Obi Lilac vs Unusual Gray
Obi Lilac and Unusual Gray come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 39 vs 38 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Obi Lilac leans cool, Unusual Gray reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 15.7 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.
Obi Lilac vs Unusual Gray in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Obi Lilac and Unusual Gray in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Obi Lilac reads more restrained here, while Unusual Gray adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Obi Lilac vs Unusual Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Obi Lilac on one side and Unusual Gray 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 Obi Lilac comparisons
See how Obi Lilac stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 39, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 39), opening up a space where Obi Lilac encloses it.
Obi Lilac reads slightly lighter (LRV 39 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 39), opening up a space where Obi Lilac encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 39, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 12-point LRV gap (39 vs 27) makes Obi Lilac the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 39), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 55 vs 39, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (44 vs 39) makes Hardwick White the marginally brighter of the two.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 39), opening up a space where Obi Lilac encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 39, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 39, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 39 vs 12, Obi Lilac is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 39 vs 8, Obi Lilac is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 39, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 39 vs 12, Obi Lilac is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (45 vs 39) makes Saybrook Sage the marginally brighter of the two.
Obi Lilac reads slightly lighter (LRV 39 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.