Shrinking Violet

Technical Profile

What color is Shrinking Violet? It's a medium cool blue with the hex code #5D84B1. Colors similar to Shrinking Violet include Valspar Wellspring, Behr Neon Blue, Sherwin-Williams Perfect Periwinkle. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Shrinking Violet has a neutral 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. Shrinking Violet (#5D84B1) by PPG is a medium blue paint color with a balanced saturation that feels natural and approachable. 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. In its RGB breakdown, blue is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle cool, atmospheric depth even under different lighting conditions. A Light Reflectance Value of 50 gives it moderate light reflection, striking a balance between brightness and depth. This mid-tone blue brings confidence and calm to home offices, accent walls, and kitchen islands. A satin or eggshell finish brings out the richness at this depth, and the slight sheen makes walls easier to maintain. For color coordination, Shrinking Violet pairs beautifully with orange tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring blue and teal hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its neutral undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If PPG is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Valspar, Behr, Sherwin-Williams and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Shrinking Violet 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 nautical, classic traditional, and Hamptons-style interiors. As part of the PPG palette, Shrinking Violet benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Shrinking Violet 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 Shrinking Violet (1162-5) directly from PPG or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.