Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray vs Repose Gray: Let's Compare!

Looking for the perfect gray paint color for your home? Let’s compare Mindful Gray vs Repose Gray and find out which one is the best fit for your space!

I love gray paint colors because they’re neutral but still have character. They’re the perfect backdrop for almost any decor style you can think of.

Grays may be versatile, but there’s a difference between lighter and medium shades.

Lighter grays make a great whole-house paint color, whereas darker grays are often better suited for spaces with bright natural light.

So it's important to pay attention to a paint color's LRV number and lighting in a space so you don't end up with a too-dark gray on the walls!

Today, I want to compare two super popular shades of gray paint – Mindful Gray and Repose Gray.

So, let’s compare these two popular shades, Mindful Gray and Repose Gray.

Read my full review of Mindful Gray

Read my full review of Repose Gray

Mindful Gray vs Repose Gray

Mindful Gray and Repose Gray are just one step apart on the paint strip, so they do share a lot of similarities. However, the slight difference in their LRVs makes a noticeable impact.

What’s Similar About Mindful Gray vs Repose Gray?

Both of these colors are warm, neutral grays, and they each have warm green undertones. They’re mid-toned, which means they add some depth without feeling too heavy.

If you like a gray with a bit of warmth, either of these could be a great option.

What is different about Mindful Gray vs Repose Gray?

The main difference lies in the undertones and how deep the color is. Mindful Gray has a hint of violet, while Repose Gray leans more towards blue undertones.

Mindful Gray is also darker, so it brings more drama, while Repose Gray is lighter and brighter, making it ideal if you want a more open feel.

Personally, I think Repose Gray makes a great whole home wall color, whereas Mindful Gray is a bit too dark to be used in north-facing rooms.

	Mindful Gray	Repose Gray
LRV	48	58
RGB	R: 188 G: 183 B: 173	R: 201 G: 201 B: 192
Undertones	warm green and violet	warm green and blue

Light Reflectance Value

LRV tells you how much light a color will reflect on a scale of 0 to 100.

Repose Gray has an LRV of 58, which makes it lighter compared to Mindful Gray, which has an LRV of 48.

These are both mid-toned gray colors, but they are not equal in color depth. Repose Gray will feel brighter and more uplifting, while Mindful Gray feels a bit richer and cozier.

If you’ve got a space that needs a bit of brightening up, Repose Gray is your friend.

If you have big windows and plenty of natural light, Mindful Gray can add just the right amount of depth.

Undertones

Undertones can be sneaky, but they make a huge difference in how a paint color looks in your home.

Mindful Gray has warm green undertones with a touch of violet. Repose Gray also has warm green undertones but leans into blue. In bright, south-facing rooms, both colors can show a bit of that warm green.

But in dimmer, north-facing rooms, Repose Gray’s blue undertones might become more noticeable, while Mindful Gray could show a hint of violet.

This is why I always recommend swatching paint on your actual walls. Colors change throughout the day, and seeing them in your own lighting is key before committing.

How do I decide between these two colors?

If you want a light, bright gray that feels airy, Repose Gray is a great choice. It works well throughout the whole house and keeps things feeling open.

If you’re after a medium gray with more depth, Mindful Gray could be the better choice, especially if you have plenty of natural light to balance it out.

However, note that while Mindful Gray works well in south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, you may want to choose a lighter shade of gray (such as Repose Gray) for north-facing rooms.

Thanks for reading!