Serious Gray vs Passageway
Where Serious Gray belongs to Sherwin-Williams's range, Passageway is a Valspar color. Both sit in the blue-grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Serious Gray (LRV 23) reflects noticeably more light than Passageway (LRV 14), a difference of 9 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 11.5, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Serious Gray vs Passageway Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Serious Gray on one side and Passageway 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 Serious Gray comparisons
See how Serious Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
