Refreshing Pool → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Behr Refreshing Pool (PPU13-07), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Refreshing Pool
If you love Behr Refreshing Pool but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Refreshing Pool (PPU13-07) is a medium-dark blue with cool pool blue undertones. A cool, medium blue-gray with a refreshing aquatic quality. More saturated than Reflecting Pool, less dark than a navy. The color of a clean swimming pool in shade. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 35) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Refreshing Pool and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Sherwin Williams option is Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Smoky Blue is close. Both are medium blue-grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Refreshing Pool
Smoky Blue is close. Both are medium blue-grays.
| Refreshing Pool | Smoky Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 25 |
| Hex | #A3B6B8 | #99A8AB |
| Undertone | Cool Pool Blue | Muted Smoky Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Refreshing Pool has cool pool blue undertones. A cool, medium blue-gray with a refreshing aquatic quality. More saturated than Reflecting Pool, less dark than a navy. The color of a clean swimming pool in shade.
Smoky Blue has muted smoky blue undertones. A muted, sophisticated blue-gray at medium depth. More saturated than Silverpointe, less dark than Storm Cloud. Named for what it is: smoke with blue light filtering through.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Refreshing Pool in Your Room
The blue is definite and refreshing. In bright rooms, a soft medium blue. In dim rooms, a sophisticated gray-blue. Cool and clean.
Smoky Blue in Your Room
The smoky quality is consistent. In bright rooms, the blue is visible and attractive. In dim rooms, the smoke takes over. A sophisticated, restful color.
LRV and Brightness
Refreshing Pool has an LRV of 35, while Smoky Blue has an LRV of 25. That means Refreshing Pool reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Refreshing Pool will make the space feel brighter and more open than Smoky Blue. If you are switching to the Sherwin Williams option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Refreshing Pool
Behr recommends Refreshing Pool for: bathroom, bedroom, office, accent wall, living room. With an LRV of 35, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Smoky Blue is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, hallway. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Refreshing Pool in Other Brands
Looking for Refreshing Pool equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Refreshing Pool (PPU13-07) is Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Smoky Blue is close. Both are medium blue-grays. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Refreshing Pool is a Behr color with cool pool blue undertones and an LRV of 35. Smoky Blue is a Sherwin Williams color with muted smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.