These are Sherwin-Williams' most calming paint colors – 5 delicate shades for a relaxing home
Create a restful home with these pared-back and gentle paint colors
When it comes to shaping how your home feels, your chosen paint colors are one of the most, if not the most, important factors. While highly saturated shades feel energizing and muted tones feel more soothing, the right paint colors are key to setting your chosen mood.
In 2025, one of the most appealing moods for our homes is relaxed, and Sherwin-Williams is a go-to paint brand when it comes to undisturbed paint colors that work across many decorating styles and homes.
Below, we've rounded up Sherwin-Williams' most calming colors to give you some paint ideas for your next decorating project.
Sherwin-Williams' most calming paint colors
From off-whites that add subtle warmth to soft shades of blue and green, these Sherwin-Williams calming paint colors are versatile to use across many decorating styles.
Upward SW 6239
Blue paint is well known as a soothing interior color, especially light tones which help to create restful spaces to unwind in such as bedrooms and bathrooms. One of Sherwin-Williams' most calming colors is Upward, a gentle blue-gray which was used here.
'Our 2024 Color of the Year, Upward SW 6239, is a light airy blue that creates spacious and brighter looks, evoking feelings of calmness and serenity,' explains Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams. 'This uplifting blue breathes air into any space, and I especially love it in a bedroom as a retreat from the world.'
Drift of Mist SW 9166
Although technically a gray paint, Sherwin-Williams' Drift of Mist doesn't feel drab but instead soothing and cozy, making it a great all-rounder neutral paint for many rooms.
'Warms and neutrals are also great for creating a sanctuary-like space that induces rest and relaxation,' says Emily. 'I recommend Drift of Mist SW 9166 in a bedroom or bathroom to create an in-home spa grounded in other neutrals and earthy tones. It is also a favorite of mine for spaces that lack natural light where you want to really open up the room.'
Alabaster SW 7008
Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster is a popular white paint that's frequently recommended by interior designers. Its undertones ensure it doesn't feel at all stark but welcoming and soft, giving it a calming feel.
'Cool whites like Alabaster SW 7008 can also create a clean and calm feeling,' Emily explains. 'There is a stigma that whites are always bright and sterile when they can be bright without losing the warmth and earthiness. This shade would be great in a bedroom paired with natural accents or very light blues, greens, and pinks.'
Shoji White SW 7042
Another white paint by Sherwin-Williams that's said to feel calming is Shoji White. A warming hue, Shoji White adds more depth than a true white but doesn't lean too yellow, working well in many rooms.
'Shoji White SW 7042 is another crowd favorite that brings refuge and respite to any room,' Emily says. 'This warm and creamy white is simply modern yet soft enough to create a haven in a bedroom or bathroom, but also neutral enough to introduce to a kitchen or dining room.'
Evergreen Fog SW 9130
Lastly, if you want to inject more color into your calming scheme, go for Sherwin-Williams' Evergreen Fog, a soft and muted green paint with gray tones that feels instantly restful thanks to its association with the natural world.
'Evergreen Fog SW 9130, our 2022 Color of the Year, is a gentle green with gray undertones that we like to call the perfect green,' Emily tells us. 'It’s not too bold but great for homeowners that want to explore a little bit of color. Color drenching is all the rage and a great way to create a relaxing space that just engulfs you in peace – and this green is a wonderful choice.'
Which of these calming paint colors by Sherwin-Williams is your favorite? Not only are each of these shades relaxing, but they all feel timeless, allowing your room color ideas to look great for years to come.
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Emily is H&G's Paint & Color Editor, covering all things color across interior design and home decor. She joined the team in the summer of 2023, having studied Fashion Communication at university before working in various creative roles ahead of making the leap into interiors. She lives in Glasgow where she loves admiring the city's architecture, frequenting her favorite coffee spots, and sourcing vintage furniture for her tenement apartment. Emily's interior style is inspired by the simplicity of midcentury design, mixed with more playful modern pieces that inject small (but bold) doses of color.
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