Aquarium
Often used for its versatile qualities, Aquarium remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 10 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#3AA9AE
LRV
32.46
Aquarium's Color Strip
Aquarium is the fifth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Mariner and Gulfstream. The strip spans from Swimming at the lightest end to Maxi Teal at the deepest. As part of strip 164, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Aquarium in Real Rooms
Aquarium has a medium LRV of 32.46 — it adds real depth and will read noticeably darker as natural light fades. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Blue family, the photos below show it applied in a home office, front door, bedroom, dining room, bathroom, house, kitchen, mudroom, living room and patio.
1 Home Office Photo
In a multi-use room where an office corner is required, Aquarium can be used to "zone" the desk area. By painting just that section, you create a visual boundary that separates your professional life from your personal space.
Sherwin-Williams Aquarium in a moody home office
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1 Front Door Photo
There's a psychological sense of "arrival" when you step up to a door painted in Aquarium. It feels solid, grounded, and permanent, giving both residents and guests a sense of stability as they cross the threshold.
cottagecore front door featuring Aquarium by Sherwin-Williams
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1 Bedroom Photo
The bedroom is where Aquarium really earns its place as a sanctuary. Away from direct sunlight, the color settles into a rich, cocooning tone that actively promotes rest and psychological slowing. Pair it with crisp white bedding and warm-toned wood nightstands to keep the overall palette from feeling too heavy or closed-in.
A traditional bedroom painted in Aquarium
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1 Dining Room Photo
Dining rooms benefit from colors with some weight to them — lighter shades can feel too open for a space meant for intimate evening gatherings. Aquarium does what good dining room color should: it makes the table feel like the center of the world.
Aquarium paint in a traditional dining room
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1 Bathroom Photo
Small bathrooms amplify whatever color is on the wall, which makes the choice more consequential than it first appears. Aquarium has enough depth to register without closing the room in, and it plays well with white subway tile or warm wood accents.
Aquarium — wabi-sabi bathroom
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1 House Photo
When choosing Aquarium for an exterior, you are opting for a color that respects the landscape. It feels like it grew out of the earth rather than being dropped onto it, creating a harmonious relationship between the architecture and the garden.
Aquarium color — traditional house inspiration
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1 Kitchen Photo
Using Aquarium in the kitchen allows the architectural details—like open shelving or a custom range hood—to stand out. It creates a soft-focus background that makes even a simple stack of white plates look like a deliberate design choice.
Aquarium — classy kitchen
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1 Mudroom Photo
Aquarium is the perfect partner for durable flooring like slate, brick, or terracotta. It picks up the earthy tones in these materials, creating a mudroom that feels cohesive, rugged, and ready for whatever the weather brings in.
Aquarium paint in a tiny mudroom
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1 Living Room Photo
Aquarium provides a subtle architectural "lift" to a living room, especially those with high ceilings or intricate crown molding. The way shadows settle into the corners with this particular shade adds a layer of history and gravity to the space, making even a new build feel like it has stories to tell.
A industrial living room painted in Aquarium
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1 Patio Photo
The way Aquarium interacts with fire—whether from a fire pit or outdoor torches—is magical. It catches the orange glow and creates a warm, flickering atmosphere that is perfect for late-night outdoor entertaining.
industrial patio featuring Aquarium by Sherwin-Williams
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Expert Perspectives
In-depth articles and real-home features from across our network of home and design sites.
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 32 vs 4, Aquarium is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 32 and 32, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 32 and 30, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Aquarium reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 26), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 6-point LRV gap (39 vs 32) makes Reflecting Pool the marginally brighter of the two.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 76 vs 32, Mauve Tinge is decisively the brighter choice.
Studio Mauve reflects far more light (LRV 50 vs 32), opening up a space where Aquarium encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (35 vs 32) makes Truly Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
Aquarium reflects far more light (LRV 32 vs 5), opening up a space where Bitter Chocolate encloses it.
At LRV 57 vs 32, Vaguely Mauve is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (32 vs 27) makes Aquarium the marginally brighter of the two.
Lighter Colors
Slick Blue reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 32), opening up a space where Aquarium encloses it.
With LRVs of 32 and 30, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.