Smoky Blue vs Whirlpool
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Smoky Blue belongs to the blue family and Whirlpool to the blue-grey family. Whirlpool (LRV 29) reflects noticeably more light than Smoky Blue (LRV 15), a difference of 14 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. With a ΔE of 15.7, 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 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Smoky Blue vs Whirlpool in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Smoky Blue and Whirlpool in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. Whirlpool reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Smoky Blue.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Whirlpool reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Smoky Blue.
Color Details
Smoky Blue vs Whirlpool Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smoky Blue on one side and Whirlpool 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.