Breton Blue vs Clary Sage
Breton Blue (Dulux) and Clary Sage (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Breton Blue belongs to the blue family and Clary Sage to the greige-grey family. The 31-point LRV gap — 41 for Clary Sage vs 10 for Breton Blue — means Clary Sage will open up a space more effectively. Where Breton Blue leans cool, Clary Sage reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 42.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Breton Blue vs Clary Sage in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Breton Blue and Clary Sage 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. Clary Sage reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Breton Blue.
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. Clary Sage 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. Clary Sage 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. Clary Sage returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Breton Blue vs Clary Sage Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Breton Blue on one side and Clary Sage 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 Breton Blue comparisons
See how Breton Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
