Dahlia
With a focus on versatile tones, Dahlia (6816) is a standout Purple in our database. It was selected for this featured gallery for its ability to add character and warmth to any space. See it applied across 10 real world scenarios and find professional pairing data below.
Hex
#8B98C4
LRV
31.77
Dahlia's Color Strip
Dahlia is the fifth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Awesome Violet and Gentian. The strip spans from Wishful Blue at the lightest end to Valiant Violet at the deepest. As part of strip 180, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Dahlia in Real Rooms
Dahlia has a medium LRV of 31.77 — it adds real depth and will read noticeably darker as natural light fades. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Purple family, the photos below show it applied in a bedroom, bathroom, front door, dining room, home office, kitchen, living room, mudroom, house and patio.
1 Bedroom Photo
The bedroom is where Dahlia really earns its place as a sanctuary. Away from direct sunlight, the color settles into a rich, cocooning tone that actively promotes rest and psychological slowing. Pair it with crisp white bedding and warm-toned wood nightstands to keep the overall palette from feeling too heavy or closed-in.
A moody bedroom painted in Dahlia
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Bathroom Photo
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Dahlia holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
Dahlia — earthy bathroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Front Door Photo
Front door color is the one exterior choice that gets examined up close. Dahlia 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.
bold front door featuring Dahlia by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Dahlia 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.
Dahlia paint in a moody dining room
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Home Office Photo
To create a "library" feel in your home office, use Dahlia on both the walls and the built-in shelving. This monochromatic approach creates a sophisticated, academic atmosphere that makes the room feel like a true destination for thought.
Sherwin-Williams Dahlia in a industrial home office
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Kitchen Photo
Dahlia is particularly effective in kitchens with a lot of natural light. It tempers the glare from sun hitting polished surfaces, providing a matte-like visual anchor that keeps the room feeling grounded even during the brightest parts of the day.
Dahlia — contemporary kitchen
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Living Room Photo
Dahlia provides a subtle architectural "lift" to a living room, especially those with high ceilings or intricate crown molding. The way shadows settle into the corners with this particular shade adds a layer of history and gravity to the space, making even a new build feel like it has stories to tell.
A industrial living room painted in Dahlia
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Mudroom Photo
For smaller entries, Dahlia provides a "box" of color that defines the space. It tells you exactly where the "messy" zone ends and the "clean" house begins, using color psychology to manage the flow of the household.
Dahlia paint in a earthy mudroom
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
For coastal or high-exposure homes, Dahlia is a smart choice. It has the complexity to look good even when dusted with salt or slightly weathered, maintaining its "intentional" look even when the elements are at their peak.
Dahlia color — modern luxury house inspiration
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Patio Photo
Dahlia on a patio or porch provides a sense of "enclosure" even in an open space. It defines the boundaries of the outdoor room, making it feel more private, secure, and ready for relaxation.
boho patio featuring Dahlia by Sherwin-Williams
@mybudgetrecipes
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 72 vs 32, Spatial White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 32, Shell White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 56 vs 32, Agapanthus is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
At LRV 72 vs 32, Spatial White is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 32 and 29, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 32 vs 29), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Dahlia reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 23), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Awesome Violet reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 32), opening up a space where Dahlia encloses it.
Dahlia reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 28), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Vesper Violet reads slightly lighter (LRV 35 vs 32), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 32 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
Dahlia reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 20), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 4-point LRV gap (36 vs 32) makes Intellectual Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Lunar Lite reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 32), opening up a space where Dahlia encloses it.
Lighter Colors
At LRV 63 vs 32, Breathtaking is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 32, Hyacinth Tint is decisively the brighter choice.
Awesome Violet reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 32), opening up a space where Dahlia encloses it.
At LRV 56 vs 32, Agapanthus is decisively the brighter choice.
Darker Colors
Dahlia reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 23), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.