Wales Gray vs Downing Slate
Wales Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Downing Slate (Sherwin-Williams) 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 33-point LRV gap — 54 for Wales Gray vs 21 for Downing Slate — means Wales Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Wales Gray leans green and blue, Downing Slate reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 26.4 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.
Wales Gray vs Downing Slate in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Wales Gray and Downing Slate 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. Wales Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Downing Slate.
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. Wales 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. Wales 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. Wales 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. Wales 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
Wales Gray vs Downing Slate Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Wales Gray on one side and Downing Slate 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 Wales Gray comparisons
See how Wales Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
