50 Most Popular and Bestselling Sherwin Williams Paint Colors

It’s been a couple of years since I have updated the most popular and bestselling Sherwin Williams paint colors and today I wanted to share with you guys the updated list of bestselling colors and how these colors look on walls in spaces.  When I’m looking for a specific paint color, I always like to start by looking at the bestselling colors because there is a very good reason certain colors become bestsellers. If you’re looking for a beautiful and dependable color, this list is a fantastic starting point as you begin your paint color search.

While I have worked with most of the colors on the list, I wanted to breakdown the list for you even further and highlight twelve of the colors that from my experience over the years with my color/design consulting business are the most versatile and dependable. For each color that I’m highlighting, I’m sharing “Pros” and “Cons” of the color to help you get a better feel for the colors. Hopefully this list will help you the next time you’re looking for just the right color.

Before I jump in below to my favorites from the list, below is the list direct from Sherwin Williams of the 50 most popular and bestselling paint colors.

Repose Gray Sherwin Williams

The number one paint color on the planet right now across all paint companies is probably Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. We will never know for sure because we don’t have that information but I would be shocked if Repose isn’t number one right now.  Repose is a fantastic light warm gray that I recommend a lot to my clients because I think it’s about as close to perfection as you can get when it comes to a whole home color and light neutral.

Pros: I especially love Repose because not only does it look beautiful during the day, it’s one of those rare colors that also looks beautiful at night when the lamps are turned on.  No harsh undertones and very versatile. 

Cons: In spaces with an abundance of natural light, Repose may cast a very slight light blue/gray. 

If you want to learn more about the best spaces to use Repose Gray with more room examples, you can see my Color Spotlight here on Repose Gray.

On a side note, all of the colors on the Repose Gray color strip (strip 244)  made the bestseller list and I am not surprised one bit because this color strip is gorgeous. All very versatile and stunning colors and several of them you will see me feature today.

 

Sea Salt Sherwin Williams

At a very close second, Sea Salt is also one of the most popular paint colors on the plant. When I asked readers on The Creativity Exchange Facebook page what their hands down favorite paint color is, they overwhelmingly voted for Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.  If you’re not familiar with Sea Salt and you want a soothing and serene spa color, you do not really need to look much further than Sea Salt.

Pros: In the right lighting Sea Salt is one of the most beautiful shades of green/blue/gray and so serene. 

Cons: Sea Salt is a chameleon color and can be finicky in certain lighting (usually spaces with a lot of natural light).  It’s very important to sample this color first. This color looks best in spaces with little to no natural light (bathrooms, bedrooms, etc..). 

If you want to see more room examples of Sea Salt, you can see my Color Spotlight post here.

 

Worldly Gray Sherwin Williams

Worldly Gray is another dependable neutral light warm gray that is very close to Repose Gray but just slightly warmer and a tad darker. I have been recommending this color a lot lately to clients for a whole home color who have a lot of natural light because Repose in a lot of natural light can look white.

Pros: In spaces with a lot of natural light, Worldly Gray is breathtaking and versatile. 

Cons: Worldly Gray will look darker in spaces with little natural light and it may appear a little heavier/darker than a traditional light warm gray. 

Crushed Ice Sherwin Williams

It’s interesting that Crushed Ice is a newer color for me and ironically, I just used it in my own home in a guest room because Repose was a little lighter than what I wanted in this space. I really fell in love with it and will be recommending it. Crushed Ice is a little lighter, slightly cooler and a little more pigmented than Repose Gray.

Pros: Crushed Ice is a stunning light warm gray that is in between a light barely there color and a mid-tone. It’s hard to find these in between transitional neutral colors. 

Cons: Crushed Ice looks better in spaces with at some natural light. Not ideal for bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc..

Below is Crushed Ice on the walls in my guest room and for reference, this space has one large window.

 

My friend Julie just used Crushed Ice in her great room of her new home that is being built and I love how it turned out. For reference, this space below has an abundance of natural light.

 

 

Dorian Gray Sherwin Williams

Dorian Gray is another fantastic neutral warm-ish gray that I would say is a mid-tone shade. I used it on a client’s vent hood and it turned out so beautiful. Dorian is also a stunning neutral cabinetry color.

Pros: Dorian is on the same color strip as Repose Gray but just two shades darker. A very versatile color either on walls or cabinetry. 

Cons: Too much natural light may cause Dorian to go cooler and lean cool gray rather than warm gray.

 

Dovetail Sherwin Williams

If you’re looking for something one shade darker than a mid-toned neutral warm gray, Dovetail is such a great color. Great for interior doors and cabinetry. I’m afraid it may be too dark for a whole room color but it would be pretty as an accent wall.

Pros: Dovetail is the perfect safer color to use if you want to add contrast to a space (like on interior doors) without having to go darker.

Cons:  Dovetail may lean warmer in spaces with no natural light. Although still beautiful in that situation. 

Drift of Mist Sherwin Williams

Several of my clients lately have been asking for a very small hint of neutral color and I really love Drift of Mist because it’s a very subtle color that I think is pretty neutral perfect.

Pros: Drift of Mist is one of those rare barely there colors to use when you don’t want white but you don’t want much color. 

Cons: There is a very slight hint of muted yellow (extremely slight). I’m not a fan of any yellow in my colors and the slight yellow I think softens this color to more of a neutral off-white and I would use this in my own home.

If you look below where the wall meets the baseboard, you can see the color better.

 

Peppercorn Sherwin Williams

I was not surprised at all to see Sherwin Williams Peppercorn make the bestseller list because this color is incredible! It’s a dark moody gray that has so much depth and perfect for an accent wall, cabinetry and very small spaces like this small powder room that I saw last year during the SLC Parade of homes.

Pros: Peppercorn is one of the most dependable dark moody colors out there. It always looks good when used on walls, cabinetry and accent walls. 

Cons:  I cannot think of one issue at all with this color. It always looks good. 

 

Iron Ore Sherwin Williams

Going even darker, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is an all-star color and a beautiful very dark gray with brown undertone color that has become a popular interior door, cabinetry and exterior trim color. Really amazing color!

Pros: Iron Ore is an all-around stunning moody color that is loaded with depth. Iron Ore adds instant contrast to a space used sparingly. 

Cons: Iron Ore on exterior trim needs to be sampled to make sure the undertones compliments the body color of a house even with whites. Not much of an issue when it comes to interiors but on the exterior, direct sunlight pulls out undertones. 

 

Black Fox Sherwin Williams

Very similar to Iron Ore is another fantastic dark moody color that is on the bestseller list and its Black Fox.  Where Iron Ore leans more dark gray, Black Fox is really a very dark brown color.

Pros: Very rich dark moody color that is a fantastic wall accent color, cabinetry and exterior trim color. Very versatile. 

Cons: In spaces with no natural light, Black Fox can lean warm but still a beautiful color. 

via Sherwin Williams

Tricorn Black Sherwin Williams

My “go-to” black for my clients is Sherwin Williams Tricorn black. I think it’s hands down the best black out there because while it’s close to a true black, the brown/gray undertone helps to soften the black so it’s not as harsh/jarring.

Pros: Very versatile and dependable color on both interiors or exteriors. If you’re looking for a great black, I would start here because it’s such a beautiful color. 

Cons: I really can’t think of any issues with this color. Very dependable and the gray/brown undertone compliments almost any color when used as an exterior trim/accent color. 

Mindful Gray Sherwin Williams

I have used Mindful Gray for many years in client spaces and in my own home. I think Mindful Gray is one of the most beautiful and dependable warm grays out there and I use it especially for cabinetry.

Pros: Extremely versatile warm gray that looks best on cabinetry and exterior trim. A little heavy for a warm gray as a wall color but still pretty if you’re looking for a more mid-toned warm gray wall color. 

Cons: In spaces with an abundance of natural light, Mindful Gray can lean cool but it’s still gorgeous. However, if you have a lot of natural light and you’re looking for a warm gray that leans warm, Mindful Gray would not be the best selection for you.

Most of the colors on Sherwin Williams 50 most popular and bestselling list are fantastic. I haven’t worked with many of the tans/earth-toned colors so I can’t speak to those colors. Also, please be sure and sample colors I mentioned above on poster board in the space with the lighting before jumping in. Lighting can alter a color dramatically and I want you to love your color!

If you’re looking for more color inspiration, you can check out my post on the 2019 Color Trend and Forecasts here. The 2020 forecasts are coming out now and I will be recapping those here in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, I would love to know what color on today’s list is your favorite. You can share your thoughts in the comment section so we can also see what colors you love and are using in your own home.

Thanks for stopping by today friends!

Cheers!

Cyndy