Honed Soapstone
Often used for its versatile qualities, Honed Soapstone 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
#9D9887
LRV
31.31
Honed Soapstone's Color Strip
Honed Soapstone is the fourth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Chatroom and Hardware. The strip spans from Sedate Gray at the lightest end to Muddled Basil at the deepest. As part of strip 211, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Honed Soapstone in Real Rooms
Honed Soapstone has a medium LRV of 31.31 — 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 Yellow family, the photos below show it applied in a kitchen cabinets, dining room and bathroom.
1 Kitchen Cabinets Photo
On traditional shaker-style cabinets, Honed Soapstone brings out the clean lines and shadow gaps of the woodwork. It's a color that highlights quality craftsmanship, making it an ideal choice for a high-end renovation or a custom kitchen build.
Kitchen cabinets in Honed Soapstone deliver clean, contemporary style.
@life_in_molena
3 Dining Room Photos
Dining rooms are often the best place to take a "color risk." By choosing Honed Soapstone, you're opting for a shade that is saturated and confident, yet still refined enough to act as a neutral backdrop for colorful table linens and floral arrangements.
Dining room walls painted Honed Soapstone create refined, neutral elegance.
@adventures_in_design
Walls in Honed Soapstone bring soft, sophisticated calm to dining spaces.
@adventures_in_design
Dining room finished Honed Soapstone pairs well with varied décor approaches.
@adventures_in_design
4 Bathroom Photos
In the bathroom, Honed Soapstone brings a spa-like intentionality to the space. It responds well to task lighting and natural light alike, and pairs beautifully with white fixtures, warm wood vanities, or brushed brass hardware for a polished, restful result.
Bathroom walls in Honed Soapstone establish spa-like serenity and cleanliness.
@crawfordstreetcompany
Bathroom painted Honed Soapstone offers calming, neutral sophistication.
@stayhomestyle_
Bathroom space in Honed Soapstone creates peaceful, light-filled environments.
@stayhomestyle_
Bathroom walls finished Honed Soapstone balance warmth with modern minimalism.
@stayhomestyle_
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 74 vs 31, Moderne White is decisively the brighter choice.
Aged White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 31), opening up a space where Honed Soapstone encloses it.
With LRVs of 32 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Trim Color
At LRV 74 vs 31, Moderne White is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 32 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 31 and 29, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 34 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 31), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 29), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 33 vs 31), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 29), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 3-point LRV gap (31 vs 28) makes Honed Soapstone the marginally brighter of the two.
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 31 vs 7, Honed Soapstone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 31, Starry Night is decisively the brighter choice.
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 20), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 31 vs 3, Honed Soapstone is decisively the brighter choice.
Lavender Wisp reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 31), opening up a space where Honed Soapstone encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 6, Honed Soapstone is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
With LRVs of 31 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Zircon reflects far more light (LRV 59 vs 31), opening up a space where Honed Soapstone encloses it.
At LRV 56 vs 31, Fortitude is decisively the brighter choice.
Light French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 53 vs 31), opening up a space where Honed Soapstone encloses it.
Knitting Needles reflects far more light (LRV 53 vs 31), opening up a space where Honed Soapstone encloses it.
Darker Colors
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 23), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Honed Soapstone reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 14), opening up a space where Eclipse encloses it.
Honed Soapstone reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 22), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 31 and 29, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Honed Soapstone reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 15), opening up a space where Cocoon encloses it.