Are you craving a cool yet calm aura in your homes? Maybe you are getting confused choosing that particular cool-toned paint color that feels absolutely refreshing and reviving on the walls of your home?
Well, let me introduce you to a pastel paint color that has deep cool blue undertones and is bound to add a chilly vibe to your home – Sherwin Williams Icicle!
It is a lighter paint color that reflects more of blue rather than green when observed closely. Also, this paint color tends to set apart the walls while making your room look more spacious and large.
So, if you are looking for a pastel or off-white paint color with blue undertones that is cool-toned, extremely light, and airy – this would absolutely be a great option.
However, in certain conditions – this paint color also exhibits deep purple undertones. So, do you have the paint swatch in hand? If you look through it – you will observe that this paint color tends to look more blue-purple than the rest of the pastel cool blues.
So, if you are thinking about using this paint color – read ahead to know more about the how, where, and when of the paint!
Sherwin Williams Icicle SW 6238 Details and Specifications
But before choosing a paint color – there are a few important things to consider. I see many homeowners ignoring this aspect – rather this is one of the most important considerations.
So, first and foremost, remember to consider the Light Reflectance Values or LRV’s of the paint color.
This value helps in determining how light or dark the paint color is! Which therefore will help you where to use the paint color!
So, the LRV of Icicle is 73 – and that means it is pretty light-toned.
If you are confused about finding that value – just simply look at the back of the paint swatch or in some cases, at the end of the palette.
One GREAT way to test a paint color to see what it’ll do in your own home, is to order a sample from Samplize. You can pick one up for Icicle!
Other associated terms that you must acquaint yourself with are the RGB and HEX Values!
(They differ for each paint color)
Red = 219
Green = 223
Blue = 224
HEX Value = #dbdfe0
Now that we have read through the color specifications, let’s read on to some of the practical aspects and applications of this cool-toned paint color.
How Does this Color Feel in a Space?
This paint color absolutely feels cool, calm, refreshing, and airy when used in your home.
However, sometimes it may give chilly feels so remember to be careful around using this paint color (I will disclose the secrets later in the blog)!
Hence, if you reside in one of the warmer, southern states, I will highly recommend using this paint color to strategically calm down the saturation of your space.
Unknowingly, this color tends to play with our brains by capturing the stress hormones to practically release a calming effect.
You can also use this paint color in homes that are either smaller in size or somehow lack natural lighting conditions! Basically, all the dull and dingy apartments do deserve this paint color in their spaces!
How Does Light Affect the Color?
Natural as well as artificial lighting plays a major role in depicting the true hue of the paint color.
You may observe it in your homes – the paint color on the wall may appear different at different times of the day.
Mainly, in the absence of light – this paint color tends to look slightly darker (not much) whereas on the other hand, in excessive lighting conditions – it may appear much brighter and cooler.
And that is why I recommend this paint color especially for southern or western rooms that get constant sunshine most of the time of the day!
Due to high reflectance, this paint color tends to reflect most of the incoming light while absorbing only a little.
To add a touch of warmth – you can play with artificial lighting such as warm-whites and warm-yellows!
If you want to really see how this color will play in your space and with other colors, get some wall samples from Samplize.
What are the Best Coordinating Colors?
Now comes one of the best topics to discuss – color palette and color schemes!
Well, let me tell you – unless you pair the color with the best opposites – you are quite likely to make a mess! So, don’t worry!
I am here to help you figure out the best color palette for your home.
After understanding the paint color, it is a given that you could either choose a monochromatic or a contrasting color palette!
So, for the monochromatic palette, I would recommend the following paint colors:
- SW 6247 Krypton – See my full SW Krypton review here
- SW 6245 Quicksilver
- SW 9141 Waterloo – See my full SW Waterloo review here
However, in the case of a contrasting palette – I would recommend adding tinges of warmer hues such as off-whites, taupe, brown, and warm greiges. To name a few, consider the following paint colors:
- SW 7103 Whitetail
- SW 6120 Whole Wheat
- SW 9156 Gris Morado
Remember to throw off a little warmth to balance the saturation of chilly vibes created by paint color.
In the case of ceilings, trims, and moldings – I would recommend using SW High Reflectance White to further exhibit a refined look.
SW Icicle Vs Similar Colors
If you are looking for similar colors – I have a couple of recommendations for you. However, they may not vary a lot except the brightness and undertones that majorly reign the background of the paint color.
So, the two most similar colors that you could consider are SW 6532 Aura White and SW 6805 Glass Bead. Let’s discuss the tiny existing differences!
Icicle Vs Aura White
Comparatively lighter than Icicle, Aura White has an LRV of 76 making it quite a crisp, clean, and deep blue-grey toned paint color.
I would recommend this paint color as far as you pair it with black, darker greys, and mainly yellows!
Order a wall-stick sample of Icicle here to try this color on for size.
Icicle Vs Glass Bead
Lightest of them all, Glass Bead has an LRV of 77 making inclining the color more towards the blues than greens, purples, or greys.
It is extremely cool and crisp and that is why I would recommend using it only in little amounts.
Grab a temporary stick-on sample of Glass Bead here to see how the color will look in your living spaces.
Where to Use Icicle in Homes?
I wouldn’t stop you from using this paint color in your homes. (As far as you don’t live in a city that gets cold in the winter season)
So, whether you have a Scandinavian interior design style or modern, minimalist, and transitional – you can incorporate this paint color!
Let’s discuss how to incorporate this paint color in your homes!
Icicle in Living and Family Room
If you want a cozy vibe in your living room – I wouldn’t recommend using this paint color. Unless you pair it with some warm touches such as yellow, rusts, and browns in the form of throw pillows, blankets, upholstery, frames, and drapes or curtains.
Furthermore, you can either have tiles, hardwood floors, or wall to wall carpeting on the floors. However, make sure to choose a slightly warmer touch underneath.
Regarding the upholstery of your couch and accent chairs – choose linen and cotton neutral-toned hue!
Using in Kitchens
Have a look at this refreshed, newly renovated SW Icicle kitchen (photo above).
This paint color is a great option for your kitchen, especially if it is congested or small-sized. It will help make your kitchen look brighter, bigger, and more spacious!
You can either use this paint on the cabinets or the backdrop wall. However, in either of the cases, choose black shiny countertop and golden-tinted pull handles and drawers.
Make sure to choose fixtures that have a chrome finish!
Icicle in Bedrooms
Bedrooms deserve to be cool and calm! And that is why I would recommend using this paint.
Although I recommend using this paint in your kid’s bedroom to make them feel motivated throughout the day.
Choose a black metal headboards and neutral upholstery on the beds. Furthermore, depending on how much light you receive – you can add white sheer curtains.
Using on Exteriors
Don’t hold back from using this paint color on the exteriors. However, you can pair it with black and grey natural stone and paint on the moldings.
You can even go vice versa and let this paint be the accent to dark-toned paint on the walls.
How to Best Sample This Color?
When it comes to colors like Icicle, which can show in many different ways, you should definitely order a peel-and-stick sample from Samplize.
These folks came up with a genius way to sample real pain without having to go to the store, pick up a can, then paint it on.
For not much money you get a good sized square to put up anywhere in your house where you want to “try” on a paint color along with any possible coordinating hues you like. Love this!
So, are you confident enough to use this color in your home? Maybe interiors or exteriors? However, do abide by the rules and I am sure icicle will prove to be a perfect cool-toned neutral in your home.
Do let me know in the comments below about your experiences as I would love to hear from you!
My 7 Key Tips for SW Icicle
1. Understand how Icicle behaves in natural vs artificial light
Icicle is a pale gray with a cool lavender-blue undertone that can shift a lot depending on daylight intensity.
I’ve seen it look crisper in northern light and subtly more lavender in warm LED lighting.
Test it on multiple walls and watch it at different times of day to avoid surprise purple vibes!!!
2. Use Icicle to open up smaller rooms
Because it leans cool and airy, Icicle can make tighter bedrooms, hallways, and home offices feel noticeably more spacious.
I find that the slight blue cast keeps things from feeling flat compared to a standard builder white.
Just be mindful that warm-toned wood furniture will stand out more sharply against it in smaller rooms.
3. Pair Icicle with flooring that can handle cool contrast
Cool grays like Icicle can clash with floors that have heavy yellow or orange undertones.
Medium taupe oak, driftwood-look vinyl, or stone-look porcelain tiles tend to balance it beautifully.
If you have honey oak flooring, adding a cool gray area rug will bridge the temperature gap and keep things cohesive.
4. Choose cabinetry finishes that soften Icicle’s coolness
Icicle pairs exceptionally well with light natural maple cabinetry or brushed white oak because both add subtle warmth without turning yellow.
I’ve also seen it work with modern slab white cabinetry, which creates a breezy coastal vibe in kitchens and mudrooms!!
Avoid deep espresso cabinets unless you want high-contrast drama.
5. Think twice before using Icicle on exteriors
Icicle has a low body color and can read extremely washed out in direct sunlight.
On a full exterior it may look almost white, so I’d reserve it for porches, soffits, or trim accents where its cool tint reads intentional.
It plays well with charcoal roofing and stone veneer that has blue-gray flecks.
6. Add warmer textiles and metals to keep interiors from feeling cold
A soft cool paint like Icicle comes alive when layered with brass, brushed gold, and warm linen textures.
I’ve found that this approach prevents living rooms from feeling clinical.
Satin nickel and chrome can also work, but expect a more modern and crisp result.
7. Pick the right sheen to avoid unintended shine
In eggshell or satin, Icicle’s cool undertone becomes more pronounced and can look icy in strong window light.
Flat or matte sheens tend to produce the most soothing and neutral appearance for bedrooms and living areas.
Use satin only in moisture-prone zones like bathrooms and laundry rooms where durability matters!!!
Lisa
Monday 24th of January 2022
Such a useful article . Thank you .