You’ve seen it on Pinterest. That impossibly chic, almost-black kitchen island or that moody home office that looks like it belongs to a high-powered CEO in a noir film. Most likely, that color was Sherwin Williams Cyber Space (SW 7076).
But here’s the thing: most people think they’re buying a charcoal gray. They get home, slap it on the wall, and suddenly—surprise—it’s navy. Or it’s black. Or it’s a weird, deep purple-ish slate. Honestly, Cyber Space is a total shapeshifter, and if you don’t understand how its 6 LRV (Light Reflective Value) works, you’re going to end up with a room that feels like a literal cave.
Why Cyber Space SW 7076 is Actually a "Blue-Black"
Technically, Sherwin Williams classifies this as a neutral, specifically in the gray family. But if you look at the RGB values—Red 68, Green 72, Blue 77—you’ll notice the blue is the highest number. That’s the secret. It’s not a flat, dead black like Tricorn Black. It’s got life to it.
I’ve seen people argue for hours on forums about whether it’s navy or charcoal. The truth is, it’s both.
In a room with massive south-facing windows, those cool blue undertones are going to jump out at you. It feels like a very "grown-up" navy. But put it in a windowless basement with warm LED bulbs? It’s going to look like a soft, dusty black. It’s moody. It’s deep. It’s sorta mysterious.
The LRV Problem: Don't Make Your Room a Black Hole
We need to talk about the Light Reflective Value.
On a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is a black hole and 100 is pure white, Cyber Space sits at a 6. That is incredibly low. Basically, this paint doesn't reflect light; it swallows it for breakfast.
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If you are planning to "color drench" (paint the walls, ceiling, and trim all the same color) a small room that doesn't have a giant window, you better love the dark. Like, really love it. For most people, Cyber Space works best as an accent.
- Kitchen Islands: This is arguably the most popular use for it. It provides a massive contrast against white perimeter cabinets.
- The Front Door: It’s a killer choice for curb appeal. It looks sophisticated and way more expensive than a standard black.
- Built-ins: If you have a library or a media room, painting the shelving in Cyber Space makes your books and decor look like art.
Comparison: Cyber Space vs. Iron Ore vs. Naval
People always get these three mixed up.
Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a true charcoal. It’s also an LRV of 6, but it lacks that blue punch. It stays gray.
Naval (SW 6244) is a "happy" navy. It’s vibrant. It’s clearly blue from across the street.
Cyber Space is the moody middle child. It’s darker than Naval and "bluer" than Iron Ore. If you want the drama of a dark color but find Iron Ore too "industrial" and Naval too "preppy," Cyber Space is your sweet spot.
Real Talk on Lighting and Exposure
Lighting changes everything with this paint. I can't stress this enough.
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In North-facing light—which is naturally cooler and a bit bluish anyway—Cyber Space is going to look very cold and very dark. It might even feel a bit "inky."
South-facing light is much warmer. This is where the magic happens. The sun hits the wall and pulls those navy undertones out, making the room feel rich and velvety rather than just dark.
If you’re using it in a room with West-facing light, it’s going to look gray and muted in the morning, but as the sun sets and that orange, warm light hits it, the color will deepen into a complex, dark slate.
What Trim Colors Actually Work?
Don't just grab a random "white" paint for your trim. Because Cyber Space is so cool-toned, a warm, creamy white like Alabaster can sometimes look a little... off. It can start to look yellow against the crispness of Cyber Space.
Extra White (SW 7006) is a safe bet. It’s clean, it’s sharp, and the contrast is high.
If you want something slightly softer but still cool, High Reflective White (SW 7757) is the way to go. It keeps the palette looking modern.
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Coordinating Colors to Save the Room
You need some "breathing room" colors so the Cyber Space doesn't feel suffocating.
- Agreeable Gray (SW 7029): The classic. It’s warm enough to balance the coolness of Cyber Space.
- Silver Strand (SW 7057): A light, airy blue-green-gray that plays off the blue undertones perfectly.
- Wood Tones: Honestly, nothing beats Cyber Space paired with a light oak or a warm walnut. The natural wood grain "warms up" the paint and keeps the room from feeling sterile.
Is it Good for Exteriors?
Yes, but with a warning.
Dark colors like this absorb a ton of heat. If you live in Arizona or Florida, your AC bill might feel it if you paint your whole house Cyber Space. Also, dark pigments tend to fade faster in the sun.
That said, as an accent on shutters or a front door? It’s stunning. It pairs beautifully with light gray stone or classic red brick.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
I see people make these two mistakes constantly.
First: failing to prime. If you’re painting over a light color, you need a gray-tinted primer. If you don't, you'll be doing four or five coats of this expensive paint just to get it to look even.
Second: choosing the wrong sheen. In a color this dark, Satin or Matte is usually better than Semi-Gloss. A high-gloss Cyber Space wall is going to show every single bump, scratch, and drywall imperfection. It’ll look like a funhouse mirror. Stick to a lower sheen for that velvety, sophisticated look.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Project
- Buy a Samplize sheet. Don't just look at the tiny paper chip. These 12x12 peel-and-stick samples use real paint and allow you to move the color around the room to see how the light hits it at 10:00 AM versus 4:00 PM.
- Check your light bulbs. If you have "Soft White" bulbs (2700K), they are very yellow and will make Cyber Space look muddy. Switch to "Bright White" (3000K or 3500K) to keep the color looking true.
- Test your trim. Hold your trim sample up against the Cyber Space sample. If the trim looks yellow or dingy, you need a cooler white.
- Start small. If you’re nervous, paint a powder room or a laundry room first. It’s a low-risk way to see if you can live with such a dark, moody hue before committing to the whole living room.