Trout Gray vs Shade-Grown
Trout Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Shade-Grown (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. The 8-point LRV gap — 16 for Trout Gray vs 8 for Shade-Grown — means Trout Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Trout Gray leans blue, Shade-Grown reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 14.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Trout Gray vs Shade-Grown in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Trout Gray and Shade-Grown 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. Trout Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Shade-Grown.
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. Trout Gray 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. Trout Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Trout Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Trout Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Trout Gray vs Shade-Grown Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Trout Gray on one side and Shade-Grown 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 Trout Gray comparisons
See how Trout Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
