Arresting Auburn
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Arresting Auburn remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. We've gathered 10 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#5A3532
LRV
4.95
Arresting Auburn's Color Strip
Arresting Auburn is the seventh shade on this 7-color strip, the deepest shade in this coordinated family. As part of strip 192, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Arresting Auburn in Real Rooms
Arresting Auburn has a low LRV of 4.95 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Red family, the photos below show it applied in a front door, dining room, bathroom, bedroom, home office, patio, kitchen, house, mudroom and living room.
1 Front Door Photo
Front door color is the one exterior choice that gets examined up close. Arresting Auburn rewards that scrutiny — it has the kind of depth that looks richer the closer you get, rather than flatter. Pair with polished or unlacquered brass hardware for the best result.
scandinavian front door featuring Arresting Auburn by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Arresting Auburn provides a sophisticated backdrop for artwork and large-scale mirrors. The color's depth helps to "absorb" the room's edges, making the flickering light of candles and the sparkle of glassware the stars of the show.
Arresting Auburn paint in a moody dining room
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Bathroom Photo
In a powder room, Arresting Auburn can be used floor-to-ceiling to create a dramatic, high-impact experience for guests. Because these rooms are small and transitional, they can handle the full intensity of the color's personality without feeling overwhelming.
Arresting Auburn — vintage bathroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Bedroom Photo
Arresting Auburn has a unique ability to make a bedroom feel larger yet more intimate at the same time. By softening the "edges" of the room, the walls seem to move back, while the warmth of the tone makes the bed feel like a safe, protected island in the center of the space.
A traditional bedroom painted in Arresting Auburn
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Home Office Photo
For those who spend their day on camera, Arresting Auburn is a highly flattering background color. It doesn't wash out skin tones or create weird reflections, providing a professional and "expensive" look for virtual meetings and presentations.
Sherwin-Williams Arresting Auburn in a unique home office
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Patio Photo
The way Arresting Auburn interacts with fire—whether from a fire pit or outdoor torches—is magical. It catches the orange glow and creates a warm, flickering atmosphere that is perfect for late-night outdoor entertaining.
industrial patio featuring Arresting Auburn by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Kitchen Photo
In a farmhouse or traditional kitchen, Arresting Auburn adds a layer of modern relevance. It updates classic cabinetry and apron-front sinks without clashing with the traditional "bones" of the house, offering a bridge between the old and the new.
Arresting Auburn — classy kitchen
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
Using Arresting Auburn on an exterior allows you to be more creative with your landscaping. The color provides a dark, rich backdrop that makes the greens of boxwoods or the colors of perennials look much more vivid and professional.
Arresting Auburn color — maximalist house inspiration
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Mudroom Photo
Arresting Auburn in the mudroom earns its keep. It's a color that can handle the traffic — grounding enough to hide the daily chaos, and intentional enough to make the transition from outside feel considered and high-end.
Arresting Auburn paint in a industrial mudroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Living Room Photo
Arresting Auburn works harder than it looks in a living room environment. Whether the space gets direct southern sun or stays north-facing and dim, the color finds its specific register — neither receding into the background nor demanding the spotlight. It acts as a sophisticated backdrop that makes every piece of furniture or art placed in front of it look immediately more considered and curated.
A traditional living room painted in Arresting Auburn
@mybudgetrecipes
Expert Perspectives
In-depth articles and real-home features from across our network of home and design sites.
Coordinating Colors
Cultured Pearl reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 5), opening up a space where Arresting Auburn encloses it.
At LRV 73 vs 5, Aesthetic White is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 5), opening up a space where Arresting Auburn encloses it.
Trim Color
Cultured Pearl reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 5), opening up a space where Arresting Auburn encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 5 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 5 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 6 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 8 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.