Are you tired of using common neutral colors for your space? Greige and gray paint colors remain popular in homes. This can sometimes make one lean more towards something less popular but sophisticated and colorful. Let me tell you about Rainstorm.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm is several things in one, and boring isn’t one of them. Thanks to its tones and unique look, you can’t miss the paint color in any space. But what attributes does this paint color have? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Join me as I explore the paint color in this Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Paint Color Review. We’ll check out its LRV, undertones, and color pairings, among others. Similar colors that could work for space? This review has it. Do you want real-life pictures of the paint color in use? Say no more.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
When to Choose Sherwin Williams Rainstorm (SW 6230)
After looking at several pictures and working with this paint color, I’ve got good news. You can now understand the right time to choose Sherwin Williams Rainstorm. Simply follow these tips, and you can always know when the paint color can come into play.
Want a deep lenient blue?
Although Sherwin Williams Rainstorm falls under the Blue Color Family, the paint color doesn’t keep to this tone strictly. This makes it more lenient than other deep blue colors like Naval. Since it has other tones in it, Rainstorm can tolerate more colors.
Comfortable with some green?
Rainstorm has strong green undertones that anyone can easily spot. Therefore, try another paint color if you don’t want obvious green tones in your space.
Aiming for a beachy or spa vibe?
The paint color fits well into beachy and spa palettes. Its blue and green tones can pass for teal, making it a valid paint color for relevant decor.
Do you have adequate lighting?
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm doesn’t do well in dark spaces. Only use this paint color in well-lit spaces. This way, you will enjoy its colorful tones.
What Color is Sherwin Williams Rainstorm?
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm is a deep blend of blue and green. Although most folks call it a blue paint color, Rainstorm has noticeable green tones that make it appear teal sometimes. Also, the paint color has some gray that adds to its depth.
It brings a serene and confident feel to any space, making it suitable for almost any space in your home. The green tones in the paint color fall on the warm side. This and its gray undertones give it a subtle cozy vibe.
When it comes to color depth, Rainstorm has got you covered. The paint color works in both interior and exterior spaces, including on walls and woodwork.
Despite its name, Rainstorm is colorful and more cheerful than one would expect.
Snapshot of Rainstorm’s Specifications
Let’s take a look at Rainstorm’s specifications. These core attributes are responsible for the paint color’s appearance and properties.
| Specifications | Rainstorm |
| RGB | 36 / 70 / 83 |
| HEX Value | #244653 |
| LRV | 5 |
| Undertones | Strong green and slate gray |
The LRV of Sherwin Williams Rainstorm
You should always check the LRV of any paint color you want to use because it’s an important property. However, what does this term mean?
LRV means Light Reflectance Value which refers to how strongly a paint color reflects light. Light Reflectance Value runs on a scale of 0 – 100. 0 indicates true black, which reflects zero light, while 100 indicates true white, which fully reflects light.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm has an LRV of 5. This puts it on the dark side of the LRV scale. With a value that close to zero, Rainstorm reflects little light and absorbs lots. This makes it unsuitable for dark spaces. Using it in such areas can give a gloomy vibe.
However, Rainstorm’s cheerful and colorful vibes make it a little more tolerant of less light for a color with such a value. Regardless, the paint color looks best in well-lit spaces.
Undertones of Rainstorm (SW 6230)
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm has mainly slate gray undertones. However, the paint color can show green sometimes. The reason is that Rainstorm is more of a blue-green blend than blue with gray undertones.
Spaces with cool lighting or lots of access to morning sunlight, Rainstorm will look strongly blue. This is because the color blue generally reads cool. However, the paint color has other tones to prevent it from looking icy or overwhelming.
On the other hand, warm lighting, like incandescent bulbs, can make it lean a bit into green and gray. The reason is that Rainstorm’s green falls on the warm side of the color wheel. Spaces like these make the color appear a little cozy. Some homeowners find this relaxing and welcoming.
Is Rainstorm Blue or Green?
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm is a blend of blue and green tones. However, the paint color has stronger blue tones. Therefore, it looks blue with a constant touch of green. While its blue tones read cool, its green tones fall on the warm side of the wheel.
What number is Rainstorm?
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm has the number SW 6230.
Will Rainstorm Look Green on Walls?
Depending on the lighting and color pairings, Sherwin Williams Rainstorm can lean into green a bit more than usual. However, you’ll still be able to see its blue.
Warm lights bring out more of its green tones.
Is Rainstorm a Warm or Cool Color?
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm reads cool, thanks to its blue tones. It is important to note that the paint color still leans to the cool side despite its warm green tones. Also, the paint color’s LRV helps it maintain its look and vibe in any area.
This doesn’t mean that lighting doesn’t affect its look. As I mentioned earlier, warm lights strengthen Rainstorm’s gray and green tones. This is why the paint color can look slightly cozy in such spaces.
On the other hand, cool lights will make it lean more into blue.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Color Strip: Lighter or Darker Exploration
Rainstorm’s color strip consists of members that fall into the Blue Color family. Colors in the same strip form a family because of their similar properties. However, they differ in attributes like LRVs and, sometimes, undertones.
More often than not, you can always pair members of the same color strips together for a monochromatic palette.
These are the members of Rainstorm’s color strip:
- Sherwin Williams Sleepy Blue (SW 6225)
- Sherwin Williams Languid Blue (SW 6226)
- Sherwin Williams Meditative (SW 6227)
- Sherwin Williams Whirlpool (SW 9135)
- Sherwin Williams Refuge (SW 6228)
- Sherwin Williams Tempe Star (SW 6229)
Rainstorm is the 7th and darkest member of this color strip.
Rainstorm’s Complementary Color
Complementary colors help your main color look better when paired with it. They give the best contrast with your color. As such, knowing the complementary color for your color of choice is important. So, how do you find your color’s complement?
Simply check the hue opposite your color on the wheel. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered for this one.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm’s complementary color is SW French Roast SW 6069.
Sherwin Williams French Roast (SW 6069)
French Roast is a deep shade of brown with an LRV of 4. This paint color has a dark red undertone that gives it an enticing vibe. It literally brings ‘the heat’ to any interior or exterior space.
It belongs to the Red Color Family and has a heartwarming vibe. However, the paint color doesn’t do well in dim spaces. If you want a brown with some extra energy and warmth, consider Sherwin Williams French Roast.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm (SW 6230) Coordinating Colors
As their name implies, coordinating colors team up with your main color for a better effect. Experts have highlighted up to five types of color coordination due to their importance in decor. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Analogous Color Coordination: This coordination gives a soft, gradient effect. You create it by picking colors sitting side-by-side on the color wheel. In most cases, picking a dominant color and two accents works best.
- Triadic Color Coordination: You get this color scheme by selecting three colors whose positions form a triangle on the color wheel. Triadic color schemes look lively and vibrant.
- Complementary Color Coordination: Select colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel for this color scheme. It has the strongest contrast effect of all the schemes and draws attention.
- Split Complementary Color Coordination: This scheme is more flexible as a variant of the complementary color scheme. You create it by picking a complement and the two other colors beside it on the wheel.
- Monochromatic Color Coordination: Go for this scheme if you want the cleanest, harmonious vibe. It consists of different shades or tints of the same color.
The following paint colors coordinate best with Sherwin Williams Rainstorm:
- Sherwin Williams Mountain Air (SW 6224): This bright paint color blends green and blue for a calm, pleasing vibe. It has an LRV of 73 and can bring the energy of summer into any space you use it.
- Sherwin Williams Fleur de Sel (SW 7666): Fleur de Sel is a cool off-white with hints of green undertones. The coastal paint color has an LRV of 72 and gives dreamy vibes in most spaces. While it works well in interior and exterior spaces, Fleur de Sel works best in interior areas.
- Sherwin Williams Frosted Emerald (SW 9035): This mid-toned, saturated green looks brilliant and beautiful. Frosted Emerald has a minty and refreshing look that looks perfect for bathrooms. However, you can also use it in other parts of your home.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Color Palette
Rainstorm has good versatility and fits into several palettes. You can always try it out with other colors in different ways. The following palettes are some of many that you can use.
Analogous Color Palette
- Sherwin Williams In The Navy (SW 9178): This deep blue exudes a cool sense of mystery and confidence. In The Navy has an LRV of 4 which makes it better off in well-lit areas. The paint color pairs nicely with Rainstorm’s blue tones.
- Sherwin Williams Hunt Club (SW 6468): Hunt Club is a deep green with hints of blue undertones. The paint color has a tranquil vibe that makes you feel closer to nature. With an LRV of 6, you will enjoy this paint color more in spaces with abundant lighting.
Triadic Color Palette
- Sherwin Williams Greenfield (SW 6439): As its name implies, Greenfield has a shade of green associated with vegetation, specifically dill leaves. The brilliant green has an LRV of 15 and some gray tones. It’s significantly brighter than Rainstorm and pairs nicely with all of its tones.
- Sherwin Williams Matured Grape (SW 6286): This vibrant shade of purple has a sweet look thanks to its ruby undertones. Matured Grape has an LRV of 7 and a cozy, colorful vibe. It works well in interior and exterior spaces.
Monochromatic Color Palette
- Sherwin Williams Georgian Bay (SW 6509): Georgian Bay has a laid-back vibe that makes it amazing in summer-style settings. The cool, tranquil blue performs best in bedrooms and bathrooms. However, you can also use it in exterior spaces.
- Sherwin Williams Secure Blue (SW 6508): Secure Blue brings some extra soothing vibe to this palette. It has an LRV of 22 and works wonders in multiple spaces. You should use this paint color on walls and the darker members of the palette on woodwork.
- Sherwin Williams Bluebird Feather (SW 9062): This paint color comes in as a much brighter alternative to Secure Blue. However, you can pair them together regardless. It has an LRV of 31 and does well in both well-lit and dim spaces.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm vs. Similar Paint Colors
Moscow Midnight vs. Rainstorm
You can easily mistake these paint color for each other with how much they look similar. Both paint colors have blue and green tones, giving almost the same vibes in any space. They also have the same LRV. You can enjoy both paint colors in exterior and interior spaces.
However, Moscow Midnight has stronger green tones. On the other hand, Rainstorm has stronger blue and gray tones.
Really Teal vs. Rainstorm
Sherwin Williams Really Teal is a deep blue shade with strong teal undertones. No one really uses it for its blue tones because the paint color performs best as teal. It fits perfectly into palettes that have beachy vibes.
Salty Dog vs. Rainstorm
While Rainstorm has a mix of blue and green tones, Sherwin Williams Saltly Dog has only blue tones. Yeah, you can detect some gray, but the paint color brings strong blue tones with lots of personality to any space.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Benjamin Moore Equivalent
Sometimes Sherwin Williams Rainstorm might not be available around you. This is alternatives come in handy. Paint brands generally have similar paint products, with some bearing the same name or look.
In this case, Benjamin Moore has a paint product called Rainstorm. However, it looks nothing like Sherwin Williams Rainstorm. While SW Rainstorm looks blue with strong green undertones, BM Rainstorm is a mid-toned gray with mild blue undertones.
If you’re looking for a Benjamin Moore paint color that comes close to SW Rainstorm, check out Benjamin Moore Teal. This paint color is also a nice blend of blue and green but has a higher LRV and stronger green tones.
Note that Benjamin Moore Teal looks more like Sherwin Williams Moscow Midnight than Rainstorm.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Exterior
Rainstorm looks amazing on exterior walls, especially when paired with white. It sets an excellent sense of taste.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Living Room
Whether you choose to use it on an accent wall or multiple walls in the living room, Rainstorms can give splendid results. The paint color benefits greatly from the abundant light and space.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Cabinets
Rainstorm doesn’t only work well on walls, the paint color also looks fabulous on cabinets. As the pictures show below, the lovely blue gives an exquisite vibe on these pieces of furniture.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Doors
Wondering how well the paint color looks on doors? Sherwin Williams Rainstorm works well on doors too. You can get the best results by using it on the doors and using white on the walls.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Bathrooms
Whether you use it on bathroom walls or cabinets, Sherwin Williams Rainstorm will look amazing.
However, note that you should provide abundant lighting in the space to get the best from it. An excellent idea is to pair the paint color with a bright white like Fleur de Sel.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Furniture
Rainstorm’s blue tones look perfect with the natural color of polished wood. This is why most people don’t paint the whole furniture. They leave some parts to get that lovely overall look.
Sherwin Williams Rainstorm Bedroom
Rainstorm adds some sense of calm and stability to bedrooms when used there. However, you should pay attention to the other colors in the space for the best results.
Conclusion
Give your space a bold, colorful, and serene look with Sherwin Williams Rainstorm. The paint color has a lot to offer despite its low LRV of 5. The paint color opens up your options since it works well on walls and furniture.
Let’s quickly recap Sherwin Williams Rainstorm:
- It’s a dark blue paint color with green and slate gray undertones.
- Rainstorm has a strong depth of color and but doesn’t feel overwhelming in spacious areas.
- The paint color reads cool in any space, regardless of lighting and color pairings.
- Rainstorm works well for spa vibes and beach-inspired decor.
If you have any questions about this paint color or another, feel free to drop them in the comments section.
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