Who doesn’t admire a calming escape after a long day at work?
I’m sure most of you often crave a relaxing, laid-back, and tranquilizing vibe – whether at home or office.
So, whether it’s the bedroom you’re decorating or the home office – this color category is a easily a top recommendation.
And let’s not confuse it with Sherwin Williams Watery (see here)!
Behr Watery is a dusty shade of blue with deep green undertones. It’s a perfect neutral that feels grayish-blue and extremely subtle and calm.
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Yes, think of deep ocean waters and a calming atmosphere.
Hence, this cool dusty blue paint color is all you need to achieve a coastal-like bliss into your home – without making your space appear too overwhelming.
So, are you excited to introduce a serene environment into your home?
But before we dive deeper, let’s have a look at the various pro’s and con’s, do’s and don’ts, and ample inspirations to take inspiration from.
Let’s kick this off!
Behr Watery HDC-CT-26 Details and Specifications
This cool blue paint color has stories and stories to share!
And you’d be surprised to learn that this paint is linked with various technical specifications and details that set it apart from the rest of the blues on the list!
So what are they?
Well, I would like to ask you – what do you first observe when you look at a paint color?
I am sure it’s the aesthetics and the feel of this color!
But more than that, it’s important to know what this color is composed of and the associated details that help define the true hue of this paint.
So, let’s cover the concept of Light Reflectance Values or the LRV’s that determine how light or dark the paint color is.
You can easily find that value on the Behr website.
Here, in this case, the LRV of Behr Watery is 49.
And that means it falls on the medium end of the scale. But here’s a little secret!
It appears lighter than the LRV would convey to you. So, always be careful and examine the color in a room before finalizing it!
(Remember, lesser the value, darker the paint – on a scale of 1-100)
Secondly, other important associated terms are the RGB and the HEX Values.
Red = 174
Green = 189
Blue = 187
HEX Value = #aebdbb
Since we have discussed the technical and scientific information, let’s get started with the practical aspects of this dusty blue Behr paint.
How Does This Color Feel in a Space?
Behr Watery is bound to make your space feel like an ocean-bliss, calm, comfortable, relaxing, and joyous.
Since this color is spa-like and cool, it’s also responsible for making your space appear airier, larger, and quite spacious.
Yes, by simply pushing the walls away!
Especially for spaces such as the living room, bedroom, kids’ rooms, nursery, home office, and meditation rooms – this color calls out to be used.
So, after a long day at work, this color will make you stress-free, calm, and poised.
Just in case you’re dealing with anxiety or hypertension – your long term medicine is right here.
How Does Light Affect the Color?
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Natural as well as artificial light has a tremendous role to play here.
The more light you give to this color, the brighter, enhanced, and airier the room will appear.
However, due to the deep dusty blue and green undertone – this color is meant to alter its appearances depending upon the light received.
In the north and east-facing rooms, this dusty blue paint will appear cool blue-gray (sometimes, almost gray).
Moreover, in the west and south-facing rooms, it has the potential to appear slightly creamy and dominantly blue.
Apart from the compass directions, another important aspect to consider is the view from the windows.
If you’re facing a large lawn – this paint color is quite likely to showcase a dominant green!
You see – a paint color can have various faces and undertones. And that’s why you must examine the swatch here and there to know the true undertone.
What are the Best Coordinating Colors?
Behr Watery can be a tricky color to play with – for obvious reasons.
There are a couple of colors that pair beautifully with this soothing dusty blue.
And it all depends upon the overall vibe you’re trying to create in amalgamation with the interior design style.
From lemon yellows to lighter grays, whites (creamy or cool), tans, taupes, and coral pinks – this color is also one of the easiest to pair with!
However, you have the option to choose from either a monochromatic or contrasting color palette!
Monochromes are mainly hues from the same family – lighter to darker.
A contrasting palette involves choosing various contrasts to add depth and interest to the space.
You can also incorporate any of the metallic tints as accents here – like nickel, gold, or chrome!
So, here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a monochromatic palette!
- HDC-AC-23 Provence Blue
- PPU12-16 Juniper Ash
- N440-6 Brooklyn
On the other hand, here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a contrasting color palette!
- PPU5-13 Creamy Mushroom – Check out my full color guide on this one!
- PPU2-18 Spice
- 75 Polar Bear
For your ceilings, trims, and moldings – you can use Behr Ultra Pure White or Polar Bear as it is a true white paint and will further protrude the original adjacent hue.
Behr Watery Vs Similar Colors
Looking for similar alternatives? Well, it’s quite normal to have an eye on other similar paint colors that behave likewise!
Although some might differ in the undertones and some reflectivity!
But when you see through a bigger picture, the differences wouldn’t be much of an issue!
So, the two colors closely related are SW 6219 Rain and BM 1564 Beach Glass!
Watery Vs Rain
Behr Watery has a touch of dusty blue and green – whereas SW Rain has a major hint of blue – see my review of this paint color.
When you compare the two, the undertones are what you’ll see will play a major difference.
With an LRV of 55 – this color is comparatively lighter and airier.
Watery Vs Beach Glass
BM Beach Glass has a little more green than Behr Watery – with a little hint of gray as well. I review this color here!
This calming and versatile blue-green paint has an LRV of 49.7 that makes it equally darker and deeper.
Yes, you can best use this color to achieve a calm and soothing look.
Where to Use Watery?
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Behr Watery can make a remarkable presence in any corner of your home!
I personally admire the look and feel of this color on the kitchen cabinets, bedroom walls, bathroom walls, and home offices (if you have the style).
So, whether you have a transitional style, modern, contemporary, farmhouse, and coastal – this color is quite good to go!
Let’s see where and how to incorporate it in your home!
Watery in Living and Dining Rooms
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This color on the walls of your living and dining room will look fabulous.
If you have ample square footage – I highly recommend painting all the walls in this color to achieve a cool and calming effect.
Just the accent wall is a good option too – as far as you carefully decorate your home with other decor.
You must choose crisp whites with this paint color on the adjacent wall and ceiling.
Furthermore, don’t hold back from macrame wall hangings, seashell centerpieces, and ample glass vases to decorate indoor plants and pampas grass.
Using in Bedrooms
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Let this color play a dominant role in your bedrooms!
You can choose to paint the headboard wall in this color and further add whites on the adjacent walls to help protrude this color.
Else, if the size allows – choose this color for all the walls in amalgamation with white on the trims, moldings, and ceilings.
I highly recommend adding textures of rattan and wicker on your wall decor and furniture.
Further, if you want to add a splash of color – make use of your rugs and curtains!
Watery in Kitchens
Blue kitchens are soothing and trendy as well!
There are a number of times that I have recommended this particular tone in the kitchens to my Online Interior Design Clients.
So, paint your kitchen cabinets in this color and let the backdrop wall be in whites!
Further, you can add brass or chrome finished pull handles and white backsplash tiles with a white marble countertop.
You can even choose to style with rustic wooden textures in the form of floating shelves and other displays.
Using on Exteriors
Whether you have a Craftsman, Ranch-style, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary, or Modern style, this dusty blue paint will never disappoint you!
You can either add whites and grays or even a tinge of wooden-themed textures as an accent or go vice versa for the trims, moldings, and door and window frames.
In such a case, choose clean whites or light grays for the exterior walls.
In the case of columns on the patio and porch – you can use natural stone wainscotting to add an authentic detailed character to this facade!
So, how do you want to use this color in your homes? Interiors or Exteriors? Bedrooms or Living rooms? Or doors or walls?
Now that you have all the secrets – are you excited about painting your home in Watery?
Should there be any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below!
Emily
Monday 21st of August 2023
I love the combination of Behr’s polar bear and watery that you’ve suggested here. I’m trying for a modern coastal feel in our home. How would these work with oiled butcher block countertops do you think?
Nishtha Sadana LEED, WELL AP
Tuesday 29th of August 2023
Oh now you're talking! :) Yes, this would be lovely in a coastal decor/setting provided your countertops don't carry too much red in them overall.