Gray Area vs Rain Cloud
Gray Area and Rain Cloud come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Gray Area reads as greige-grey, while Rain Cloud reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 27-point LRV gap — 39 for Gray Area vs 11 for Rain Cloud — means Gray Area will open up a space more effectively. Where Gray Area leans warm, Rain Cloud reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 32.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Gray Area vs Rain Cloud Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gray Area on one side and Rain Cloud 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 Gray Area comparisons
See how Gray Area stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
