Clearlake
What Clearlake Actually Looks Like
Clearlake is a medium-toned blue with a teal lean. It reads as both lively and calm at once, which is a harder balance to pull off than it sounds. In warm light the teal edge comes forward and the color takes on a cozy, slightly tropical warmth. In cooler or natural daylight the blue steps up, and the whole room feels crisp and open. It never loses its character as light shifts, it just shows you a different side.
Clearlake Undertones
There are two things happening underneath this color. The first is a lean toward teal, which means green is in there alongside the blue. The second is a gray thread that keeps the color from going full-on turquoise and gives it enough sophistication to work in rooms where you want something interesting but not overwhelming. Under warm artificial light, the teal and warmth amplify each other noticeably. Under cool or north-facing natural light, the blue takes over and the green recedes.
Where Clearlake Works Best
Clearlake handles a wide range of applications. It works on full walls in bedrooms and living rooms, where the blue-teal reads as grounding rather than energizing. Bathrooms are a natural fit, the color plays off white fixtures and amplifies any natural light. As an accent wall it holds attention without needing to fight the rest of the room. On cabinetry it gives kitchens or vanities a distinctive look that is not quite navy and not quite green. On exterior shutters and doors it reads as a classic coastal accent that suits both traditional and modern architecture.
Where to put Clearlake
Clearlake is one of the more dependable bedroom colors in this family. The blue-teal reads as calming rather than stimulating, and the gray undertone prevents it from feeling like you painted yourself inside an aquarium. Use it on all four walls with White Dove on trim and ceiling to keep things grounded and clean.
In a living room with mixed light sources, Clearlake earns its keep by shifting mood as the day moves. Morning north light makes it feel fresh and cool. Evening warm light pulls the teal forward and the room settles into something more relaxed. Pair it with natural wood tones and linen-textured textiles to keep it from reading too beachy.
Bathrooms are where Clearlake really shows off. White subway tile or white fixtures bounce light back into the color and the blue-teal pops without effort. In a small bathroom with no window, go with an eggshell or satin finish so the color does not flatten under artificial light.
On kitchen or bathroom cabinets, Clearlake splits the difference between a punchy color choice and something you can actually live with long term. It is not as expected as navy and not as tricky to pull off as a true green. Pair it with warm white uppers or a warm-toned countertop to keep the gray undertone from reading cold.
As an exterior accent Clearlake works on doors and shutters in traditional and modern settings. Against white or cream siding it reads as a refined coastal accent. Against gray or charcoal siding it leans a little more contemporary. Avoid pairing it with siding that has strong yellow or orange undertones, the contrast tends to make the teal look slightly off.
What to Pair With Clearlake
Clearlake works in neutral schemes alongside White Dove (OC-17) and Edgecomb Gray (HC-173), and pairs as a contrast with Hale Navy (HC-154) and Kendall Charcoal (HC-166).
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Colors that clash with Clearlake
Clearlake has enough green in its teal lean that it can read slightly discordant against siding or brick with strong warm yellow or orange undertones. The two undertone families pull in opposite directions.
Honey pine or orange-stained wood floors compete with Clearlake's cool teal. The contrast can feel unsettled rather than intentional, especially in rooms with warm artificial light where the teal already pushes warmer.
In a room that relies entirely on warm incandescent or soft LED light, Clearlake's teal undertone amplifies and can start to feel heavy or intense across four walls.
Common questions
The precise LRV is 54.48, which puts it solidly in the medium range. It is neither a light airy color nor a deep moody one. You will get real color on the wall without the room feeling dark, but it is not going to brighten a dim space the way a high-LRV paint would.
It depends on the light. In cooler or natural daylight the blue is dominant and the color reads as a clean, clear blue-teal. Under warm light the teal edge comes forward and the green becomes more noticeable. The gray undertone keeps it from swinging too far in either direction regardless of the conditions.
Yes. The gray undertone gives it enough sophistication to sit comfortably in traditional settings with classic trim and moldings, while the blue-teal clarity reads well in more minimal or contemporary rooms. The finish you choose will do a lot of work here: eggshell or satin for most walls, semi-gloss on trim and cabinetry.
White Dove (OC-17) is a go-to for trim and ceilings alongside Clearlake because it is warm enough to keep the color from going icy. Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) works as a complementary neutral in adjacent spaces or as a grounding backdrop in multi-color schemes.
Sherwin-Williams Reflecting Pool (SW 7683) is in the same blue-teal family and carries a similar gray thread. It is close enough to sample alongside Clearlake if you want to compare options before deciding.