Green Onyx vs Softened Green
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both green-greiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within green-greige to land. Softened Green (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Green Onyx (LRV 31), a difference of 18 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 13.0, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Green Onyx vs Softened Green in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Green Onyx and Softened Green in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Softened Green reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Green Onyx.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Softened Green reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Green Onyx.
Color Details
Green Onyx vs Softened Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Green Onyx on one side and Softened Green 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 Green Onyx comparisons
See how Green Onyx stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
