Meet Clary Sage: A Timeless Green with Depth

If you’re drawn to colors inspired by nature, Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage is a beautiful option to consider. And let’s be honest, green is tricky. If you pick the wrong shade the end result can be either a neon green mess or pea soup, neither of which was the goal.

The soft, muted nature (no pun intended) of Clary Sage brings in warmth and character to a space without overwhelming it. It’s a favorite for creating rooms that feel calm, grounded, and soft.  

Photo Credit: Art of It

Sherwin Williams Clary Sage, SW 6178, is a medium-depth green with yellow and subtle green-gray undertones that are noticeable. With an LRV of 41, it falls into the mid-tone range. This means that Clary Sage absorbs more light than it reflects. This gives Clary Sage its cozy and ever so slightly a moody feel, while still feeling approachable and classic rather than heavy or dramatic.

Clary Sage is a color that feels organic and timeless. Definitely a color to consider for homes that lean traditional, modern farmhouse, transitional, or even organic modern with the right styling.

Clary Sage leans warm, thanks to its earthy base. While it is clearly a shade of green, the warmth keeps it from feeling sharp or overly fresh.

In rooms with warm light or lots of wood tones, Clary Sage looks soft and inviting. In cooler or north-facing light, the green-gray undertones comes forward a bit more. This gives Clary Sage a slightly more subdued, muted appearance.

Clary Sage plays beautifully with other natural, grounded colors. Some of my favorite pairings include:

· Warm whites like Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Creamy. Both of these colors would be excellent trim options (see below) but also work as an adjacent wall color.

· Soft greige and taupe for a neutral look

· Deep accents like charcoal or navy. Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is one of my favorite colors to mix with Clary Sage.

· For metals, think brass, antique gold, and aged bronze

Clary Sage is pretty darn versatile and works in many spaces throughout the home:

Living rooms and family rooms for a relaxed yet classic feel

Photo Credit: American Color

Bedrooms where you want a calming, cozy atmosphere

Photo Credit: Mod & Mood

Kitchens, especially on lower cabinets or islands

Photo Credit: The Gray House Design Co

Bathrooms are great place for this color as the look is both charming and calm.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Clary Sage also works well on exterior! It looks especially beautiful with stone, brick, or cream-colored trim.

Photo Credit: Postcards from the Ridge

To keep Clary Sage looking its best, pair it with warm white trim colors. Great options include:

· Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Sherwin Williams Creamy will both yield a very warm and soft look next to Clary Sage

· Bejamin Moore’s White Dove is my top choice as White Dove will also work with a wide range of other wall colors. You can learn more about this color by reading my Benjmain Moore White Dove Paint Color Review.

I recommend avoiding cool whites, which can make Clary Sage feel flat or muddy by contrast.

Sampling is especially important with Clary Sage due to its depth and undertones. Use a peel and stick sample or paint a large sample board and view it on different walls throughout the day.

Order your Samplize Clary Sage Peel and Stick Sample Here!

Lighting and nearby finishes can influence how clary Sage reads. What might feel warm and earthy in one room may appear deeper or grayer or even too yellow in another, so testing first is always worth it.

· Timeless, designer approved green

· Warm and calming without feeling trendy

· Works beautifully with natural materials

· Clary Sage can work on walls, cabinetry, and exteriors

· Can feel a bit heavy in rooms with limited natural light

· Undertones can shift depending on lighting

· Not ideal if you’re looking for a bright, crisp or fresh green

Sherwin Williams Clary Sage is a gorgeous choice if you want a green that feels grounded and classic. It brings warmth and depth to a space while remaining versatile enough to work throughout the home, think both interior and exterior.

If you love earthy tones and are looking for a timeless design, Clary Sage is absolutely worth sampling.