Icelandic
Often used for its versatile and reflective qualities, Icelandic remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to provide a clean, timeless feel that works across various lighting conditions. We've gathered 3 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#CBD8E1
LRV
67.48
Icelandic's Color Strip
Icelandic is the first shade on this 7-color strip, the lightest in this coordinated family. Strip 178 puts these related shades in sequence, making it simple to find the tone that suits your room.
Icelandic in Real Rooms
Icelandic has a high LRV of 67.48 — 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 kitchen and bathroom.
1 Kitchen Photo
In a modern kitchen, Icelandic provides the necessary "organic" touch to offset stainless steel appliances and glass backsplashes. It prevents the kitchen from feeling like a laboratory, injecting a much-needed sense of domestic warmth and culinary inspiration.
Kitchen accent wall in Icelandic creates visual interest against cabinetry.
@simperstyle
2 Bathroom Photos
In a powder room, Icelandic can be used floor-to-ceiling to create a dramatic, high-impact experience for guests. Because these rooms are small and transitional, they can handle the full intensity of the color's personality without feeling overwhelming.
Bathroom walls in Icelandic evoke cool, refreshing tranquility.
@agirlandherbrushinteriors
Cool Icelandic tones make the bathroom feel spa-like and rejuvenating.
@agirlandherbrushinteriors
Coordinating Colors
A 11-point LRV gap (78 vs 67) makes Rarified Air the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 87 vs 67, Cotton White is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
A 11-point LRV gap (78 vs 67) makes Rarified Air the marginally brighter of the two.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 69 vs 67), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 68 and 67, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Silent Ripple reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 67), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Violet Vignette reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 67), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 67 vs 67), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 4-point LRV gap (72 vs 67) makes Wishful Blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Complementary Colors
Icelandic reflects far more light (LRV 67 vs 35), opening up a space where Truly Taupe encloses it.
Heavenly White reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 67), opening up a space where Icelandic encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (74 vs 67) makes Original White the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 67 vs 20, Icelandic is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Silent Ripple reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 67), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 10-point LRV gap (78 vs 67) makes Chapeau Violet the marginally brighter of the two.
Violet Vignette reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 67), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 69 vs 67), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Darker Colors
Icelandic reflects far more light (LRV 67 vs 37), opening up a space where Notable Hue encloses it.
Icelandic reflects far more light (LRV 67 vs 55), opening up a space where Honest Blue encloses it.
