Sherwin Williams Waterloo: Complete Color Review

If you need a deep blue paint color for your home, Sherwin Williams Waterloo is one to keep on your list. It’s bold, classic, and full of depth without being overwhelming.

Deep blues feel timeless, yet still fresh and a little trendy. You get color, but it’s not too bright or loud. Instead, it adds richness and calm at the same time.

Deep blues are also versatile. Waterloo pairs easily with different colors, finishes, and styles. Whether your home is modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, this shade can slip right in.

So let's look more closely at Waterloo by Sherwin Williams. This dark, moody blue isn’t quite navy, but it’s dark enough to make a statement.

Waterloo, Sherwin Williams, SW 9141

Waterloo is a deep, calming blue, ideal for making a soft, rich statement.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Waterloo

Color Family

Waterloo is in the blue family.

Light Reflectance Value

13

The LRV of Waterloo is 13, which makes it a very dark blue. On the scale, 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.

With an LRV of 13, Waterloo is a very dark blue. It will look pretty dark in rooms without much lighting and brighter in rooms with brighter lighting.

With an LRV of 13, it’s still dark, but it isn’t quite as heavy as navy paints, which sit even lower on the scale.

RGB Colors

R: 83 G: 104 B: 114

These numbers just show how much red, green, and blue mix together to create the color, on a scale of 0 to 255.

Hex Code

#536872

Undertones

Waterloo has soft gray undertones that give it a soft, muted look.

In a sunny, south-facing room, Waterloo shows off more of its blue side and looks a little warmer and brighter.

In north-facing rooms with cooler light, it leans moodier, often looking like a blue-gray. In shadowy corners, it can even get close to black.

Best Uses

I like using deep, moody colors like Waterloo to add depth and coziness to a space.

Here are some of the best ways to use it:

• Walls in a bedroom or home office if you want a more intimate feel (try painting the trim and moldings too for a really polished look)
• Creating a focal point such as a fireplace
• Kitchen or bathroom cabinets
• Interior or exterior doors
• Home exterior
• Accent wall
• Built-ins
• Furniture

You could even use Waterloo as an exterior paint color if you’re going for a bold, modern look!

Similar Colors

If you love Waterloo but want to explore other options, check out these similar shades:

• Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue
• Benjamin Moore Spellbound
• Behr Rush Hour
• Sherwin Williams Rain Cloud
• Benjamin Moore Blue Spruce
• Behr Shipwreck
• Sherwin Williams Bunglehouse Blue

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Waterloo

Coordinating Colors

Waterloo is so deep and muted that it almost works like a neutral. That makes it super easy to pair with a wide range of colors.

For a clean, balanced look, I like it with neutrals such as crisp whites, soft grays, or warm tans. If you want more contrast, you can bring in soft blues, gentle yellows, muted reds, or even a pop of pink or orange.

Here are some specific shades to try:

Blue pastels:

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

Gentle reds:

• Coral Clay
• Coral Rose
• Coral Island
• Coral Dust
• Resounding Rose

Warm mid-toned neutrals:

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

Trim Colors

For trim, I recommend pairing Waterloo with a bright, crisp white. The contrast really makes the deep blue pop, while the white keeps the overall look feeling fresh and clean.

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 Waterloo

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Waterloo.

Is Sherwin Williams Waterloo warm or cool?

Sherwin Williams Waterloo, a deep blue, is a cool paint color. It does boast warm gray undertones, which give it a soft, muted look.

What is the undertone of Waterloo by Sherwin Williams?

Waterloo is a deep blue with warm gray undertones. This gives it a soft, muted look.

What is the difference: SW Riverway vs Waterloo?

Sherwin Williams Riverway and Waterloo are both deep blue paint colors, , but Riverway has an LRV of 16, making it lighter than Waterloo at 13.

They share gray undertones, but Riverway also has a hint of green. That means Waterloo leans more blue, while Riverway leans more green. Waterloo is also more saturated, while Riverway feels softer and more muted.

Swatching both in your own space will help you see which one feels right.

What is the difference: SW Waterloo vs Smoky Blue?

Waterloo and Smoky Blue share many similarities. Both are deep blues with gray undertones. But they are not the same color.

With an LRV of 13, Waterloo is slightly darker than Smoky Blue, which has an LRV of 15.

Waterloo is more saturated while Smoky Blue is more muted.

In person the differences show up more clearly. Try swatching them both on your wall.

What is the difference: SW Distance vs Waterloo?

Sherwin Williams Distance and Waterloo also share many traits, but they're not quite the same.

With an LRV of 13, Waterloo is slightly darker than Distance, which has an LRV of 15.

Waterloo is slightly more saturated whereas Distance is a touch more muted.

Even though they are close, lighting in your room will highlight the differences.

What colors go with Sherwin Williams Waterloo blue?

Waterloo is deep and muted enough that it almost works like a neutral. This makes it easy to pair with lots of other shades.

It looks beautiful with crisp whites, grays, tans, and warm neutrals. For more contrast, it also works with pastel blues, soft yellows, gentle reds, pinks, or even orange accents.

Some of my favorite pairings are:

• Sherwin Williams Mountain Air: a soft blue
• Sherwin Williams Coral Clay: a gentle red
• Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray: a warm gray
• Sherwin Williams Extra White: a crisp white

Is Sherwin Williams Waterloo a navy blue?

Sherwin Williams Waterloo is a deep blue, though it's not a navy. Waterloo has a warm gray undertone, making it a bit more muted / neutral / less saturated than a typical navy paint color.

Waterloo has an LRV of 13, so it's lighter than navy paint colors. For example, Sherwin Williams In the Navy and Naval both have LRVs of 4, making them much darker than Waterloo.

Thanks for reading!