Breezy, Blissful: Sherwin-Williams 2024 Color of the Year Upward

Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging

Sherwin-Williams has named Upward (SW 6239), a soft gray-blue, its 2024 Color of the Year. As we move toward 2024, it’s worth noting a few current trends in the world of color. Color choices are becoming more daring. Neutral tones are getting lighter. There’s also a growing desire among consumers for healing, peace, and a return to normalcy. It’s the perfect time for a stunning celestial shade of blue to take center stage. Upward is a blue-gray hue that’s truly a leisurely breath of fresh air. Let’s take a look at why it’s trending this year, where it falls on the color wheel, and how to make it work in your home.

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Why Is Sherwin-Williams Upward a Trendy Color for 2024?

This pale blue, tinged with hints of gray, promotes a sense of balance and tranquility. While greens and earthy tones have held sway over the past few years, industry experts are predicting that blues and ethereal shades are set to become the new favorites. Sherwin-Williams seems determined to showcase a blue hue from the outset. In its biennial trend report, Colormix Forecast 2024, Anthology: Volume One, Sherwin-Williams says that Upward offers a soft push forward, offering a sense of weightless serenity and ethereal tranquility. “With this color, we invite our consumers to take a pause and infuse a new sense of ease and possibility into their spaces—one that doesn’t overwhelm, but rather establishes meditation and tranquility,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

The announcement of a gentle, calming color like Upward may signify an emerging evolution in the connection between color and well-being. The tranquil neutral tone of 2022’s Evergreen Fog and the vibrant earthiness of 2023’s Redend Point provided a sense of steadiness during uncertain times. A serene blue like Upward, on the other hand, inspires individuals to create moments for themselves. This comes at a juncture when the return to “normal” life can sometimes feel more hectic than ever, driving a need for personal space and time.

The resurgence of Scandinavian slow living principles and coastal chic design also seems to be a significant influence behind Upward’s selection. Upwards is poised to provide an alternative to the long-standing farmhouse aesthetic that’s been dominant for so long. It’s the perfect color to infuse that relaxed, beachy atmosphere into your home.

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What Are the Undertones for Sherwin-Williams Upward? What Color is Upward?

Color perception can be so subjective. Lighting, context, and a person’s own color acuity all influence how a color looks. That’s why we always like to take a look at objective, measurable data (like hue angle, chroma, and LRV) when reviewing a paint color. This information can help us better predict how a color will look in real life under various conditions.

Hue Family

Like all colors, Upward SW6239 lives in a specific location on the color wheel based on its dominant hue angle. Upward has a hue angle of 249.799° which means it’s in the Blue family. You may see it lean a bit violet in certain qualities of light. This can make it a little tricky to work with since many home interiors tend to favor the greener side of blue (not the violet). See what works best in your own space.

Chroma

Chroma, another bit of spectral data, is a measure of how colorful, saturated, or vivid a hue is. Upward has a fairly low chroma value (4.989). This means the blue has been toned down with a healthy dose of gray.

LRV

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a measure of how much light a paint reflects back into a room, with 100% being highly reflective and zero being not reflective at all. Upward has an LRV of 57, which makes it just right for many residential interiors. In a room with northern or eastern afternoon light, Upward looks quite cool and crisp. Upward can add a little visual harmony and balance to sunny rooms filled with warm southern or western afternoon light. Always, always make sure you’re using the right color light bulbs (3000K to 3500K) to evaluate your interior paint colors.

If undertones, LRV, and chroma feel confusing, our Color By The Numbers™ method teaches you how to read paint color data with confidence.

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How to Use the Sherwin-Williams 2024 Color of the Year Upward in Your Home

The rarefied blue is part of Palette No. 1 in Sherwin-Williams Colormix^® Forecast 2024, Anthology: Volume One. Wondering what colors go with Upward? Upward looks beautiful paired with blues and greens, deeps and darks, and delicate tints. Combining it with neutrals can amplify Upward’s overall calming influence. Colors like Snowbound SW 7004, Drift of Mist SW 9166, Gale Force SW 7605, Tricorn Black SW 6528, Honeydew SW 6428, Palm Leaf SW 7735, and Antiquarian Brown SW 0045 are also beautiful options.

Want to compare Upward against other popular neutrals? Our paint color data guides let you see how each color behaves—without relying on guesswork or paint chips alone.

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The subtle presence of gray within Upward’s gentle blue makes it great for spaces where you want a touch of freshness without overwhelming saturation. Think of places like a laundry room or bathroom where this balance is ideal. If you’re feeling more adventurous, consider using it on an accent wall or even on the ceiling.

Upward can even serve as a focal point in your space. Use it to invigorate kitchen cabinetry or to add a touch of radiance to a bathroom vanity. It can also serve as a focal point for your front door or breathe new life into a vintage piece of furniture.

Upward also pairs beautifully with warm brown pieces, wood-toned furniture, and marble in the home. For a coastal vibe, consider combining Upward with a white shade, like Alabaster or Snowbound, along with light to medium-toned stained wood elements.

To ignite your imagination and inspire you to create serene spaces using Upward, we’ve curated a selection of complementary art, accessories, and home décor items from Amazon.

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FAQs About Sherwin-Williams Upward (SW 6239)

Does Sherwin-Williams Upward look blue or gray on the wall?

Sherwin-Williams Upward usually reads as a soft blue rather than a true gray. Its low chroma and gray influence can mute the blue in low light, while brighter light brings out its airy blue character.

How does Sherwin-Williams Upward compare to other popular blue-gray paints?

Upward is lighter and less saturated than many popular blue-gray paint colors. Its higher LRV and softer chroma give it a more relaxed, ethereal look compared to moodier blue-grays.

Is Sherwin-Williams Upward a good whole-house paint color?

Sherwin-Williams Upward can work as a whole-house color in homes with consistent, balanced lighting. Because it leans cool, it’s best paired with warm whites, wood tones, or warmer accent colors to maintain balance.

What trim colors work best with Sherwin-Williams Upward?

Crisp or softly warm whites work best with Sherwin-Williams Upward. White trim helps define the color and keeps it from feeling washed out in bright spaces.

Does Sherwin-Williams Upward change color in different lighting?

Yes, Sherwin-Williams Upward can shift depending on lighting conditions. North-facing light emphasizes its coolness, while warm bulbs and southern light soften the blue and gray balance.

Is Sherwin-Williams Upward a good choice for resale?

Sherwin-Williams Upward can work for resale when used thoughtfully. Its light, neutral-leaning blue appeals to buyers looking for calm, modern interiors without strong color commitment.

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Choosing the Right Paint Color Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming.

Sherwin-Williams Upward (SW 6239) is a soft, versatile blue that brings calm, balance, and flexibility into a wide range of spaces. When you understand its undertones, light reflectance, and coordinating options, it becomes much easier to use with confidence.

If you want to test Upward alongside perfectly paired colors, our ready-made paint color palettes and swatches make it easy to compare shades in your own lighting before you commit.

And if you’re ready to stop guessing altogether, learning how to read paint color data will change the way you choose colors—room after room.

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