Behr ‘Dark Storm Cloud’ came up many times in my search for paint color inspiration. Furthermore, I became aware of not only a similar name in paint, but a somewhat similar color called ‘Storm Cloud’ by Sherwin Williams.
Let me just say, Sherwin Williams ‘Storm Cloud’ is definitely one the internet is talking about! I would come across a few installation pictures, looking for the Behr one, and after more critical reading, noticed this color was not Behr but Sherwin Williams!
And hence, I have decided to put together a side by side investigation of these two colors in various settings. If you like one of these colors, there’s a good chance you may find a place for the other color. Or, you may decide the other color is actually the one for you.
In this side by side of the computer color swatches, the colors look pretty similar, with a few distinct differences. Of note, the Behr color is most definitely in the green undertone category while the Sherwin Williams is in the blue undertone category.
As you will see later on, the Behr can come off looking like a more vivid earthy blue/green (teal). And the Sherwin Williams can lean toward a deep gunmetal gray with definite blue hues coming through.
Behr Dark Storm Cloud Is Most Notably Lighter and Different Looking In Exterior Settings Than Interior Settings
After scrolling through and seeing Behr Dark Storm cloud in interior settings, it is pretty hard for me to believe that this is the same color on this exterior traditional two-story house. Obviously, this is Home Depot’s computer-generated visual, but it’s interesting to observe how light it shows up on the outside of the house.
Sherwin William’s Storm Cloud exterior shows as a traditional, earthy, denim-blue with elements of gray mixed within.
Two Bathrooms With Limited Natural Light Mask The Color Undertones
Here is a great side by side of the two different colors in a bathroom setting. Realistically, if both of these bathrooms have limited natural light, then this is how they show in a can-light setting.
Each color for sure appears darker than normal. And when this occurs, it is less noticeable what undertones are emerging. This element of mystery, especially in the Behr Dark Storm Cloud, is a fun and sophisticated challenge. I, personally, like looking at colors that take a moment to deduce what obvious hues they lean toward.
Two Bathrooms With Greater Natural Light Makes The Two Colors Appear Brighter and More Colorful
The great thing about this variety of settings is getting to see people’s actual results of the same paint color in varying rooms. Both of these bathrooms have ample natural light.
See how we can visualize so much more color-pigment in each of these paint colors than when they are shown in can-lighting?
Furthermore, when natural light is shown on cooler color paints, it feels as if the truer color of it shines through.
The opposite is true when a cooler color paint (such as both of these) is mixed with warm interior lighting. And a more muted / gray version of the color shines through.
Color-Punch Walls To Mix With Natural Wood & Stone Elements
The Behr Dark Storm Cloud in this master bedroom picture is a great example of getting to see this paint color mixed with natural warm woods like this cherry wood. It’s a beautiful combination, don’t you think?
Then, this Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud is also a beautiful compliment to this Austin stone fireplace and neutral/ yellow-pattern chairs. As a whole, it feels like this family room would have fallen flat had we not had a wonderful, rich punch of color on the wall such as the Storm Cloud paint color. Job well done!
Behr Dark Storm Cloud Fireplace Appears More Gray Than Green
The left side picture of the fireplace is yet another example of the Behr color, however, this lighting mutes out the color so that more of what I see is gray pigment. And less of the deep teal pigment is visible. If you remember our first example of the exterior of the house, so much teal shone through in the Behr color!
Oftentimes, people are looking for a rich, blue, neutral paint color to use for a kitchen island. In the right-hand picture, Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud is an excellent choice. We are looking at a traditional, open-concept kitchen with plenty of windows and bright whites to mix into the space.
Sometimes Painted Spaces Can Look So Different Than The Inspo You Saw. So Make Sample Boards!
Last but not least is this example of two rooms where these different paint colors actually look very similar. I hate to break it to you, but on occasion, this can happen. You choose a paint color based off an installation photo you saw online and it just doesn’t look the same in your space as the one you saw.
Case in point, narrow your search to about 4 samples and my little trick is to buy presentation cardboard boards. I cut each one in quarters and am able to paint a very large swatch of the paint on the board. Then I label it fully. This includes the maker and the full name and the code color if needed.
This concludes our comparison of these two similar yet different colors. I hope some of these observations have proved helpful!
Thanks for stopping by!
