Santorini Blue vs Smoky Blue
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. With LRVs of 14 and 15, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. They share a cool quality — useful to know if you're layering them in the same space. At ΔE 9.1, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Santorini Blue vs Smoky Blue in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Santorini Blue 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.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Color Details
Santorini Blue vs Smoky Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Santorini Blue 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 Santorini Blue comparisons
See how Santorini Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
