Read all about Sherwin Williams Big Chill, plus see 15 real homes that use it!
Sherwin Williams Big Chill (SW 7648) is a cool-leaning blue-toned gray paint color that frequently reads as true gray.
Homeowners and builders alike both love using timeless shades like grays, beiges, and greiges to add neutral color to a home while allowing the house design or decor to catch the eye.
Big Chill is one of those popular colors that will add a subtle, clean appearance without the need to take attention away from the elements you want people to focus on.
In this paint series, I’ve already covered many beautiful shades in-depth to give you all the necessary details you need to make an informed decision. My goal is to take some of the “hard” out of picking new paint colors by helping you eliminate hues that won’t work. By focusing on fewer options, your decision will be easier!
The latest addition to this paint post series is one I think you’ll love: Sherwin Williams Big Chill.
What color is Big Chill?
SW Big Chill is, well, chill! This shade is a cool-leaning light gray paint that features mild blue undertones.
This is a gorgeous color that will often read as a “true” gray (ahem, there’s actually no such thing because ALL grays have undertones). It delivers a crisp, neutral, timeless appearance that imparts a serene vibe in any room.
It’s a terrific choice to make small or dark spaces feel airy and spacious. If you want a calming and neutral color, keep reading about SW Big Chill.
Want the cliff notes for choosing the perfect color every time? Grab a FREE copy of my guide to help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make!
FAQs about Sherwin Williams Big Chill
What other colors are similar to Big Chill?
Unfortunately, switching between paint color brands makes matching paint colors difficult due to variations in color blending.
If you want a Benjamin Moore equivalent, check out Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray or Benjamin Moore Moonshine.
Is Sherwin Williams’s Big Chill warm or cool?
Big Chill is a cool-toned gray with subtle blue undertones. It definitely falls on the cool end of the temperature spectrum, but it won’t feel icy cold.
Where should I use Sherwin Williams Big Chill?
This is a sophisticated neutral that can shine anywhere. Big Chill can look fabulous in a large variety of areas, including:
• Hallways
• Entryway
• Laundry room
• Home office
• Playroom
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Living room
• Kitchen
Big Chill fits well with coastal, modern, traditional, minimalist, contemporary, farmhouse, Scandinavian, transitional, and mid-century styles of homes. In other words, it’s neutral enough to work well in nearly any type of home!
Sherwin Williams Big Chill Undertones
Big Chill is a light and soothing gray with soft blue undertones.
Gray paint colors with blue undertones are nothing new, as there are plenty to choose from. However, Big Chill’s undertones are far more subtle than the blue undertones you will find in a gray such as Stonington Gray.
I have a tool that I like to recommend that will work wonders to prevent you from choosing a paint color that you end up totally regretting once it covers your walls. Check out paint swatches (I love these peel-and-stick paint samples) to demonstrate EXACTLY how paint will look in your home.
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How Different Types of Lighting Affect Sherwin Williams’s Big Chill
Natural light exposure shifts throughout the course of the day as the sun moves from the eastern horizon to the western one. Constantly shifting natural light will also cause any paint’s appearance to change throughout the day.
In fact, natural lighting can (and does) change so much that I frequently say not to expect ANY paint color to look the same in two different areas or at other times of the day (even in the same room!).
Big Chill is one of the few colors that doesn’t shift a lot. You’ll notice slight shifts (as we’ll see below) depending on the lighting and nearby items.
Here’s how you can expect Big Chill to look based on different types of natural lighting.
- North-facing light – blue-tinted, cool northern exposure will let Big Chill show off its blue undertones more prominently.
- South-facing light – warm, yellow southern exposure will make this shade appear lighter, less cool, and “true” gray.
- East-facing light – eastern light is warm and yellow in the morning and shadowy later in the day. Big Chill will appear less cool in the morning and shift toward neutral gray in the afternoon.
- West-facing light – with cooler light in the morning and very warm light later in the day, you’ll notice the opposite scenario occur. Big Chill will start the day looking crisp gray and shift toward a little lighter soft, neutral gray.
Great Coordinating Colors for Big Chill
If you crave a neutral gray, Big Chill may be a perfect fit. Try pairing it with darker blue-gray and navy. Avoid very warm beiges and greiges.
If you need a few color ideas that shine when paired with Sherwin Williams Big Chill, check out:
- Pure White
- Cityscape
- Silver Strand
- Snowbound
- Sea Salt
- Extra White
- Grizzle Gray
- Colonial Yellow
- Tricorn Black
- Argos
- Naval
- Gauntlet Gray
- First Star
- High Reflective White
LRV of Sherwin Williams Big Chill (SW 7648)
LRV is an abbreviation for “light reflective value.” Why does it matter? It’s a helpful and reliable way to determine how light or dark a paint color may look on your walls.
LRV ranges from 0 – 100. A color with an LRV of 0 is pure black. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an LRV of 100 is the brightest white you can imagine.
The LRV of Sherwin Williams Big Chill = 62
This LRV value puts SW Big Chill firmly in the middle to light range. It’s light enough that it won’t look heavy on walls in dark rooms and can wash out some in well-lit rooms.
LRV…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!⤵️
Big Chill Compared to Other Colors
It’s time to compare and contrast this hue with a few other popular shades to highlight the unique qualities of each one. Let’s dive in!
Sherwin Williams Big Chill vs. Passive
Let’s start things off by comparing Big Chill to Sherwin Williams Passive (SW 7064). Passive has an LRV (LRV 60) just slightly lower than Big Chill.
Although both of these colors are cool-toned, Passive is noticeably cooler and lacks the blue undertones you will find in Big Chill.
Sherwin Williams Big Chill vs. On The Rocks
Sherwin Williams On the Rocks (SW 7161) and Big Chill share the same LRV value of 62. Even though they are both neutral, On the Rocks has light taupe and green undertones that give it a soft look.
Sherwin Williams Big Chill vs. Agreeable Gray
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) has an LRV of 60, which gives it slightly more depth than Big Chill. Another difference between these two popular neutrals is that Agreeable Gray’s brown undertones make it read warm.
More Colors to Consider
Gah! Choosing new colors can take some work! If you just aren’t ready to dive headfirst into Big Chill with confidence at this point, check out these other great neutral colors.
- Silver Satin (Sherwin Williams) – an off-white with a hint of gray.
- Silver Drop (Behr) – a pale and flexible greige.
- Snowbound (Sherwin Williams) – a slightly cool, yet very livable, white.
- Light French Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a mid-toned neutral gray.
- Smoke (Benjamin Moore) – a light-medium smokey blue.
- Modern Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a medium greige paint with slight brown undertones.
- Shoreline (Benjamin Moore) – a light gray-leaning greige.
- Repose Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a neutral paint that’s light but still has warmth.
- Lazy Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a medium gray with blue undertones.
- Comfort Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a medium green-gray paint color with blue undertones.
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!⤵️
Real Homes Using Sherwin Williams Big Chill
Ok, the information download portion of this cruise is complete! Now that you’re armed with knowledge about this shade and how it behaves, it’s time to SEE it in real life.
Here are 15 real-life homes and spaces using Sherwin Williams Big Chill for you to see!
SW Big Chill Bedrooms
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.
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. Inviting Gray Guest Space
Hello, timeless elegance! In this gorgeous bedroom from Jessi Nichols, Sherwin Williams Big Chill reads as a pale “true” gray to create an ideal and unassuming neutral background.
2. Modern Farmhouse Neutral
In this bedroom from @cottonwood_grove, Big Chill almost looks greige, but that’s the impact of the warm lighting. You can see its true gray nature under the window.
3. Fitting for Pops of Color
Life Love Larson has less natural light in this room, so the paint doesn’t wash out as much. Big Chill proves here how neutral it is by letting all the other colors catch your eye.
Family Rooms with Big Chill Paint
4. Perfect Pairing with Wood Beams
Wow, I think the only word that fits for this living room from Petrucci Johnson Homes via Houzz (Martin Vecchio Photography) is stunning! Big Chill may lean cool, but it’s neutral enough to work well with wood tones.
5. Works with Traditional Decor
What style of home do you have? Just Us Girls Painting proves Sherwin Williams Big Chill is versatile enough to work with traditional homes as well as contemporary ones.
6. A Cozy Classic
This living room from @thisgracefulbeauty shows off the cozy side of Big Chill. When you want to chill and let go of the stresses from the day, this shade delivers.
SW Big Chill in 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).
7. A Flexible Paint Color
The lighting and architecture in this kitchen from Decorilla could make choosing paint colors challenging. Big Chill’s flexibility makes it ideal for spaces like this with large variances in lighting.
8. Cozy Coffee Bar Color
Sherwin Williams Big Chill is light, bright, and just cool enough to balance out the heat from your morning coffee.
Dining Rooms featuring Big Chill
9. Gray Sophistication
Petrucci Homes shows just how perfectly timelessly classic (and versatile) this shade is. See how it effortlessly works with cool grays, crisp whites, and warm brass accents at the same time? Wow!
10. Beautiful with Mid-Century Design
There is so much warm natural light in this room from Lisa & Leroy (photographer: @annameyerphoto) that Big Chill reads as a pale greige or possibly a dark off-white. This is the lightest I have ever seen this shade appear.
Sherwin Williams Big Chill 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.
11. Chic Combination with Blue Vanity
Noire Motif expertly paired Big Chill with a fun accent color such as Naval to create a timeless and sophisticated space.
12. Slightly Cool Gray
Sherwin Williams Big Chill leans cool, but Haymount Homes LLC proves it doesn’t ever feel icy cold. Its endless flexibility is what makes it such a popular color!
13. Feels Warm in Artificial Lighting
Because Big Chill doesn’t strongly lean towards being cool, the warm artificial light in this bathroom from Emerald Ventures Inc. via Houzz can make it seem warm and greige-like.
14. Classy Gray Paint Color
The low levels of cool-toned light in this room from Meg Corley draw out the subtle blue undertones. Gorgeous!
Other Homes using Big Chill Paint
15. Incredible Interior Door Color
In the abode of @happyhomevibes, Big Chill gets some front and center face-time in the form of an interior door color. An unexpected, but lovely choice! When walls are very white, it’s great to add some depth and saturation from a contrasting trim color.
16. Big Chill Ceiling Color
In this room designed by Monica Neaves Interiors, SW Big Chill is used as a ceiling paint color. And it reads quite gray here. Ceilings are a great place to try new colors. Just remember that a darker shade will bring the ceiling height down lower visually, giving off more of a cozy vibe, whereas lighter shade lift the ceiling height, making a space feel more grand and cavernous.
Now that you’ve had a chance to see Sherwin Williams Big Chill in real-life examples, have I convinced you to grab a peel and stick paint sample and consider it more closely?
I hope you love the calming and timeless sophistication that Big Chill lends a space!
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!
Ready 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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