Ever tried to select the perfect gray paint color and are torn between shades? We’ve all been there because grays are the most popular neutrals, and finding the right one is becoming similar to finding a needle in a haystack. But that can end if you try Sherwin Williams Passive SW 7064.
This paint color is ideal for a cool color scheme. And I love it because the color doesn’t show the usual blandness or lack of color that grays do. Passive has some depth because of its undertones.
But don’t take my word for it; let me show you everything about this paint color. It may have that elusive attribute you want in your gray paint color of choice.
Table of Contents
When to Choose Sherwin Williams Passive
One of the first decisions you must make about any paint color is when to choose it above others. This is especially applicable if there are colors similar to it. Why should you choose Passive instead of other grays like it? Here are some pointers.
Looking for a cool neutral?
Passive is a gray paint color with cool undertones. This makes it the perfect central color to tie everything together in your cool color scheme. In other words, it matches almost every color with the same tone.
Bedroom needs a do-over?
This paint color is one of the best options for a cool and calming bedroom. You will get a fresh vibe, especially if paired with white or dark gray with cool tones.
Want a soft color for your bathroom?
Another room where Passive works exceptionally well is in the bathroom. Like the bedroom, this color creates a refreshing and fresh vibe for the perfect relaxation spot.
Is white not your ideal color?
If you find that white is not exactly the color you are looking for, Passive can stand in for it. The paint color is light enough to perform as an off-white but doesn’t sacrifice color.
Now, how you use this color is up to you. Get creative and devise ways to make Passive look better in your decor than you envision. But before you do that, I’ve got some other things to show you about this paint color.
What Color Is Passive?
The general explanation for passive is laid-back and dormant. And that may be your first thought when you see this light gray paint color. However, when in use, it is anything but passive. It sparks an interest because of the surprising depth it reveals.
Passive SW 7064 is a light gray paint color with cool undertones. Some call it gray-blue paint color, and you can see why when viewing the color. Whatever you call it, Passive is a relaxing color that works great in any room.
A Snapshot of Sherwin Williams Passive Specifications
Here, I use a chart to reveal the specific details of Passive to help you see what makes up the color. You’ll want to know about the LRV and undertones, and understand how they work.
| Sherwin Williams Passive | |
| RGB | 203, 204, 201 |
| LRV | 60 |
| Undertone | Blue |
| HEX Code | #CBCCC9 |
Sherwin Williams Passive: Understanding the LRV
Every paint color has an LRV, which means the light reflectance value. It refers to how much light the color can reflect on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the value, the brighter the color is. And the lower the value, the darker the color is.
However, paint colors don’t have absolutes. In other words, there are no pure blacks or whites. So, the LRV scale is usually 2.5 to 94. This gives you an idea of how bright or muted any color of choice is.
SW Passive has an LRV of 60. While this value is only just above the middle point of 50, it is high enough to reflect a good amount of light for a gray paint color. When used in a room with a lot of light, Passive looks amazing.
Sherwin Williams Passive: Examining the Undertones
The undertones of any paint color are one of the most crucial aspects, including Sherwin Williams Passive. They can completely transform the color beyond your imagination, although some have only minimal undertones.
Passive has cool blue undertones. These undertones give a surprising depth to the usually light gray paint color. But despite this depth, Passive still looks neutral in many rooms. Check it out in this empty room with wood tones.
And here is the same color with clear blue undertones that make it look cool. Surprisingly, the wood beams do nothing to change the hue.
How Much Does Lighting Affect It?
The lighting in a room, whether natural or artificial, is another crucial aspect of using paint colors. Looking at the pictures above, you can see that the difference is the lighting. One has only minimal natural lighting, while the other has a lot of natural lighting.
This next picture shows a room that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight. It may be a west-facing or east-facing room, getting rays of sunshine in the morning or late afternoon. Check out how Passive appears on the wall.
It doesn’t look so bright, does it? There is a bit more gray than blue in it. But here is another room with more direct sunlight, and Passive appears lighter than usual.
How About Artificial Lighting?
There are different colors of artificial lighting, but the most common in homes are yellow and white. These colors can significantly transform how Passive appears in a room, especially with vibrant colors. Here is an example of how much yellow artificial light can change the color.
It doesn’t look much like the gray paint color, right? Now, see how Passive appears under bright white artificial lighting.
How Does SW Passive Feel in a Room?
Passive is a cool color that brings a certain freshness and calmness into a room. If you need to relax and unwind, this paint should be on your shortlist. Despite its capacity to change with different lighting, it never stops being a great paint color.
Sherwin Williams Passive: Warm or Cool?
Passive is a cool color because of its blue undertones. Blue is typically a cool color, as is gray, but there are warm grays. However, this paint color is cool without being icy. Its light shade doesn’t remove its depth or performance, and it is ideal for cool color schemes.
Sherwin Williams Passive Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration
You may find that Passive is not the exact shade of gray your decor needs. And if that is the case, you may feel stuck trying to find the perfect alternative. Not to worry because I’ve picked similar colors from light to dark for easy reference.
- Sherwin Williams Nebulous White SW 7063
- Sherwin Williams Passive SW 7064
- Sherwin Williams Argos SW 7065
- Sherwin Williams Gray Matters SW 7066
- Sherwin Williams Tin Lizzie SW 9163
Sherwin Williams Passive Complementary Colors
Some colors work better in specific spaces than others, but every color benefits by getting paired with complementary colors in a palette.
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel and typically cancel each other to create a grayscale color. Examples include red and green or blue and orange.
Sherwin Williams Passive is a gray color that has undertones of blue. So, the best color that complements it on the color wheel is a pretty pale shade of blue magenta. Close together, you can’t tell there’s a difference between them.
Sherwin Williams Minute Mauve SW 7078 comes close to this color. But Benjamin Moore’s Metro Gray 1459 is closer to the shade if you check the red, green, and blue (RGB) codes.
Sherwin Williams Passive Coordinating Colors
Like complementary colors, coordinating colors can make any color work if you know how to use them. But they have an upper hand over complementary colors because they can be any color as long as they blend harmoniously and flow seamlessly with each other in a color scheme.
So, what are the coordinating colors for SW Passive? There are several of them, but I’ve picked three: Green Onyx, Shell White, and Nebulous White.
- Sherwin Williams Green Onyx SW 9128: A medium to dark green with a yellow-gray undertone that brings an understated elegance to the decor.
- Sherwin Williams Shell White SW 8917: Go peachy with this warm white with slightly peach undertones for bringing some warmth when paired with the cool Passive.
- Sherwin Williams Nebulous White SW 7063: A cool white with blue undertones that blend well with the undertones of Passive.
Sherwin Williams Passive Color Palettes
You can create different color palettes. Just go with the flow of your creativity. However, I’ve picked three that usually set the ball rolling for other types of palettes.
Contrasting Color Palette
- Practical Beige SW 6100: This paint color is a deep beige and is on the other end of the spectrum from Passive. However, it can form a part of the color palette where Passive is the central hue.
- Snowbound SW 7004: A soft and bright white paint color with enough warmth to keep the decor cozy.
- Whirlpool SW 9135: A relatively deep shade of blue with enough gray undertones to match those of Passive.
Coordinating Color Palette
- Mindful Gray SW 7016: A medium gray paint color with enough depth to show the lightness of Passive when used together.
- Nebulous White SW 7063: This is a white paint color with cool blue undertones that are a perfect match for Passive.
- Rainwashed SW 6211: A bluish-green that adds softness to the decor, complementing what is already done by Passive.
Monochromatic Color Palette
- Argos SW 7065: Its blue undertones put it in the same league as Passive, and its depth makes it ideal in any decor as a neutral color.
- Gray Matter SW 7066: This is a darker shade of Passive, and its color throws the central hue into sharp relief.
- Cityscape SW 7067: A pretty dark shade of gray that can act as the wall color while passive plays the role of the trim color.
Sherwin Williams Passive vs Similar Colors
A few Sherwin-Williams paint colors look pretty similar to SW Passive. So, what makes them different? Let’s find out!
SW Nebulous White vs SW Passive
Nebulous White has the same cool blue undertones as Passive. But it has an LRV of 74, which takes it closer to white than light gray.
BM Sterling vs SW Passive
Benjamin Moore’s Sterling is a light gray with a hint of green and has a higher LRV of 62.33. So, while it may look so much like Passive, it is not the same.
SW Zircon vs SW Passive
These paint colors are close when it comes to LRV. Zircon has an LRV of 59, while Passive is 60. But Zircon is warm, while Passive is cool.
Benjamin Moore Paint Color Equivalent for SW Passive
There is no true Benjamin Moore equivalent paint color for SW Passive. No two colors are equivalent; they would lose their uniqueness if so.
However, Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray HC-170 is so much like Passive, especially with its blue undertones. BM Sterling 1591 is another color that is similar to SW Passive.
Where Can You Use Sherwin Williams Passive?
This paint color is versatile enough to fit many spaces. It looks great in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and even kitchens. But does it also look great on the exterior of a house? Let’s take a look.
Sherwin Williams Passive on the Exterior
When paired with white or black, Passive looks its best. This house exterior has its siding done in Passive and the rest in white.
What Trim Color Goes with SW Passive?
As cliche as it may sound, white is one of the best colors for trim. Black may also work for Passive, but ensure the undertones don’t clash. And if you use white, ensure it’s a cool white.
What Cabinet Color Goes with SW Passive Walls?
Because it can pull neutral in some settings, Passive accommodates different colors. However, you must pay attention to the undertones when picking the color of the cabinets. I would suggest a cool white because it’s safe.
Best Ceiling Color for SW Passive Walls
My first thought would be white because it goes with everything. However, Passive is pretty light and cool, so it can also work as a ceiling color. Alternatively, use another light gray, preferably lighter, for the ceiling if you want something different.
Sherwin Williams Passive on Exterior Bricks
Most people with brick houses don’t think about painting them. But you can transform the look and feel with a few coats of the right paint, such as Passive.
Sherwin William Passive on Kitchen Cabinets
You can change the somber or dark look in your kitchen with a touch of lightness and airiness using Passive. Check out this next picture.
Sherwin Williams Passive in Living Rooms
Keep the color scheme seamless and perfect by using the right backdrop. Gray will always be a favorite, but picking the right gray is essential. How about Passive, just like in this living room?
Sherwin Williams Passive in a Stairwell
Often neglected, stairwells should get as much attention as other parts of the house. This is especially true if it is one of the first things people see. Pair Passive with white to see how it looks.
Sherwin Williams Passive in Dining Areas
If you want that fresh and cool look in your dining area, try Passive. It is light yet not so much as to look washed out.
Sherwin Williams Passive in Bedrooms
Turn your bedroom into a haven with the right paint color. Passive is one neutral paint color to try so you can easily add other colors for a striking effect.
Sherwin Williams Passive in Bathrooms
White and gray pair well in bathrooms. If you are unsure of what will work, try Passive and add a cool white for a refreshing effect.
Sherwin Williams Passive in Foyers
If you want a calming color for your foyer, Passive may be a good place to start. It helps relax anyone coming into the house, especially after a long and hot day.
Best Trim Color for SW Passive Exterior
Again, white is your best shot for trim colors when you use Passive on the walls, whether inside or outside. However, black or dark gray also looks spectacular on exterior trims if the walls are done in SW Passive. This next picture is Passive with SW Iron Ore on the accents.
Conclusion
Sherwin Williams Passive is a light gray paint color with cool blue undertones. And because it’s a cool color, pairing it with other cool colors is best. Passive has an LRV of 60, and while this can reflect a good amount of light, the paint color works better in a well-lit room.
It doesn’t have to be direct sunlight. A good amount of light will suffice in any room. Remember that Passive shows some blue in many cases, but it can also read neutral in others. Therefore, use the right coordinating colors when creating a color palette.
Are you ready to dig into Passive? I’m rooting for you and can’t wait to see what you do with this color. Don’t hesitate to ask your questions. You can reach me in the comments section.
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