Stardew Sherwin Williams (SW 9138): Undertones, LRV, Pairings, Rooms

If you’ve been eyeing Stardew by Sherwin-Williams, you’re probably drawn to that calm blue-gray feel that looks soft and lived-in, not loud. I’ve used this shade in real bedrooms, bathrooms, and open living areas, and the biggest thing to know is this: Stardew isn’t a flat “blue.” It’s a complex blue-gray with a quiet blue-green direction that can shift depending on your light, trim, and nearby finishes.

This guide walks you through how it behaves on walls, where it works best, what to pair it with, and how to sample it so you feel confident before you commit.

Snippet-ready definition:

Stardew Sherwin Williams (SW 9138) is a muted blue-gray with a gentle blue-green undertone. It shifts with lighting, pairs well with crisp or soft whites, and works beautifully in bedrooms, nurseries, and bathrooms.

Mission Statement:

At Dwellify Home, our mission is to make home decisions feel simple and confident through practical, experience-based guidance you can trust, so your spaces look good and work well for real life.

Quick Guide Table (Comparison and Decision Helper)

Topic	Quick answer	Practical tip
Stardew Sherwin Williams number	SW 9138	Write down both the color code and your sheen before buying.
Undertones	Blue-gray with a soft blue-green direction	Warm bulbs can pull more green. Neutral bulbs keep it truer blue-gray.
LRV	About 43	Mid-depth: cozy in low light, calm and soft in bright rooms.
Best rooms	Bedroom, nursery, bathroom	Use matte or eggshell for most rooms, satin in bathrooms for wipeability.
Trim pairing	Clean white or soft white	Pick clean white for crisp contrast, soft white for warm woods and beige stone.
Exterior use	Works, but test outside	Sun makes it look lighter, shade makes it deeper and more slate-like.
Lowe’s availability	Often referenced as HGSW9138 in HGTV Home line	Bring “SW 9138 Stardew” and confirm the formula in the product line you choose.

Step-by-step: How to Sample Stardew the Right Way

1. Paint two large samples (poster-size), not a tiny square.
2. Put one sample on a bright wall and one on a shaded wall.
3. Check it morning, afternoon, and night with your lamps on.
4. Hold your trim white right next to it (same lighting).
5. View it beside your flooring and largest furniture so undertones don’t surprise you later.

Stardew Sherwin Williams at a Glance (SW 9138)

Stardew is Sherwin-Williams SW 9138. On a paint chip it reads like a muted blue-gray, but once it’s up in a room it can lean more slate, and sometimes it hints a touch green depending on the surroundings.

In my work, Stardew lands in that sweet spot for people who want color without feeling like they painted their house a “color.” It’s calm, slightly moody, and it plays nicely with a lot of common home finishes like warm woods, white trim, and natural stone.

A quick practical note: if you’re saving paint info for later, write down the stardew sherwin williams number as SW 9138 and keep it with your sheen choice. Those two details prevent most ordering mistakes.

Stardew Sherwin-Williams Undertones (What You’ll Actually See on Walls)

Undertones are where Stardew either becomes your favorite paint or the one that keeps you second-guessing. In real rooms, I see it as a blue-gray with a soft blue-green undertone. It’s not a bright teal and it’s not a true navy. It’s more like a weathered coastal slate.

Here’s what that means in practice. In cooler light, especially in north-facing rooms or rooms with lots of gray flooring, Stardew reads more blue and a little more crisp. In warmer light, like afternoon sun or warm LED bulbs, the gray softens and the green hint can show more.

The blue plus gray plus whisper of green effect

If you put Stardew next to a very clean white, it can look slightly deeper and cooler. Put it next to warm wood and cream textiles and it feels more relaxed, sometimes a touch greener. This is why it looks different from one photo to another.

When it looks cooler vs slightly warmer

• Cooler: north-facing light, cool bulbs, gray tile, stainless-heavy rooms
• Warmer: west light, warm bulbs, lots of beige, tan stone, honey oak

If you already have warm elements you love, Stardew can actually balance them nicely. It’s often a better match than a pure gray that can make warm finishes look yellow.

Stardew LRV + Depth (Why the Room Feels Brighter or Moodier)

LRV is the Light Reflectance Value. Think of it as how much light a color bounces back into the room. Stardew sits around the mid range, so it’s not a deep, light-sucking color, but it’s also not airy like a pale blue.

In a bright room, Stardew looks soft and comfortable, and it keeps the space from feeling washed out. In a dim room, it can feel more moody and cocoon-like, especially if you pair it with darker furniture or low lighting.

If you’re painting a small room, it can still work, but your trim color and lighting choices matter. Use a cleaner white trim to keep edges crisp, and make sure you have enough layered lighting so the room doesn’t feel flat at night.

How Stardew Changes in Different Lighting (Day, Night, Warm LEDs)

This is one of those colors that teaches you how important lighting is. I’ve watched it shift from a soft slate in the morning to a calmer blue-gray midday, then slightly greener in warmer evening light.

Warm LEDs are the most common reason people feel surprised. Warm bulbs can bring out that muted green direction. If you love that, great. If you want Stardew to stay more blue-gray, use neutral white bulbs, around 3000K to 3500K, and avoid very yellow lighting.

A simple test that works every time is to sample Stardew on two walls. Choose one wall that gets your strongest light and one wall that stays shaded. You’ll learn more from that than any online photo.

Best Places to Use Stardew in Your Home (Room-by-Room)

Stardew is flexible, but it’s not one of those colors that looks identical everywhere. I like it most in spaces where you want calm and depth without making the room feel heavy.

Stardew Sherwin Williams bedroom

This is where it shines. Bedrooms often have softer lighting and more textiles, and Stardew looks rich without being dramatic. Pair it with crisp white bedding for a clean look, or layer warm neutrals like oatmeal, tan leather, and warm wood for something more relaxed.

If you’re worried it’ll feel too cool, add warmth through lighting, a warm rug, or wood nightstands. You don’t have to change the paint, you just balance it.

Stardew Sherwin Williams nursery

For a nursery, Stardew works beautifully when you want something soothing that isn’t a pastel. It feels calm, and it grows with the room as your child gets older.

I usually pair it with soft off-whites, light oak, and gentle accents like muted sage, dusty rose, or warm camel. Keep the sheen lower, like matte or eggshell, for a softer feel.

Sherwin Williams Stardew bathroom

Bathrooms can make Stardew look cooler, especially with lots of white tile and chrome. That’s not a bad thing, it can feel spa-like and clean.

For a Sherwin Williams Stardew bathroom, choose a durable finish like satin for easier wiping. If the bathroom has no window, plan your lighting carefully. Neutral bulbs help keep it from turning too gray or dull.

In other rooms like living rooms, hallways, or offices, Stardew works best when you repeat it somewhere else in the home, even in small ways. A runner, pillows, artwork, or a nearby room in a coordinating neutral makes it feel intentional.

Sherwin Williams Stardew Coordinating Colors (Designer Pairings)

This is where you can make Stardew look custom, not accidental. Coordinating colors are less about matching and more about building a palette that supports the undertones.

Best trim and ceiling whites with Stardew (clean vs creamy whites)

• Clean whites: help Stardew feel crisper and slightly more modern
• Soft whites: make it feel warmer and more relaxed

If your home has warm floors or beige stone, a soft white trim usually feels more natural. If your home leans modern with cool surfaces, a cleaner white trim can look sharp.

Coordinating neutrals (greige and taupe)

Stardew pairs well with greige and taupe because they add warmth without competing. Think soft warm grays, light mushroom tones, and gentle beige neutrals. These keep Stardew from feeling too chilly in open layouts.

Accent colors that feel natural

For accents, I like:

• Deep navy for depth
• Muted greens for a soft tonal look
• Warm clay or terracotta for contrast
• Soft black for hardware and lighting

This is also where sherwin williams stardew coordinating colors becomes practical. You’re building a palette that works with your fixed finishes, not fighting them.

Stardew Exterior: Can You Use Stardew Sherwin Williams Outside?

Yes, sherwin williams stardew exterior applications can work, but exterior light is intense and it changes everything. Outdoors, Stardew often reads lighter and slightly bluer in direct sun. In shade, it can look deeper and more slate.

I like it for:

• Shutters or a front door if your main body color is light
• Siding on homes with lots of white trim and natural materials
• A calm coastal feel without going bright

If your home has strong red brick or warm stone, test carefully. Stardew can still work, but you’ll want a trim and roof color that doesn’t clash with that subtle green direction.

Best Sheen & Finish Recommendations (So It Looks Professional)

Sheen is a big deal with complex colors like Stardew because shine can highlight wall texture and change how the color reads.

For most walls:

• Matte: soft, hides imperfections, looks rich
• Eggshell: a little more washable, still soft
• Satin: durable, but can show more texture

In bathrooms or kids’ spaces, satin can make sense for durability. In bedrooms and living rooms, matte or eggshell usually looks more relaxed.

For trim and doors, a higher sheen like satin or semi-gloss helps with cleaning and gives a clean contrast. Just keep the trim color consistent so Stardew doesn’t feel like it’s changing from room to room.

Stardew vs Similar Sherwin-Williams Colors (Quick Comparisons)

If you love Stardew but you’re not fully sure, comparisons help you decide what you actually want.

Stardew is a balanced blue-gray with a gentle green direction. If you want something brighter and airier, look at lighter blue-grays. If you want something more serious and deep, you’ll prefer a darker slate or navy-leaning option.

This is the moment to ask yourself one question: do you want the room to feel lighter, or calmer and deeper? Stardew is usually the answer for calmer and deeper without going full dark.

Stardew Sherwin Williams Lowe’s (Availability + Matching Clarified)

This comes up a lot: stardew sherwin williams lowe’s.

Sherwin-Williams colors are sometimes offered through different retail channels, and you may see Stardew referenced with different labeling depending on the line being sold. The safest approach is simple. Bring the exact color code SW 9138 Stardew to the counter, and ask them to confirm they’re mixing to that formula in the product line you’re buying.

If you’re choosing between paints, focus on the quality and finish you want, not just the name on the label. A good paint in the right sheen will make Stardew look smoother and more consistent on the wall.

Pro Sampling Method (Avoid Expensive Paint Regret)

Here’s the sampling method I use with clients because it prevents almost every “why does it look different” problem.

• Sample on two walls, one bright and one shaded
• Make your sample large, at least poster-size
• Check it morning, afternoon, and at night with your lamps on
• Place your trim color sample right next to it
• View it next to your flooring and biggest furniture piece

If you’re using peel-and-stick samples, still move them around the room. For paint samples, let it dry fully before judging. Stardew especially needs dry time to show its true depth.

Common Questions

Is Stardew warm or cool?
It leans cool overall, but it can feel warmer in the sense that it’s soft, not icy. The green direction shows more in warm lighting.

Is Stardew too dark for small rooms?
Not usually, as long as you balance it with lighter trim, good lighting, and not too many dark finishes.

What’s the best white trim with Stardew?
Choose clean whites for a crisp look, or softer whites if your home has warm wood and beige stone.

Does Stardew work with warm wood tones?
Yes. It often looks better with warm wood than a plain gray because the blue-gray base helps the wood feel richer.

Is Stardew good for exteriors?
It can be. Always test it in your actual outdoor light, because sun and shade change it more than you’d expect.

Conclusion

If you want a blue-gray that feels calm, grown-up, and flexible, Stardew is a solid choice when you treat it like the complex color it is. The key is respecting its undertones, testing it in your lighting, and pairing it with trim and coordinating colors that support it.

My best advice is to sample it the way you live. Look at it when the room is bright, when it’s quiet, and when your lamps are on. Once you see how it behaves in your space, you’ll know if it’s the right fit, and you’ll be able to move forward without second-guessing.

Disclaimer:

Paint colors can look different in every home due to lighting, screen settings, and surrounding materials. Always test a sample in your own space before painting an entire room, and confirm color codes and product lines before purchase.