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Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in Beautiful Homes (Plus Dupes!)

    Looking for the perfect mid-toned gray green that is just the right amount of neutral? Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams might just be the one!

    Sherwin williams Oyster Bay on an exterior above a garage with a white door and brick around the sides.
    Photo Credit: @jennsellsmoore

    Here we will see Oyster Bay in real homes, pick out some coordinating colors, discuss trim, and of course, check out some dupes!

    What Color is Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay (SW 6206)

    Oyster Bay is a mid-toned gray green color. It reads somewhere in between aqua and gray.

    LRV of Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay

    The LRV of Oyster Bay is 44.

    What does that tell us?

    The LRV of a color indicates on a scale of 0 – 100 how much light a color reflects (or doesn’t reflect). True black has an LRV of 0 and pure white has an LRV of 100.

    In the paint world, we are working in a range of about 3 – 93 because no paint color is purely black or completely white.

    Oyster Bay plotted at 44 on a light to dark LRV scale over a background of green-blue-gray water on a cloudy day.

    At 44, Oyster Bay absorbs slightly more color than it reflects. It is a little bit darker than many whole-home paint colors that tend to have an LRV between 50 and 65, but not by much.

    What Are the Undertones of Oyster Bay?

    Oyster Bay has cooler blue-green undertones than you might expect from the swatch. Technically it’s in the yellowy-green color family, but the gray gives it an extra dollop of coolness.

    Oyster Bay swatched beside the hex chart for the color. Background photo of a quiet blue green bay with mountains behind.

    So, Is Oyster Bay Warm or Cool?

    I would say that Oyster Bay is neutral. It can look cooler than you expect, and have cool blue undertones, but against truly cool greens or blues, it will look warm.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay Color Strip

    Here are all of the shades from the oh-so-popular Oyster Bay color strip.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay color strip features from light to dark: Spare White, Sea Salt, Comfort Gray, Oyster Bay, Acacia Haze, Retreat, Pewter Green, and Ripe Olive over a background of a red house in front of a fishing village.

    Lighter Version of Oyster Bay

    One shade lighter than Oyster Bay on the same color strip is the color Comfort Gray. To be honest, I don’t see many people using this shade, but it’s a perfect compromise with a higher LRV.

    Darker Version of Oyster Bay

    Acacia Haze is one shade darker than Oyster Bay on the same color strip. However, Sherwin Williams actually slotted in Acacia Haze after the fact, and Retreat was the original shade darker. Take a look at both if Oyster Bay is just a little light for you!

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay Color Palette

    I actually have two color palettes for you today: My original whatever-I-wanted color palette, and then a “popular pairings” one.

    This first color palette features my picks for colors that coordinate beautifully with Oyster Bay:

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in a color palette with Oyster Bay on a large paint lid surrounded by Analytical Gray, Oyster White, SImply White, and Soot, all on smaller paint lids, over a beige and sage watercolor background with a stem of tall dried flowers.

    Coordinating Colors for Oyster Bay

    Let’s take a look at these colors together:

    Sherwin Williams Oyster White

    I mean, why not stay on theme?

    Oyster Bay and coordinating color Oyster White, each swatched on a paint lid on a sandy beach

    Oyster White is a beautiful, creamy, neutral off white. This would work great whether you want to use Oyster Bay as an accent color, or if you just need a lighter color for certain spaces.

    I love these two on their own, and together!

    Sherwin Williams Analytical Gray

    Analytical Gray is a greigey sort of mushroom color that doesn’t get nearly enough love! This one is soothing and sandy next to Oyster Bay.

    Oyster Bay and coordinating color Analytical Gray, each swatched on a paint lid on a sandy beach

    Benjamin Moore Soot

    Soot is a beautiful, almost black, gray blue paint color. It pairs really well with almost anything, but I especially like it with the gray green of Oyster Bay.

    Oyster Bay and coordinating color Soot, each swatched on a paint lid on a sandy beach

    Benjamin Moore Simply White

    Simply White is actually the color of the exterior in that color palette. This creamy white is surprisingly bright. It’s a nice touch of warmth with Oyster Bay, while still being a pretty crisp white.

    Oyster Bay and coordinating color Simply White, each swatched on a paint lid on a sandy beach

    Popular Sherwin Williams Colors with Oyster Bay

    For the second palette, here are all of the colors that people most often pair with Oyster Bay:

    Oyster Bay and Alabaster

    Alabaster is one of Sherwin Williams most popular whites. This is a low contrast white to pair Oyster Bay with if you want a subtle creamy trim color.

    Oyster Bay and Agreeable Gray

    Agreeable Gray is a greige color by Sherwin Williams that would work just as well as Analytical Gray with Oyster Bay. In fact, it works with almost any color!

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in a color palette with Alabaster, Agreeable Gray, Simply White, and Sea Salt, all on paint lids over a background of a watercolor painting of the seaside.

    Sea Salt with Oyster Bay

    You can definitely pair Oyster Bay with it’s lighter counterpart Sea Salt. Sea Salt is perfect in spaces that you want to keep light and bright, like a spa bath, and Oyster Bay is great in grounded spaces like your bedroom or study.

    Oyster Bay’s Complementary Color

    The “official” complementary color for Oyster Bay is a mid-toned gray blue with purple undertones. I would suggest using Soot if you want to skip the purple and use an ultra dark gray-blue.

    For something a little more accurate but not overtly purple, try Sherwin Williams Cloak Gray or Perle Noir:

    Oyster Bay and coordinating color Cloak Gray, each swatched on a paint lid on a sandy beach

    What White Trim Colors Go With Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay?

    For me personally, I would probably go with either Pure White or Snowbound for trim with Oyster Bay. Both are neutral true whites by Sherwin Williams with a bit of softness.

    Oyster Bay wall with various trim options including Alabaster, Pure White, Snowbound, and Extra White.

    Alabaster is a softer, warmer option that will help your Oyster Bay walls seem a little bit lighter.

    For a crisp option, try Sherwin Williams Extra White.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay for Your Home Interior

    Let’s take a look at SW Oyster Bay in real homes!

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in a Bedroom

    First up, we have this bedroom designed by Lindsay & Dustin (@silo.hill):

    Oyster Bay on the bedroom wall with shelf on the right and a wooden sofa on the left side
    Photo Credit: @silo.hill

    If you like the color strip, you will love this home! They have also used Acacia Haze and Pewter Green.

    Here is the same room, but where Oyster Bay looks a little bit lighter:

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay where it looks lighter on the walls of a bedroom. An arched wicker bookshelf stands in the middle of a room beside a wooden daybed.
    Photo Credit: @silo.hill

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in a Laundry Room

    We don’t often get a sneak peek at what a laundry room will look like with any particular color, but today we do!

    Oyster Bay on cabinets and built-in iron board. Washing machine and dryer beside the sink with plants and birds wallpaper.
    Photo Credit: @ravishingrooms

    Ravishing Rooms (@ravishingrooms) used Oyster Bay for this laundry room update.

    They opted to refinish the existing cabinets and it made all the difference!

    Oyster Bay on cabinets beside laundry ratan basket with plants and birds wallpaper on the left side.
    Photo Credit: @ravishingrooms

    They also left the existing white countertop, and repainted the small backsplash and front trim to match. (Was originally wood like the cabinets.)

    Peel and stick wallpaper adds new interest to the back wall:

    Oyster Bay on cabinets and built-in iron board. Washing machine and dryer with plants and birds wallpaper.
    Photo Credit: @ravishingrooms

    One more, because why not? :

    Oyster Bay on cabinets beside laundry ratan basket with plants and birds wallpaper on the left side.
    Photo Credit: @ravishingrooms

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in the Living Room

    I haven’t managed to collect a photo of Oyster Bay in a living room, so here is a dupe:

    Benjamin Moore Misted Green, a dupe for Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay, on a feature wall in a cabin with cedar ceiling and black wood stove.
    Photo Credit: @northmountainhouse

    In this airbnb getaway (@northmountainhouse), the owners chose Benjamin Moore Misted Green for the fireplace wall. We will talk about the subtle difference in just a minute, but this is pretty close to how Oyster Bay will look.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay in a Kitchen and on Cabinets

    Moving on to the kitchen, here we see Oyster Bay on the oversized island in Morgan’s (@morgan.baswell) fabulous modern farmhouse kitchen:

    Oyster Bay on an island in a modern farmhouse style kitchen with wooden floors and white perimeter cabinets with gold hardware.
    Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

    Morgan’s perimeter cabinets are Sherwin Williams Pure White.

    Here Oyster Bay looks quite light:

    Oyster Bay on an island and a wooden floor tiles
    Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

    I like how Morgan used Oyster Bay on her island with white cabinets. For me personally, I think I would go with a slightly darker gray green if I was to use a similar color on all of my cabinets.

    Oyster Bay Walls With Oak Cabinets

    Green is always a great choice with oak cabinets! As long as you don’t go too teal or forest green, it stays pretty modern, and the tones are super complementary.

    Here’s a mockup of how Oyster Bay would look with existing honey oak cabinets:

    Oyster Bay walls with honey oak cabinets, a white backsplash, and gray countertops.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay on Your Home’s Exterior

    Here is a fabulous look at Oyster Bay on an exterior, thanks to Realtor Jenn (@jennsellsmoore):

    Oyster Bay on exterior siding with a white gate garage.
    Photo Credit: @jennsellsmoore

    Here is a close up look:

    Oyster Bay on shiplap wall and on paneled door.
    Photo Credit: @jennsellsmore

    Jenn didn’t say what the door color is, but I think it looks like Retreat. (Two shades darker than Oyster Bay.) I love how this gray green looks with the brick!

    Oyster Bay on a Front Door

    Back at our friend Morgan’s place, we see Oyster Bay on the front door of her creamy white farmhouse.

    Oyster Bay front door with Benjamin Moore SImply White Exterior and a gray roof.
    Photo credit: @morgan.baswell

    The exterior here is Benjamin Moore Simply White.

    Here’s a look at night, where you can still make out the soft gray green of the front door:

    Simply White Exterior and Oyster Bay Front Door with Christmas Lights at night
    Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

    Oyster Bay Compared to Other Gray Green Paint Colors

    Let’s talk about how Oyster Bay stacks up compared to similar colors that you may be considering.

    Let’s start with the shades from the same color strip.

    Oyster Bay background compared to the rest of the Sherwin Williams color strip including lighter colors Sea Salt and Comfort Gray, and darker colors Acacia Haze and Retreat.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Sea Salt

    Sea Salt is two shades lighter than Oyster Bay, and you can definitely see it. Here is Sea Salt in a bedroom:

    Sea salt in airy bedroom with beams and a 4 poster bed
    Sea Salt – Photo credit: @folliefarm

    Sea Salt reads almost like an off-white here, but with obvious green tones.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Comfort Gray

    Comfort Gray is just one shade lighter than Oyster Bay.

    Sherwin Williams Comfort gray on a wall behind a bed
    Comfort Gray – Photo Credit: @the_willow_teahouse

    In my opinion, Comfort Gray reads slightly cooler and more gray than Oyster Bay, as well as the other colors on this strip.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Acacia Haze

    Acacia Haze is one shade darker than Oyster Bay. These two are super similar, so you can choose based off of whether you want a lighter or moodier shade.

    Acacia Haze lower cabinets two tone kitchen with Oyster White uppers and bold light granite
    Acacia Haze – Photo credit: @bridgetrealestate

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Contented

    SW Contented is warmer and lighter than Oyster Bay. It is also a little less gray.

    Oyster Bay background color with swatches of similar Sherwin Williams colors Contented, Filmy Green, and Opaline over top.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Quietude

    Quietude is a lot more blue than Oyster Bay, and also more saturated (less gray).

    Oyster Bay background color with swatches of similar Sherwin Williams colors Window Pane, Rainwashed, and Quietude over top.

    If you like these shades, I do have a post about Window Pane.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Rainwashed

    Rainwashed is one shade lighter than Quietude on the same color strip, so it is also cooler and less gray, in addition to being significantly lighter.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay vs Silvermist

    SW Silvermist is a touch more gray than Oyster Bay, and a LOT cooler. It is way on the blue end of green, as opposed to Oyster Bay which is on the yellow end.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay on one half of a bedroom wall and Sherwin Williams Silvermist on the other half

    Dupes for Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay from Other Brands

    Let’s take a look at colors from other brands that will get you the same look and feel as Oyster Bay!

    Oyster Bay Dupes include swatches of Oyster Bay, Misted Green, Keystone Gray, and Gracious Gray

    Benjamin Moore Oyster Bay Equivalent

    The closest color match from Benjamin Moore for Oyster Bay, is the color Misted Green.

    Benjamin Moore Misted Green (2138-50)

    Misted Green is a popular Benjamin Moor color in its own right. It is slightly lighter than Oyster Bay, and a touch cooler.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay on one half of a living room wall and Benjamin Moore Misted Green on the other half

    Overall, these two are very very similar.

    Valspar (Lowe’s) Equivalent to Oyster Bay

    From Valspar, the best dupe for Oyster Bay is the color Gracious Gray.

    Valspar Gracious Gray (8004-32D)

    Gracious Gray is a bit deeper than Oyster Bay, but otherwise a very good match. It is in the exact same green area on the color wheel.

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay on one half of a bedroom wall and Valspar Gracious Gray on the other half

    Oyster Bay Behr Equivalent (Home Depot)

    From Behr, the best dupe for Oyster Bay is the color Keystone Gray.

    Behr Keystone Gray (HDC-AC-21)

    Keystone Gray is a little bit lighter and cooler than Oyster Bay:

    Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay on one half of a wall with Behr Keystone Gray on the other half

    Let’s summarize the dupes:

    Oyster Bay background with dupes from Benjamin Moore, Valspar, and Behr swatched over top. Colors are Gracious Gray, Keystone Gray, and Misted Green. Background is an outline of an open Oyster shell

    Ooh la la, those are some nice colors!

    Oyster Bay Final Moody Musings

    That’s all I have on Oyster Bay for now! This is a great mid-toned color for just about anything.

    Not the one? Call me the green queen! Here are other great posts you will like:

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    Graphic reads "the best sage greens for cabinets" with a Farmhouse, Rustic, Muted, Light, and Dark sage sampled on top of a photo of a sage green door
    Evergreen Fog paint drop over a background pic of a bathroom with evergreen fog walls, bronze accents, pashmina colored vanity, and wallpaper