IS THIS POPULAR SHADE OF BLUE PERFECT FOR YOU?
Every fall, it’s exciting to see the launch of each brand’s COTY. We’ve heard from Behr (Cracked Pepper), and Sherwin Williams HGTV Home (Persimmon), and I was SUPER anxious to see what Sherwin Williams chose as their go-to shade.
Would it be better than last year’s wet hot dog, Redend Point? Would it BEAT the ever-awesome 2022 color, Evergreen Fog (which my clients are still pining over – get it?)
Yes…and no.
Sherwin Williams Upward is a gorgeous color, don’t get me wrong. It’s 100x better than Redend Point’s appeal and general useability in the average home. Will it be as popular as Evergreen Fog? Heck no (no color has beaten it yet).
But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve its time in the spotlight, so let’s check it out…
WHAT COLOR IS UPWARD? GRAY OR BLUE?
Upward is a beautiful shade of blue. It is more calming than baby blue (and too gray to be in that world), without being as overbearing as Caribbean blue. With a tranquil approach, Upward is Sherwin William’s LIGHT approach to denim.
IS UPWARD A WARM OR COOL COLOR?
When it comes to the visual temperature of a color like this, it’s all about perception. PERSONALLY, it looks like a cold shade of blue. To others, via its undertones, Upwards is a warm shade of blue (which it ‘technically) is.
However, no matter how you see it, Upward will look like a cool blue paint color if you have a north-facing room. Upward is awesome for warm, south-facing rooms and those with western afternoon sunshine.
Why?
These exposures are WARM as a yellow-tinged light enters the room (going more orange, and eventually red as the afternoon western sun progresses). A cool paint color like Upward is a great way to add visual balance to a room with a warm exposure.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
WHAT’S UPWARD’S LRV?
Upward has an LRV of 57. This is slightly lower than the average light depth LRV (read about it here), putting Upward a bit closer to the light-medium depths.
This means Upwards isn’t a ‘cheerful’ shade of blue; it’s a grounding, calming color with a bit more meat on its bones.
If you have a dark room, the degree of COLOR in Upward is great, as it can help combat a lower, flatter light. If your room is overly bright, Upward’s slightly lower LRV will help it not wash out too much (whereas lighter colors with less color can lose much of their beauty).
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint!
The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room
NEED HELP?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting services – let me make it easy for you!
WHAT UNDERTONES DOES UPWARD HAVE?
Not all blues are created equal! Upward is a blue with a violet undertone and a decent, but not overbearing gray. The gray is what gives Upward a slightly calmer, less cheerful approach.
How to Choose the Best Shade of Blue for You
As for the violet, it’s tricky, as interior finishes often cater to blue-green over blue-violet – it’s not as easy to accommodate in the average home. This isn’t to say it won’t work in YOURS, but make sure its undertones suit your surroundings.
The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones
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WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH UPWARD?
Upward is so fun to partner up with varying shades of white for trims and cabinets. In particular, I suggest…
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
The 9 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams DESIGNER COLLECTION
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
IS UPWARD A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?
In general, no. While there will be the odd exception, being a lighter blue-violet shade, Upward won’t partner up well with most stones, bricks, and asphalt roofs.
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?
IS UPWARD A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?
While Upward could be beautiful on kitchen cabinets or an island, most interior finishes cater toward a more GRAY gray-blue or a blue with a green undertone. If you have marble finishes, SOME marbles could suit Upward. Upward could also work if you have white quartz countertops, white subway tile backsplash, and wood floors, as it wouldn’t need to coordinate with any major undertones.
A darker blue with a wink o’ green is a more popular choice on kitchen cabinets
How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets
The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO UPWARD?
If you want to compare similar colors within Sherwin Williams or find the CLOSEST match in Benjamin Moore, check out…
- Sherwin Williams Sleepy Blue (which is blue-green vs. Upward’s blue-violet)
- Sherwin Williams Icy (less gray, more colorful than Upward)
- Sherwin Williams Lakeside (similar, but smokier/grayer)
- Benjamin More Manor Blue (similar, but grayer than Upward)
- Benjamin Moore Sunrise (similar, but less gray/more colorful)
As for a lighter shade of Upward, you’ll find that with Sherwin Williams Icicle. If you want a darker version, check out Sherwin Williams Windy Blue.
As for a more popular approach (not to say this is what YOU want), a color like Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue suits more homes and finishes…
WHERE DOES A BLUE LIKE UPWARD LOOK BEST?
Being a lighter color with a bit more COLOR than not, Upward will have limited uses. Upward is best on a single-room basis. It’s too colorful for multiple joined rooms or a ‘whole home‘ approach. It’s not flexible enough for the average cabinet, island, or vanity, and I don’t expect to see it on ANY front doors or exteriors.
However, if you’re looking for a stunning blue for your powder room, guest bedroom, or office, Upward could hit the spot!
WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH UPWARD?
Because of Upward’s degree of color (chroma), it’s a bit fussy when it comes to neutrals. Upward likes neutral partners, such as grays, that are a bit cleaner vs. those that are muddy or earth-toned.
For example…
- When choosing a gray to go with Upward, it will prefer the cleaner look of Sherwin Williams Site White over Big Chill or Repose Gray.
- If you want to partner Upward with a shade of beige or tan, focus on beiges like Sherwin Williams Moderate White. Upward won’t like more modern, dusky, or muted beige paint colors.
- Upward loves cream paint colors that have a bit more color to them. Sherwin Williams Crisp Linen and other slightly cleaner shades of cream are beautiful with it.
- Upward generally won’t love grays with green undertones (green-yellow or noticeable green-blue).
- Naturally, Upward looks fab with darker shades of blue – especially those that cater to blue-violet.
READ MORE
The 13 Best Blue & Green Blend Paint Colors
The 10 Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors
NEED HELP?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
SW just released a palette, including Upward, which looks terrific. I ordered the chips. Now all I need is a new house project! I very seldom like a range of colors like that, but was instantly attracted.
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Oooo, I’m so happy to hear this – it’s got mixed reviews on my Instagram!