Popular Gray vs Portico
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both beige-greiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige-greige to land. Popular Gray (LRV 61) reflects noticeably more light than Portico (LRV 42), a difference of 19 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 14.2, 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 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Popular Gray vs Portico in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Popular Gray and Portico in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Popular Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Portico.
Color Details
Popular Gray vs Portico Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Popular Gray on one side and Portico 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.