HeritageSouth-Facing

Clary Sage

Sherwin-Williams · SW6178

The Analysis

Clary Sage is a mid-toned green with strong grey undertones, which keeps the space feeling grounded rather than overly bright. Because it has an LRV of 40.89, it absorbs some light, meaning it will make a room feel cozy and intimate rather than large and airy.

It functions perfectly as a main wall colour in living rooms or bedrooms where you want a sophisticated, nature-inspired backdrop. It is neutral enough to act as a primary shade, but it carries enough personality to keep a room from feeling sterile.

LRV 41

History & Origin

This shade fits well into a heritage or transitional aesthetic, evoking the traditional earth-tone palettes seen in older, craftsman-style homes. It avoids the neon or acidic look of modern greens, leaning instead into a timeless, classic sensibility.

Undertonewarm-green
FamilyGreen-Yellow

How to Use It

It pairs beautifully with warm wood tones like walnut or white oak, as well as matte black hardware for a high-contrast, modern edge. Use it in rooms with plenty of natural light to prevent the grey undertones from making the space feel too dark.

The Mood

This colour is inherently restful and calming, making it an excellent choice for areas where you want to decompress. It feels organic and stable, helping to balance out the visual noise of a busy household.

Colour harmonies

Complementary

Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.

Analogous

Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.

Split complementary

Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.

Triadic

Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.

Tetradic (square)

Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.

Monochromatic

Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.

Brand Matches

Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.

  • Cool Pine

    Valspar · 8003-30D

  • Sage Wisdom

    Behr · MQ6-27

  • French Gray

    Farrow & Ball · 18

  • LAUREL

    Jotun · 8302

  • SUBTLE GREEN

    Jotun · 7685

  • Bay Water

    Behr · S380-4

Lighting

See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.

  • Natural