Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging
If you’re looking for a soft, airy neutral that brightens a room without feeling heavy, Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist SW 9166 often ends up on the shortlist. It’s light, subtle, and sits right on the edge between an off-white and a pale gray, perfect for homeowners who want something gentle but not stark.
That said, Drift of Mist can be a little tricky. Depending on lighting and surrounding finishes, it can look warm, cool, or almost colorless. In this review, we’ll break down Drift of Mist’s undertones, LRV, and spectral data, along with how it behaves in different lighting conditions. If you’re considering this color, understanding where it works (and where it doesn’t) will save you a lot of second-guessing.
In this review…
- What Are the “Undertones” in Drift of Mist?
- What Is the LRV of Drift of Mist?
- Tired of Guessing at Undertones and Lighting Effects?
- Is Drift of Mist Warm or Cool?
- Is Drift of Mist a Good Exterior Color?
- Which White Trim Color Goes with SW Drift of Mist?
- What Are Some Coordinating Colors for Drift of Mist?
- What Other Paint Colors Are Similar to Drift of Mist?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist
- Is Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist Right for Your Space?
Drift of Mist living room
What Are the “Undertones” in Drift of Mist?
There are no fewer than 50 different blog posts with varying opinions about this one. But here’s the thing – “undertones” are completely subjective. They’re just someone’s personal opinion about what they’re seeing under a certain set of lighting conditions and in the context of a specific environment.
When it comes to predicting how color will render on your walls, we like to look at something a little more objective – the numbers. Color science (colorimetry) uses objective, measurable spectral data to evaluate color. For example, Drift of Mist has an LCh hue angle of 98.347°. This means that it’s officially part of the Yellow hue family, as you can see on the color wheel below.
Under the right lighting conditions, Drift of Mist appears as a warm, mid-tone gray. Some people think it leans green (as you can see above, it does creep toward the Green-Yellow neighborhood of the color wheel). Others find it completely colorless. Perception will be influenced heavily by your lighting and environment.
What Is the LRV of Drift of Mist?
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measure indicating how light or dark a paint color appears. On the LRV scale, ranging from 0 (completely black) to 100 (pure white), Drift of Mist’s LRV of 69 places it fairly high, almost in the off-white category. In an extremely bright room, the color might seem to fade or lose some of its distinctiveness. On the flip side, in a dimly lit room, colors with this level of lightness and depth can sometimes appear a bit lackluster.
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Is Drift of Mist Warm or Cool?
Drift of Mist is technically a warm color because it’s part of the Yellow hue family. That said, depending on where you put it, this color can switch things up in terms of its warmth or coolness. If you’ve got it in a room with a Northern exposure, it might appear more on the cool gray side. But use it in a room with a Southern exposure, and suddenly it’s all about that warm gray feel.
SW Drift of Mist kitchen and living room walls
Is Drift of Mist a Good Exterior Color?
SW Drift of Mist might not be the best choice for an exterior paint color. It lacks the lightness of white or off-white shades, and its gray tone can be easily washed out by outdoor lighting. While its high LRV can create a bright look, it might not be ideal unless you’re specifically aiming for an off-white appearance. In short, it’s a bit unpredictable in exterior applications. Considering this, opting for a color with more depth or committing to a genuine off-white might be a better bet for your exterior.
Laundry room walls are painted in Drift of Mist.
Which White Trim Color Goes with SW Drift of Mist?
When it comes to white trim, we like the low-chroma crispness of Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White 7757. If you prefer a clean white that’s a bit warmer and a little less stark, try Sherwin-Williams Pure White 7005.
This beautiful living room features walls painted in Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist and baseboards painted in Sherwin-Williams Pure White.
What Are Some Coordinating Colors for Drift of Mist?
Wondering what other colors go with Drift of Mist? Coordinating colors can be challenging due to that tricky hint of green that so many people notice. It pairs well with lighter or darker grays that share a similar hue angle, as well as some whites, off-whites, greens, blue-greens, and dark shades like black and charcoal. We love how it harmonizes with the complementary color combinations on Sherwin-Williams’ Mindful Minimalist Palette, including Quarry Stone SW 9603, Prelude SW 9620, Studio Beige SW 9602, Pure White SW 7005, Skyline Steel SW 1015, and Western Reserve SW 9597.
What Other Paint Colors Are Similar to Drift of Mist?
As a reminder, I don’t recommend color matching between brands. You cannot color-match between brands and expect to get identical results. But if you’re looking for something similar to Drift of Mist in another brand, there are options:
- Benjamin-Moore Intense White OC-51
- Behr Silver Drop 790C-2
- Dunn Edwards Whisper Gray DEC785
- PPG Seagul PPG14-03
Mudroom walls painted in Drift of Mist SW SW 9166
Comparing paint colors that are similar to each other can be a useful tool when deciding what works best in your space. Within the Sherwin-Williams paint line, there are a few other paint colors consumers frequently compare when considering using Drift of Mist. We’ve outlined the similarities and differences to some of the most popular comparisons below.
Drift of Mist vs Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams’s best-selling paint color, Agreeable Gray SW 7029, is another soft, warm greige but quite distinct from Drift of Mist. The first thing you’ll probably notice is that Agreeable Gray is darker, with an LRV of 60. It’s also more saturated (i.e., vivid or colorful) with a chroma value of 5.537 as opposed to DOM’s 4.822. Lastly, Agreeable Gray’s is a bit warmer, with a hue angle of 91.128°. In a room that gets an abundance of natural light, you’ll find that Agreeable Gray will hold its body and color better than DOM. We find Agreeable Gray offers more flexibility in general and frequently recommend it to our home staging clients.
Drift of Mist vs. Gossamer Veil
Much like Agreeable Gray, Gossamer Veil SW 9165 is darker (LRV=62) and richer in color (chroma=5.702) than Drift of Mist. With a hue angle of 90.846°, it’s also a warmer color. Gossamer Veil’s warmth and color saturation allow it to hold its color better in a very bright room, whereas DOM may look washed out.
Drift of Mist vs City Loft
City Loft SW 7631 is quite similar to DOM in terms of brightness and color saturation. However, with a hue angle of 88.170°, City Loft is a little closer to the Yellow-Red hue family, making it a warmer color. If the fixed finishes in your home are warmer (in most homes, they are), City Loft might be a better option. On the other hand, if you’ve got cooler tones throughout your house, consider opting for Drift of Mist.
Drift of Mist Bathroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist
What undertone does Drift of Mist have?
Drift of Mist is part of the Yellow hue family, but its low chroma keeps the warmth very muted, which is why it can appear neutral or slightly green-leaning in some spaces.
Is Drift of Mist warm or cool?
Technically warm, but it can read cooler in north-facing rooms and warmer in spaces with strong southern light.
Does Drift of Mist look green?
Some people notice a hint of green, especially when paired with warmer finishes or under cool lighting.
Is Drift of Mist too light for bright rooms?
In very bright rooms, Drift of Mist can look washed out due to its high LRV.
Is Drift of Mist a good whole-house color?
It can work, but homes with mixed lighting exposures may see noticeable shifts from room to room.
Is Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist Right for Your Space?
Sherwin-Williams Drift of Mist 9166 can be a beautiful choice if you want a light, subtle neutral—but its high LRV and muted undertones mean lighting plays a major role in how it shows up. In the right space, it feels soft and airy; in others, it may look washed out or cooler than expected. If you want help coordinating colors that work with Drift of Mist, our ready-made palette guides and swatches take the guesswork out. And if you’d like to understand why colors behave the way they do, Color By The Numbers™ will give you the tools to choose paint with confidence.
Vannessa Rhoades
Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive, empowering virtual consultations that help homeowners and real estate agents all across the country sell more quickly and for more money.
