Dried Thyme Sherwin Williams (SW 6186): Color Review, LRV, and Best Pairings
Dried Thyme Sherwin Williams (SW 6186) is a muted, gray-green paint color with a cool undertone, an LRV of 21, and a HEX code of #7B8070. It reads as a calm, earthy green that sits between sage and olive, and it works on walls, cabinets, doors, and exteriors.
If you are comparing dried thyme Sherwin Williams against other greens, this guide covers the verified color data, how it changes in different light, what to pair it with, and where it works best.
What color is Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme?
Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme is a muted green with gray in it, sometimes called a gray-green paint color. Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home line describes it as “a neutral gray-green,” and lists it in the green color family.
The name points to the kitchen shelf, and Sherwin-Williams’ own blog groups it with herb and spice inspired shades, which makes it a good example of a nature-inspired paint color. That post suggests it for a bathroom where you want a soothing, spa-like feel, with plants and plenty of daylight.
| Detail | Dried Thyme |
|---|---|
| Color name and code | Dried Thyme, SW 6186 (HGSW6186 at Lowe’s) |
| Color family | Green |
| HEX code | #7B8070 |
| RGB values | 123, 128, 112 |
| Light Reflectance Value (LRV) | 21 |
| Undertone | Cool, per Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home listing |
| Description | A neutral gray-green |
| Use | Interior and exterior paint projects |
| Former HGTV Home name | Farm to Table (HGSW3263) |
The HEX code and RGB values are the digital recipe for the color, so use them for mockups and design software. They will not match your wall exactly, because screens and sheen change how paint looks.
Is dried thyme Sherwin Williams warm or cool?
Officially, it is cool. Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home listing for Dried Thyme labels the undertone as cool, and the color is a gray-green rather than a yellow-green.
In a room, though, it often feels more neutral than the label suggests. Some reviewers call it a balanced green that lands between warm and cool, and others read it as an earthy, olive-leaning shade. Both descriptions can be true, because paint undertones shift with the light and with what sits next to the color.
Paint undertones you will actually see
On a small chip it looks like a plain deep sage. On a wall, you tend to pick up three things:
- Gray: the main softener, which keeps the green from looking bright or minty.
- Olive: a faint yellow-green note that adds earthiness, strongest in warm light.
- Brown: a slight muddy hint that shows up in evening or artificial light.
The practical takeaway is to treat dried thyme Sherwin Williams as a flexible, quiet green. Pair it with warm materials and it feels cozy. Pair it with cool, icy grays and the cool side of the color gets louder.
What is the LRV of Dried Thyme?
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of dried thyme Sherwin Williams is 21. LRV runs from 0 (absorbs all light) to 100 (reflects all light), so 21 puts this color in the mid-to-deep range. It absorbs more light than it reflects.
That has real effects in a room:
- It feels cozy, not heavy. It has depth without reading as a dark color, which suits bedrooms, dining rooms, and moody living areas.
- It needs decent light. In a small room with one window, a low LRV can feel closed in.
- It shifts with the day. A mid-deep color changes more between morning and evening than a pale one, which is why lighting matters so much.
For context, the same Sherwin-Williams HGTV Home data lists Evergreen Fog at LRV 30 and Basil at LRV 15, so Dried Thyme sits between them. The color-comparison section below puts the numbers side by side.
How lighting conditions change Dried Thyme
Lighting conditions are the biggest reason two people describe dried thyme Sherwin Williams differently. Natural light direction, bulb temperature, and sheen all move it.
| Room exposure | What to expect |
|---|---|
| North-facing | Deeper, grayer, and moodier, with the cool side of the color stronger |
| South-facing | Softer and warmer, a rich earthy green |
| East-facing | More muted in the morning, warming up as the day goes on |
| West-facing | Richer and more inviting in the afternoon |
Artificial light matters as much as windows. Behr’s color and creative VP explains that warm artificial lighting tends to emphasize yellow undertones, while bright white light brings out cooler tones. In practice, warm bulbs will push dried thyme Sherwin Williams toward olive, and bright daylight bulbs will push it toward gray.
In daylight the color looks fresher and more plant-like. In the evening it reads more neutral, closer to a brown-gray. Layered lighting, such as lamps and sconces plus overhead light, keeps the color from looking flat.
Sheen plays a part too. A satin or semi-gloss reflects more light and gives the green a little glow, while flat finishes look deeper and more velvety.
Is dried thyme darker than Evergreen Fog?
Yes. Dried thyme Sherwin Williams has an LRV of 21 and Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) has an LRV of 30, so Dried Thyme is the deeper of the two by nine points. Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home line describes Evergreen Fog as “a neutral medium gray in the green family,” which matches how it looks: lighter, grayer, and more airy.
The numbers below come from Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home color pages, and all four colors are listed with a cool undertone. That means the real differences are depth and saturation, not temperature.
| Color | LRV | HEX | RGB | How it differs from Dried Thyme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dried Thyme SW 6186 | 21 | #7B8070 | 123, 128, 112 | Baseline |
| Evergreen Fog SW 9130 | 30 | #95978A | 149, 151, 138 | Lighter and grayer |
| Retreat SW 6207 | 21 | #7A8076 | 122, 128, 118 | Same depth, slightly bluer |
| Basil SW 6194 | 15 | #626E60 | 98, 110, 96 | Noticeably deeper |
Dried Thyme vs similar green paint colors
If you are not sure dried thyme Sherwin Williams is the right green, sample it beside these neighbors.
Dried Thyme vs Retreat
These two share the same LRV of 21 and almost the same RGB values. Retreat’s blue value is a little higher (118 against 112), so it leans slightly more gray-blue, while Dried Thyme leans a touch more olive. Choose Retreat for a softer, quieter feel and Dried Thyme for a more herbal one.
Dried Thyme vs Evergreen Fog
Evergreen Fog is the lighter, airier option at LRV 30. It suits small rooms and spaces with limited light. Dried thyme Sherwin Williams reads greener and richer, so it works better when you want depth.
Dried Thyme vs Basil
Basil (LRV 15) is deeper and more dramatic. Pick it for a bold accent wall, a dining room, or a front door, and keep Dried Thyme for rooms where you want a calmer green. If you want something darker still, Essex Green Benjamin Moore is a deep forest green worth a look.
Dried Thyme vs Rosemary
Sherwin-Williams’ blog pitches Rosemary (SW 6187) as the herb color for depth, so it is the natural next step if you want something richer than Dried Thyme. Its Sherwin-Williams page does not list LRV or HEX, so check the paint chip in person.
More green alternatives to sample
Sherwin-Williams’ own page for this color also points to Pewter Green SW 6208, Nurture Green SW 6451, and Courtyard SW 6440 as green inspiration. HGTV Home lists Shade-Grown, Escape Gray, Austere Gray, and Conservative Gray as related shades.
What color goes best with Dried Thyme?
Warm whites, soft creams, warm neutrals, natural wood, and brass or bronze hardware go best with dried thyme Sherwin Williams. Earthy accents like rust and terracotta add contrast without fighting the green.
Sherwin-Williams lists three coordinating colors on its own page for this color: Ethereal White SW 6182, Grecian Ivory SW 7541, and Prairie Grass SW 7546. The HGTV Home version at Lowe’s lists Snowbound, Nacre, and Resort Tan.
| Pairing type | Good options | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Trim and whites | Ethereal White, Alabaster, Pure White | Clean edges that let the green read as green |
| Soft neutrals | Grecian Ivory, Resort Tan, Agreeable Gray | Warm the palette without competing |
| Contrast accents | Rust, terracotta, burgundy | Sit opposite green on the color wheel |
| Metals | Brushed brass, aged brass, oil-rubbed bronze | Add warmth and a little shine |
| Natural materials | Oak, walnut, leather, linen, stone | Echo the earthy base |
Best white trim with Dried Thyme
The right white depends on how warm you want the room to feel. Alabaster (SW 7008) is softer and creamier and adds warmth. Pure White (SW 7005) is cleaner and brighter. Ethereal White, Sherwin-Williams’ own coordinating pick, falls on the softer side. Avoid stark, icy whites, which can make the green look heavier by comparison. Pearly White is another soft warm white worth sampling beside it.
Coordinating neutrals
Warm neutrals balance the cool undertone of dried thyme Sherwin Williams. Grecian Ivory and Resort Tan are the official choices. Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) and Dorian Gray (SW 7017) also work, with Dorian Gray adding more depth. Skip icy, blue-based grays, which can clash with the green’s gray undertone. A softer light gray such as Drift of Mist is also worth sampling beside it. A very light greige such as Eider White also makes a quiet backdrop.
Complementary and accent colors
The colors opposite green on the color wheel sit in the red family, which is why rust, terracotta, and deep burgundy make strong accents. Mustard and deep navy also appear in many designer palettes with this green. Use accents in small doses, such as pillows, ceramics, or a rug.
Metals and hardware
Brushed brass and antique bronze add warmth and gentle contrast. Matte black gives crisper definition, and it works best when the room also has warm wood or warm countertops to balance it.
Furniture, decor, and materials
Camel, chocolate, or black leather, linen and wool textiles, natural stone, and ceramic tile all suit this green. Aged brass lamps and woven baskets add to the nature-inspired feel.
Does Dried Thyme go with wood, cream cabinets, and other finishes?
Yes, with a few details to watch. Wood and cream are the two finishes people ask about most, and both work when you match their warmth to the green.
Wood cabinets and trim
Dried thyme Sherwin Williams pairs well with most wood stains. Golden oak looks organic beside it, and warm oak, walnut, and reclaimed or weathered wood all suit it. Dark espresso stains add drama. Red-toned woods contrast more strongly, so use less of them. Gray or whitewashed woods give a lighter, more playful look.
Cream cabinets and trim
Modern, muted creams let the green highlight their warmth. Rich, traditional creams can feel too warm next to it. The small amount of yellow in cream also gives the green a livelier feel. Sample the cream beside the green before you commit.
Countertops and flooring
| Finish | What works with Dried Thyme |
|---|---|
| White quartz or marble | Lightens the look and adds contrast without making the room feel closed in |
| Warm stone or concrete-look surfaces | Echo the earthy base of the color |
| Natural oak or medium wood floors | Complement the green’s warmth |
| Stone or porcelain tile | Durable, and lets painted cabinets stand out |
Interior paint applications: where Dried Thyme works best
Dried thyme Sherwin Williams is flexible, but it shines in rooms where you want calm and warmth.
Bedroom
It creates a quiet, nature-inspired mood, whether you paint all four walls or only the wall behind the bed. North-facing bedrooms will look cooler and moodier, so add warm bedding and wood to balance it.
Bathroom
Sherwin-Williams’ own blog recommends this color for a relaxing bathroom retreat, with plants and plenty of daylight. Good ventilation, light tile, and brass or matte gold fixtures help it feel fresh. Eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss finishes handle moisture best.
Kitchen cabinets
Dried thyme Sherwin Williams suits farmhouse, transitional, and rustic modern kitchens. It looks best with warm white or cream walls, brass hardware, butcher block, and warm white quartz. In a kitchen with little daylight, add layered lighting so the green does not turn dull.
| Kitchen style | Door style that suits it |
|---|---|
| Farmhouse | Shaker or raised panel |
| Transitional | Shaker or slim shaker |
| Modern or minimal | Slab or slim shaker |
Living and dining rooms
The mid-deep LRV makes it a natural fit for a cozy dining room or a moody living room. Pair it with a lighter ceiling and warm lamps, and keep one or two bright accents so the room feels intentional.
Trim and interior doors
Using it on baseboards and door casings is not usually recommended unless you want a fully color-drenched room, since the contrast is low. It works better on cabinetry, wainscoting, or a single statement door in a farmhouse or cottage style.
Exterior paint applications: front doors, siding, and trim
Dried thyme Sherwin Williams works outside too, since Sherwin-Williams lists it for both interior and exterior projects. Always buy it in an exterior-rated product, since an interior sample will not hold up to weather.
Front door
A gray-green door looks grounded and a little unexpected. Brass hardware and natural light bring out the green, and light, neutral siding gives it room to stand out.
Body color with light trim
As a body color, dried thyme Sherwin Williams pairs well with beige or soft off-white trim and works nicely on farmhouse, cottage, and craftsman homes. It also suits accent areas like shutters, porch ceilings, or facade details alongside lighter materials such as stone, brick, or wood.
Exterior light changes everything
Daylight outside is stronger than indoor light, and a color can look lighter and more vivid on a sunny wall than on a chip. Test a large sample on the siding itself and check it in morning sun, afternoon sun, and shade before you paint. Satin or semi-gloss is the usual recommendation for exterior durability.
Exterior pairings: shutters, brick, and stone with Dried Thyme
Outside, dried thyme Sherwin Williams is a muted green that sits comfortably next to natural materials. These are common starting points, and a large sample on the house itself is still the best test.
| Exterior element | Pairing idea | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Shutters and doors | Dried Thyme against warm white or cream siding | The muted green reads as a calm accent rather than a bright one |
| Red or brown brick | Dried Thyme on shutters, a door, or a porch ceiling | Green and red-brown sit opposite each other, and the gray in Dried Thyme keeps the contrast soft |
| Stone | Gray, tan, or cream stone | Natural stone echoes the earthy base of the color |
| Trim and windows | Soft white or beige trim with black window frames | Warm trim keeps the green from feeling heavy, and black adds definition |
With an LRV of 21, Dried Thyme absorbs more light than a pale shade, so expect it to look deeper in shade and softer in direct sun.
Sheen, availability, and paint samples
The sheen you choose changes both the look and the upkeep of dried thyme Sherwin Williams.
| Sheen | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | Ceilings, low-traffic walls | Deepest look, but hard to wash |
| Eggshell or satin | Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms | Moderate traffic, wipeable |
| Semi-gloss | Cabinets, doors, trim, exteriors | Most durable and cleanable, adds glow |
| Gloss | Accents | Very durable, but shows surface flaws |
Where to buy it
You can buy the SW 6186 version at Sherwin-Williams. Lowe’s carries the same color in the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams line as HGSW6186, with interior samples sold in satin. Both listings use the same color name and HEX code, but the product line and finishes can differ, so check the exact paint you are buying.
How to test paint samples
Paint samples are the only reliable way to judge a muted green, because screens do not show undertones accurately. Sherwin-Williams offers a free color chip, and its pages remind you that actual color may vary from on-screen representation.
- Get a chip or a sample of Dried Thyme and, if you can, one or two close alternatives.
- Put large samples on at least two walls, including one that gets little direct light.
- Check them in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and again under your actual bulbs.
- Hold them beside your trim, flooring, cabinets, and fabrics.
- Wait until the sample is fully dry. Wall paint often looks darker once it dries, so judging a wet patch can mislead you.
Who will love Dried Thyme, and when to skip it
Dried thyme Sherwin Williams is a good color for people who want something earthy but polished, a cozy green rather than a flashy one, or a bridge between traditional and modern taste.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Muted, calm, and easy to live with | Can feel heavy in dark rooms with few windows |
| Works with warm whites, wood, and brass | Looks flat in poor lighting without layered lamps |
| Suits interiors and exteriors | Cool undertone can clash with icy, blue-based grays |
| Mid-deep LRV adds depth without being dark | Not ideal for ultra-modern, sleek spaces where a cooler green may fit better |
When to skip it
- Windowless or very dark rooms: a low LRV makes these spaces feel smaller.
- Sleek, ultra-modern interiors: a cooler or crisper green may suit them better.
- Palettes with icy gray or stark white: the contrast makes this green look muddy.
How does Dried Thyme compare with Aegean Olive and Sage Mountain?
Designers often compare it with two Benjamin Moore greens. Aegean Olive is much darker and browner. Sage Mountain is lighter and leans taupe.
Sample all three together if you are torn. The gap between them is bigger on a wall than on a chip.
What is the Benjamin Moore or Behr equivalent of Dried Thyme?
There is no exact match for dried thyme Sherwin Williams in other brands, but color-comparison tools point to a few close options.
| Brand | Closest match | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore | Lush (AF-475) | Similar depth at about LRV 21, with a slightly more olive tone, so it is not an exact twin |
| Behr | Cactus Garden (PPU11-18) | Very close in lightness, with a similar cool green undertone |
| Behr | Conifer Green | Described by one reviewer as a little darker with less gray |
No paint brand publishes official cross-brand equivalents. These matches come from color-comparison tools that line up HEX values and LRV, so treat them as starting points and always check a physical sample in the brand you plan to buy.
Quick decision guide: is Dried Thyme right for your room?
| Your situation | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cozy bedroom or study with decent daylight | Yes | A mid-deep LRV of 21 gives depth without feeling dark |
| Farmhouse or transitional kitchen cabinets | Yes | Pairs well with brass, wood, and cream |
| Cool, icy gray palette | Test first | The cool undertone gets louder |
| Small room with one window | Skip | A low LRV can feel closed in |
| Front door or exterior accent | Test first | Use an exterior-rated paint and sample on the surface |
Common mistakes with Dried Thyme
- Painting a dim room without lamps. Layered lighting keeps the green from turning dull.
- Using stark, icy white trim. Softer, warmer whites look more natural beside it.
- Trusting photos. Online photos shift warmer or cooler, so judge it on your own wall.
Final verdict: is Dried Thyme the right green?
Choose dried thyme Sherwin Williams if you want a muted, gray-green paint color with depth, an LRV of 21, and enough warmth from wood, brass, and cream to feel welcoming. Choose Evergreen Fog if you want something lighter, Basil if you want something bolder, and Retreat if you want a slightly bluer version of the same depth.
Whichever way you lean, sample it in your own light before you buy. This color changes more than most from morning to evening, and a large test patch is the cheapest way to avoid a repaint.
FAQs about dried thyme Sherwin Williams
Is Dried Thyme green or gray?
It is a green with a lot of gray in it. Sherwin-Williams lists it in the green family, and its HGTV Home line calls it a neutral gray-green.
What is the HEX code and RGB value for Dried Thyme?
The HEX code is #7B8070 and the RGB values are 123, 128, 112. Use them for digital mockups, and confirm with a physical sample.
Is Dried Thyme a good kitchen cabinet color?
Yes, especially in farmhouse, transitional, and rustic modern kitchens. It pairs well with warm white or cream walls, brass hardware, butcher block, and white quartz. It needs good daylight or layered lighting.
Can you use Dried Thyme on a home exterior?
Yes. Sherwin-Williams lists it for interior and exterior projects. It works well as a body color with soft off-white or beige trim, or as a front door color. Use an exterior-rated paint and test a large sample in direct sun.
Is Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme the same as HGSW6186 at Lowe’s?
They are listed as the same color, with the same name and HEX code. Lowe’s sells it in the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams line, so confirm the product line and sheen at the register.
What sheen is best for Dried Thyme?
Eggshell or satin suits most walls. Semi-gloss is better for cabinets, doors, trim, and exteriors, since it is the easiest to clean.
Does Dried Thyme look different in photos?
Yes. Photos shift toward warmer or cooler depending on lighting and camera settings, so a green that looks olive online can look gray on your wall. Order a sample instead of trusting screens.
