Looking for a paint color that creates calm in your home? Niebla Azul might be the answer you’ve been seeking.
This soft blue-gray shade has gained popularity among homeowners and designers for its ability to turn ordinary spaces into peaceful retreats. Unlike typical blues, Niebla Azul offers a subtle hint of gray that works with many design styles.
People who choose this color often notice how it shifts slightly throughout the day, responding to natural light in ways that standard colors don’t. The result? Rooms that feel both fresh and cozy at the same time.
Ready to see if Niebla Azul is right for your next project? Let’s look at how this versatile color can change your living space.
All About Niebla Azul
Niebla Azul (SW 9137) is a light slate blue color that brings a cheerful calm to any space. This Sherwin Williams shade pairs well with other cool neutrals for a relaxed, subdued feel. The soft blue-gray tone makes spaces feel peaceful while still having enough color to make a statement.
Technical Details of Niebla Azul
Niebla Azul (SW 9137) comes with specific color details that help you understand exactly what you’re getting:
- RGB Value: 182/195/196 – This shows a balanced mix with slightly more blue and green than red
- Hex Value: #B6C3C4 – The digital color code used by designers and websites
- Location Number: 221-C2 – Helps you find it easily in Sherwin Williams color systems
- Color Collections: Part of Color ID (Enthusiast) and Living Well (Recharge) collections
- Color Family: Blue
The color has cool blue undertones with hints of gray that keep it from being too bright or harsh. This subtle mix creates a color that feels calm without being dull. The color doesn’t lean purple or green like some blue-grays can.
The gray aspect helps it stay neutral and easy to match with other colors in your home. It won’t clash with wood tones or make your space feel cold.
How Room Orientation Affects Niebla Azul’s Appearance
Paint colors change based on the light in a room. A space with plenty of natural light will make colors look brighter, while poor lighting can make them look flat.
In east-facing rooms, morning light will warm up Niebla Azul. As the day goes on, it will show more of its true blue-gray nature. In west-facing rooms, afternoon light will make it appear warmer and softer.
North-facing rooms get cool light all day, which will bring out the blue tones in Niebla Azul. This makes the color look more crisp and clean. In south-facing rooms with warm light, the color will appear lighter and softer throughout the day.
If you want to make sure this color works for your space, test it on walls in different spots to see how it changes with light.
Tone – Is Niebla Azul Warm or Cool?
Niebla Azul is a cool-toned color with enough warmth to keep spaces from feeling cold. The blue base gives it a cool feel, while the gray keeps it from being too stark. This balance makes it great for creating calm spaces that don’t feel lifeless.
Light Reflectance Value
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) tells how much light a color reflects. On a scale of 0-100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white, Niebla Azul has an LRV of 53.
This medium LRV means it has enough depth to create a true color statement on your walls. It won’t wash out in bright rooms and adds just the right amount of color without making spaces feel smaller. This makes it perfect for creating a cozy yet open feeling in your rooms.
Where to Use Niebla Azul in Your Home
Niebla Azul works in many spaces. This blue-gray adds calm to rooms without being too bold. It shows well in different lights and pairs with many colors. The shade fits in living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Living Room
Niebla Azul makes living rooms feel calm and put-together. It pairs well with cream or white trim and works nicely with both light and dark furniture. For a pulled-together look, add tan or cream accent pieces, or bring in some contrast with rust-colored throw pillows or navy blue items.
This color creates the perfect background for family time and guest visits. It’s not too bold to distract but has enough color to make the space feel finished.
Kitchen
Kitchens painted with Niebla Azul feel clean and fresh. The color works well with white shaker cabinets for a classic look or with natural wood cabinets for a warmer feel. It also pairs nicely with marble or quartz counters that have gray veining.
For a pulled-together kitchen, match Niebla Azul walls with white subway tile and stainless steel items. The color will make the space feel bigger while still having some warmth.
Bedroom
Few colors create a more restful bedroom than Niebla Azul. The soft blue-gray makes a perfect setting for sleep and calm. Pair it with crisp white hotel-style bedding for a clean feel, or use cream and tan textiles for extra warmth.
This color works well with many wood tones, so your current bedroom set will likely match nicely. Add some soft ambient lighting with warm bulbs to make the space extra cozy at night.
Bathroom
Bathrooms look fresh and clean with Niebla Azul walls. The color pairs well with white subway tile and fixtures, making even small bathrooms feel bigger and brighter. It also works well with marble or stone that has gray or blue tones.
For a spa-like feel, use this color with fluffy white towels and small plants. The end result will be a bathroom that feels both clean and calming.
Colors That Go Well With Niebla Azul
Niebla Azul plays well with many other colors. Sherwin Williams suggests these specific coordinating colors:
- Upward (SW 6239) – A cheerful light blue that brightens spaces while complementing Niebla Azul’s gray tones
- Charcoal Blue (SW 2739) – A rich, deep blue-gray that creates dramatic contrast when used for accent pieces or focal walls
- Succulent (SW 9637) – A soft, muted green that pairs beautifully with Niebla Azul, creating a natural, calming color palette
To further boost the atmosphere in rooms painted with Niebla Azul, consider incorporating textured accessories to complement your color choices and add layers of depth and personality to the space.
From woven wall hangings to natural fiber rugs, these elements enhance the serene quality of this blue-gray shade while creating visual interest throughout your home.
For a more detailed look at these complementary colors, check out our in-depth guides: [Sherwin Williams Upward (SW 6239): A Review], [Succulent SW 9650: Your Next Favorite Green], and [Charcoal Blue Sherwin Williams Color Review].
Beyond these official pairings, Niebla Azul also works well with:
- Mountain Air (SW 6224) – A lighter, softer blue-gray that creates a gentle pairing
- Greek Villa (SW 7551) – A warm off-white that balances the coolness of Niebla Azul
- Homburg Gray (SW 7622) – A deeper gray that adds contrast while staying in the cool palette
Creating a color scheme with Niebla Azul is simple thanks to its balanced nature. The blue-gray tone serves as a middle ground between true blues and true grays, making it a versatile choice in many design styles.
For a calm, layered look, pair it with Mountain Air on the ceiling and Greek Villa on trim. To create more visual interest, add Homburg Gray or Charcoal Blue as an accent color on built-ins or furniture pieces.
The soft blue undertones in Niebla Azul also make it a natural partner for natural materials like stone, linen, and various woods, especially those with cooler tones.
Niebla Azul vs. Other Blues
How does Niebla Azul compare to other popular blue-gray colors? Let’s see:
Niebla Azul vs. Blue Twilight
Blue Twilight creates a deeper, more dramatic statement with its rich blue tones. It absorbs more light than Niebla Azul, making it ideal for accent walls or larger rooms with abundant natural light.
While Niebla Azul offers versatility across various spaces, Blue Twilight demands more careful planning.
The higher blue content in Blue Twilight produces a cooler feel, while Niebla Azul’s gray undertones create a more balanced, approachable color that coordinates easily with furniture, textiles, and accessories. Choose Blue Twilight for impact, Niebla Azul for everyday livability.
Niebla Azul vs. Blue Haze
Blue Haze offers a whisper of color that almost reads as a neutral in some lights. Its higher LRV makes rooms feel slightly larger and brighter than with Niebla Azul.
The pure blue in Blue Haze creates a fresher, slightly more energetic feeling, while Niebla Azul’s gray content provides more depth and complexity.
Blue Haze might disappear in bright south-facing rooms, whereas Niebla Azul maintains its character throughout the day. Consider Blue Haze for spaces where you want color without commitment, and Niebla Azul when you desire a more defined color statement.
Niebla Azul vs. Morning Fog
Morning Fog sits firmly in the gray family with just enough blue to keep it from feeling flat or cold. It reads more neutral than Niebla Azul, making it nearly invisible on walls in some lighting conditions.
Morning Fog creates a sophisticated backdrop that recedes, allowing artwork and furnishings to stand out. Niebla Azul, with its more noticeable blue presence, becomes part of your color story rather than just a background.
Choose Morning Fog when you want subtle sophistication, and Niebla Azul when you want the walls themselves to contribute to the room’s personality.
Tips for Using Niebla Azul in Your Home
-
Test before you commit: Paint a sample board or small section of wall to see how the color looks in your space at different times of day.
-
Consider your lighting: Rooms with less natural light may need more lamps to help Niebla Azul show its true color.
-
Match your trim: White trim makes Niebla Azul pop, while cream trim softens the look.
-
Pair with wood tones: Niebla Azul works with most wood tones from light oak to dark walnut.
-
Add texture: The color looks even better when you add different textures like woven baskets, soft throws, or natural fiber rugs.
Designing with Niebla Azul: Common Errors and How to Fix Them
| Error | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Poor lighting | Niebla Azul can look too dark or flat in dim rooms | Add more light sources; use mirrors to reflect existing light |
| Wrong undertones | Pairing with clashing warm undertones | Stick with cool or neutral companions; test samples first |
| Overwhelming small spaces | Using it on all walls in tiny rooms | Paint one accent wall or use in larger spaces with good light |
| Too much contrast | Stark white trim creates harsh lines | Use softer whites like Greek Villa (SW 7551) for trim |
| Competing blues | Using other blues that clash with Niebla Azul | Stick with Sherwin Williams’ recommended coordinating colors |
| Color inconsistency | Different appearance in varying light conditions | Test paint in all lighting conditions before committing |
| Flat appearance | Using flat paint finish throughout | Use eggshell or satin in living areas; semi-gloss in kitchens and baths |
Conclusion
Niebla Azul stands out as a top choice for those who want a color with character that won’t take over a room. Its blue-gray mix brings the best of both worlds: the calm of blue and the easy-to-match quality of gray.
This color can make your home feel both fresh and cozy at the same time. It works in every room, from living spaces to bedrooms, and pairs well with many colors you might already have in your home.
Have you used Niebla Azul in your space? How did it turn out? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What color is Niebla Azul Sherwin Williams?
Niebla Azul (SW 9137) is a light slate blue with gray undertones. This Sherwin Williams color brings cheerful calm while pairing well with cool neutrals for a relaxed feel.
2. Does Niebla Azul Work with Wood Trim?
Yes! Niebla Azul works beautifully with wood trim. Its blue-gray tones complement both light and dark wood finishes, creating a balanced, cohesive look throughout your space.
3. Is Niebla Azul Too Dark for Small Spaces?
With an LRV of 53, Niebla Azul has enough depth to make a statement while still keeping small spaces feeling open and airy. It won’t close in your room.
