Austere Gray vs Thames Fog
Austere Gray (Sherwin-Williams) and Thames Fog (Valspar) come from different manufacturers. Austere Gray reads as greige-grey, while Thames Fog reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 24-point LRV gap — 51 for Austere Gray vs 27 for Thames Fog — means Austere Gray will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 17.6 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.
Austere Gray vs Thames Fog in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Austere Gray and Thames Fog 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. Austere Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Thames Fog.
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. Austere Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Austere Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Austere Gray vs Thames Fog Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Austere Gray on one side and Thames Fog 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 Austere Gray comparisons
See how Austere Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
