Tidal Basin → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Valspar Tidal Basin (VR091A), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Tidal Basin
If you love Valspar Tidal Basin 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 Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Tidal Basin (VR091A) is a dark blue with medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 17) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Tidal Basin 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 Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Smoky Blue is a reasonable match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Tidal Basin
Smoky Blue is a reasonable match.
| Tidal Basin | Smoky Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 25 |
| Hex | #788C90 | #99A8AB |
| Undertone | Medium Teal-Blue | Muted Smoky Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Tidal Basin has medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality.
Smoky Blue has muted smoky blue undertones. A muted, sophisticated blue-gray at medium depth. More saturated than Silverpointe, less dark than Storm Cloud. Named for what it is: smoke with blue light filtering through.
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
Tidal Basin in Your Room
In bright light, the teal-blue character is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray mutes it into a sophisticated dark neutral. Under warm light, it feels moody and inviting.
Smoky Blue in Your Room
The smoky quality is consistent. In bright rooms, the blue is visible and attractive. In dim rooms, the smoke takes over. A sophisticated, restful color.
LRV and Brightness
Tidal Basin has an LRV of 17, while Smoky Blue has an LRV of 25. That means Smoky Blue reflects more light. If you switch from Tidal Basin to Smoky Blue, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Tidal Basin
Valspar recommends Tidal Basin for: accent wall, bedroom, office, bathroom, dining room. With an LRV of 17, 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.
Smoky Blue is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, hallway. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Tidal Basin in Other Brands
Looking for Tidal Basin equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Tidal Basin (VR091A) is Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Smoky Blue is a reasonable match. 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. Tidal Basin is a Valspar color with medium teal-blue undertones and an LRV of 17. Smoky Blue is a Sherwin Williams color with muted smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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, 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.