Rain Cloud vs Smoky Blue
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Rain Cloud belongs to the blue-grey family and Smoky Blue to the blue family. Smoky Blue (LRV 15) reflects noticeably more light than Rain Cloud (LRV 11), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean cool, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 5.9 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Rain Cloud vs Smoky Blue in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Rain Cloud and Smoky Blue are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Home Office
The test for a home office color isn't how it looks in a quick glance — it's whether it still feels right after a full day of work. Smoky Blue reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Front Door
A front door is a focal point — small color differences read clearly at this concentrated scale. The brightness difference is modest but present — Smoky Blue gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
Rain Cloud vs Smoky Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Rain Cloud on one side and Smoky Blue 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 Rain Cloud comparisons
See how Rain Cloud stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 11), opening up a space where Rain Cloud encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 11, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 11, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 11, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.