Dark Clove
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Dark Clove 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 7 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#4C3D31
LRV
5.06
Dark Clove's Color Strip
Dark Clove is the fourth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Turkish Coffee and Homestead Brown. The strip spans from Plantation Brown at the lightest end to Sealskin at the deepest. Color strip 277 groups these shades together so you can see how each reads next to its neighbors.
Dark Clove in Real Rooms
Dark Clove has a low LRV of 5.06 — 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 Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a kitchen cabinets, bedroom and front door.
2 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
Choosing Dark Clove for cabinets allows you to be more adventurous with your tile and stone choices. Because the cabinetry is so well-grounded, it can balance out a heavily veined marble or a colorful geometric backsplash without the room feeling "busy."
Kitchen cabinets in Dark Clove create rich, sophisticated storage solution.
@lindaloodesigns
Shaker-style kitchen cabinets painted in Dark Clove create a sophisticated, timeless look.
@lindaloodesigns
1 Bedroom Photo
The bedroom is where Dark Clove 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.
An accent wall in Dark Clove grounds the bedroom with warmth and depth.
@lookseensaw
4 Front Door Photos
A front door in Dark Clove changes the entire read of a facade without requiring a renovation. The color is strong enough to register from the street but refined enough not to feel like a statement for its own sake. It's the "handshake" of the home.
The front entrance door in Dark Clove makes a bold, welcoming statement.
@dotyspainting
Dark Clove garage doors complement traditional home exteriors with understated elegance.
@hamadanihomes
Dual garage doors painted Dark Clove enhance curb appeal with rich, deep color.
@hamadanihomes
A Dark Clove front door adds architectural interest to this classic white home.
@meghan.the.creative
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 81 vs 5, Creamy is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 5, Aged White is decisively the brighter choice.
Rita's Rouge reflects far more light (LRV 24 vs 5), opening up a space where Dark Clove encloses it.
Trim Color
At LRV 81 vs 5, Creamy is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 7 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 7 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.
With LRVs of 5 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 6 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.
With LRVs of 6 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 5 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 8 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 77 vs 5, Glass Bead is decisively the brighter choice.
Morning at Sea reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 5), opening up a space where Dark Clove encloses it.
With LRVs of 6 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Debonair reflects far more light (LRV 34 vs 5), opening up a space where Dark Clove encloses it.
With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Rain Cloud reads slightly lighter (LRV 11 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Lighter Colors
A 12-point LRV gap (17 vs 5) makes Tiki Hut the marginally brighter of the two.
Superior Bronze reads slightly lighter (LRV 15 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Rookwood Dark Brown reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 19 vs 5, Tree Branch is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (9 vs 5) makes Tea Leaf the marginally brighter of the two.
Darker Colors
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Dark Clove reads slightly lighter (LRV 5 vs 2), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.