Providence Blue vs Retreat
Providence Blue is a Benjamin Moore color while Retreat comes from Sherwin-Williams. Hue-wise, Providence Blue belongs to the blue-grey family and Retreat to the grey family. With LRVs of 19 and 21, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Providence Blue's blue character against Retreat's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 10.9, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Providence Blue vs Retreat in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Seeing Providence Blue and Retreat 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
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Providence Blue reads more restrained here, while Retreat adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The temperature contrast between Retreat and Providence Blue is what sets these apart most in this context.
Dining Room
Dining room light is typically the warmest in the house, which shifts both colors toward the red end of the spectrum compared to daylight. Retreat brings more warmth to the space, while Providence Blue keeps things cooler and crisper.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The temperature contrast between Retreat and Providence Blue is what sets these apart most in this context.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The temperature contrast between Retreat and Providence Blue is what sets these apart most in this context.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The temperature contrast between Retreat and Providence Blue is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Providence Blue vs Retreat Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Providence Blue on one side and Retreat 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 Providence Blue comparisons
See how Providence Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
