Hovering between Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige? We understand your dilemma because you are not alone. Their perfect greige – excuse the pun – shade is popular with interior designers, but their similarities make it difficult to choose one.
So, what is the difference between the two paint colors? SW Mega Greige is warmer and deeper-toned than SW Perfect Greige. Besides, Mega Greige is more of a neutral paint color than Perfect Greige. Additionally, Mega Greige presents as taupe, while Perfect Greige presents as gray.
But do not take our word for it; various aspects of the colors further differentiate them. But before we discuss them, let’s show you when it is ideal to use either paint color.
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When to Use Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige
If you are torn between Mega Greige and Perfect Griege, knowing when to use each may go a long way in helping you decide. To get you on that path, check the following to learn when to use which greige paint color.
Use SW Mega Greige if:
- You want a warm taupe paint color
- Gray is not the exact color you are looking for
- You do not mind a little pink-violet in your neutral paint color
Use Perfect Greige if:
- Gray with deep red undertones is your style
- You like a mid-tone gray is the perfect shade for you
- You prefer gray instead of greige
Some experts say that Mega Greige presents deep red undertones like Perfect Greige. Others say both paint colors have a hint of green in certain lighting, and a few insist that they are both taupe paint colors instead of greige or gray, despite their names, because of their undertones.
According to the brand, Mega Greige is a warm greige, while Perfect Greige is a creamy mid-tone gray. In other words, Mega Greige is a shade between beige and gray and Perfect Greige is simply a solid gray.
Whichever you choose to use based on your specific needs, we recommend that you note the dominant shades. These shades are the undertones, and they determine how the paint colors appear when dry. They will also determine how they blend with other colors and elements.
Comparing Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige: A Visual Showcase
Ideally, colors used in different settings can sway your decisions or guide you on the right path. What are paint colors without real-life pictures to showcase them? And that is what we want to present in this section.
This is Mega Greige used in an entryway:
And this is Perfect Greige used with various elements:
Although Perfect Greige is highlighted by clear lighting, it is still not as warm as Mega Greige, used under artificial lighting. In the pictures above, Perfect Greige looks slightly cool instead of warm. That is not to say that it is a cool color. It only goes to show that one is warmer than the other.
If you want to keep your decor warm and inviting, use either paint color but keep their undertones in mind. But if you want a deeper gray with more obvious warmth, Mega Greige is your best bet. For a gray paint color with mid-tone hues, try Perfect Greige.
Quick Comparison: Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige
As mentioned, various aspects of these paint colors make them unique. The same applies to every paint color. Since colors all have a bit of red, green, and blue in them, as well as other colors, they tend to change their hues and appearance, especially with lighting. So, we created a chart to break these details down.
| Mega Greige | Perfect Greige | |
| RGB | 173, 162, 149 | 183, 171, 159 |
| LRV | 37 | 42 |
| Undertones | Green/violet | Deep red/pink |
| HEX Value | #ADA295 | #B7AB9F |
Emotional Effects: Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige
Mega Greige and Perfect Ggreige both produce a cozy and inviting feeling due to their warmth. If you are not crazy about cold grays or greiges, try one of these paint colors and instantly create a haven where you can relax.
Nothing beats having a personal space that helps you unwind, especially after a long day of stress. You do not want it to feel too impersonal or crisp; there should be some personality and character.
But note that Mega Greige may produce more of that warm feeling than Perfect Greige. Moreover, it throws back more light, and as a result, is brighter than Perfect Greige. Nevertheless, Perfect Greige shows more color, consequently drawing more attention.
It is not every day you see a gray or greige paint color with deep red hues, although it is not always visible. But these undertones give it a warm feeling that wraps around you most of the time.
LRV of Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige: Which Reflects More Light?
Wondering what LRV means? It simply means light reflectance value and refers to the amount of light a color can reflect (or absorb). Pure black usually has an LRV of 0, while pure white has an LRV of 100. Other colors fall within this range.
To give you a better perspective and understanding, no paint color is pure black or pure white. There are hues from colors that they comprise coming through them to lower their LRVs. So, paint colors usually fall within the range of 2.5 to 94. The higher the value, the more light the paint color can reflect.
SW Mega Greige has an LRV of 37. This is below the middle point of 50, which means the paint color is relatively dark. It absorbs more light than it reflects, so you may want to use it with lots of lighting. This applies to natural and artificial.
SW Perfect Greige has an LRV of 42. While this value is higher than that of Mega Greige and easily translates to its ability to reflect more light, it is still not a very bright paint color. As with Mega Greige, consider using it where there is a lot of light.
The Undertones of Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige: Are They the Same?
SW Mega Greige has very subtle undertones. They are difficult to pick up, which makes the paint color more neutral than Perfect Greige. However, in certain lighting, it may show some green or violet undertones. This may also have something to do with the surrounding colors.
On the other hand, SW Perfect has obvious undertones of deep red or pink, depending on your perception. It is more of a ‘colorful’ greige than Mega Greige which looks steely. Although this is the brighter paint color of the two, it may not appear so when used in some rooms.
Picking Up on the Undertones of Mega Greige
We want to show you an example of what Mega Greige looks like with its subtle undertones. So, take a look at this picture where the paint color looks opaque, without obvious undertones.
Picking Up on the Undertones of Perfect Greige
On the flip side, our next picture shows Perfect Greige with obvious undertones. This is a perfect example to explain its deep red/pink undertones.
Mega Greige still looks warm but does not display any undertones. But this is subject to the viewer, as some may see a hint of violet towards the end without light exposure.
The same is not true about Perfect Greige as it readily displays its undertones, although the room is not brightly lit. You can say that Mega Greige looks more taupe than Perfect Greige if we go by their undertones or appearance.
Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige: Are They Warm or Cool?
SW Mega Greige and SW Perfect Greige are both warm and cool paint colors, and this has everything to do with their undertones. Because of the infusion of more red color, which is a warm color, than green and blue, which are cool colors, they lean more toward warm than cool. You can determine this by looking at their red, green, and blue (RGB) values.
However, Mega Greige is slightly warmer than Perfect Greige. This may have something to do with the creamy texture of Perfect Greige that gives it a lighter depth. Mega Greige has more depth than Perfect Greige and appears darker. This may contribute to its deeper warmth.
Both paint colors are suitable for rooms without direct sunlight or that are typically cool. They are also ideal for warm color schemes. But avoid using them in the same room because of how similar they are. Besides, their undertones may clash.
Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige: Complementary Colors
If you want to get the best from these mid-tone greige paint colors, we recommend finding the best colors with which to complement them. What are the best colors that complement Mega Greige and Perfect Greige? Let’s find out!
Because they are pretty similar in shade, RGB, and LRV, they have almost the same complementary color. The closest shade is Sherwin Williams Aleutian SW 6241, a denim-like blue paint color that evokes feelings of calmness at dusk. You can also try Benjamin Moore’s New Hope Gray 2130-50 or Behr’s River Valley 580F-4.
Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige Color Palette
Since these paint colors are relatively neutral, they are versatile and accommodating of many other colors. This includes off-whites, light grays, and light beiges. You may also want to add bold and saturated colors to spice up your decor
Color Palette for SW Mega Greige
Mega Greige is the deeper and warmer of the two paint colors. So, try a muted off-white, light beige, and light gray with a bit of green undertone.
- Accessible Beige SW 7036: It is a warm beige with a slightly gray undertone that spices up Mega Greige to a warmer tone
- Less Brown SW 6040: Like a charm, its muted shade makes Mega Grige look brighter than it is
- Aesthetic White SW 7035: This is a cool white that displays some violet undertones for versatility
Color Palette for SW Perfect Greige
This is also a warm paint color, but slightly less warm than Mega Greige. You can play it safe and use a monochromatic color palette or be bold and add other colors. Some of them include Origami White, Aleutian, and Emerging Taupe.
- Origami White SW 7636: A cool white that blends well with the cool side of Perfect Greige and complements its pink undertones
- Aleutian SW 6241: A cool blue that keeps Perfect Greige from looking too warm and provides a bit of color
- Emerging Taupe SW 6045: This is a mid-tone taupe with red undertones that perfectly matches Perfect Greige
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige on Cabinets
Greige, like beige or gray, is ideal for cabinets and trims. In some cases, it may work better than the other options because it is a perfect balance between them. Let’s look at Mega Greige and Perfect Greige on cabinets.
SW Mega Greige on Cabinets
We like how Mega Greige changes color with different lighting and shadows. This kitchen with Mega Greige cabinets is proof of that.
SW Perfect Greige on Cabinets
You can also appreciate the beauty of Perfect Greige when used on cabinets. This is especially applicable to its deep red undertones. Let’s take a look.
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige on Exterior Walls
Mega Greige and Perfect Greige look awesome on exterior walls if you are a fan of muted exterior paint colors. They look stately with a reserved elegance that makes the homes stand out.
SW Mega Greige on Exterior Walls
The next picture is what Mega Greige looks like on exterior walls. It is such an earthy tone that blends with everything around it without looking dull.
SW Perfect Greige on Exterior Walls
Although the day looks overcast, Perfect Greige still looks amazing on the exterior of this house. The peaks are painted with SW Popular gray, while the trims are SW Spalding Gray.
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige on Interior Walls
A beautiful greige paint color can take the place of beige or gray without sacrificing beauty. The following are true representations of Mega Greige and Perfect Greige on interior walls.
SW Mega Greige on Interior Walls
If you plan to use Mega Greige inside your house, we advise that you use it with lots of light. It can appear darker than usual otherwise.
SW Perfect Greige on Interior Walls
You may not have to worry about this paint color becoming too dark with low light. But natural light helps to expose its beauty.
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige in Muted Lighting
Lighting is vital to how you see colors, regardless of how bright they are. Because Mega Greige and Perfect Greige have LRVs lower than the middle point, let’s see how they perform in muted lighting conditions.
SW Mega Greige in Muted Lighting
The paint color looks dark and reveals a little green in this next picture. The white wainscoting and doors help brighten it but not much.
SW Perfect Greige in Muted Lighting
Perfect Greige looks a little yellow and extremely warm in this entryway decor. This is because of the muted but warm sunlight, although there are shadows.
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige vs Perfect Greige in Bright Artificial Lights
Paint colors tend to appear a little different under artificial and natural lights. Check out these next pictures to get an idea of how these greiges will appear under bright artificial lighting.
SW Mega Greige Under Bright Artificial Lighting
You would be amazed at how this color changes with artificial lights. It looks brighter and less warm than it should be.
SW Perfect Greige Under Bright Artificial Lighting
On the flip side, Perfect Greige appears to be the warmer color, revealing a bit of green/yellow under this bright light.
Lighting Conditions
Lighting is one of the factors to consider when picking any paint color. This is especially true if the paint color does not reveal any undertones. If you pick based on that, the lighting conditions can reveal subtle undertones that clash with the rest of the decor.
As we have proved with some of the pictures above, paint colors also become darker or brighter in certain lighting. Keep this in mind, as well as the room’s exposure, when picking between Mega Greige and Perfect Greige.
Conclusion
We have unpacked as much about Sherwin Williams Mega Greige and Perfect Greige as there is to know. This includes the LRVs, RGB codes, and their undertones. You will also find which color is warmer of the two since they are both warm colors.
More importantly, pick colors that complement and pair well with them to create striking decor. You do not want clashing hues due to lighting conditions, room exposure, or hidden undertones when the paint dries.
Our recommendations are to guide you as you make an informed decision along this path. But do not hesitate to reach us with your paint color questions so you can have fun painting. Chat with us in the comments section.
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