Warmer tones might seem overwhelming because of the red-orange the light gives off. However, if the main use for the room is in the mornings, the colors won’t appear as strong as they would in the evening.

Warm light will enhance the green tones in SW Sea Salt. Meanwhile, cooler light will make the blue tones more apparent.

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WHAT ARE THE BEST LIGHT BULBS TO USE?

Just as natural light affects paint colors, so does artificial lighting.

The color of the light bulbs you use will influence how a room’s paint color looks. Unfortunately, this is an important detail that is often overlooked.

With the variety of light bulbs available, it can become overwhelmingly confusing. I mean, what is really soft white and bright white?

Thankfully, it becomes easier once you know a little bit about light bulbs.

For reference, light color or light appearance is measured on the Kelvin (K)temperature scale. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more yellow light; the higher the Kelvin number, the whiter or bluer light.

Remember, lower Kelvin (K) numbers = yellow light, Higher Kelvin (K) numbers = white/blueish light

I always recommend using this type of light bulb.

Be cautious of the light bulb names such as “daylight” or warm light.” I’d advise against picking a light bulb by its name.

Instead, always check the package for actual facts. This allows you to choose the best bulb for you.

Don’t forget, as much as lighting plays a significant part in how a paint color will look at times. There are other determinants to be aware of. For instance, decor, furniture, fixtures, cabinetry, and floors. These are all elements that can affect and/or influence the way a paint color will look in your room.

HOW CAN I SAMPLE SEA SALT?

Not sampling paint colors is one of the biggest painting mistakes you can make!

I have said this time and time again: If you skip it, you risk having a paint color fail to look the way you hoped it would. This is not only disappointing but costly!

This is why I always say sample those paint colors!

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These peel & stick paint samples are super affordable and allow you to test a paint color in all different areas of a room without the mess of a traditional paint sample!

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WHAT IS THE BEST TRIM COLOR FOR SEA SALT?

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt looks the best with a bright white trim. Yes, white is the most popular color option when it comes to trim, but it looks particularly amazing with white trim.

You may already be aware of the fact that not all white paint colors are created equally. For example, there are cool and warm-toned whites.

The tones of white colors can sometimes throw you off, so for that reason, I want to share what white works best with Sea Salt.

Extra White SW
Pure White SW

You can also go the monochromatic route by using different sheens /finishes.

Paint the walls and trim the same color but in different finishes to add some dimension. For example, paint a flat or matte finish on the walls and a semi-gloss on the trim.

SW Snowbound is another fantastic white paint color that can be used.

WHERE TO USE SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT

When I’m asked questions about if it’s okay to use a color in a certain space, I’ll ask two questions.

Did you sample the paint color in that particular space?
Do you love how the color looks?

Simple as that. It is best not to overthink it. Coming from a notorious over-thinker, this is saying a lot.

If you liked how the sample of Sea Salt looked in your bedroom, go for it. Don’t worry about popular colors or what your favorite influencer is using. It’s your home, and you need to live in it.

That being said, I want to share a few examples of how SW Sea Salt looks in some real-life spaces.

BATHROOM

The bathroom is the ideal place to use SW Sea Salt. It has such a calming feel that it makes your bathroom feel like your very own personal spa.

Marias A_lovely_living on Instagram painted the paneling in her bathroom with Sea Salt. She paired it with gorgeous wallpaper, and the result is beautiful.

Sea Salt painted bead board in Bathroom — via A_lovely_living

Sea Salt Bathroom walls — via interiorcues

Mariana interiorcues on Instagram also used Sea Salt in the bathroom.

The color complements all the elements of the bathroom beautifully.

Here, you can also see how SW Sea Salt can look a bit on the blue side.

Learn more about Mariana’s design services, Interior Cues

BEDROOM

If you are looking to add a sense of calm and tranquility to your bedroom, then Sea Salt is the color for you.

Michele slymdy on Instagram painted her walls with this soft, soothing paint color. Doesn’t it make you want to take a nap?

LIVING ROOM

Lindsey Kandbdesigner on Instagram painted her living room walls using SW Sea Salt.

This is a color that lends itself perfectly to the coastal decor style.

Learn more about Lindsey’s design services Lindsey Markel

CABINETS

thefaithfilledbuild painted her laundry room cabinets in Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.

This subtle green makes the cabinets pop, but not in an over-the-top way.

This color gives them such an elegant look.

Sea Salt Cabinets in Laundry room — via thefaithfilledbuild

IS SEA SALT A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Yes, I think Sea Salt is a lovely exterior paint color as long as you know what you are getting.

Paint colors that are on an exterior will always look lighter and brighter in direct sunlight. So when you use light paint colors on an exterior, they can sometimes look a bit washed out.

Sea Salt is a light-ish color that will look lighter in the sun.

Painted Sea Salt and retreat Exterior — via simoninhomedesigns

Don’t think I’m saying it will look bad because that’s the case at all. You can see in the picture that Sea Salt is used on the bottom half of this Florida home. It looks absolutely stunning. However, it translates differently when it’s outdoors.

Overall, if you are thinking about it as your exterior color, make sure you sample the color on the exterior. This way, you know exactly what you are getting.

LOOKING FOR MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT:

WHAT IS THE BENJAMIN MOORE EQUIVALENT TO SEA SALT?

If you are looking for an exact Benjamin Moore dupe for Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, I hate to break it to you, but you won’t find one.

In my experience, I haven’t encountered any paint colors that are precisely the same. Some are very, very similar, but never exactly the same.

I did find a Benjamin Moore color that is similar to Sea Salt according to the scientific color data,

BM 1569 NIGHT MIST
LRV 63.05
A pale gray-green.

BM Night Mist has a bit more gray to it.

GET A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF NIGHT MIST

WHAT ABOUT COLOR MATCHING?

I know what you are thinking, can’t I just color-match with Benjamin Moore’s paint? Yes, you can, but proceed with caution.

Paint manufacturers use different formulas to create their paint colors, so if you try to color match, the colors won’t precisely match. If you are feeling courageous enough to try it, I firmly suggest getting a small sample to start off with. It’s better to make sure you like the color before you move forward.

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COORDINATING COLORS

What colors go with Sherwin Williams Sea Salt?

This is a common question regarding any paint color. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to find colors that work well together.

One of the easiest ways to find coordinate colors is to look at the color wheel. Colors that are directly opposite one another are complementary colors.

In this case, the opposite of green is red.

A color wheel is a convenient tool for creating color palettes.

That being said, I have a few colors I think Sea Salt looks lovely with.

RETREAT
PURE WHITE
GRAND CANAL
HOMBURG GRAY
ALABASTER
INNOCENCE
DRIFT OF MIST

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COLOR COMPARISONS

Let’s have some fun, shall we?

Comparing colors is helpful when choosing a paint color, and it’s also fun to see the similarities and differences between popular paint colors.

SEA SALT VS SILVER STRAND

TRY A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF SILVER STRAND

Sherwin Williams Silver Stand has an LRV of 59, a bit lower than SS’s 63
Silver Stand is the darker color of the two
Sea Salt has more color or chroma to it, Silver Strand is more grayed own
Both are green colors, Silver Strand being a bit more of a cool Gray Green

SW SEA SALT VS RAINWASHED

TRY A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF RAINWASHED

Rainwashed has an LRV of 59, a tad lower than SS’s 63
SW Rainwashed is the lighter paint color
Sea Salt is less saturated or colorful
Rainwashed is also a cool paint color

SEA SALT VS BM QUIET MOMENTS

TRY A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF QUIET MOMENTS

BM Quiet Moments has an LRV of 60.73, which is lower than SS’s 63
Quiet Moments is darker
BM Quiet Moments has a little less saturation or color in it.

SEA SALT VS BM BEACH GLASS

TRY A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF BEACH GLASS

Benjamin Moore Beach Glass has an LRV of 49.7, lower than SS’s 63
Sea Salt is the lighter paint color
Beach Glass has a bit more blue to it
Sea Salt is less gray and a bit higher in saturation.

READ MORE: BENJAMIN MOORE BEACH GLASS REVIEW

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RECAP

That was a boatload of information I just shared. So, to keep your mind fresh, here’s a quick recap of the review of Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.

LRV 63
HUE FAMILY: Green
COLOR COLLECTIONS: Living Well (Recharge), Pottery Barn Teen (Fall/Winter)
It’s a cool-toned green
there are blue and gray undertones in it
It has the potential to look a bit blue in specific lighting
a great paint color for creating a relaxing vibe, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms
the best way to sample it is using SAMPLIZE PEEL& STICK PAINT SAMPLES
looks stunning with way trim
can easily coordinate with many other colors

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FINAL THOUGHTS

All I have to say is Sherwin Williams killed it with this one. Sea Salt is such a fabulous color. I love everything about it.

This is the perfect shade of green if you want something soft and soothing yet warm and welcoming. SIt is all of it. The feel of this color makes you feel calm and relaxed.

This is the perfect paint color to use if you are going for a coastal decor vibe or if you just want a color that isn’t too bold or overbearing.

This one gets my stamp of approval and is worthy of a sample.

TRY A SAMPLIZE SAMPLE OF SEA SALT

Are you planning on tackling a painting project on your own? Use these tips to help you paint your room like a pro.

Do you want to paint like a pro?

Get the painting tools the pros use.

Drop cloths are a must for any painting project. Paint is messy! Save yourself the hassle of unnecessary cleanup by using drop cloths. You’ll be happy you did.

A high-quality paint brush will go a long way. The same goes for paint rollers. You want to use tools that will work with you, making your painting job more manageable.

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