Imperial Gray vs Artichoke
Imperial Gray is a Behr color while Artichoke comes from Sherwin-Williams. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. At LRV 21 vs 14, Artichoke will read as the brighter of the two — a 7-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Imperial Gray's blue character against Artichoke's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 18.3, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Imperial Gray vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Imperial Gray and Artichoke in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The brightness difference is modest but present — Artichoke gives the walls a little more lift.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The brightness difference is modest but present — Artichoke gives the walls a little more lift.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The brightness difference is modest but present — Artichoke gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
Imperial Gray vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Imperial Gray on one side and Artichoke on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Imperial Gray comparisons
See how Imperial Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
