Before the Storm vs Soulful Blue
Before the Storm and Soulful Blue come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Before the Storm belongs to the grey family and Soulful Blue to the blue-grey family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 18 vs 20 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Before the Storm leans neutral, Soulful Blue reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 10.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Before the Storm vs Soulful Blue in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Before the Storm and Soulful Blue in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Before the Storm reads more restrained here, while Soulful Blue adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Before the Storm vs Soulful Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Before the Storm on one side and Soulful Blue 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.
