Sherwin Williams Rainwashed: LRV, Undertones & a Little More
When it comes to paint ‘colors’ (not neutrals), there is NO blend more popular than blue-green. But not all blue-greens were created equal, as some have more blue, others are greener, and OTHERS have a ton of gray in them! And it can be hard to find the one that suits your tastes and your home just perfectly – which is where I come in handy (wink wink).
I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need, but have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!
What type of paint color is Rainwashed? Is it a warm or cool paint color?
Rainwashed is a paint COLOR, not a neutral one. While it does have some gray in it, the gray takes a step back, leaving more blue and green on your walls, which means it’s a COOL paint color (figuratively and literally).
The unique blend of undertones in Rainwashed (which we’ll get into shortly) makes it great for a north-facing or east-facing room in the afternoon. Because these rooms have a cool or flat exposure, they don’t always do well painted in cold paint colors. However, Rainwashed has enough color and the right blend to fit in quite nicely without looking ICY cold (and is also great for south or west-facing rooms).
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
What’s the LRV of Rainwashed?
With an LRV of 59, Rainwashed is a light-depth paint color, but it’s not on the HIGH end of the light range as it has more depth. This means that if have a SUPER bright room, it can hold its color a bit better, whereas a light/off-white color could wash out a lot more. If you have a dark room, it can also look pretty as the COLOR is stronger than the gray (some grays can fall flat and dingy in a dark room).
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
What are the undertones of Rainwashed? Will it look blue or green?
Because Rainwashed is a COLOR, its undertone is gray. However, it is a blue-green blend, leaning MORE into blue than green, especially if you have north-facing light. If you don’t like green undertones, you might still like this paint color, as the blend cuts back on the traditional look of green.
If you want LESS color, you can check out Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (but finish reading this blog post first, and you’ll find another link near the bottom).
What’s the best way to sample any paint color?
What’s the best way to sample the paint colors below?
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out soon to grab paint samples – stop there! Please check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location
- they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
- if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Learn all about Samplize HERE
If I’m painting my walls Rainwashed, what’s the best white paint color for my trim?
Rainwashed is reasonably flexible regarding its white partners…
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
Is it a good color for the exterior of my home?
I won’t say it isn’t good, but it’s not a POPULAR choice. Most of my Online Paint Color Consulting clients want more gray or depth regarding this type of color. It’s pretty with white trim, but it’s not for every home (or many homes). I can see it looking cute as a button on a cottage!
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
Is Rainwashed a popular paint color right now?
While Rainwashed might not be a hit on exteriors, it’s a hit on interior walls. Most people won’t paint their whole HOME this color, but it can look awesome in one or two rooms if a palette is coordinated around it.
What Benjamin Moore paint colors are the same as or similar to Rainwashed?
You won’t find an exact match for Rainwashed – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, there are some with similar intentions but different approaches…
- Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue (very similar)
- Benjamin Moore Bali
What type of paint colors look good with Rainwashed?
When it comes to Rainwashed, here are a few of the color families I might explore…
- Some warm and cool gray paint colors, and it’s pretty open to a range of gray undertones
- Greige paint colors like Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
- A whole range of off-white paint colors
- Cream paint colors that have a wink more color to them
- I don’t LOVE Rainwashed with many tan or beige paint colors – maybe only in the off-white range
Not sure if Rainwashed is right for you? I’ve got more!
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Tradewind
The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2022!
Comments 3
I am looking for a color for my entire home… wondering under what circumstances you would choose rainwashed? We have a very open floor plan with high ceilings.
Love all of your articles!!!!
Patti
Author
Hi Patti, I LOVE Rainwashed, but I’d hesitate to do a WHOLE HOME. I would ABSOLUTELY do a living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom – even two of those…but I wouldn’t do a whole home. Colour can be a bit overwhelming on the large scale, but that’s for ME, if you love colour and want to live IN it, that’s cool! However, my MAIN concern is that Rainwashed will limit you with future choices of furniture/decor/hard finishes/etc… only because it’s a colour and colours aren’t as versatile as neutrals.
Cool beans?
I absolutely love your work, videos, articles, etc. I have learned sooooo much from you! I am considering Rainwashed for exterior. I know you said it’s not for most people for exterior and it would look cute on a cottage. I wonder what you would think of doing this on a stucco home in Florida. We want that coastal home feel that many homes that have color on the exteriors have, but don’t want it to come out too bright and overwhelming. I’m really hoping the gray in this would calm it down enough to work. I’ve tried less colorful colors like Sea Salt but it goes so much more washed out in the Florida sun. Sea Salt almost looks beige in the light and is only a hint of blue-green (green-blue?) in the shade. If not Rainwashed, I would love to know what blue-green you would recommend for exterior to achieve coastal without going too bright or Easter egg.