Smooth White vs Upward
Smooth White (Jotun) and Upward (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Smooth White reads as greige-grey, while Upward reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 59 vs 57 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Smooth White leans warm, Upward reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 10.6 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.
Smooth White vs Upward in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Smooth White and Upward 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. Smooth White brings more warmth to the space, while Upward keeps things cooler and crisper.
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. Upward reads more restrained here, while Smooth White adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Upward reads more restrained here, while Smooth White adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Upward reads more restrained here, while Smooth White adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Smooth White vs Upward Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smooth White on one side and Upward 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 Smooth White comparisons
See how Smooth White stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
