S 8000-N vs Upward
S 8000-N (NCS) and Upward (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, S 8000-N belongs to the grey family and Upward to the blue family. The 52-point LRV gap — 57 for Upward vs 5 for S 8000-N — means Upward will open up a space more effectively. Where S 8000-N leans neutral, Upward reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 54.1 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.
S 8000-N vs Upward in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing S 8000-N 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. Upward reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than S 8000-N.
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. Upward returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Upward reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than S 8000-N.
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. Upward returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
S 8000-N vs Upward Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see S 8000-N 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 S 8000-N comparisons
See how S 8000-N stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
