Sherwin Williams Stardew SW 9138: Color and Use Guide

Sherwin Williams Stardew is a muted slate blue paint color that combines blue and gray to create a soft, relaxed appearance. Identified as Stardew SW 9138, this shade offers more depth than a pale blue while remaining softer than many saturated blue paints. Its understated character makes it suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and selected exterior features.

One of Stardew’s defining characteristics is its blue-gray appearance, which can look different depending on natural daylight, artificial lighting, room orientation, and surrounding colors. It can appear more distinctly blue in some settings and more gray or subdued in others.

This guide explores the color’s official specifications, undertones, Light Reflectance Value (LRV), coordinating colors, room applications, and comparisons with similar shades. It also explains how to test Stardew before deciding whether it suits your home.

What Color Is Stardew Sherwin Williams?

Sherwin Williams Stardew SW 9138 is a soft slate blue with a noticeable gray influence. Rather than appearing like a bright sky blue or deep navy, it has a muted, slightly foggy quality that makes it easier to incorporate into many residential color palettes.

The gray component softens the blue, giving Stardew a more understated appearance. This balance can work well with white trim, natural wood, warm neutrals, and other muted colors.

Here are the key color specifications.

The HEX and RGB values represent a digital approximation of Stardew. They help with preliminary design planning, but a computer screen cannot reproduce every aspect of real paint.

For the most reliable color evaluation, use a physical sample in the space where you intend to paint.

The Unique Color Profile of Sherwin Williams Stardew 9138

Stardew sits between blue and gray, making it more subdued than a conventional medium blue. Its slate-like quality gives it enough color to add character to a room without necessarily dominating the entire design.

Three characteristics define its appearance.

Muted blue: Stardew has a recognizable blue base, but its saturation is restrained.

Gray influence: Gray softens the blue and gives the color a more sophisticated, understated appearance.

Balanced character: The color can work with both warm materials and cooler neutrals when the undertones are coordinated carefully.

Stardew can suit coastal, transitional, traditional, and relaxed contemporary interiors. Its success depends on the colors surrounding it, particularly the trim, flooring, countertops, and larger furniture pieces.

Unlike a very pale blue, Stardew provides more visual depth. Unlike a dark navy, it maintains a softer and less dramatic presence.

Is Sherwin Williams Stardew a Warm or Cool Color?

Sherwin Williams Stardew is best described as a cool-leaning blue-gray, although Sherwin-Williams describes its slate blue character as having a balance of warm and cool undertones.

These descriptions are not necessarily contradictory. A paint can belong to a cool color family while still containing subtle influences that help it coordinate with warmer materials.

In a room with cool daylight, Stardew may appear more gray or subdued. Warm artificial lighting and nearby beige or wood surfaces can make it feel softer and less icy.

If you are planning to use Stardew with warm wood flooring, cream upholstery, or beige stone, test the combination together. If your palette includes cool white trim and gray flooring, compare samples to determine whether the overall room feels too cool.

The best approach is to evaluate the paint in the actual lighting conditions rather than relying exclusively on its color-family label.

Understanding the Undertones of Stardew SW 9138

Undertones are the subtle secondary hues that influence how a paint color appears. Stardew contains both blue and gray influences, and its surrounding colors can affect which aspect appears more noticeable.

Blue Undertones

The blue component gives Stardew its recognizable cool blue-gray identity. In bright daylight or against a neutral white background, the blue may appear clearer.

If the goal is a more distinctly blue appearance, use Stardew with white trim, gray flooring, or lighter neutrals rather than very warm beige or gold tones.

Gray Undertones

The gray component softens the blue and keeps Stardew from looking too vivid or saturated. In lower light or beside beige and warm wood, it may appear more gray or muted.

This gray influence makes Stardew suitable for people who want a blue-gray without the stronger blue intensity of a clearer slate blue.

How Surrounding Colors Change Its Appearance

Surrounding colors can change which undertone dominates. Beside bright white, Stardew may look cooler and more blue. Beside warm beige or natural wood, its warmth may become more apparent.

Adjacent colors can also make the same paint sample look different. A sample viewed beside gray flooring may appear more neutral, while the same sample viewed beside honey-colored wood may appear warmer.

For this reason, evaluate Stardew together with the trim, flooring, countertops, and fixed furnishings rather than judging it in isolation.

What Is the LRV of Sherwin Williams Stardew?

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures how much visible light a paint color reflects. LRV is expressed on a scale from 0, representing a perfect black that absorbs all light, to 100, representing a perfect white that reflects all light.

The HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams color record lists Stardew SW 9138 with an LRV of 44.0. This places it in the middle of the scale: it reflects noticeably less light than a white or off-white but more than a dark navy or charcoal.

Practically, an LRV around 44 means Stardew can add visible color depth to a wall while remaining light enough for many rooms. It does not absorb light as strongly as darker colors, but it also does not bounce light back like a high-LRV white.

In rooms with limited daylight, Stardew may appear darker and more saturated. In bright rooms, it can look lighter and softer. Always consider the room’s natural light when judging whether an LRV of 44 suits your space.

HEX and RGB Color Values

Stardew’s digital color values are shown below.

These values are useful for creating digital mood boards, comparing similar shades on a screen, and planning preliminary color combinations. However, they should not replace a physical paint sample when making a final decision.

How Lighting Affects Sherwin Williams Stardew

Lighting is one of the most important factors in how Stardew appears. Even if the paint formula remains the same, different lighting conditions can emphasize either its blue or gray character.

Natural Daylight

During the middle of the day, when daylight is stronger and more neutral, Stardew’s blue character may appear clearer. In the early morning or late afternoon, warmer natural light can soften it.

Large windows and light-colored flooring can also increase reflected light, making Stardew appear lighter than it does on a small paint chip.

Room Orientation

North-facing rooms typically receive cooler, indirect daylight. In such rooms, Stardew may look more gray or subdued. If the room already feels visually cool, warm furnishings or wood accents can help balance the appearance.

South-facing rooms often receive stronger, warmer daylight. In these rooms, Stardew may look softer and slightly warmer, although it generally retains its blue-gray character.

East-facing rooms receive cooler morning light and warmer afternoon light, while west-facing rooms often experience warmer light later in the day. Observing a sample throughout the day helps reveal these changes.

Artificial Lighting

Artificial lighting also affects the appearance of blue-gray paint. Warm LED or incandescent bulbs can make Stardew appear warmer and softer, while cooler daylight-balanced bulbs may emphasize its blue-gray character.

Test the sample under the lighting you use most often, not only under showroom lighting.

Sherwin Williams Stardew Coordinating Colors

Sherwin-Williams suggests several coordinating colors for Stardew. These include Mountain Air SW 6224, Patience SW 7555, and Coral Clay SW 9005. They can provide starting points for building a palette around Stardew.

The sections below describe these suggestions and other colors that may coordinate with Stardew’s muted blue-gray character.

Mountain Air SW 6224

Mountain Air is a muted blue-gray that shares Stardew’s understated character. It can be useful for creating a layered monochromatic palette, particularly when you want different surfaces or rooms to feel connected.

Consider using Stardew on the walls and a slightly deeper or lighter blue-gray on adjacent doors or built-ins. Always test the pairing with physical samples.

Patience SW 7555

Patience is a soft beige with warm undertones. It can add warmth to a palette anchored by Stardew’s cool blue-gray, creating a more balanced overall impression.

This combination can suit bedrooms and living rooms where you want a relaxed atmosphere without a strictly cool or warm feeling.

Coral Clay SW 9005

Coral Clay is a warm, earthy terracotta-like shade. Because warm earth tones can contrast with cool blue-gray, this pairing may add visual interest and warmth.

Use it carefully as an accent rather than an equal partner. Test the colors together because strong contrasts can change how each color appears.

Extra White SW 7006

Extra White is a bright, clean white often used for trim, ceilings, and doors. Against Stardew walls, white trim can make the blue-gray appear clearer and more defined.

If you prefer a softer transition, consider a slightly warmer white for the trim. The choice depends on whether you want crisp contrast or a gentler boundary between wall and trim.

Drift of Mist SW 9166

Drift of Mist is a soft neutral that can provide a quieter background alongside Stardew. Because it is lighter and more neutral, it may work well on adjacent walls, ceilings, or in connected rooms.

Pairing a muted blue-gray with a soft neutral is a common approach for maintaining visual interest while keeping the overall palette calm.

Choosing a Trim Color

Trim color affects how Stardew reads. A bright white trim creates more contrast and can make Stardew look slightly more saturated by comparison.

A warmer off-white or cream trim softens the transition between wall and trim. This may be preferable in rooms where you want a cozier feeling.

Test both options with sample boards placed against a Stardew sample in the actual room before deciding.

What Colors Are Similar to Sherwin Williams Stardew?

Several Sherwin-Williams colors share Stardew’s blue-gray character, although each has its own balance of blue, gray, and lightness. Comparing samples helps determine which one suits your space.

Sherwin Williams Stardew vs. Jubilee

Jubilee is another blue-gray from Sherwin-Williams. Stardew and Jubilee can appear similar on a screen, but differences in lightness and undertone may become clearer on larger samples.

Compare them in the room where the paint will be used. Observe whether one appears more distinctly blue or more muted under your lighting.

Sherwin Williams Stardew vs. Niebla Azul

Niebla Azul is a soft blue that may appear lighter or slightly different in undertone compared with Stardew. Small differences can become noticeable when the colors cover an entire wall.

Test both on large sample boards and view them at different times of day before choosing.

Sherwin Williams Stardew vs. Krypton

Krypton is a lighter blue-gray. If Stardew feels slightly too deep for a small or dim room, Krypton may provide a similar character with a lighter appearance.

Sherwin Williams Stardew vs. Rain

Rain is a soft blue-gray that may read slightly more gray or blue depending on the lighting. Compare large samples of both to see which undertone works better with your fixed finishes.

Sherwin Williams Stardew vs. Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray

Boothbay Gray from Benjamin Moore is another blue-gray paint. Because it comes from a different manufacturer, its formula, undertones, and colorant system differ from Stardew’s.

There is no confirmed exact cross-brand equivalent. Compare physical samples from both brands in your own space rather than relying on online comparisons alone.

How to Choose Between Similar Shades

Consider three factors when deciding between similar blue-gray paints.

Lightness: Determine whether you want more depth, like Stardew, or a lighter appearance.

Undertones: Notice whether the color reads more blue, more gray, or slightly warmer in your lighting.

Surrounding finishes: Evaluate each option against the trim, flooring, and furniture that will remain in the room.

Testing multiple samples together is more reliable than comparing small images online.

Where to Use Sherwin Williams Stardew in Your Home

Stardew can work in many rooms, but its medium depth and cool-leaning character mean it should be evaluated against the room’s light and fixed finishes.

Bedroom Walls

Stardew can create a calm, restful backdrop in a bedroom. Its muted blue-gray pairs well with white bedding, natural wood nightstands, and soft textiles.

In a bedroom with limited daylight, test a large sample to confirm the color does not feel too dark or too cool. Warm bedding and wood tones can help balance it.

Consider using Stardew on all walls for a cocooning effect, or on one accent wall with lighter neutrals elsewhere.

Living Room Walls

In a living room, Stardew can add color without overwhelming the space. It works with gray or beige upholstery, white trim, and natural wood furniture.

If the living room has large windows and abundant daylight, Stardew may appear lighter and softer. In darker living rooms, it can create a moodier, more intimate atmosphere.

Pair it with layered lighting — overhead, table lamps, and floor lamps — to keep the room feeling welcoming in the evening.

Kitchen Walls and Cabinets

Stardew can work on kitchen walls when the cabinetry and countertops coordinate with its blue-gray character. White or light wood cabinets often pair well with it.

On kitchen cabinets, Stardew can provide a distinctive alternative to white or gray. Because cabinets are a prominent feature, test the color on a sample door or large board beside the countertop and backsplash.

Ensure the paint product is suitable for cabinetry, which requires a durable finish that can withstand cleaning and daily use.

Bathroom

Stardew’s cool, spa-like character can suit bathrooms. It pairs well with white fixtures, chrome or brushed nickel hardware, and light stone or tile.

In small bathrooms with limited natural light, test whether the color feels too dark. Good artificial lighting can help maintain a bright appearance.

Furniture and Cabinets

Beyond walls, Stardew can be used on furniture pieces such as dressers, bookcases, or built-in shelving. A muted blue-gray finish can add character while remaining versatile.

For furniture, proper surface preparation and a suitable paint product are important for durability.

Test the color on the furniture piece or a similar surface, because wood grain and existing finishes can affect the final appearance.

Exterior Siding

Stardew may be suitable for exterior siding when its blue-gray character complements the home’s architecture and surroundings. It can work with white trim, natural stone, and darker roof colors.

Exterior lighting is typically much brighter than interior lighting, so colors often appear lighter outside. View a large sample on the actual exterior at different times of day.

Confirm that the selected paint product is formulated for exterior use on the intended surface.

Exterior Shutters and Front Doors

On shutters and front doors, Stardew can provide a welcoming accent against neutral siding. A muted blue-gray door can add personality without the boldness of a bright color.

Test the color against the siding, trim, and any brick or stone to ensure the combination feels cohesive.

Trim and Accent Areas

Stardew is most commonly used on walls, but it can also define accent areas such as a reading nook, a home office wall, or the back of built-in shelving.

In open-plan spaces, use it to distinguish one zone from another while keeping the overall palette connected through shared neutrals.

How to Test Sherwin Williams Stardew Paint

Because Stardew’s appearance changes with lighting and surrounding colors, testing is particularly important for this shade.

Use this process to evaluate the color:

1. Purchase a sample or sample board rather than relying only on a small paint chip.
2. Apply the sample to a large board or directly to the wall area you intend to paint.
3. Observe it in the morning, afternoon, and evening under both natural and artificial light.
4. Place it beside the trim, flooring, countertops, and furniture that will remain in the room.
5. Compare it with at least one alternative, such as a lighter blue-gray or a soft neutral, to confirm your preference.

A large sample viewed in the actual space provides a far more useful impression than a small chip viewed in a store.

Take your time with this step, especially for whole-room applications or cabinetry.

What Is Sherwin Williams’ Color of the Year for 2026?

Sherwin-Williams announced Universal Khaki SW 6150 as its Color of the Year for 2026. It is a warm, earthy neutral chosen to reflect comfort and versatility.

Stardew SW 9138 is not the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year for 2026. It is a separate, established color in the Sherwin-Williams palette.

Color of the Year announcements generate interest, but they should not be the only factor in a paint decision. A color that suits your lighting, furnishings, and personal taste matters more than its trend status.

If you like Stardew’s muted blue-gray character, evaluate it on its own merits rather than comparing it to the Color of the Year.

Final Thoughts:

Sherwin Williams Stardew SW 9138 is a muted slate blue-gray with an LRV of 44.0, balanced undertones, and a versatile character that suits bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and selected exterior applications.

The most reliable way to decide is to test a physical sample in your own space, observe it under different lighting, and compare it with the finishes it will live alongside.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sherwin Williams Stardew

What color is Stardew Sherwin Williams?

Stardew SW 9138 is a muted slate blue-gray paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It combines blue and gray for a soft, understated appearance.

Is Sherwin Williams Stardew a warm or cool color?

Stardew is best described as a cool-leaning blue-gray, although Sherwin-Williams notes a balance of warm and cool undertones in its slate blue character. It generally appears cool, but surrounding colors and lighting can soften it.

What colors are similar to Sherwin Williams Stardew?

Similar Sherwin-Williams shades include Jubilee, Niebla Azul, Krypton, and Rain, each with its own balance of blue, gray, and lightness. Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray is another blue-gray option from a different brand, but there is no confirmed exact equivalent.

What is the LRV of Stardew SW 9138?

The HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams color record lists Stardew SW 9138 with an LRV of 44.0, placing it in the middle of the light reflectance scale.

What colors coordinate with Stardew?

Sherwin-Williams suggests Mountain Air SW 6224, Patience SW 7555, and Coral Clay SW 9005 as coordinating colors. White trim such as Extra White SW 7006 and soft neutrals like Drift of Mist SW 9166 can also pair well with it.

Is Stardew a good color for bedrooms?

Stardew can work well in bedrooms, where its muted blue-gray creates a calm backdrop. Test it under the bedroom’s actual lighting and beside bedding and wood tones before committing.

Can I use Stardew on kitchen cabinets?

Stardew can be used on kitchen cabinets as a distinctive alternative to white or gray. Test it on a sample door beside the countertop and backsplash, and use a paint product formulated for cabinetry.

Is Stardew suitable for exterior paint?

Stardew may suit exterior siding, shutters, and front doors when its blue-gray character fits the home. View a large sample on the exterior at different times of day and use a product formulated for exterior surfaces.

What is the difference between Stardew and a regular gray paint?

Stardew contains a recognizable blue component that gives it a slate blue-gray appearance, while a regular gray paint is more neutral. This blue influence makes Stardew feel more colorful than a true gray.

How can I make sure Stardew looks right in my room?

Test a large physical sample in the room, observe it in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and compare it with the trim, flooring, and furniture that will remain. Comparing it with at least one alternative shade helps confirm your choice.