Upward
With a focus on versatile and reflective tones, Upward (6239) is a standout Blue in our database. It was selected for this featured gallery for its ability to provide a clean, timeless feel that works across various lighting conditions. See it applied across 57 real world scenarios and find professional pairing data below.
Hex
#BFC9D0
LRV
57.40
Upward's Color Strip
Upward is the first shade on this 7-color strip, the lightest in this coordinated family. As part of strip 224, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Upward in Real Rooms
Upward has a high LRV of 57.4 — it reflects a lot of light and will read pale and airy in most spaces. It's cool-toned and , so it will lean blue or gray under cool north-facing light and soften in warmer evening light. Grouped in the Blue family, the photos below show it applied in a living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, home office, house, front door, misc, mudroom and kitchen cabinets.
3 Living Room Photos
There is a specific "glow" that Upward 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.
Upward SW 6239 living room
@mybudgetrecipes
SW Upward living room picture
@coastalsignaturehomes
Sherwin Williams Upward living room color
@newhouseowners
16 Bedroom Photos
There's a rhythmic quality to Upward in a bedroom. It's a color that supports the circadian rhythm, mirroring the natural shadows of the evening and providing a neutral, non-stimulating canvas for the brain to decompress after a long day of digital exposure.
Bedroom painted in Sherwin-Williams Upward
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Kitchen Photo
On kitchen walls, Upward adds a considered, intentional feel without demanding too much attention in a busy space. It holds its own against both warm wood countertops and cool quartz or marble, making it an incredibly flexible choice for the hardest-working and most high-traffic room in the house.
Sherwin Williams Upward kitchen cabinets
@mybudgetrecipes
7 Bathroom Photos
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Upward holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
Blue bathroom in Upward by Sherwin Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Home Office Photo
Upward in a home office signals that the space was thought about. The color holds up under the scrutiny of video calls without feeling staged, and it stays comfortable across the full working day in a way that brighter colors often don't.
SW 6239 home office inspiration
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
When choosing Upward for an exterior, you are opting for a color that respects the landscape. It feels like it grew out of the earth rather than being dropped onto it, creating a harmonious relationship between the architecture and the garden.
Upward house color review
@mybudgetrecipes
3 Front Door Photos
In a world of boring front doors, Upward is a breath of fresh air. It's a sophisticated choice that works with almost any siding color, providing a much-needed focal point that guides guests naturally toward the entrance.
Blue front door with Upward SW 6239
@mybudgetrecipes
SW 6239 front door color review
@simple.pretty.lifestyle
SW 6239 front door review
@simple.pretty.lifestyle
12 Misc Photos
Observe the use of Upward on architectural "oddities"—slanted ceilings, built-in nooks, or under-stair closets. The color helps these strange angles feel like deliberate design features rather than construction afterthoughts.
Sherwin Williams Upward hallway color review
@bluewaterdesignstudios
5 Mudroom Photos
Using Upward on mudroom walls makes the white trim and hooks pop. It creates a high-contrast, organized look that makes even a room full of sports gear and rain boots look like it has a system and a sense of order.
Sherwin Williams Upward laundry room color
@nextlevelpaintco
SW Upward laundry room paint review
@harryhomeowner
Sherwin Williams Upward laundry room inspo
@larson_interiors
SW Upward laundry room paint
@ana_interiors
Sherwin Williams Upward laundry room paint review
@harryhomeowner
8 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
The way Upward interacts with under-cabinet lighting is transformative. It catches the glow and reflects a softer, more diffused light onto the countertops, making the workspace feel more inviting and less utilitarian.
Sherwin Williams Upward kitchen cabinets color review
@not_too_shabby_lady
Expert Perspectives
In-depth articles and real-home features from across our network of home and design sites.
