First Star vs Naval
First Star and Naval come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. First Star reads as grey, while Naval reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 65-point LRV gap — 69 for First Star vs 4 for Naval — means First Star will open up a space more effectively. Where First Star leans neutral, Naval reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 63.0 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
First Star vs Naval in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing First Star and Naval 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. First Star reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Naval.
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. First Star returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. First Star returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. First Star 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. First Star returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
First Star vs Naval Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see First Star on one side and Naval 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 First Star comparisons
See how First Star stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 69), opening up a space where First Star encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 69 vs 69), so neither reads brighter in a room.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 52, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 30, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 52), opening up a space where Mizzle encloses it.
A 9-point LRV gap (69 vs 60) makes First Star the marginally brighter of the two.
First Star reads slightly lighter (LRV 69 vs 58), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 43, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 69, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 21, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
First Star reads slightly lighter (LRV 69 vs 66), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Shoji White reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 69), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 69), opening up a space where First Star encloses it.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
With LRVs of 69 and 68, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 69 vs 41, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 69 vs 68), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 69 vs 25, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
First Star reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 31, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 7, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 24, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 57, First Star is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 72 vs 69), so neither reads brighter in a room.