Before the Storm vs Software
Before the Storm and Software come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. The 4-point LRV gap — 23 for Software vs 18 for Before the Storm — means Software will open up a space more effectively. Both share a neutral character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. ΔE 5.0 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Before the Storm vs Software in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Before the Storm and Software 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. Software reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Software has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Before the Storm vs Software Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Before the Storm on one side and Software 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 Before the Storm comparisons
See how Before the Storm stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
