Ocean Abyss vs Balmy
Ocean Abyss (Behr) and Balmy (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the blue family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 59-point LRV gap — 66 for Balmy vs 7 for Ocean Abyss — means Balmy will open up a space more effectively. Where Ocean Abyss leans blue, Balmy reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 52.1 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Ocean Abyss vs Balmy in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Ocean Abyss and Balmy in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Balmy returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Balmy returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Ocean Abyss vs Balmy Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ocean Abyss on one side and Balmy 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 Ocean Abyss comparisons
See how Ocean Abyss stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
