Blue Iris vs Opalescent paint color comparison

Blue Iris vs Opalescent

Blue Iris and Opalescent come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 73 vs 75 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Both share a neutral character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 1.0 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.

Color Details

Blue Iris
Sherwin-Williams · 9687
LRV73.0
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number9687
Undertone—
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessLight
Opalescent
Sherwin-Williams · 9686
LRV74.6
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number9686
Undertone—
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessLight

Blue Iris vs Opalescent Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Blue Iris on one side and Opalescent on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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.