Smoke Gray vs Backwater
Smoke Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Backwater (Cloverdale Paint) come from different manufacturers. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. The 3-point LRV gap — 21 for Smoke Gray vs 18 for Backwater — means Smoke Gray will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 2.0 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Smoke Gray vs Backwater in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Smoke Gray and Backwater are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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. Smoke Gray has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Smoke Gray vs Backwater Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smoke Gray on one side and Backwater 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 Smoke Gray comparisons
See how Smoke Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
