Sherwin Williams Riverway: Complete Color Review

If you’re looking for a deep blue paint color that feels rich but still calm, Sherwin Williams Riverway is one worth a closer look.

I love how deep blues like this have a way of feeling dramatic and cozy all at the same time. They bring in color without feeling loud, which is why I often think of them as near-neutrals.

Riverway has that relaxed, grounded feel that works in so many spaces. I’ve seen deep blues like this look amazing in bedrooms, living rooms, and even on kitchen cabinets.

What I really like is how easy these shades are to work with. They pair well with wood, metals, light neutrals, and even bolder accents. Whether your style is modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, Riverway is ready to fit right in.

Let’s take a closer look at Sherwin Williams Riverway and see how it might work in your space.

Riverway, Sherwin Williams, SW 6222

Riverway is a deep, cool blue, that's perfect for spaces that want to feel both sophisticated and calm.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Riverway

Color Family

Riverway is in the blue family.

Light Reflectance Value

16

Light Reflectance Value tells you how much light a color reflects. The scale runs from 0, which is pure black, to 100, which is pure white.

With an LRV of 16, Riverway is definitely a dark paint color, but it is not the darkest out there. I’d expect it to feel rich and moody rather than heavy.

In rooms with lots of natural light, Riverway will look a bit lighter and more open. In darker spaces, it can read much deeper and more dramatic.

RGB Colors

R: 93 G: 114 B: 116

RGB shows how much red, green, and blue make up the color. This mix helps explain why Riverway reads as a deep blue with a slightly muted, balanced feel.

Hex Code

#5D7274

Undertones

Riverway features green and gray undertones.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Riverway will look a little brighter, warmer, and more blue-green.

In north-facing rooms that don't have much natural light, Riverway will look a bit darker, cooler, and more blue-gray.

Best Uses

I love a dark color like Riverway for:

• Walls of a room you want to feel cozier such as a bedroom or home office
• Creating a focal point such as a fireplace
• Kitchen or bathroom cabinets
• Interior or exterior doors
• Home exterior
• Accent wall
• Built-ins
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Mediterranean
• Benjamin Moore Bella Blue
• Behr Juniper Berries
• Sherwin Williams Slate Tile
• Benjamin Moore Blue Spruce
• Behr Unreal Teal
• Sherwin Williams Mountain Pass

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Riverway

Coordinating Colors

Riverway is dark and versatile, so you can pair it with a wide range of shades

It looks beautiful with earthy tones like greens, blues, grays, and browns. You can also pair it with warm neutrals such as sunny yellows, beiges, and soft creams, or keep it crisp with white and black accents.

Here are a few great options to try:

Blue pastels:

• Topsail
• Mountain Air
• Rainsong
• Sky High
• Snowdrop

Medium grays:

• Tin Lizzie
• Earl Grey
• Gray Shingle
• Pewter Cast
• Bedrock

Warm mid-toned neutrals:

• Sticks & Stones
• Keystone Gray
• Mega Greige
• Truly Taupe
• Palisade

Trim Colors

Since Riverway is a cool paint color, it looks best with crisp white trim. The contrast keeps the color looking fresh and polished.

Bright white trim colors:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Riverway

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Riverway.

What are the undertones of Riverway Sherwin Williams?

Sherwin Williams Riverway is a deep blue with cool green and gray undertones. That mix is what gives it that calm, slightly moody look I really like.

In brighter rooms, you’ll notice Riverway leaning more blue green and a little warmer. In darker spaces, it shifts cooler and reads more blue gray, which is why lighting matters so much.

Is Sherwin Williams Riverway warm or cool?

Sherwin Williams Riverway is a cool paint color. The green and gray undertones keep it from feeling icy, but it still reads firmly on the cool side.

I’ve found it surprisingly flexible, though. You can pair Riverway with both warm woods and crisp whites and it still feels balanced.

What’s the difference between Sherwin Williams Riverway and Waterloo?

Riverway and Waterloo are both dark blues, but they don’t feel identical once you see them on the wall.

Riverway has an LRV of 16, so it’s a bit lighter than Waterloo, which sits at 13. Riverway also has a touch of green that softens it, while Waterloo is more blue and more saturated.

When colors are this close, I always recommend seeing them next to each other in your space so the differences really show up.

What’s the difference between Sherwin Williams Riverway and Mediterranean?

Mediterranean is slightly lighter than Riverway, with an LRV of 18 compared to Riverway’s 16.

Both colors have gray and green undertones, but Riverway leans more green while Mediterranean leans more blue. Mediterranean also feels a bit bolder, while Riverway stays softer and more muted.

This is another pairing where testing both in your own lighting can really help you decide.

What color trim goes with Sherwin Williams Riverway?

Because Riverway is a cool color, I like it best with bright, crisp white trim. The contrast keeps the walls looking clean and intentional.

Sherwin Williams Extra White, Benjamin Moore Simply White, or Behr Ultra Pure White all work beautifully. No matter which trim you choose, it’s always smart to swatch Riverway alongside it so you can see how they work together in your space.

Thanks for reading!