Are you planning to use Sherwin-Williams Morning Fog paint for your home interior walls, cabinets, exterior or furniture painting project?
I have some details you’ll want to check out before committing to this mysterious, yet inviting color.
One thing I know is how confusing it can get to choose the perfect gray(s) for your space.
Cooler or warmer? Light-toned, medium-toned or dark-toned? It gets overwhelming.
Well, I’ll tell you know…
If you’re looking for a medium-toned gray with clean and subtle cool undertones, Morning Fog is it.
It’s hard to pick a color that is not too light, yet not too dark. This is where this gray comes into play.
When used with a perfect set of accent colors, bases or neutrals, this gray can beautifully flaunt its magic to stay consistent with itself.
Read on to discover TONS more about Morning Fog – I promise you’ll be an expert on it in no time (and will know if it works for you!).
Timelessness offered by Morning Fog. Try it on a wall and observe how it transforms the space into a subtle haven.
Designers and homeowners across the country highly admire this shade of gray.
If you look at model homes or read magazines about décor you’ll likely run into this color.
As it is inclined more towards the cooler side of the wheel, I highly recommend using in spaces that you want to make seem larger and more spacious.
This whimsical color definitely gives you a benefit to be used anywhere and everywhere, interiors or exteriors and any interior design style.
But before discussing the design style and inspiration, let’s talk in detail about the color and its characteristics.
Sherwin-Williams Morning Fog Details and Specifications
Being a mid-toned shade, the Light Reflective Value of the color is 42 – not too dark and not too light.
This is important to know as it helps your success in where you’re going to use it, i.e. It will look different in a bright kitchen or bathroom, versus a master bedroom that’s on the north side of the house.
In this case, it’s pretty neutral, so you’re fairly safe unless you plan to really brighten a space or want to bring it down to create a more cozy, intimate setting (go with a lighter tone with an LRV of 75 or more).
When designing your bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas, I highly recommend considering this value.
Is your room north-faced, south-faced? What time of the day do you use that room?
Yes, that all needs to be considered when applying paint!
Isn’t it interesting how colors have deep stories and theories hidden within them? And we are here to unravel them all.
Want to try this color out without having to paint your wall? Use some nifty peel-and-stick samples: Pick one up now from Samplize!
Diving deeper into further details, they have associated RGB and HEX values.
For this gray shade, they are: Red = 168, Green = 174, Blue = 177
The assigned HEX Value = #a8aeb1.
Effects of Light on Morning Fog
Once you start applying Morning Fog to your walls, you will observe both a crispness of the color and a calming smoothness at times.
When there is ample natural or artificial light falling, it might turn out to be even lighter.
Jenna Kate at Home shows off just how beautiful this paint color can look in a bright, airy doorway. Almost convinces you it’s in the blue family, right?
Let’s say like Olympus White (see my review of Olympus White here) or Lazy Gray (learn more here!) colors.
Unlike darker hues, you get the benefit of using this shade in mid-sized as well as larger-sized rooms, as they will eventually make your space seem brighter.
However, remember not to use it in very tiny or very large spaces. Generally, for the smaller spaces, you might want to go for lighter shades that have a much higher Light Reflectance Value.
And very large spaces create an illusion of a much bigger space than required, so it’s a big no-no if you want to use this color.
It is still light and bright enough to make your room feel airy.
Softness is highly exhibited when sunlight falls! And that’s why it makes a preferable option to being used in the exteriors. Right?
Now you see, light is another important factor when specifying a color!
SW Morning Fog Vs. Similar Colors
It is quite likely that you might confuse Morning Fog with its similar-looking hues.
Let’s have a look at a few of the most common:
Morning Fog vs Uncertain Gray
One such classic example is Sherwin-Williams Uncertain Gray (SW 6234) and Colonial Revival Gray (SW 2832).
And I totally understand the confusion!
To make it easier for you, let’s start with SW Uncertain Gray. It is another Medium light-toned shade with LRV very close to the one with Morning Fog – 43.
Yes, it seems quite similar and confusing. But you know what the biggest difference is.
Morning Fog is more inclined towards the cooler side of the scale, unlike the Uncertain Gray.
They might look very similar on the screen, but the biggest secret is to order samples of the color and then assess the brightness and tones in the environment you’re painting in. Pick peel-and-stick samples now from Samplize!
You could even visit the nearby store to actually have a real-time look.
Trust me, it can get deceiving sometimes!
Morning Fog vs. Colonial Revival Gray
Moving on to the next is Colonial Revival Gray.
With a Light Reflectance Value of 48, this is a much brighter shade than both Morning Fog and Uncertain Gray.
This color is a smoother and mid-toned shade exhibiting the properties of cooler white when there is excessive natural light falling.
It is quite likely to get confused but remember this shade is more inclined towards mainstream gray without any hassle involved in variant tones.
Morning Fog in excessive light might display blue-gray characteristics.
Buy some wall samples of each of these colors to easily compare them in your home.
SW Morning Fog Vs. BM Silver Dollar
If you want to know more about how this color aligns its properties with other manufacturers, Benjamin Moore Silver Dollar is the one to be discussed!
Looking very similar to Morning Fog, Silver Dollar is comparatively a little brighter with an LRV of 44.42.
But it’s the definitive cooler undertones that stick out in this comparison.
There have been questions and doubts arising many times on online forums about the differences in these two shades, and frankly, until you line them up together, you can finally see that Morning Fog shows off its blue undertones, making it’s BM counterpart appear to be more “true” gray.
Morning Fog Coordinating Colors
Sherwin-Williams Morning Fog is a blue-gray paint color that can be tricky sometimes!
Yes, of course, due to the dual undertones, but also how light reflects a major role here.
So, when choosing the coordinating colors for SW Morning Fog, always ensure that you choose a palette – lively and airy! (Since this color can be dominating and bold)
To name a few, you can best pair this blue-gray paint color with clean and cool whites, lighter beiges, darker grays, black, lemon yellows, and shades of peach.
In terms of metallic accents, choose the tones of satin brass or matte black for the lighting fixtures, artwork frames, and furniture frames.
Here are the following two color palette suggestions – monochromatic and coordinating (quirky and bold)!
Monochromatic Color Palette
The complementary colors for the monochromatic palette are as follows –
- SW 6256 Serious Gray
- SW 6257 Gibraltar
- SW 7615 Sea Serpent
Whether you have a coastal-style design or contemporary, this dramatic mood created by the blend of various shades of blue-grays is something you simply can’t ignore!
Although you have to allow ample natural light to enter if you’d love to create this palette in your space.
In terms of metallic accents, choose satin brass or polished chrome to go with it.
Contrasting Bold Color Palette
The complementary colors for the contrasting palette are as follows (bold) –
- SW 7006 Extra White
- SW 6993 Black of Night
- SW 2739 Charcoal Blue
If you prefer the moody and dramatic feel but fear the touch of warmer colors, this is a color palette that will help you create the desired aura.
The black and white will create a contrast and ultimately break the monotony!
Meanwhile, don’t feel shy about styling with satin brass and antique copper on the artwork frames and furniture frames.
Contrasting Quirky Color Palette
The complementary colors for the contrasting palette are as follows (quirky) –
- SW 7006 Extra White
- SW 6057 Malted Milk
- SW 6250 Granite Peak
If you like the vibe of a contrasting palette, merge the blue-gray with quirky hues like blush pink, mustard, and dark blue to create an utmost contrast and striking appeal.
Here, you can choose the decorative accents, such as throw pillows and blankets in the brighter hues.
For the metallic accents, choose satin brass or antique brass!
Now that you may have decided to choose this timeless color, it is important to understand what colors best go with it, right?
Choose a creamy white or deep navy and charcoal!
You could be a monochromatic admirer, but the best shades to complement the color are Extra White ( SW 7006) – could be the trim or molding color, Sedate Gray ( SW 6169) – could be a base or an accent, Ice Cube ( SW 6252) – best for accessories and furnishings
You could also try pairing with:
Sea Serpent – SW 7615 and Charcoal Blue – SW 2739 (see my article on this one here) – If you want a bold room!
From the interior designer’s point of view, I highly recommend considering neutrals and off-whites to complement this color.
Say a big no to bright warmer shades.