HeritageSouth-Facing

Tea Chest

Sherwin-Williams · SW6103

The Analysis

Tea Chest is a deep, saturated brown with an LRV of 14.01, meaning it absorbs a significant amount of light rather than reflecting it. This creates a cozy, enclosed atmosphere that makes large rooms feel more intimate and grounded, though it will shrink the visual footprint of small or cramped spaces.

This is a heavy-hitting shade best used as a bold accent wall, a moody feature for cabinetry, or for full-room saturation in a library or media room. It is too dark to serve as a standard backdrop for open-plan living areas unless you are intentionally aiming for a high-contrast, dramatic look.

LRV 14

History & Origin

Tea Chest leans toward a classic, heritage aesthetic, reminiscent of wood-paneled studies and traditional gentleman’s lounges. It provides a timeless, scholarly feel that works well in homes seeking a settled, mature architectural character.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

Pair this with light oak or walnut wood tones to keep the palette organic, and use matte black hardware to emphasize the modern edge. It performs best in spaces with plenty of artificial lighting or warm, natural light to prevent the walls from feeling like a black hole.

The Mood

Living with this colour feels grounding, stable, and inherently restful due to its earth-toned base. It avoids the clinical feel of sterile whites, instead providing a steady, warm environment that helps the room feel anchored and secure.

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.

  • Sedona Brown

    Benjamin Moore · 1127

  • Plymouth Brown

    Benjamin Moore · HC-73

  • OLIVE BROWN

    Jotun · 1362

  • Sassafras Tea

    Behr · HDC-CL-13

  • Lodge

    Benjamin Moore · AF-115

  • Alpha Male 0193

    Colourtrend

Lighting

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

  • Natural