Washed Linen vs Cloak Gray
Washed Linen (Jotun) and Cloak Gray (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Washed Linen belongs to the beige-greige family and Cloak Gray to the grey family. The 43-point LRV gap — 55 for Washed Linen vs 11 for Cloak Gray — means Washed Linen will open up a space more effectively. Where Washed Linen leans warm, Cloak Gray reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 40.0 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Washed Linen vs Cloak Gray in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Washed Linen and Cloak Gray 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. Washed Linen reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Cloak Gray.
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. Washed Linen 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. Washed Linen returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Washed Linen vs Cloak Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Washed Linen on one side and Cloak Gray 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 Washed Linen comparisons
See how Washed Linen stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
