Mariner vs Dover Surf
Mariner (Sherwin-Williams) and Dover Surf (Valspar) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the blue family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 7-point LRV gap — 53 for Dover Surf vs 46 for Mariner — means Dover Surf will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 20.2 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.
Mariner vs Dover Surf in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Mariner and Dover Surf in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Dover Surf has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Mariner vs Dover Surf Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Mariner on one side and Dover Surf 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 Mariner comparisons
See how Mariner stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
