Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed and Sea Salt are both popular choices for creating a peaceful and calming atmosphere in your home.
Although they share similar qualities, Rainwashed and Sea Salt have subtle differences that can influence the overall feel of your space.
Rainwashed has cooler blue undertones, while Sea Salt carries warmer green undertones, giving each color a unique mood.
I’ll break down these nuances, so you can better understand how they appear in different lighting and design contexts.
This will help you decide which color works best for your vision, whether you’re aiming for a crisp, clean feel or a soft, earthy vibe.
Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed Overview
Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed (SW 6211) is a light, slightly grayish blue with hints of green. This color has a soft and soothing tone, making it perfect for creating a serene atmosphere.
Rainwashed works well in spaces where you want to enhance a peaceful, cool feeling. It brings a clean, refreshing look to walls, furniture, and decor, making it an excellent option for bathrooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens.
Rainwashed’s light undertones give it a muted, neutral quality that makes it versatile and adaptable to various design styles, from contemporary to coastal.
It’s also known for how it pairs with other light hues, offering a calming backdrop that won’t overwhelm the room.
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt Overview
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204) is a soft, muted greenish-blue that feels fresh and tranquil. Unlike Rainwashed, Sea Salt carries a bit more of a green undertone, which gives it a slightly warmer feel.
The green notes in Sea Salt bring a natural, earthy vibe to a space, often evoking a sense of being by the sea or in nature.
It’s a color that is well-suited for creating a relaxed, beachy atmosphere in rooms like living areas, bathrooms, and even kitchens.
Sea Salt’s soft hue allows it to work well with a wide range of other colors, especially neutral tones and wood accents.
Its ability to pair with both light and darker tones makes it an adaptable choice for many different design schemes.
Key Differences Between Rainwashed and Sea Salt
While both Rainwashed and Sea Salt are light, soothing colors, they each have distinct characteristics that influence their appearance and feel within a room.
1. Undertones: Green vs. Blue
The main difference between Rainwashed and Sea Salt lies in their undertones. Rainwashed has cool blue undertones, while Sea Salt carries warmer green undertones, giving each color a distinct mood and feel.
Rainwashed has a cooler, more neutral base, with undertones of blue and a hint of gray. This gives it a clean and slightly crisp appearance, without being too bright or overpowering.
The blue undertones give Rainwashed a serene and tranquil vibe that is ideal for spaces where you want a cool, refreshing atmosphere.
Sea Salt, on the other hand, has a stronger green undertone. This greenish quality makes it feel warmer and softer than Rainwashed, even though both are still considered cool tones.
Sea Salt evokes a feeling of nature and the outdoors, making it a great option for spaces where you want to create a calm, earthy feel.
2. Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is an important factor to consider when selecting paint colors, as it determines how much light a color reflects.
Rainwashed has an LRV of 60, which means it reflects a moderate amount of light. It’s light enough to brighten a space without feeling overly bright.
Rainwashed works well in rooms that need a bit of soft light, without becoming too reflective.
Sea Salt has a slightly lower LRV of 62, meaning it reflects slightly more light. This makes it feel just a bit lighter and airier than Rainwashed, which can be helpful in rooms that may not receive as much natural light.
Sea Salt can help create a more open and spacious feeling, particularly in smaller or dimly lit rooms.
3. Lighting
Rainwashed can look more blue in bright natural light and may take on a slightly cooler feel in north-facing rooms. It thrives in spaces with lots of daylight, where its fresh, airy tone really shines.
Sea Salt, thanks to its subtle gray and green undertones, adjusts more gently in different lighting. In bright light, it looks soft and muted; in dimmer spaces, it can lean slightly gray or green depending on what’s around it.
If you want a more consistent color across lighting changes, Sea Salt is slightly more stable.
4. Pairing Colors
Rainwashed looks great with cool grays, crisp whites, and light wood tones for a clean, airy look.
It also pairs nicely with soft blues, seafoam, and muted pastels, making it ideal for coastal or relaxing spaces. White trim or silver hardware can give it a polished, fresh finish.
Sea Salt blends well with warm neutrals like greige, warm white, and taupe. It also pairs beautifully with natural textures such as jute rugs, rattan chairs, or wood beams, adding warmth and depth.
These combos make Sea Salt feel calm, earthy, and timeless in both modern and traditional homes.
5. Mood & Feel
Rainwashed gives off a breezy, beachy, and slightly cooler vibe – perfect for a refreshing and uplifting space. It feels light, clean, and ideal for coastal or minimalist styles.
Sea Salt feels more calming and spa-like. It brings in an earthy softness that creates a restful, lived-in atmosphere. If you want a room to feel peaceful and serene, Sea Salt has the edge.
Quick Comparision
| Feature | Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed | Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt |
|---|---|---|
| Undertones | Blue with a hint of green and gray | Green with a hint of blue |
| LRV (Light Reflectance Value) | 60 | 62 |
| Mood & Feel | Cool, refreshing, and tranquil | Warm, organic, and soothing |
| Best for | Coastal, modern, minimalist designs | Nature-inspired, rustic, and organic designs |
| Room Suitability | Bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms | Living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, entryways |
| Pairing Colors | Silver hardware, white trim, light wood | Warm wood finishes, neutrals, soft fabrics |
| Ideal Lighting | Works well in both natural and cool lighting | Works well in natural light and warm lighting |
Room Usage for Rainwashed
Rainwashed is ideal for creating a cool, clean, and calming atmosphere in spaces like bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, enhancing relaxation and tranquility.
- Bathrooms: Ideal for creating a spa-like retreat with a cool, calming ambiance. Pair it with white or silver accents to enhance the serene atmosphere.
- Bedrooms: Perfect for a restful and peaceful environment. It pairs well with light wood furniture and soft linens to create a cozy, tranquil retreat.
- Kitchens: Works well in minimalist, coastal, or modern kitchens, where its cool tones provide a clean and refreshing backdrop for sleek appliances and cabinetry.
- Living Rooms: Great for enhancing a coastal or minimalist design, creating an airy, light-filled space that promotes relaxation.
Room Usage for Sea Salt
Sea Salt is perfect for creating a nature-inspired, relaxed environment in rooms like living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, offering a fresh and earthy vibe.
- Living Rooms: Ideal for adding warmth and comfort, especially when paired with warm wood accents and soft neutrals for a relaxed, organic look.
- Kitchens: Perfect for a nature-inspired design with a fresh, open feel. Pairs beautifully with light wood finishes, neutral countertops, and soft textiles.
- Bathrooms: Works wonderfully in creating a calming, spa-like atmosphere, especially when paired with natural stone or wooden elements to enhance the organic feel.
- Entryways: Sea Salt helps set a welcoming, fresh tone in entryways, where it can create a light and airy first impression with a nature-inspired vibe.
Which is Better for You: Rainwashed or Sea Salt?
When deciding between Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed and Sea Salt, it ultimately comes down to the mood and feel you want to create in your space.
If you prefer a cool, crisp, and refreshing look with a clean, modern vibe, Rainwashed may be the better choice.
Its blue-green undertones make it ideal for minimalist or coastal designs, adding a serene atmosphere to bathrooms, kitchens, or bedrooms.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a warmer, nature-inspired tone with earthy, organic undertones, Sea Salt is the way to go.
Its subtle greenish-blue hue brings a cozy, inviting feel to living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, making it perfect for spaces where you want to emphasize relaxation and a connection to nature.
Consider the lighting and overall aesthetic of your room to help you decide which color will work best for your home.
Conclusion
Both Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed and Sea Salt are excellent choices for creating a serene, calming environment in your home.
Rainwashed’s cool, blue-green undertones offer a crisp, refreshing look, perfect for modern or minimalist spaces.
On the other hand, Sea Salt’s warm greenish-blue hue brings a more natural, organic feel, ideal for creating a cozy, nature-inspired ambiance.
The differences in their undertones and how they react to lighting can make one more suitable than the other, depending on the atmosphere you want to create in your space.
I hope this comparison helps you choose the perfect color for your next project. Whether you’re aiming for a cool, tranquil retreat or a fresh, earthy vibe, both colors will add beauty and calm to any room.
Ready to transform your space? I encourage you to try one of these stunning shades and enjoy the peaceful ambiance it creates.
With a Master in Architectural Studies from University of Pennysylvania, Marwa Haydar has pioneered living spaces since 2005. Her expertise, initially honed in a prestigious architectural firm, is evident in her approach to creating environments. Marwa became part of our team in 2019 and has since been a driving force in our home improvement section, known for her practical yet stylish solutions. She’s been spearheading our design workshops since then, infusing her passion for teaching into her work. In her leisure time, Marwa enjoys exploring historic architecture and is an enthusiastic pottery hobbyist, further enriching her understanding of form and texture.
