Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme (SW 6186): Undertones, LRV and Best Pairings

If you want a green with real depth that still feels earthy and calm, Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme (SW 6186) is a favorite for kitchen cabinets, powder rooms and accent walls. It is a muted, gray-green herb tone with a hint of blue, and an LRV of 21.

Below we cover its undertones, how it looks in Florida light, the best whites and coordinating colors, how it compares to similar greens, and where to use it.

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Dried Thyme at a Glance

Detail	Dried Thyme
Color	Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme, SW 6186
LRV	21
Hex	#7B8070
Color family	Green (muted gray-green with a hint of blue)
Use	Interior and exterior
Coordinating colors	Ethereal White SW 6182, Grecian Ivory SW 7541, Prairie Grass SW 7546
Best for	Kitchen cabinets, islands, powder rooms, laundry rooms, accent walls, exterior doors and shutters

Is Dried Thyme Warm or Cool?

Dried Thyme sits in the middle. Sherwin-Williams calls it an organic, outdoorsy shade and notes that a hint of blue keeps it cool and calming. Its gray base keeps it from looking bright or minty, and in warm light its earthy, herb-like side comes forward.

It is on the same color strip as Escape Gray (one step lighter) and Rosemary (one step darker), so those are easy swaps if you want to go lighter or deeper.

How Dried Thyme Looks in Florida Light

• Bright, sunny rooms: Strong light lifts it and pulls out more green and warmth, so it feels fresh rather than heavy.
• North-facing or dim rooms: It reads deeper and grayer. That can be beautifully moody in a powder room, but test it first on full walls.
• Cabinets: Because cabinets are a smaller surface, it stays rich without darkening the whole room.
• Exteriors: On a front door or shutters it pairs naturally with palms and Florida landscaping.

What Dried Thyme’s LRV Means

LRV (Light Reflectance Value) runs from 0 for black to 100 for pure white. At 21, Dried Thyme is a medium-dark color that absorbs most of the light that hits it. Pair it with light walls, white trim or good lighting to keep a room balanced.

Dried Thyme vs. Similar Greens

Color	LRV	How it compares
Austere Gray SW 6184	51	Much lighter gray-green from the same strip
Escape Gray SW 6185	41	One step lighter on the same strip
Acacia Haze SW 9132	32	Lighter, softer gray-green
Evergreen Fog SW 9130	30	Lighter and grayer
Dried Thyme SW 6186	21	Earthy gray-green with a hint of blue
Retreat SW 6207	21	Same depth, more blue-gray
Rosemary SW 6187	14	One step darker; deep organic green
Pewter Green SW 6208	12	Darker and moodier

Dried Thyme vs. Evergreen Fog: Evergreen Fog (LRV 30) is lighter and grayer. Choose Dried Thyme when you want more depth and green on cabinets or an accent wall.

Dried Thyme vs. Retreat: They share an LRV of 21, but Retreat leans more blue-gray while Dried Thyme reads more herbal.

Dried Thyme vs. Acacia Haze: Acacia Haze is a lighter, softer option for walls.

Colors That Go with Dried Thyme

Sherwin-Williams lists three official coordinating colors:

• Ethereal White SW 6182: the lightest color on the same strip, for a soft, tonal look.
• Grecian Ivory SW 7541 (LRV 63): a warm green-gray neutral for surrounding walls.
• Prairie Grass SW 7546 (LRV 38): a warm, earthy tan.

More pairings we like:

• Whites: Alabaster or Greek Villa for warm, creamy contrast.
• Warm neutrals: Natural Linen or Accessible Beige walls.
• Dark accents: Peppercorn or Tricorn Black for hardware, lighting or an island.
• Materials: Brass, butcher block, white oak, terracotta and marble.

This kitchen by @simply_grace_ful pairs Dried Thyme lower cabinets with Accessible Beige uppers and Greek Villa walls:

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Where to Use Dried Thyme

• Kitchen cabinets and islands: Sherwin-Williams specifically recommends it for cabinets.
• Powder rooms: A cozy, enveloping color drench, especially with brass.
• Laundry rooms and mudrooms: Practical and earthy.
• Accent walls and built-ins: Adds depth to living rooms and offices. See more green accent wall ideas.
• Exteriors: Front doors, shutters and garden sheds.

Here it is drenched on the walls and trim of a powder room by @ashleylynhome:

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How to Test Dried Thyme

Darker greens shift a lot between daylight and lamplight. Peel-and-stick samples from Samplize use real paint, so you can try it on a cabinet door or wall without painting test patches.

• Place the sample on cabinets and walls in the actual room.
• Check it at different times of day and under your own bulbs.
• Compare it side by side with Escape Gray and Rosemary.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Dried Thyme is an earthy, sophisticated green that works beautifully on cabinets, in powder rooms and as an accent. In bright Florida homes it feels fresh and natural. Grab a Dried Thyme sample and test it alongside your whites before you commit.