SW (Sherwin-Williams) Upward Review

Are you looking to freshen up your space? Sherwin-Williams has chosen “Upward” as its 2024 Color of the Year, a soft blue-gray shade that brings calm and brightness to any room.

This gentle paint color stands out for its blend of blue, gray, and subtle purple hints, distinguishing it from typical blue-gray options.

In this guide, I’ll explain everything about SW Upward: what makes it special, where it works best in your home, which colors complement it, and real tips for using it successfully.

Let’s see if this shade is right for your space.

SW Upward: A Closer Look

SW Upward combines blue and gray shades with hints of purple and violet.

When you look closely, you’ll notice it’s mainly blue with gray mixed in, plus those subtle purple touches that make it unique.

Think of it as sitting right in the middle between light and dark—not too bright or deep.

SW Upward has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 57 regarding brightness.

This means it reflects a balanced amount of light, falling in the middle range of the scale. In real rooms, this translates to a visible color without being overwhelming.

Understanding SW Upward’s Color Makeup

When you look at SW Upward, you might first see just blue-gray, but there’s more at play. This color contains noticeable violet hints that come through in the paint.

These purple touches make SW Upward a bit trickier than other blue-gray paints.

How Light Changes The Color

The way SW Upward looks can shift throughout the day.

In natural light, you might see more of its blue side
The gray tones might stand out in some spaces
The violet hints can become more visible in certain lighting
The color’s cool qualities stay constant no matter the light

Working With The Undertones

Before choosing SW Upward, check these points.

Look at the color in your actual space at different times of day
Test it near your white trim and existing wall colors
Be careful with warm wood tones – the cool nature of SW Upward might not match well
Check how it looks next to your countertops or stone surfaces
Use it in spaces that already have cool or neutral color schemes

Where SW Upward Works Best

Bathrooms: Perfect for vanities and wall panels
Bedrooms: Works well on a single wall or all walls in a kids’ room
Entryways: Makes a nice statement on doors
Kitchen: Can brighten cabinet surfaces
Laundry areas: Brings life to storage units
Mudrooms: Good for built-in storage

Smart Ways to Use SW Upward

Full Walls vs. Accents

Single wall applications work better than painting every wall
Try it on wall panels for added interest
Use it on built-in shelves or cabinets
Works nicely on interior door surfaces
Can update basic furniture pieces

Design Style Matches

It fits well in French country spaces
Adds to modern room designs
Works in beach-inspired rooms
Suits clean, current layouts
Pairs with simpler design approaches

Perfect Color Matches for SW Upward

White Shades That Work

Extra White (top choice for cool-toned spaces)
Snowbound
West Highland White
High Reflective White (great for ceilings and trim)

Gray Partners

Tin Smith
Cityscape
Tricorn Black
Peppercorn

Blue Companions

Naval
Gale Force
Cyberspace

Neutral Teammates

Anew Gray
Worldly Gray
Shitake
Mega Gray

Adding More Color

Light pink tones
Soft mustard shades
Rust accents
Tan touches
Clean black details

Creating Your Color Plan

Start with SW Upward as your main color
Pick one white shade for trim and ceilings
Add 2-3 other colors for balance
Keep most colors in the cool or neutral range
Use warmer colors sparingly as small accents

Remember: SW Upward does best with cool or neutral colors. Stick to this family for the most pleasing results.

Testing SW Upward First

Paint test spots in different areas of your room
Look at the color in morning, noon, and evening light
Check how it looks with artificial lights on
Place samples near your windows and corners
Watch how it changes next to existing colors

Best Trim and Ceiling Colors

For Trim

Extra White (ideal for cool-toned rooms)
High Reflective White (gives a clean, bright look)

For Ceilings

Extra White keeps the look smooth
High Reflective White adds brightness

Working with Materials

Stone and Counters

Test near your countertops
Check with stone surfaces
Watch for clashing with beige or pink-toned materials

Metal Finishes

Silver tones work well
Chrome fits nicely
Brushed nickel matches well

Wood Elements

Be careful with warm wood tones
Works better with gray-toned wood
Light woods often match better than dark ones
Test carefully if you have golden oak finishes

SW Upward in Different Areas of Your Home

In The Bathroom

Paint bathroom vanities for a fresh look
Use it on wall panels with white trim
Add it to built-in storage units
Try it on all walls in small powder rooms
Paint a single wall in larger bathrooms

In The Kitchen

Update cabinet faces
Paint the kitchen island
Use on pantry doors
Add to open shelving
Try it on a backsplash wall

Living Space Ideas

Paint lower wall panels
Use on built-in bookshelves
Add to window trim
Paint interior doors
Try on fireplace surrounds

Outside Your Home

Front door refresh
Window shutters
Entry columns
Garage doors
Porch ceilings

Smart Combinations

Mix with white trim for clean lines
Pair with silver hardware
Add gray stone accents
Include clear glass elements
Use white counters for contrast

Remember: Start small with one area before making bigger changes. This helps you see how the color works in your space.

SW Upward vs. Similar Sherwin-Williams Colors

Color Name	Undertones	Light Reflectance Value (LRV)	Best Used In	Key Features
SW Upward	Blue with violet and gray undertones	57	Bedrooms, bathrooms, accent walls, kids’ rooms	Cool and crisp, it works well with cooler palettes.
SW Sleepy Blue	Blue-gray with green undertones	59	Living rooms, spa-like bathrooms, calming bedrooms	Relaxed and soothing, it adds a soft, spa-like feel.
SW Icy	Frosty blue with periwinkle undertones	56	Entryways, kitchens, modern-themed spaces	Vibrant and frosty; more chroma than SW Upward.
SW Windy Blue	Blue-gray with violet undertones	48	Accent walls and larger rooms need depth	Deeper and richer; adds boldness to designs.

Pros and Cons of SW Upward

Aspect	Pros	Cons
Aesthetic	Calm and crisp appearance.	It can clash with warm tones like golden oak or beige.
Versatility	Complements cooler palettes well.	Limited use with warm or earthy color schemes.
Application	Suitable as both an accent and base color.	It is not ideal for painting entire homes or common areas.
Design Impact	Enhances modern, coastal, or transitional styles.	Requires careful pairing to avoid undertone clashes.

Summing Up

SW Upward is calm and crisp, ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and accent walls, and it complements cooler and neutral palettes.

Though it pairs beautifully with whites, grays, and blues, careful consideration is needed to avoid clashing with warm wood tones or beige materials.

Testing the color in various lighting conditions ensures the best results. Whether used on cabinets, doors, or walls, SW Upward adds a touch of elegance and freshness to modern, coastal, or transitional design styles.