Outerspace vs Steely Gray
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. At LRV 30 vs 12, Steely Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 19-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Outerspace's cool character against Steely Gray's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 21.5, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Outerspace vs Steely Gray in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Outerspace and Steely Gray 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
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Steely Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Steely Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Outerspace would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Steely Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Outerspace would.
Color Details
Outerspace vs Steely Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Outerspace on one side and Steely 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 Outerspace comparisons
See how Outerspace stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
