Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog (SW 9130): Undertones, LRV and Pairings
Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) was Sherwin-Williams’ 2022 Color of the Year, and it’s still one of the most-used greens around. Sherwin-Williams calls it a “green-meets-gray with just a bit of blue,” which is exactly why it works in so many homes: it’s muted enough to act like a neutral but has real color.
Below, we cover its undertones, how it looks in Florida light, the greens it gets compared to most and what to pair it with.
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Evergreen Fog at a Glance
| Color | Evergreen Fog, SW 9130 |
| LRV | 30 |
| Hex | #95978A |
| Color family | Green (gray-green with a hint of blue) |
| Use | Interior and exterior |
| Coordinating colors | Ethereal White (SW 6182), Neutral Ground (SW 7568), Dried Edamame (SW 9122) |
| Best for | Bedrooms, kitchen cabinets, accent walls and exteriors |
Is Evergreen Fog Warm or Cool?
It sits right in the middle. The gray base and hint of blue keep it from looking olive or warm, but there’s enough green that it never feels cold. That’s what makes it such an easy green to live with.
Your surroundings tip it one way or the other. With warm wood, brass and cream textiles it looks warmer and more sage-like. With bright white trim, gray stone and black hardware it reads cooler and grayer.
How Evergreen Fog Looks in Florida Light
- South- and west-facing rooms: bright sun lifts it and brings out the green, so it can look closer to a soft sage.
- North-facing rooms: cooler light brings out the gray and blue, giving it a moodier, more muted look.
- Dim rooms: with an LRV of 30, it can look deep in a room with little natural light. That’s great if you want cozy, but plan for good lighting.
- Light bulbs: warm bulbs (around 2700K) make it look greener and warmer, while cooler bulbs push it grayer.
What Does an LRV of 30 Mean?
LRV, or light reflectance value, measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). At 30, Evergreen Fog is a medium-depth color. It reads as a clear color on the wall, not a tinted neutral, so it pairs best with a light trim for contrast.
Evergreen Fog vs. Similar Greens
These are the greens Evergreen Fog gets compared to most. LRVs and descriptions come from Sherwin-Williams.
| Color | LRV | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Escape Gray (SW 6185) | 41 | One shade lighter on the same color strip; a cool green with blue and gray undertones |
| Clary Sage (SW 6178) | 41 | Lighter and softer, with a slight yellow undertone that makes it warmer |
| Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) | 30 | Gray-green with a hint of blue |
| Acacia Haze (SW 9132) | 32 | Similar depth, with stronger slate-blue undertones |
| Dried Thyme (SW 6186) | 21 | The next shade darker on the same strip; deeper and more organic |
| Pewter Green (SW 6208) | 12 | A much darker, cool green |
Want a lighter version? Go with Escape Gray. Want something warmer? Try Clary Sage. Want more depth? Dried Thyme is the natural next step. We have full guides to Acacia Haze and Dried Thyme if you’re comparing.
Colors That Go With Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams’ own coordinating colors for Evergreen Fog:
- Ethereal White (SW 6182), LRV 76: a cool white with a subtle gray undertone. It’s a natural choice for trim and ceilings.
- Neutral Ground (SW 7568), LRV 70: a warm white with khaki undertones for adjoining rooms.
- Dried Edamame (SW 9122), LRV 36: a warm, earthy tan for an accent wall, cabinets or furniture.
A few other pairings that work well:
- Crisp trim: Pure White (SW 7005), LRV 84, for a clean contrast. For a softer look, see our Alabaster guide.
- Warm neutral: Accessible Beige (SW 7036), LRV 58, a greige that keeps the palette cozy.
- Dark contrast: Tricorn Black (SW 6258) on doors, hardware or an island.
- Materials: walnut and oak, brass, leather and natural stone.
@porchswingsandmistletoethings built a whole-house palette around Evergreen Fog:
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Where to Use Evergreen Fog
- Bedrooms: Sherwin-Williams specifically suggests it here. It’s calming without feeling dark or heavy.
- Kitchen cabinets and islands: a green that feels timeless, especially with brass or black hardware.
- Accent walls and paneling: board and batten, shiplap or a single feature wall.
- Bathrooms: on a vanity or wainscoting with warm wood and white tile.
- Exteriors: it’s rated for outdoor use and looks great with a creamy trim. Bright Florida sun will make it look lighter on the house than on the chip, so test a large sample outside.
Here’s Evergreen Fog on an exterior with Creamy (SW 7012) trim and Peppercorn accents, from Foothills Painting:
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How to Test Evergreen Fog Before You Paint
Greens shift more than most colors, so test before you commit. Samplize peel-and-stick samples are large, made with real paint and easy to move around.
- Place a sample on a sunny wall and a shaded wall.
- Check it in the morning, the afternoon and at night with your lamps on.
- Hold it next to your trim, floors, cabinets and counters.
- If you’re deciding between greens, put it side by side with Escape Gray or Clary Sage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evergreen Fog warm or cool?
It’s balanced. Evergreen Fog is a gray-green with a hint of blue, so it doesn’t read as warm or olive, but it isn’t cold either. Warm wood and brass make it feel warmer, while white and gray finishes make it feel cooler.
What is the LRV of Evergreen Fog?
Evergreen Fog has an LRV of 30, which makes it a medium-depth color.
Is Evergreen Fog green or gray?
Sherwin-Williams classifies it as a green and describes it as green-meets-gray with a bit of blue. Most people see it as a muted gray-green.
What trim color goes with Evergreen Fog?
Sherwin-Williams pairs it with Ethereal White (SW 6182). Pure White (SW 7005) gives a crisper contrast, and Creamy (SW 7012) works well on exteriors.
Is Evergreen Fog good for kitchen cabinets?
Yes. It’s a popular cabinet and island color because it adds color without being bold, and it looks great with brass, black hardware and wood.
What is a lighter or darker version of Evergreen Fog?
Escape Gray (SW 6185, LRV 41) is one shade lighter on the same Sherwin-Williams color strip. Dried Thyme (SW 6186, LRV 21) is one shade darker.
The Bottom Line
Evergreen Fog earned its Color of the Year title for a reason. It brings in color while still behaving like a neutral, and it works in bedrooms, kitchens and on the outside of the house. Test it in your own light, pair it with a light trim and it will feel calm and grounded in any room.
