After the Rain vs Surfin'
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. After the Rain (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Surfin' (LRV 46), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean cool, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 6.1 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
After the Rain vs Surfin' in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. After the Rain and Surfin' 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.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. After the Rain reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
After the Rain vs Surfin' Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see After the Rain on one side and Surfin' 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.