Van Deusen Blue → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Van Deusen Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue 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 Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is a dark blue with smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 11.52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Van Deusen Blue 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 Storm Cloud (SW 6249) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Storm Cloud is lighter. Van Deusen Blue has more depth and richness. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Van Deusen Blue
Storm Cloud is lighter. Van Deusen Blue has more depth and richness.
| Van Deusen Blue | Storm Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 11.52 | 16 |
| Hex | #586C76 | #7A868E |
| Undertone | Smoky Blue | Moody Blue-Gray |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Van Deusen Blue has smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices.
Storm Cloud has moody blue-gray undertones. A medium-dark blue-gray. Moody and atmospheric.
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
Van Deusen Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray softens it into a moody neutral. Under warm light, it feels cozy. Under cool light, the blue sharpens.
Storm Cloud in Your Room
In bright light, distinctly blue. In dim rooms, a sophisticated dark gray-blue.
LRV and Brightness
Van Deusen Blue has an LRV of 11.52, while Storm Cloud has an LRV of 16. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Van Deusen Blue for: accent wall, office, bedroom, dining room, exterior. With an LRV of 11.52, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Storm Cloud is recommended for: accent wall, bedroom, office, powder room, exterior. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Storm Cloud in the same rooms you planned for Van Deusen Blue.
Van Deusen Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Van Deusen Blue equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is Storm Cloud (SW 6249) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Storm Cloud is lighter. Van Deusen Blue has more depth and richness. 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. Van Deusen Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 11.52. Storm Cloud is a Sherwin Williams color with moody blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 16. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.4, 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.