Porpoise is a popular neutral paint color from Sherwin-Williams. As a neutral shade, it works well in a variety of rooms and decor styles. But what exactly is the color Porpoise? Let’s take a closer look at this versatile paint color.
The Basics of Porpoise
Porpoise has the following basic characteristics:
- Paint Type: Interior latex paint
- Finish: Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
- Color Family: Neutral
- Hue: Blue-green
As a neutral paint color, Porpoise goes well with a wide range of accent colors from warm neutrals like tans and browns to bold brights like reds, oranges, and greens. The soft blue-green undertone gives it a soothing, relaxed vibe.
What Color Family is Porpoise?
Porpoise falls under the neutral color family. Neutral paint colors by definition do not lean strongly toward warm or cool. They are versatile backgrounds that allow other accent colors in the space to take center stage.
Some examples of popular neutral paint colors include:
- Whites and off-whites like Alabaster, Extra White
- Beiges and tans like Accessible Beige, Kilim Beige
- Grays like Gray Matters, Mindful Gray
- Taupes like Repose Gray, Edgecomb Gray
- Soft greens like Porpoise, Oceanside
Porpoise has just a hint of green that distinguishes it from taupe. The subtle green undertone gives it a relaxing, watery feel.
What Colors Go Well with Porpoise?
Some recommended color pairings for Porpoise include:
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Warm neutrals | Browns, tans, taupes |
| Blues | Navy, denim, sky blue |
| Greens | Sage, mint, emerald |
| Grays | Charcoal, pewter, slate |
| Yellows | Mustard, lemon, sunflower |
With its flexible neutral base, Porpoise complements both warm earth tones like tans and oranges as well as cool accent colors like blues and greens. It’s easy to build a cohesive color palette around Porpoise.
Porpoise Paint Color Coordinating
Here are some inspiring room-by-room color schemes with Porpoise:
Living Room
- Porpoise walls, white trim
- Accent wall in navy blue
- Tan leather sofa
- Blue and green patterned pillows
- Slate area rug
- Brass metal accents
Bedroom
- Porpoise walls, bright white trim and ceiling
- Sage green bedding
- Rattan and wood nightstands
- Vintage trunk at foot of bed
- White and mustard yellow throw pillows
- Jute area rug
Kitchen
- Porpoise on upper cabinets, Extra White on lower cabinets and trim
- Brown quartz countertops
- Mint green subway tile backsplash
- Brass hardware and fixtures
- Navy kitchen island
- Antique wood dining set
With the right accent colors, Porpoise can take on a warm boho vibe or cool modern aesthetic.
Porpoise Paint Undertones
When browsing paint swatches, pay attention to the undertones. Undertone refers to the subtle color that influences the main hue. Porpoise has a blue-green undertone.
Some common paint undertones include:
- Warm undertones – Hints of yellow, red, orange, brown
- Cool undertones – Hints of blue, green, purple
- Neutral undertones – No strong warm or cool leanings
Undertone impacts the look and feel of a neutral paint color like Porpoise. The blue-green undertone gives Porpoise a relaxed, water-like appearance. By comparison, a paint with warm yellow undertones will read as more cheerful and bright.
Always view paint swatches in natural daylight to accurately gauge the undertones before making your color selection.
Lighting Effects on Porpoise
Lighting plays a key role in how Porpoise is perceived. Here is how the color shifts in different lighting:
- Natural daylight – Truest to the soft blue-green color
- Warm incandescent – Warm yellow tones emphasized
- Cool fluorescent – Green tones emphasized, may look dull
- LED lights – Crisp and clear, accentuates the blue
To see Porpoise accurately, view paint swatches near a window in natural daylight. Artificial lighting can skew how cool, warm or vibrant a color appears.
Porpoise Paint Sheen
Porpoise comes in various paint sheens from Sherwin-Williams. Paint sheen refers to the glossiness or reflectivity of the dried paint.
Some common sheens include:
- Matte – No shine, completely flat
- Eggshell – Soft velvety sheen
- Satin – Subtle light reflection
- Semi-gloss – Medium-high shine
- Gloss – Highly reflective shine
Lower sheens like matte and eggshell work well for large flat surfaces like walls and ceilings. Higher gloss options like satin and semi-gloss are ideal for trim, cabinets, and doors.
For a balance of durability and soft appeal, consider Porpoise in popular finishes like eggshell or satin.
Porpoise Undertone Variations
While all the Porpoise paint swatches lean toward blue-green, there are subtle variations between each undertone.
| Porpoise Swatch | Undertone Description |
|---|---|
| Porpoise 1 | Crisp blue-green with strong blue undertones |
| Porpoise 2 | Muted blue-green with soft green-gray |
| Porpoise 3 | Hazy blue-green with hints of gray |
| Porpoise 4 | Blue-green sage with subtle green warmth |
To make sure you get the right undertone for your space, compare all the variations before deciding. The numbering system is just for identification and doesn’t indicate an ordered sequence.
Try Porpoise Before You Paint
There’s no better way to confirm if you’ll love Porpoise than to test it out first. Here are some low commitment ways to live with the color before going all in:
- Paint swatches – Paint large swatches on walls to view the color in each room.
- Moveable samples – Paint sample color on poster board or cardboard to move around.
- Fabric draping – Drape painted fabric over furniture to coordinate.
- Accessories – Buy throw pillows, blankets, or prints in Porpoise to accessorize.
By living with Porpoise first, you can decide if you want to tweak the intensity before committing to the final paint job.
Conclusion
Porpoise is a versatile neutral paint color with a relaxing blue-green character. The subtle cool undertone allows it to transition smoothly between rooms, working as well in a sunny kitchen as a restful bedroom. With the right accents, Porpoise can take on a modern, breezy or organic style. Sample the various undertones and pair it with your favorite companion colors to find the perfect Porpoise for your space. This soothing chameleon green is sure to create a sanctuary wherever it’s used.