Backwater

Technical Profile

What color is Backwater? It's a medium cool gray with the hex code #687078. Colors similar to Backwater include Vista Paint Backwater, Vista Paint Made in the Shade, Valspar Crucible. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Backwater has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Backwater (#687078) by Hirshfield's is a medium gray paint color with a understated, nearly neutral quality. It delivers a versatile mid-tone depth that anchors a room without overwhelming it. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. Its RGB channels are closely balanced, contributing to its neutral, even-keeled visual character. A Light Reflectance Value of 43 gives it moderate light reflection, striking a balance between brightness and depth. A mid-tone neutral at this depth adds sophisticated warmth or coolness to living rooms, bedrooms, and transitional hallways, grounding the space without closing it in. A satin or eggshell finish brings out the richness at this depth, and the slight sheen makes walls easier to maintain. The cool cast of Backwater pairs well with crisp whites, silvery grays, and blue-toned accents for a sleek, modern palette. Its cool (blue) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Hirshfield's is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Vista Paint, Valspar and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Backwater delivers a composed, professional calm often favored in contemporary and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for virtually every design style from minimalist Japandi to rustic farmhouse to sleek contemporary. As part of the Hirshfield's palette, Backwater benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Backwater can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. Mid-tone shades like this look best when balanced with a mix of textures — think leather seating, brushed brass hardware, woven wool, and raw-edge wood. You can order Backwater (513) directly from Hirshfield's or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.