Aquastone vs Refresh
Aquastone and Refresh come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. The 9-point LRV gap — 59 for Refresh vs 49 for Aquastone — means Refresh will open up a space more effectively. Both share a cool character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. ΔE 6.9 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Aquastone vs Refresh in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Aquastone and Refresh are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Refresh returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Refresh returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Aquastone vs Refresh Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Aquastone on one side and Refresh on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Aquastone comparisons
See how Aquastone stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 49), opening up a space where Aquastone encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 52 vs 49), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 49 vs 30, Aquastone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (60 vs 49) makes Agreeable Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Accessible Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 58 vs 49), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Aquastone reflects far more light (LRV 49 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (49 vs 43) makes Aquastone the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 49), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Aquastone reads slightly lighter (LRV 49 vs 44), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 49, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 49), opening up a space where Aquastone encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 49), opening up a space where Aquastone encloses it.
Aquastone reflects far more light (LRV 49 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Aquastone reflects far more light (LRV 49 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 49), opening up a space where Aquastone encloses it.
Aquastone reflects far more light (LRV 49 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Aquastone reads slightly lighter (LRV 49 vs 45), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 49 vs 31, Aquastone is decisively the brighter choice.