Freshwater
Freshwater is a versatile Blue from Sherwin-Williams. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to add character and warmth to any space. Below, you'll find 10 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.
Hex
#4DA6B2
LRV
31.96
Freshwater's Color Strip
Freshwater is the fifth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Rapture Blue and Briny. The strip spans from Bathe Blue at the lightest end to Blue Nile at the deepest. Strip 165 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.
Freshwater in Real Rooms
Freshwater has a medium LRV of 31.96 — 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 bathroom, dining room, bedroom, front door, home office, kitchen, patio, house, mudroom and living room.
1 Bathroom Photo
Small bathrooms amplify whatever color is on the wall, which makes the choice more consequential than it first appears. Freshwater has enough depth to register without closing the room in, and it plays well with white subway tile or warm wood accents.
Freshwater — moody bathroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Freshwater 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.
Freshwater paint in a parisian dining room
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Bedroom Photo
To use Freshwater in a bedroom is to lean into the concept of "soft minimalism." It provides enough visual interest that you don't need a lot of wall decor; the color itself becomes the art. This allows for a clutter-free environment that is essential for mental clarity at the end of the day.
A scandinavian bedroom painted in Freshwater
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Front Door Photo
Freshwater on a front door looks particularly stunning when framed by greenery or seasonal wreaths. The color provides a deep, matte background that makes the organic textures of a boxwood wreath or autumn garland really pop.
minimalist front door featuring Freshwater by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Home Office Photo
For those who spend their day on camera, Freshwater is a highly flattering background color. It doesn't wash out skin tones or create weird reflections, providing a professional and "expensive" look for virtual meetings and presentations.
Sherwin-Williams Freshwater in a scandinavian home office
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Kitchen Photo
The sophisticated undertones of Freshwater make it an excellent partner for mixed metal finishes. Whether you have a brass faucet and matte black cabinet pulls, or traditional chrome fixtures, this color acts as a neutral mediator that makes the mix look intentional.
Freshwater — classy kitchen
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Patio Photo
In sun-drenched climates, Freshwater is a practical choice that helps reduce the glare from the patio floor. It absorbs the harsh light, making the outdoor space more comfortable for the eyes during the peak hours of the day.
boho patio featuring Freshwater by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
Using Freshwater on an exterior allows you to be more creative with your landscaping. The color provides a dark, rich backdrop that makes the greens of boxwoods or the colors of perennials look much more vivid and professional.
Freshwater color — rustic modern house inspiration
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1 Mudroom Photo
Freshwater in the mudroom earns its keep. It's a color that can handle the traffic — grounding enough to hide the daily chaos, and intentional enough to make the transition from outside feel considered and high-end.
Freshwater paint in a rustic modern mudroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Living Room Photo
Freshwater works harder than it looks in a living room environment. Whether the space gets direct southern sun or stays north-facing and dim, the color finds its specific register — neither receding into the background nor demanding the spotlight. It acts as a sophisticated backdrop that makes every piece of furniture or art placed in front of it look immediately more considered and curated.
A industrial living room painted in Freshwater
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Coordinating Colors
At LRV 78 vs 32, Blue Horizon is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 32 vs 8, Freshwater is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
At LRV 78 vs 32, Blue Horizon is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 32 and 30, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 32 and 32, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 34 and 32, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Freshwater reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-point LRV gap (39 vs 32) makes Fountain the marginally brighter of the two.
A 5-point LRV gap (32 vs 27) makes Freshwater the marginally brighter of the two.
Freshwater reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 26), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Nautilus reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 32), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Freshwater reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 29), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-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 Freshwater encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (35 vs 32) makes Truly Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 81 vs 32, Heavenly White is decisively the brighter choice.
Freshwater 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.
At LRV 32 vs 4, Freshwater is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Bora Bora Shore reflects far more light (LRV 56 vs 32), opening up a space where Freshwater encloses it.
At LRV 54 vs 32, Gentle Aquamarine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 32, Mariner is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 32, Rapture Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
Nautilus reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 32), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Darker Colors
At LRV 32 vs 16, Freshwater is decisively the brighter choice.