Behr Swirling Water: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect white-gray paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Behr Swirling Water and if it might be right for your home!

White paints are popular because they provide a clean, neutral starting point. They make a space feel brighter and more open, while offering a versatile backdrop.

However, white paints aren't easy to pick! There are SO many shades of white paint. White paint colors can have various undertones, can lean creamy enough to be almost greige, or can be so stark as to be almost blinding. The choices are endless!

The best way to find a white paint color for your home is to dive into the details, swatch your top picks, and pick the one that you like best!

Let’s break down Behr Swirling Water and see if it’s the white that works for you.

Swirling Water, Behr, PR-W10

Swirling Water is a crisp white-gray with a blue-violet undertone. It's perfect for creating a fresh, clean vibe.

Color Family

Swirling Water is in the white family.

Light Reflectance Value

81

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

With an LRV of 81, Swirling Water is a very light and bright paint color. But, it's worth noting that it's not a pure white (LRV of 100). It's not even super super close!

This will be more evident if you pair Swirling Water with something that's actually white. Put a piece of blank printer paper next to it and suddenly you will see!

Generally, anything with an LRV from 72-82 is considered off-white, with anything higher than 82 being true white, which makes Swirling Water a bright off-white.

RGB Colors

R: 230 G: 233 B: 233

RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!

Hex Code

#E6E9E9

Undertones

Swirling Water has a cool blue-violet undertone.

In south-facing rooms with plenty of natural light, Swirling Water comes across brighter and closer to a clean white.

In north-facing rooms or spaces with little natural light, Swirling Water shifts cooler and can even read as gray or a pale gray-blue.

Best uses

Swirling Water is flexible enough to be used throughout your whole home.

Just remember, it shifts depending on the light. In south-facing rooms, it looks brighter and more white, while in north-facing spaces, it leans more gray or even gray-blue.

Some of my favorite spots for Swirling Water are:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Behr Bay Breeze
• Sherwin Williams Winsome Grey
• Benjamin Moore Misty Gray
• Behr Snow Cloud
• Sherwin Williams Rarified Air
• Benjamin Moore Tundra
• Behr Quietude

Coordinating Colors

With its cool blue undertone, Swirling Water pairs well with other cool paint colors, such as blues, turquoises, greens, violets, grays, and blacks.

Turquoises / bright blues:

• Big Chill
• Aztec Sky
• Blue Sarong
• Below Zero
• Blue Echo

Pale blues / violets:

• Bellflower Blue
• Angelic Blue
• Fog
• Diamond Light
• Pale Cornflower

Mid-toned grays:

• Silverstone
• French Silver
• Pewter Mug
• Sparrow
• Stargazer

Trim Colors

For white paint colors, the best option is to use the same color for the walls and for the trim. Just choose a different finish for tone on tone contrast.

So, choose Swirling Water in eggshell finish for the walls and Swirling Water in semi-gloss for the trim. This gives a nice, soft finished look. 

FAQS

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Swirling Water.

What color is Behr Swirling Water?

Swirling Water is a crisp white-gray with a blue-violet undertone. It feels fresh and clean.

What is the undertone of Behr Swirling Water?

Swirling Water has a cool blue-violet undertone.

In brighter spaces, Swirling Water will look closer to white. In darker spaces, Swirling Water will lean cooler, more gray or gray-blue.

What color trim with Swirling Water?

Because Swirling Water is a white-gray, it will most likely clash with many typical white trim colors. With white paint colors, the best option is to use the same color for the walls and for the trim. Just choose a different finish for tone on tone contrast.

So, choose Swirling Water in eggshell finish for the walls and Swirling Water in semi-gloss for the trim. This gives a nice, soft finished look. 

What's the difference: Behr Swirling Water vs Etched Glass?

Swirling Water and Etched Glass are similar white-grays with a blue undertone. However, Etched Glass (LRV 75) is a bit darker than Swirling Water (LRV 81).

If you’re torn between the two, try swatching them side by side to see which one feels right in your space.

What is the hex code, Swirling Water?

The hex code for Behr Swirling Water is #E6E9E9, which is helpful if you’re trying to match it for any digital project.

What's the difference: Behr Swirling Water vs SW Winsome Grey?

Swirling Water and Winsome Gray share many similarities. Both have an LRV of 81, meaning neither is lighter nor darker than the other. Both are considered off-whites.

However, no two paint colors are exactly alike! Swirling Water leans a bit more blue and is more saturated than Winsome Grey.

Swatching both colors will help you see the difference and decide which one suits your style best.

Thanks for reading!