Cardboard vs Soulful Blue
Cardboard and Soulful Blue come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Cardboard belongs to the beige family and Soulful Blue to the blue-grey family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 22 vs 20 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Cardboard leans warm, Soulful Blue reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 37.5 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.
Cardboard vs Soulful Blue in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Cardboard 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.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Soulful Blue reads more restrained here, while Cardboard adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Soulful Blue reads more restrained here, while Cardboard adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Soulful Blue reads more restrained here, while Cardboard adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Cardboard vs Soulful Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cardboard 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.