Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204)

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Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams is a popular blue, green and gray color that works beautiful with white and other trending home design colors. It’s considered a coastal “neutral” but is flexible enough that works well in any style of home.

Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams

I absolutely love Sea Salt and have used it multiple times in my homes. And I will always find a place to use it, whether it be a porch ceiling, laundry room, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. I will find a spot to use it, I love it that much!

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If you’re painting the room yourself, these tools will help tremendously. Or, learn how to paint a room in 5 easy steps. And if you’re ever confused about which paint sheen to use, learn which paint finish works in each room!

What Color is Sea Salt?

Sea Salt (SW) is a beautiful, soft blue green paint color with gray undertones.

It is reminiscent of beautiful blue, green ocean waters. The color of the muted water mixed with cool gray undertones with a hint of warmth from sand and sun is a picture that’s not awfully far off from the paint color Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.

Not only is this paint color absolutely gorgeous, but it happens to be one of the most popular paint colors for a home. This is one of the blue-green paint colors that always makes me stop mid-scroll and re-examine a room. Working beautifully with whites and grays and navy blue, Sea Salt brings a welcome pop of calming color to any space.

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Undertones

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is predominantly green color with blue and gray undertones. Like many other colors, Sea Salt is a chameleon color, which means it will look different in each room and lighting setting as different undertones are shown.

Sea Salt in the Kitchen
I painted my kitchen Sea Salt a few years ago and LOVE it!

For example, the green hue is highlighted when Sea Salt is in a room with warm bulbs. However, in a room with diffused, filtered light, the color can appear more green/blue or even blue-ish.

Sea Salt Sherwin Williams

When Sea Salt is in a brightly lit room, the color may look washed out. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it means the color becomes very light and subtle, which is important to know if you are shooting for a bold, moody hue.

Of course, the color changes once the lights are switched off or the sun sets. Isn’t paint fun? Yes!!

For this reason, I always recommend trying a sample in your home before painting the whole room! I like to paint a poster board or two with the sample color, then hang it on different walls through the room at different times of the day to see how the light plays with the color.

PRO Tip

Any time you are choosing a new paint color, you need to try out the real paint color in your home first!

The easiest and quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I solely use them for paint samples now. There’s no mess, no leftover sample pots of paint. Plus, these no-mess, peel-and-stick rectangles made from real paint, are easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!

A word to the wise: do not get the Sherwin Williams Sea Salt paint color mixed up with the Benjamin Moore Sea Salt color. They are very different and you’ll be disappointed if you have your heart set on one and end up with a few cans of the other.

LRV of Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams

Light reflectance value (LRV) is the amount of visible light a paint color either reflects or absorbs. When it comes to LRV, the higher the number is, the more light it reflects rather than absorbs. So, where does Sea Salt fall on the scale?

Sea Salt has a Light Reflectance Value of 63. 

And on the paint color strip, it is followed by a slightly darker shade called Comfort Gray. Then followed by the colors Oyster Bay, Acacia Haze, Retreat, Pewter Green and Ripe Olive. Many of these gorgeous green colors are popular home paint colors!

Sea Salt Paint Color Strip

Is It a Warm or Cool Color?

Sea Salt is definitely a cool color with some warmth in its undertones. As a cool color, it will make a room feel calm, bright and spacious, so it works well for almost any room where you want to relax.

Luckily, this cool, calming color pairs really well with warm neutrals, like taupe and beige. Twice I have used it in an adjoining room with Revere Pewter (Benjamin Moore) and they work wonderfully together!

What Colors go with Sherwin Williams Sea Salt?

If you are looking for a complementary color to go with this shade, you have several popular options from Sherwin Williams, including:

Benjamin Moore Colors that coordinate well with Sea Salt:

It pairs beautiful with almost any pure white or off-white color for trims and ceilings. I use it with Simply White (Benjamin Moore) and love them together!

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt in Real Rooms

Ready to see some examples of Sea Salt? I have them broken down by different rooms throughout the home, so you can see how the hue looks in different spaces and lighting.

SW Sea Salt in Kitchens

The kitchen is always my favorite spot to start. I LOVE Sea Salt in a kitchen—so much so that it’s the shade I chose for my previous kitchen after a long debate of which color to choose.

Plus, this is a great example of the different shades Sea Salt can give off in different lighting. In my kitchen, the color looks blue-gray as you can see below.

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt

However, in my eat-in kitchen, the Sea Salt looks decidedly more green on the wall on the right and a light gray color on the left. It just depends on the time of day.

Sea Salt in Eat-in Kitchen

I love how Sea Salt turned out in the kitchen M Is For Mama put together. It adds the perfect shade of neutral blue-green to her space. The cabinets, by the way, are Sherwin Williams Dover Gray – they look fantastic together!

Sea Salt Kitchen Walls

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt in Bathrooms

Sea Salt was practically made to be shown off in the bathroom. It adds a clean, water-y vibe to the space, which is perfect for an area right around the tub, like this gorgeous bathroom from Studio McGee.

Sea Salt in Bathroom

If you love a calm coastal vibe, you definitely need to give Sea Salt a try.

Sea Salt in Living Rooms

If you’re looking for a livable green color in the living room, this could be the one! After seeing this gorgeous living room from Sand and Sisal, I have this color on my short list if I ever repaint our living room.

Sea Salt in Living Room

Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams for Front Doors

If you are unsure of where to add this fun color, try giving your home some major curb appeal by using it on your front door. You can paint the exterior only, or do both sides like this pretty home from Bria Hammel Interiors did.

Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams front door

Sea Salt on the Ceiling

My back porch got a refresh with Simply White trim and Sea Salt on the ceiling, called a haint blue porch ceiling here in the South. It’s such a soft color that it’s hard to detect on the outside of the house, but it’s the perfect amount of soft blue-green without overwhelming the space!

Haint Blue Porch Ceiling
We painted our porch ceiling in Sea Salt and it appears much lighter in the outside sunlight.

What Trim Color Works Best with Sea Salt?

You can use either a true white color like Pure White, or an off-white color like Simply White. Both would pair really well with Sea Salt.

When Should I Use Sea Salt?

Use Sea Salt when you want a pop of color that acts like a neutral. It’s great for small spaces or large spaces as it’s a very versatile and flexible paint color.

Is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Blue or Green?

It’s a soft, muted blue green paint color that can look more blue or green (or gray) depending on the lighting and which direction your room faces.

Note that your room will appear more blue if it faces North and has less natural light.

SW Sea Salt in My Kitchen

When I finally painted my former kitchen cabinets white, the original wall color was just too dark for me. So, the obvious choice would be something similar to Stratton Blue, but lighter. Palladian Blue (BM) fit that bill! It’s two shades lighter than Stratton Blue and I just knew it would be perfect.

If I operated in my old ways, I would have gone to the store bought paint and painted the kitchen. But it would have still been wrong. And I would have lived with it, even though I didn’t love it 100%. No big deal, but why be a little off when you can be spot on!?

When sampling a paint color on the wall, I like to try at least 2 colors, but 3-4 colors is even better. I was sure that Palladian Blue was the color I wanted, but on a whim, I got a sample of SW Sea Salt, too.

As soon as I painted them on the wall, I knew I would choose Palladian Blue.

But as I lived with the swatches on the wall for 24+ hours, I changed my mind.

sea salt vs Palladian blue

After seeing them in all lights of the day and night, Sea Salt seems just perfect!

This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, and I’ve since painted many rooms and even ceilings this gorgeous color!

Once again, what seemed like a futile exercise (sampling on the walls) saved me from making the wrong paint choice. And sometimes it just confirms what I already knew. But, I’d rather be 100% sure than get half a room painted and wish I could change it.

Final Thoughts

This chameleon paint color is absolutely stunning in most rooms and can be just the color you’re looking for if you want a pop of color, but keep things airy and neutral. It’s also great to bring in a coastal vibe, but doesn’t scream “beach home.”

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt looks awesome wherever it ends up. Have I convinced you to give this beautiful color a try?

More Best Home Decor Paint Colors:

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42 Comments

  1. I guess this an old post, but I’m just seeing it. We finally bit the bullet last week and painted our bathroom Sea Salt. It is lovely, but I wanted the green to come out more and it’s the gray blue that shows up. Our counters are a dark green marble and I was trying to bring out the marbeling, but even though the large paint swatch seemed to work, when the whole space was painted, the green receeded. While not quite what I was going for, it’s better than the Philadelphia Cream we used previously. We have it with White Dove trim and Ceiling White. Our bedroom is Wyeth Blue, and that transition works.

    1. Paint colors depend on so much, including the colors of what’s outside the window and all of the hard surfaces play together or even the time of day. I’m sorry the color didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to. But I bet the transition between the bedroom and bathroom are lovely. xo, Laura

  2. What color would you suggest for a bedroom tray ceiling if the walls are Sea Salt. Would you use Sea Salt or go a shade or 2 darker?

    1. Hi!

      Yes, I think so! But it’s always good to get a sample and test it next to your cabinets just to be sure.

  3. I have used a very similar color in my house, SW Silver Strand. I like it so much I started with it in our bedroom, then the laundry room, and finally the guest bedroom. I’m sure if I had seen Sea Salt before I found Silver Strand, I would have used it.

  4. I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t like this color in my house. It looks beautiful on my computer but I have sampled it several times, I even have the Samplize square. It just doesn’t work anywhere in my home.

    1. Yeah, it really will depend on your decor, the light and other finishes in the room. I have used in 3 different rooms now and every time it looks different, but works! My mom’s cousin paints her whole house this color. So, sometimes I guess it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. 🙂 – Laura

  5. My bedroom walls are painted in Sea Salt and they look wonderful! I have had so many people comment about how nice and relaxing my room feels with my walls painted with this color. I just love it.

  6. Having my lanai painted Sea Salt and I was looking for possible ideas to match Sunbrella fabric cushions both solid and patterns on lighter brown wicker. We have Sea Salt in one bedroom and now inn the laundry room and enjoy friends also liking the color.
    thank you

  7. Painter living room/ dining room Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
    Having difficulty choosing carpet color

  8. I’ve painted my living room sea salt, the tones are nice.
    Not sure what color carpet would go with it
    Repainted most of my house but I missed coordinating everything

  9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Sea Salt so much I used it throughout my whole condo, Granted it’s only a 1 bdrm but also has a sunroom on the back and I didn’t want to do too many different colors so this one fit the bill. It’s a very peaceful color to be in all the time. My decor is beachy and it’s a perfect paint color!

  10. You mentioned the kitchen had Sherwin williams Dover Gray on the cabinets that look great with the sea salt walls. I’m not seeing Dover Gray from Sherwin Williams? Do you have the number?

    1. Good afternoon Laura!! Love all
      The comments. May I please ask a question? I have an open concept living dining kitchen hallway. Currently the living room and hallway are a yellow/gold color. The dining and kitchen break off by an arch and they are currently a sage green. Should I paint it all
      Sea Salt or do a coordinating color for the dining and kitchen? What would you suggest? I was thinking a kid friendly white. Lol. If there is such a thing. Hahahhaa Thank you for your help and time 😀

      1. HI Catherine! I had Sea Salt in my kitchen in my old house, and then Revere Pewter in my adjacent living room. Those colors go really well together! And if you’re looking for a white, I think Simply White is perfect! Get it in an eggshell finish so that you can wipe down the walls. That’ll be pretty kid-friendly, I think! xo, Laura

        1. Thank you Laura for your reply!! I’ve since painted my living area sea salt and could not be happier with the results! Such a soft airy space I absolutely love. Wish I could share a before and after. Please take care of you!!

  11. I have a PPG colonial aqua island in my kitchen (white cabinets) and looking at painting my walls with the Sherwin Williams Sea Salt but not sure how it will look in the rest of the great room area.
    White trim and beige/gray wood floors throughout.

    Any thoughts or opinions?

  12. I have Sea Salt in my kitchen/eating area, my pantry and master bath. It shows up differently in each area and we love it! Now, my college age girls want it in their bedrooms. One faces south and one west. They both want yellow on the accent wall. My question is what shade of yellow goes well with Sea Salt? There is a small dresser pictured above with one drawer painted yellow. I think it looks good but no mention of color name. Any suggestions before I head to store this weekend?

  13. Would anyone have a color choice to go with fruitwood stained trim? I’ve always stayed with beiges but would love to change it up.

  14. Love the Sea Salt color! Just painted my bathroom this color.. where are the curtains in the dining room picture from?

    Thank you,
    Valerie

  15. I just finished painting the master suite in our home with Sea Salt trimmed with Chantilly White. The suite has a sitting room, open to the bedroom and then on to the master bath. I love looking through and seeing the variations according to how the light affects each area.
    I’m tempted to think about it for the outside of the house, I like it so much.
    I’m also intrigued by Hale Navy. Our neighborhood leans toward beige, brown and gray. I’d like something different. Your thoughts?

    1. I bet it is gorgeous!! Sea Salt is definitely in the running for my master bedroom and bath. My good friend just did it in hers and it’s gorgeous!! I think Hale Navy would be gorgeous outside! And maybe Sea Salt on the front door??

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  17. I used sea salt in kitchen, living and dining room and 2 hallways. Each room has different light but they all came out Robin egg blue! Not the color I was going for. It looks like something you would see in a baby’s nursery!

    1. Oh no! I’m sorry they don’t look right in your rooms. My sister-in-law has used it in her home and I have in mine, and neither one looks like a nursery color to us. BUT I always recommend to test colors in your own home if you want to see how they look in your rooms, in your lighting. (Because a south facing room and a west facing room, etc. will have different lighting as well as number of windows, etc.) Sorry it wasn’t the right color for your home!

  18. Hi, i need to buy Sea Salt paint by Sherwin-williams but I’m from Malaysia. Do you have any idea or vendors that ship this paint to Malaysia.

  19. Thank you for this post! I am gearing up to paint my living room Sea Salt in another week or two. I was worried because some of my furniture is dark, but I think it will look great anyway! It is such a soothing, calming color.

  20. Your kitchen looks great with Sea Salt! I painted our guest bedroom/office in this color. I LOVE it. The room has a lot of natural light and it appears to change colors at different times of day, I would say it looks more Robin’s Egg blue on my walls. I like the fun new spotlight on color you did. Can’t wait for the next one!

    1. Yay! So glad you loved this color, too! Funny story: my best friend in high school and I tested multiple paint colors looking for the perfect Robin’s Egg Blue to paint our rooms. We were just obsessed with the color. We never found quite what we were looking for, but you’re right! This is very much the color we were looking for back then. Proof that it’s had a special place in my heart for decades. 😉

    1. Yes, yes, yes – for sure!!! I have lots of navy in my home either in pops of color and painted on the insides of my exterior doors. I LOVE Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. They look so good together!!

  21. Thank you for this info. We are wanting to paint our bathroom a light sea blue to go with our beach decor. A while back you posted a beautiful beach picture. I would love to make a print of it for our living room. It’s from this post: https://theturquoisehome.com/relaxing-beach-summer-mantel-2016/ It’s the one without anyone in the picture. only beach and ocean. what would be the best way to get this from you so I could print it out? Thank you so much.

  22. We used Sea Salt in our guess bedroom. Love it! It makes me feel happy and it makes the space feel calm and relaxing.

  23. I love this color. I painted our living room last year with it. You are right, depending on the light it will look green and another light will make it look more blue.

  24. I love Sea Salt! Also Love Comfort Grey which is on the same Paint strip as Sea Salt. Just a bit darker but has same characteristics!! Have it in my kitchen/dining room, half bath and will prob be putting it on my master bath as well(master bedroom is accessible beige so hey should go well together!!

  25. Sea salt is the best color ever! I used it on shiplap in my laundry room with black & white accents and it’s the bomb! I just painted a guest room that color and it’s perfect! And I’m thinking why not for the master bedroom because it is just that awesome! Loved this post!

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