Downy vs Mexican Sand
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Downy reads as beige, while Mexican Sand reads as beige-greige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Downy (LRV 81) reflects noticeably more light than Mexican Sand (LRV 33), a difference of 48 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 30.0, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Downy vs Mexican Sand Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Downy on one side and Mexican Sand 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 Downy comparisons
See how Downy stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
