Dockside Blue vs Smoky Azurite
Dockside Blue and Smoky Azurite come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. The 18-point LRV gap — 43 for Dockside Blue vs 25 for Smoky Azurite — means Dockside Blue will open up a space more effectively. Both share a cool character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 15.8 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.
Dockside Blue vs Smoky Azurite in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Dockside Blue and Smoky Azurite in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Dockside Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Smoky Azurite.
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. Dockside Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Dockside Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Dockside Blue vs Smoky Azurite Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Dockside Blue on one side and Smoky Azurite 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 Dockside Blue comparisons
See how Dockside Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
