Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 Color Review – Coordinating Colors

If you’ve ever walked into a room and instantly felt calmer, lighter, and more at peace, chances are the paint color had something to do with it. Few colors capture that soothing vibe better than Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204. This soft, serene blue-green-gray has gained a cult following among designers and homeowners alike for one very good reason: it transforms ordinary spaces into tranquil retreats.

Whether you’re planning a full-home refresh or just want to update your bedroom, bathroom, or even exterior, Sea Salt is a go-to hue that pairs beautifully with a wide range of styles. In this guide, we’re diving deep into why this color is so loved, where to use it, what to pair it with, and how to make it work perfectly in your home.

---

What Color Is Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt?

At first glance, Sea Salt is a soft, misty green with a touch of blue and a whisper of gray. It’s officially categorized as a green paint color, but its blue-gray undertones give it that coastal, airy feel.

• Hex Code: #CBD2C0
• RGB: 203 / 210 / 192
• LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 63

With an LRV of 63, Sea Salt reflects a fair amount of light without being too bright or too washed out. It feels fresh and light, but still grounded.

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt Undertones Explained

Understanding undertones is key to getting the color you expect.

Blue-Green Base

Sea Salt is often described as a blue-green, but depending on the light, it can lean more green or more blue.

Gray Undertone

The gray undertone softens the intensity of both the green and blue, creating a misty, spa-like color that isn’t too saturated.

Lighting Changes Everything

• In north-facing rooms, Sea Salt can look more blue or even cool gray.
• In south-facing rooms, it appears lighter, softer, and more green.
• In artificial light, the color may shift dramatically based on bulb temperature.

Tip: Always sample it in your actual space before committing.

---

What Colors Go with Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt?

Coordinating Sherwin-Williams Colors

• Alabaster SW 7008: Warm white for trim or ceilings
• Spare White SW 6203: Cool soft white with a hint of gray
• Oyster Bay SW 6206: A deeper, richer version of Sea Salt
• Comfort Gray SW 6205: A slightly darker green-gray
• Shoji White SW 7042: Warm greige for a cozier feel

Accent Color Ideas

• Navy blue or indigo
• Driftwood or weathered oak
• Muted coral or blush pink
• Aged brass or matte black hardware

Best Trim Colors

• High Reflective White SW 7757: For crisp, bright contrast
• Greek Villa SW 7551: For a slightly warmer, softer look

Sea Salt plays well with other coastal, cottage, and farmhouse palettes.

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt in the Bedroom

Few colors are as suited for bedrooms as Sea Salt. It sets a calm, cozy tone and pairs beautifully with natural textures.

Why It Works

• Promotes relaxation and sleep
• Looks amazing with light or medium wood furniture
• Ideal for layering with white or off-white bedding

Design Tip:

Use warm lighting to highlight the green tones and keep the space from feeling too cool.

Pair Sea Salt walls with:

• Linen bedding
• Rattan pendant lighting
• Woven baskets
• Warm white curtains

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt in the Bathroom

This is where Sea Salt truly shines. It gives bathrooms a spa-like atmosphere without being too bold or overpowering.

Why It’s Perfect for Bathrooms

• Feels clean, fresh, and rejuvenating
• Works beautifully with white subway tile or marble
• Easy to pair with chrome or brushed gold fixtures

Ideas for styling a Sea Salt bathroom:

• White or natural wood vanity
• Brass mirror and light fixtures
• Pale gray or white tile floors
• Sea glass accessories

Paint Finish Tip:

Use satin or semi-gloss in bathrooms for moisture resistance and easy cleaning.

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt for the Exterior

Looking for an unexpected yet elegant exterior color? Sea Salt adds a coastal charm to your curb appeal.

Where to Use It Outside

• Siding
• Front doors
• Shutters
• Garage doors

Pair It With:

• Extra White SW 7006 trim for clean contrast
• Iron Ore SW 7069 for a deep accent
• Natural stone or gray shingles

Outdoor Considerations

Sunlight can wash Sea Salt out, so it’s best used in shaded or partially shaded areas.

---

Real Home Examples and Inspiration

• A bedroom with Sea Salt walls, white linens, and driftwood furniture feels like a boutique beach resort.
• A coastal living room with Sea Salt on the walls, woven jute rug, and navy accents brings in nautical elegance.
• A front porch with Sea Salt shutters and a navy blue door makes a subtle yet inviting statement.

---

Pros and Cons of Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt

Pros:

• Universally flattering in most spaces
• Versatile with different design styles
• Soft and calming for bedrooms and baths
• Easy to pair with other paint colors

Cons:

• Can look washed out in very bright light
• May appear dull in poorly lit rooms
• Shifts color tone dramatically depending on lighting

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Salt

Is Sea Salt a warm or cool color?
It’s a cool color, but has warm tendencies depending on lighting and pairings.

Does Sea Salt go with gray?
Yes, especially warm grays or greiges.

Is Sea Salt too light for exteriors?
It depends on exposure. It looks best in shaded or northern exposures.

Can Sea Salt be used on cabinets?
Absolutely. It’s especially beautiful on bathroom or laundry room cabinets.

Is Sea Salt good for north-facing rooms?
Yes, but be prepared for it to lean more blue-gray than green.

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt vs Sea Foam vs Sea Spray

Color	LRV	Undertones	Mood
Sea Salt SW 6204	63	Green/Blue/Gray	Calm, spa-like
Sea Foam SW 6199	67	Light green	Fresh, slightly warmer
Sea Spray SW 9651	49	Deeper blue-green	Moody, bold

Sea Salt vs Sea Foam: Sea Foam is brighter and more green, while Sea Salt is softer with more gray.

Sea Salt vs Sea Spray: Sea Spray is deeper and bolder, more suitable for accents or moody spaces.

---

How to Sample Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt Like a Pro

• Use Samplize or Sherwin-Williams Color to Go samples
• Paint a large swatch on each wall to see how light affects it
• Test during different times of day
• Compare with trim, tile, and furnishings

Don’t skip this step! Sea Salt can surprise you in different lighting conditions.

---

Styling Tips for Decorating with Sea Salt

• Layer neutrals: whites, creams, light wood tones
• Add texture with rattan, jute, seagrass
• Use brass or matte black finishes for contrast
• Don’t overdo it — keep things airy and natural

Flooring that pairs well:

• Light oak
• Whitewashed wood
• Soft gray tile

---

Best Sherwin-Williams Whites to Pair with Sea Salt

• Alabaster SW 7008: Soft and creamy
• Snowbound SW 7004: Crisp and clean
• Greek Villa SW 7551: Warm white with depth
• Pure White SW 7005: Neutral, balanced white

These whites bring out different tones in Sea Salt, so test them side by side.

---

Paint Finishes for Sea Salt: What Works Best?

• Matte or flat: Best for bedrooms, living rooms
• Satin: Great for bathrooms and kitchens
• Semi-gloss: For cabinetry or trim
• Exterior flat or satin: Best for siding and outdoor walls

---

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt and Resale Value

• Realtor-approved for staging
• Works well in bathrooms, bedrooms, and guest spaces
• Gender-neutral and widely appealing
• Adds light without the starkness of white

---

Is Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt Overused?

Let’s be honest — yes, it’s popular. But no, it doesn’t have to feel basic.

Ways to keep it fresh:

• Use it in unexpected spaces like ceilings or laundry rooms
• Pair it with bold accents (navy, charcoal, terra cotta)
• Layer with natural and vintage textures for depth

---

Color Scheme Ideas Featuring Sea Salt

Coastal & Breezy

• Sea Salt
• White trim
• Driftwood tones
• Soft aqua or navy

Farmhouse & Natural

• Sea Salt
• Creamy whites
• Black hardware
• Light wood floors

Minimalist & Serene

• Sea Salt
• Pure White
• Gray-beige upholstery
• Concrete or natural stone accents

Cottagecore & Vintage

• Sea Salt
• Lace curtains
• Wrought iron
• Chippy furniture

---

Final Styling Checklist

• Sample tested in various lighting? ✅
• Warm or cool trim selected? ✅
• Textures layered in furnishings? ✅
• Coordinating accents chosen? ✅
• Finish matched to use case? ✅

---

Conclusion

There’s a reason why Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt continues to top designer and homeowner favorite lists. It’s versatile, calming, stylish, and plays well with a wide range of palettes and finishes. Whether you’re creating a peaceful retreat, staging your home for sale, or just craving something new, Sea Salt delivers on every front.

Don’t just take our word for it — grab a sample, try it in your space, and fall in love with the effortless tranquility it brings.

Have you used Sea Salt in your home? Share your story in the comments, and don’t forget to pin this guide for future inspiration!