Cloudy Slate vs Downing Slate
Cloudy Slate (PPG) and Downing Slate (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Cloudy Slate reads as grey, while Downing Slate reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 8-point LRV gap — 29 for Cloudy Slate vs 21 for Downing Slate — means Cloudy Slate will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 9.8 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Cloudy Slate vs Downing Slate in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Cloudy Slate and Downing Slate are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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. Cloudy Slate 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. Cloudy Slate 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. Cloudy Slate 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. Cloudy Slate 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. Cloudy Slate reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Downing Slate.
Color Details
Cloudy Slate vs Downing Slate Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cloudy Slate 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 Cloudy Slate comparisons
See how Cloudy Slate stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
