Read all about Sherwin Williams On the Rocks, plus see 15 real homes that use it!
If you’ve been searching for a perfect gray paint color, you probably realized very quickly that there are a crazy number of options to choose from. There’s quite possibly a shade of gray for every day of the year (not that you would repaint that often)!
Such a large number of options makes choosing a favorite gray paint color so hard. Sometimes it seems there are just TOO many choices. To help you out, I’ve been sharing in-depth color reviews on some of the most popular paint colors. I’ve also been covering some of my favorite versatile colors, which may not always be super popular, but they are great colors.
Well, friends, today I’m sharing about a gray paint color you do NOT want to overlook. Thanks to its subtle undertones, Sherwin Williams On the Rocks is both popular and versatile. It’s the creme de la creme…the top cheese…the Jack of all trades (or rather, all grays). You get the idea. 😉
SW On the Rocks (SW 7671) is a very light gray paint color. Sometimes it’s even classified as off-white. It’s light, airy, and cheery as well as classic, tranquilizing, and elegant, all wrapped into one.
Few colors seem to work in almost every climate, but On the Rocks is one of them. Whether you get snow most of the year or live in a tropical oven, this color will help you feel comfortable and “right at home” all the time.
If you’re searching for a very livable perfect shade of light gray, you’ll want to read the information about Sherwin Williams On the Rocks that I’m sharing below.
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FAQs about On the Rocks
Is Sherwin Williams On the Rocks warm or cool?
This color is both…and neither. Did I confuse you? Let me elaborate.
Inherently (and in neutral lighting), On the Rocks is pretty neutral and doesn’t lean either way strongly.
It does have light purple undertones that make it seem warmer than some other grays. And although it can lean cool in a north-facing room, it will always read as “soft.”
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Where should I use SW On the Rocks?
The simple answer: anywhere!
On the Rocks is one of the most livable and most versatile grays. Use it in nearly every room and on any surface.It can even be an excellent exterior paint choice – sometimes.
Since it has purple undertones, using On the Rocks as exterior paint can be tricky.
Areas to consider using On the Rocks:
• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Kitchens
• Kids rooms
• Playrooms
• Bathrooms
• Staircases
• Laundry rooms
• Hallways
• And more!
This neutral shade works well in many styles of homes, including minimalist, traditional, modern farmhouse, and transitional-style homes. 😉
I’m not gonna lie – choosing the PERFECT paint color isn’t as easy as seeing what you like online and simply adding it to your space. There’s an entire science behind it! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
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Sherwin Williams On the Rocks Undertones
Undertones are a part of paint colors that you simply can’t ignore because they help make up the colors we see. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is helpful and advocate learning about the undertones of colors you like rather than ignoring them (and paying the unpleasant consequences).
Warm colors have undertones that are red, orange, or yellow, while cool colors have undertones that are blue, purple, or green.
SW On the Rocks has very subtle undertones. Overall, this color reads as a true gray. However, it does have muted purple undertones, which can sometimes read as blue in cool lighting. They’re very slight, so you won’t overtly see them, but they’ll peek through occasionally.
If you’re looking for a Benjamin Moore equivalent to this color, there’s no clear winner, but you could check out:
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
Get paint samples for each color on your shortlist and check them out in your house to see how lighting, decor, and other elements impact the way it reads.
As far as sampling goes, I highly recommend these mess-free, re-usable, re-positionable peel and stick paint samples ⤵
On the Rocks may have subtle undertones, but they’re there and can show up when you least want them to unless you take the time to do the proper research.
PinHow Different Types of Lighting Affect SW On the Rocks
On the Rocks wants to be a true gray, but its passive undertones impact how it reads. As always, it’s all about lighting. Here’s an idea of how lighting will affect the way On the Rocks reads.
- North-facing light – cool northern light tends to wash out the warmth in colors. On the Rocks will look less purple and more blue (or maybe a combination) when cool light hits it.
- South-facing light – warm southern lighting will warm up this shade and draw out the purple undertones slightly.
- East-facing light – the bright morning light will make On the Rocks read passively warm in the morning, but that will be a different story in the afternoon when the sun is to the west.
- West-facing light – this ultra-warm light will draw out On the Rocks’ purple undertones in the afternoon, but it will likely read bluer in the morning before the light hits the room.
If undertones make your head hurt, you’re not alone! Grab your free copy of 5 Biggest Paint Choice Mistakes Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
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Great Coordinating Colors for On the Rocks
Thanks to its overall versatility, On the Rocks looks terrific with many other colors, such as clean whites, medium-toned grays (such as charcoal), blue-greens, blues (including navy blues), and black.
Due to its purple tendencies, I recommend avoiding creams, beiges, and most greiges. However, this isn’t a hard rule – there are just a few darker greiges that pair well. Try pairing it with these paint colors:
- Extra White
- High Reflective White
- Greek Villa
- Almond Roca
- Lattice
- Ellie Gray
- Pewter Cast
- Seaworthy
- Pool house
- Sea Salt
- Cascades
- Simple White
- Requisite Gray
- Indigo Batik
- Snowbound
- Gray Clouds
- Perfect Greige
- Copen Blue
NOTE: Paint colors don’t look the same in different settings. There are just too many factors that influence how it looks for that to be possible.
And don’t count on a shade looking the same on your computer screen as it does in your home! Use those paint samples – I promise it’s worth the effort!
LRV of Sherwin Williams On the Rocks (SW 7671)
Just looking at paint is too subjective because it’s often so easily influenced by outside forces, so we need to look at some basic objective information.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a number between 0 and 100 assigned to each paint shade to indicate the intensity of that shade. A lower number means the color reflects less light (is more intense), and a higher number reflects more light (is less intense).
The LRV of SW On the Rocks = 62
On the Rocks sits on the edge between the medium and light ranges. It has enough intensity to contrast with white trim well, and it’s also light enough that very bright light can wash it out.
PinLRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
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On the Rocks Compared to Other Colors
I love to compare similar paint hues side-by-side to get more information on how they really behave. This practice is beneficial when you’re trying to find out more about a color’s undertones. Here’s how SW On the Rocks stacks up against three popular shades of gray.
Sherwin Williams On the Rocks vs. SW Crushed Ice
Boasting an LRV of 66, Crushed Ice looks a little lighter than On the Rocks does. While both colors can flash purple or blue undertones, Crushed Ice favors green undertones. Despite that difference, you can’t go wrong with either of these colors because they’re both popular and versatile.
PinSherwin Williams On the Rocks vs. Big Chill
Sherwin Williams Big Chill has an LRV of 62, which means it has the same intensity as On the Rocks. Both shades are airy and light, but On the Rocks has deeper red undertones and will read warmer than Big Chill.
PinSherwin Williams On the Rocks vs. Repose Gray
Although both of these very popular shades have a good amount of gray in them, SW Repose Gray leans slightly more beige and reads warmer.
Its Light Reflectance Value stands lower at 58, making this color darker than On the Rocks. In addition, On the Rocks has purple undertones compared to Repose Gray’s blue undertones.
You can see a complete analysis + lots of pics of Repose Gray here!
PinMore Colors to Consider
Do color choices have your head spinning? If you aren’t quite convinced that On the Rocks is the perfect choice for your home, check out these other ideas!
- Smoke (Benjamin Moore) – a cool gray-green-blue in the medium range
- Eider White (Sherwin Williams) – a light, creamy off-white with a touch of greige
- Silver Strand (Sherwin Williams) – a lovely light gray-green
- Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore) – an off-white with rich, creamy undertones
- Worldly Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a tranquil mid-toned greige
- Dover White (Sherwin Williams) – a creamy off-white with beige and yellow undertones
- Linen White (Benjamin Moore) – a rich, creamy off-white
- Olympus White (Sherwin Williams) – a light gray paint with blue undertones
- Dolphin Fin (Behr) – a light, neutral off-white paint color
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
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15 Real Life Homes Using SW On the Rocks Paint
Ok, we’ve finished sharing technical info – let’s get to the fun part! Sherwin Williams On the Rocks is a popular shade for a reason. Here’s how it truly behaves in real homes.
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
SW On the Rocks Bedrooms
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
1. A True Gray Nursery
This example from Project Nursery shows just how beautifully neutral and soft On the Rocks can be. It’s an ideal backdrop color to let more colorful decor shine.
2. Leans Cool with Purple Accents
Embrace the purple undertones! In this example from Martha O’Hara Interiors via Houzz, you can see hints of purple pull through, but they’re very subtle. The purple accents pull everything together.
3. A Muted Neutral for the Bedroom
SW On the Rocks works well in neutral color palettes. In this master bedroom, you can see how bright light washes out the color so that it reads pale gray or even off-white.
4. Restful Retreat with SW 7161
Paired with gray and cooler accents in the fabric, art and furniture, On The Rocks reads as a true gray, even leaning toward the cool side.
Living Rooms with Sherwin Williams On the Rocks Paint
5. Contrasts with Bright Whites
Even though this shade will read as pale, notice here from Z Design at Home how there’s still enough saturation to contrast with a bright white.
See the green undertones peeking through (likely reflecting on greens outside the home).
6. Next to No Undertones
On the Rocks works well in a neutral or monochrome color palette. In this living room from @lindsaylauschinteriordesign, the shade looks like a lovely neutral gray, ranging from a very subtle tone to more of a medium gray, depending on the lighting situation in any specific area of the room.
7. A Calming Gray Interior Paint
Here’s a great example of this color in a cozy and sophisticated living room.
Paint color always changes, very subtly, or often dramatically, as lighting conditions change during the course of the day. In this shot, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear it was taken during the mid-to-late afternoon, giving the room just a hint of a soft, warm glow.
On the Rocks by Sherwin William Kitchens
For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).
8. Warm and Inviting Color
In this beautiful kitchen, Z Design at Home takes advantage of the green undertones so that On the Rocks appears more greige.
It’s the perfect shade to bring together all the different design elements in this room.
9. On The Rocks On The Kitchen Cabinets
This kitchen shows how beautiful gray colors can look on cabinetry.
As you flip through the pictures of this stunning space, you can see that in the shadows, the gray color is much deeper and a bit more dramatic, whereas in the spots where there’s a bit more direct light, On The Rocks looks much lighter and brighter.
Other colors in this space? The island is painted Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray, and the walls are BM Chantilly Lace.
SW On the Rocks Bathrooms
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
10. Leaning into Warm Undertones
This bathroom from Life Figured Out shows the purple undertones that come through. This is as purple as I’ve ever seen the shade read, but when you step back, it really just seems to be a warm gray.
11. A Simple Gray Paint
Here, SW On the Rocks looks great when paired with a darker accent color, such as the dark gray in this bathroom behind the mirror.
12. Spa-Like Gray Bathroom
Searching for gray colors that can give your bathroom a spa-like feel? On the Rocks does just that in this gorgeous space shared by Decorpad via JacksonBuilt Custom Homes.
PinOffices in Sherwin Williams’ On the Rocks
13. A Perfectly Complimentary Gray Paint
This den from R and R at Home has plenty of bright artificial light, highlighting how well On the Rocks works with both natural and artificial light. If you want to paint a basem*nt or bathroom, this may be your color!
14. Great Against White Trim
If you are lucky enough to have a bright room with lots of natural light like this amazing office from Kelley Nan, know that this hue can read very pale. If you’re going for that look, great! But if you want more saturation, consider a darker gray.
Other Homes using Sherwin Williams On the Rocks Paint
15. Warm Enough for Off Whites
Many gray paints don’t pair well with off-whites. And while On the Rocks won’t pair well with cream, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia shows how well this warm gray pairs with the right off-white.
Final thoughts? I hope you see all the beautiful qualities Sherwin Williams On the Rocks has to offer. This warm-leaning gray reads as true gray on its own, but its subtle purple undertones add depth and warmth.
And if this is a color you’re seriously considering, remember paint-sampling is better than ending up paint-sorry! I highly recommend these peel and stick samples because they are inexpensive, re-usable and re-positionable…
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
PinReady to show those boring, beige walls who’s the boss at home? Grab my free guide to help you sidestep the mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
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