Paint Colour Review: Quietude SW 6212 by Sherwin Williams
Quietude SW 6212 by Sherwin Williams is a gorgeous blue-green hue that feels calm, relaxing, and effortlessly serene. It brings a peaceful, refreshing vibe to any space, making it an ideal paint colour for bedrooms, bathrooms, and cozy corners. Whether you're planning a full room makeover or just want to add a touch of tranquillity to your home, Quietude is definitely a colour worth considering. In this post, you’ll understand more about its tones and undertones, explore how it looks in different lighting, and I’ll share with you the best trim and coordinating colours to help you use it beautifully and confidently in your space.
QUIETUDE AT-A-GLANCE
Undertones: Blue-green with a soft grey undertone
LRV: 48 – a mid-tone that offers a soft, calming presence
Vibe: Serene, spa-like, coastal, and relaxed
WHAT TO AVOID
Overly warm beiges or creams: Can clash with Quietude’s cool tones.
Poorly lit rooms without testing first: It may appear dull or too grey.
Stark, ultra-bright whites: Stick to soft or balanced whites for trim.
What colour is Quietude?
Quietude is a soft, muted blue-green that leans more toward green than blue, with a subtle grey undertone that gives it a wonderfully calming and sophisticated feel. It sits comfortably in the cool colour family without feeling too cold or stark. This balance is what makes Quietude so versatile and popular—it can read as a soft sea green in natural light or take on a cooler, misty tone in shadowy spaces. The grey undertone helps tone down the green hue of Quietude making it feel more grounded and neutral. It’s a stunning choice if you want to bring colour into your space without overwhelming it. Its undertones shift slightly depending on your lighting conditions, which we’ll get into next; but overall, Quietude offers a peaceful, spa-like presence that’s easy to live with.
Quietude’s LRV
LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) helps determine how much light is absorbed or reflected by a paint colour. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, 0 being absolute black and absorbing all light, and 100 being pure white and reflecting all light. The higher the LRV, the lighter and brighter the paint colour. The LRV of a paint colour is an important factor to consider, especially if you're concerned about brightness or creating a specific ambience. Colours with higher LRVs tend to make a room feel brighter and more spacious, while colours with lower LRVs can create a more intimate or cosy atmosphere.
Quietude has an LRV of 48, placing it right in the middle of the range, meaning it reflects a moderate amount of light, enough to keep a room feeling soft and airy, but not so much that it feels too bright or washed out. In well-lit rooms, it feels airy and fresh holding its colour well; while in dimmer spaces, it can take on a moodier, more muted tone, which adds cosiness and depth. It can serve as a main wall colour, a feature wall, or even a calming backdrop for cabinetry or furniture, especially if you're looking for a style that’s soft and soothing but still has personality.
How does Quietude look in different lighting conditions?
Lighting greatly impacts how a paint colour is perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and the evening, which is why it’s essential to use samples before fully committing to a paint colour so you can see how colours look at various times of the day and you can decide if a paint colour is the right one for your space.
In north-facing rooms, where the light tends to be cooler and bluish, Quietude leans more into its blue and grey tones. It can feel calm, muted, and a bit more subdued, perfect if you’re aiming for a tranquil, coastal or spa-like vibe.
In south-facing rooms, where the light is warmer and more golden, Quietude reveals more of its green side and can appear a little brighter and more cheerful. The warmth of the light helps soften its coolness, giving the room a gentle, refreshing glow.
In east-facing rooms, you’ll get a soft, warm light in the morning that makes Quietude feel fresh and clean, while in the afternoon it may deepen and show off more of its grey undertones.
In west-facing rooms, the light is warmer and richer in the afternoon which can enhance its green tones and give the colour a slightly warmer, more inviting look by the end of the day.
Because of these subtle shifts, it’s a good idea to sample Quietude on your walls and observe it at different times of the day before committing fully. Lighting plays a huge role in how this colour behaves, and seeing it in your own space will help you fall in love with it even more.
Best white trim colours to pair with Quietude
When it comes to trim, the right white can really make Quietude shine. Because it is a soft, cool-toned blue-green with a muted grey undertone, pairing it with a clean or soft white trim can create a crisp look that enhances its serene vibe. Here are some great white trim options to consider:
Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005): this is a popular go-to white that has a subtle warmth without being creamy, so it pairs beautifully with cooler wall colours like Quietude without feeling stark or sterile.
Sherwin Williams Extra White (SW 7006): a sharp and clean white, ideal if you prefer a brighter, more modern contrast. It works especially well if you want Quietude to pop a little more or if you’re going for a fresh coastal look.
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17): a soft, subtly warm white with slight grey undertones, offering a more subtle contrast, making it a lovely choice if you’re aiming for a softer, more relaxed aesthetic.
Benjamin Moore Simple White (OC-117): a bright, slightly warm white that feels clean and light. It creates a crisp contrast with a subtle warmth.
Each of these whites will complement Quietude’s cool undertones beautifully, so your final choice comes down to how much contrast you want between your walls and trim.
Best coordinating colours with Quietude
One of the reasons Quietude is such a beloved paint colour is its versatility. It pairs beautifully with a range of colours, making it easy to build a calm, cohesive palette throughout your home. Whether you’re after a soft and serene scheme or something with a little contrast, here are some colours that complement Quietude beautifully:
Warm whites or off-whites like Sherwin Williams Shoji White SW 7042 or Alabaster SW 7008 to add a touch of softness and warmth. Great for walls in adjacent spaces or ceilings if you want a cosy, airy look.
Light beiges or greiges with green undertones like Drift Of Mist SW 9166 or Accessible Beige SW 7036 to create a subtle coolness that harmonises well with Quietude’s muted tones. It’s a great choice for nearby rooms or as a neutral backdrop.
Darker or lighter blue-greens like Jasper Stone SW 9133 or Sea Salt SW 6204 to create a monochromatic and cohesive look. It works well on cabinetry, accent walls, or even furniture.
Dark charcoal greys like Urbane Bronze SW 7048 to create a bold contrast and a one-of-kind look with depth, character, and drama.
Whether you’re going for a spa-inspired bathroom, a coastal-style bedroom, a bold contrast, or a fresh and airy living space, Quietude pairs effortlessly with soft whites, earthy blue-greens, and muted neutrals.
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Quietude SW 6212 is a beautiful, peaceful colour that brings a calming presence to any space. With its soft blue-green tones and subtle grey undertone, it’s an incredibly versatile choice—perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, or anywhere you want to create a sense of tranquillity.
If you love colours like Quietude but feel unsure about how to pull everything together, I’ve created ready-made whole-house colour palettes to make choosing the perfect paint colours easier and stress-free. Or, if you’d prefer something tailored to your unique space and style, I also offer custom colour consultations to help you design a home that feels just right.
Browse my colour palettes or learn more about custom services. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to get in touch, I'd love to help you bring your vision to life!
Thank you for reading and happy decorating!
Manon xx