Cadet vs Picnic
Cadet and Picnic come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Cadet belongs to the blue-grey family and Picnic to the green family. The 16-point LRV gap — 47 for Picnic vs 31 for Cadet — means Picnic will open up a space more effectively. Where Cadet leans neutral, Picnic reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 38.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Cadet vs Picnic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cadet on one side and Picnic 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 Cadet comparisons
See how Cadet stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 31, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 30), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 60 vs 31, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Cadet reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 31, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 31, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Cadet reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Cadet reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 31), opening up a space where Cadet encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 31), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 7-point LRV gap (31 vs 24) makes Cadet the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 57 vs 31, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.