Imperial Gray vs Artichoke
Where Imperial Gray belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Artichoke is a Sherwin-Williams color. Imperial Gray reads as green-grey, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Imperial Gray (LRV 47) reflects noticeably more light than Artichoke (LRV 21), a difference of 25 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Imperial Gray runs green while Artichoke is decidedly neutral, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 24.3, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Imperial Gray vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
2 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.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Imperial Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Artichoke.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Imperial Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Artichoke.
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.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 47, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (52 vs 47) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 30, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 60 vs 47, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 58 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (47 vs 43) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 4, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Imperial Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 44), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 47, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (47 vs 41) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 68 vs 47, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 25, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
With LRVs of 47 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 47 vs 31, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 7, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 24, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (57 vs 47) makes Guilford Green the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 72 vs 47, Just Walnut is decisively the brighter choice.