Before the Storm
Often used for its versatile qualities, Before the Storm 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 8 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#74777A
LRV
18.37
Before the Storm in Real Rooms
Before the Storm has a medium LRV of 18.37 — it adds real depth and will read noticeably darker as natural light fades. It's neutral in temperature, making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a living room, bathroom and misc.
4 Living Room Photos
Few colors transition as gracefully from day to evening as Before the Storm. In natural light, it reads clean, grounded, and modern; by candlelight or lamp, it deepens into something much more soulful. For a living room that needs to function as a bright morning coffee spot and a moody evening lounge, that tonal range is an invaluable asset.
Living room walls capture moody Before the Storm.
Sophisticated seating area painted Before the Storm.
Interior walls draped in dramatic Before the Storm.
Spacious room anchored by Before the Storm walls.
@swpaintpros
3 Bathroom Photos
Before the Storm is the perfect "clean" color for a bathroom that still wants to feel cozy. It lacks the clinical coldness of a pure white but retains a sense of hygiene and order that is essential for a space dedicated to self-care and grooming.
Vanity painted in calming Before the Storm gray.
Bathroom vanity finished in cool Before the Storm.
@sparrowandfern
Vanity cabinetry in sophisticated Before the Storm.
@sparrowandfern
1 Misc Photo
In laundry rooms, Before the Storm adds a surprising level of "design" to a space that is often forgotten. It proves that even the most utilitarian rooms deserve a color that feels considered, intentional, and calming.
Walls painted in rich Before the Storm shade.
@swpaintpros
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 84 vs 18, White Sand is decisively the brighter choice.
Touch of Grey reflects far more light (LRV 62 vs 18), opening up a space where Before the Storm encloses it.
Corallite reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 18), opening up a space where Before the Storm encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 19 and 18, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 20 and 18, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 21 vs 18), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 19 and 18, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Scattered Showers reads slightly lighter (LRV 22 vs 18), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 3-point LRV gap (18 vs 15) makes Before the Storm the marginally brighter of the two.
Software reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 18), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 18 and 16, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Cityscape reads slightly lighter (LRV 22 vs 18), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Before the Storm reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 14), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 35 vs 18, Truly Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 81 vs 18, Heavenly White is decisively the brighter choice.
Original White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 18), opening up a space where Before the Storm encloses it.
Palisade reflects far more light (LRV 35 vs 18), opening up a space where Before the Storm encloses it.
Before the Storm reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 13), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 20 and 18, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 61 vs 18, Mercurial is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
A 12-point LRV gap (30 vs 18) makes Steely Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Dustblu reflects far more light (LRV 32 vs 18), opening up a space where Before the Storm encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 21 vs 18), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 4-point LRV gap (23 vs 18) makes Serious Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 34 vs 18, Let it Rain is decisively the brighter choice.
Darker Colors
A 5-point LRV gap (18 vs 14) makes Before the Storm the marginally brighter of the two.
Before the Storm reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 14), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Before the Storm reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 6), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 3-point LRV gap (18 vs 15) makes Before the Storm the marginally brighter of the two.
Before the Storm reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.