Elation
Often used for its bright and airy qualities, Elation remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to maximize natural light while maintaining a clean, neutral backdrop. We've gathered 13 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#DFDCE5
LRV
72.32
Elation's Color Strip
Elation is the first shade on this 7-color strip, the lightest in this coordinated family. Color strip 182 groups these shades together so you can see how each reads next to its neighbors.
Elation in Real Rooms
Elation has a high LRV of 72.32 — it reflects a lot of light and will read pale and airy in most spaces. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Purple family, the photos below show it applied in a misc, living room, bathroom, front door, home office, bedroom, dining room, house, kitchen, patio and mudroom.
2 Misc Photos
In walk-in closets or pantries, Elation provides a dark, sophisticated backdrop that makes your belongings look organized and curated. It turns a storage space into a boutique-like experience every time you open the door.
Painted dresser showcases warm, cheerful Elation on its surfaces.
@julie_simpleredesign
Wall surface displays the inviting, soft glow of Elation.
@villawestdesigns
2 Living Room Photos
There is a specific "glow" that Elation takes on during the golden hour in a living room. As the sun sets, the pigments react with the low-angled light to create a hazy, ethereal atmosphere that feels incredibly high-end. It's a color that rewards those who use the room during the transition of the day.
Hallway walls radiate with soft, uplifting Elation tone.
@villawestdesigns
Accent wall draws focus with gentle Elation warmth.
@villawestdesigns
1 Bathroom Photo
The psychology of Elation in a bathroom is all about the "slow down." It's a visual cue to breathe, relax, and take your time, turning a utilitarian room into a true retreat from the frantic pace of the rest of the world.
Elation — moody bathroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Front Door Photo
A front door painted Elation makes a confident first impression without shouting. The color's depth draws the eye and signals personality before guests even step inside. Pair with crisp white trim and warm brass hardware to complete the look.
traditional front door featuring Elation by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Home Office Photo
The psychology of home office color matters more than most people acknowledge. Elation is calm without being inert — it creates the kind of visual quiet that supports sustained focus. Lean into darker wood tones; avoid white furniture, which will compete for attention.
Sherwin-Williams Elation in a unique home office
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Bedroom Photo
A bedroom finished in Elation rewards the time you spend in it. The color is deep enough to feel intentional and luxurious, but not so saturated that it becomes visually tiring over time — it strikes the perfect balance for a space meant for both deep sleep and the slow, reflective hours before it.
A art deco bedroom painted in Elation
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Elation provides a sophisticated backdrop for artwork and large-scale mirrors. The color's depth helps to "absorb" the room's edges, making the flickering light of candles and the sparkle of glassware the stars of the show.
Elation paint in a art deco dining room
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
In suburban environments, Elation provides a sophisticated point of difference. It stands out from the sea of beige and grey without being "that house" that's too loud. It's the subtle, high-end choice that improves the curb appeal of the entire block.
Elation color — transitional house inspiration
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Kitchen Photo
Elation is particularly effective in kitchens with a lot of natural light. It tempers the glare from sun hitting polished surfaces, providing a matte-like visual anchor that keeps the room feeling grounded even during the brightest parts of the day.
Elation — classy kitchen
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Patio Photo
For outdoor kitchens or bars, Elation provides a professional, "indoor" level of sophistication. It bridges the gap between the comfort of the house and the ruggedness of the outdoors, making the patio feel like a true extension of the living space.
Elation paint in a coastal patio
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Mudroom Photo
For smaller entries, Elation provides a "box" of color that defines the space. It tells you exactly where the "messy" zone ends and the "clean" house begins, using color psychology to manage the flow of the household.
A tiny mudroom painted in Elation
@mybudgetrecipes
Coordinating Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 74 vs 72), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Extra White reflects far more light (LRV 86 vs 72), opening up a space where Elation encloses it.
Elation reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 10), opening up a space where Peppercorn encloses it.
Trim Color
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 74 vs 72), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 72 and 71, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
A 4-point LRV gap (76 vs 72) makes Lady's Slipper the marginally brighter of the two.
With LRVs of 72 and 71, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
A 4-point LRV gap (72 vs 68) makes Elation the marginally brighter of the two.
Feathery Lilac reads slightly lighter (LRV 81 vs 72), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-point LRV gap (79 vs 72) makes Whimsical White the marginally brighter of the two.
With LRVs of 75 and 72, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 72 vs 72), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 4-point LRV gap (76 vs 72) makes White Iris the marginally brighter of the two.
Complementary Colors
Elation reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 31), opening up a space where Green Onyx encloses it.
At LRV 72 vs 10, Elation is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (72 vs 65) makes Elation the marginally brighter of the two.
Elation reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 41), opening up a space where Clary Sage encloses it.
A 8-point LRV gap (72 vs 64) makes Elation the marginally brighter of the two.