After the Rain
What After the Rain Actually Looks Like
After the Rain is a medium-depth aqua blue that lands right in the sweet spot between sky blue and teal. It reads fresh and clean, like the color of a clear lake on a bright afternoon. With an LRV of 49.4, it sits squarely in the mid-range, meaning it reflects about half the light that hits it. That gives it enough depth to make an impact without overwhelming a room. In person, it leans slightly greener than many blues in this family, which keeps it from feeling icy or sterile. Think of it as water in motion, lively and cool without being cold.
After the Rain Undertones
The dominant undertone here is blue, but there is a noticeable teal quality that pulls it toward green in certain lights. Under warm incandescent bulbs, that green undertone becomes more apparent, and the color can read almost like a soft aqua. Under cool LED or north-facing daylight, it stays firmly blue and crisp. Some designers lean into calling this a teal, while others insist it is a true mid-blue with just a whisper of green. Both reads are fair. What everyone agrees on is that it is decisively cool. There is no warmth hiding in this color, so plan your pairings accordingly.
Where After the Rain Works Best
After the Rain works beautifully in spaces where you want energy and calm at the same time, which sounds contradictory but this color pulls it off. It is a natural fit for bathrooms, where that watery association feels right at home. In bedrooms, it creates a restful backdrop without reading as baby blue. Living rooms benefit from it as an accent wall, especially when balanced with warm neutrals and natural wood tones. On exteriors, it makes a strong coastal or cottage statement, particularly on siding paired with crisp white trim. South-facing rooms will bring out its warmth slightly, while north-facing rooms will emphasize its cooler blue side. Keep that in mind when choosing which walls to paint.
Where to put After the Rain
After the Rain turns a bedroom into a retreat. Paint all four walls for an immersive, calming effect, and use Creamy on the trim and ceiling to add warmth. Layer in white bedding and natural linen textures to keep things relaxed. This color is saturated enough to feel intentional but light enough that it will not shrink the room.
This is where After the Rain truly shines. The watery aqua tone pairs naturally with white tile, chrome fixtures, and marble countertops. Use it on the walls above wainscoting or as a full wall color in powder rooms. It holds up well in humid spaces and makes even small bathrooms feel open thanks to that 49.4 LRV.
In a living room, After the Rain works best as a feature wall or in a room with plenty of warm wood and neutral upholstery to balance the cool tones. Pair it with a warm tan sofa and brass or gold hardware for a collected, layered look. Avoid pairing it with too many other cool tones or the space can feel chilly.
If you are not ready to commit to a full room, After the Rain makes an excellent accent wall. It is bold enough to anchor a space, especially behind a bed or a fireplace, but it is not so dark that it creates a cave effect. Keep the surrounding walls in a warm white like Creamy for the best contrast.
On a home's exterior, After the Rain reads as cheerful and coastal. It pairs well with bright white trim and a navy or charcoal front door. In direct sunlight it will look lighter and more blue, while shaded areas will pull the teal undertone forward. It suits Craftsman, cottage, and coastal styles especially well.
What to Pair With After the Rain
The coordinating palette for After the Rain leans into contrast and balance. Sky High provides a lighter blue companion that keeps the room feeling airy. Creamy is your go-to warm white for trim, doors, and ceilings, offering just enough warmth to soften the cool blue without clashing. Oyster Bay brings in a muted blue-green neutral that grounds the palette and adds sophistication.
After the Rain vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against After the Rain at LRV 49.4.
Colors that clash with After the Rain
Bright warm yellows or orange accents can clash with After the Rain's cool blue-teal undertone, creating a jarring contrast that feels unintentional.
Pairing After the Rain with a blue-gray or cool gray trim can make the whole room feel cold and flat, since both are firmly in the cool camp.
Placing After the Rain next to another saturated teal or green of similar depth can create a murky, confused palette where neither color stands out.
Common questions
After the Rain has an LRV of 49.4, placing it right in the middle of the light reflectance scale. It reflects about half the light that hits it, so it reads as a true medium-depth color that is neither light nor dark.
It depends on the light. In cool, north-facing rooms or under LED lighting, After the Rain reads as a clean blue. In warm light or south-facing rooms, the green undertone becomes more visible and it shifts toward teal. Most people see it as a blue with a teal lean.
A warm white like Creamy (SW 7012) is your best bet. It provides enough warmth to balance the cool blue without creating a stark, clinical contrast. Avoid cool gray or blue-tinted whites, which will make the overall palette feel cold.
Yes. With an LRV of 49.4, it reflects enough light to keep a small space from feeling dark. Bathrooms and powder rooms are especially good candidates. Pair it with white trim and good lighting for the best results.