Elation vs Retreat
Elation and Retreat come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Elation belongs to the blue-grey family and Retreat to the grey family. The 51-point LRV gap — 72 for Elation vs 21 for Retreat — means Elation will open up a space more effectively. Where Elation leans cool, Retreat reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 37.1 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Elation vs Retreat in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Elation and Retreat 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. Elation reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Retreat.
Color Details
Elation vs Retreat Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Elation on one side and Retreat 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 Elation comparisons
See how Elation stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
