Zen vs Artichoke
Zen (Behr) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Zen belongs to the green-grey family and Artichoke to the grey family. The 24-point LRV gap — 46 for Zen vs 21 for Artichoke — means Zen will open up a space more effectively. Where Zen leans green, Artichoke reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 23.5 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.
Zen vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Zen 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.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Zen reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Artichoke.
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. Zen returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Zen vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Zen 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 Zen comparisons
See how Zen stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
