Downing Earth
We've categorized Downing Earth as a versatile Neutral because of its unique LRV profile. We have documented it across our network because it can add character and warmth to any space so effectively. Explore our collection of 10 room photos to see how it looks alongside coordinating accent choices.
Hex
#887B67
LRV
20.38
Downing Earth in Real Rooms
Downing Earth has a medium LRV of 20.38 — 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 Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a home office, dining room, bathroom, front door, bedroom, house, kitchen, patio, mudroom and living room.
1 Home Office Photo
To create a "library" feel in your home office, use Downing Earth 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 Downing Earth in a neutral home office
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1 Dining Room Photo
For an "all-day" dining room, Downing Earth is surprisingly adaptable. In the morning, it feels crisp and clean for breakfast; as the sun moves, it transitions into a moodier, more reflective space that is perfect for long, lingering dinners.
Downing Earth paint in a art deco dining room
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1 Bathroom Photo
Pairing Downing Earth with natural stone like travertine or slate creates an earthy, elemental bathroom that feels connected to nature. It moves the design away from plastic-heavy modernism toward something much more timeless and tactile.
Downing Earth — traditional bathroom
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1 Front Door Photo
Using Downing Earth for the front door allows the hardware to be the "jewelry" of the house. Whether you choose a modern long-bar handle or a traditional knocker, the color provides the perfect stage for the metalwork to shine.
cottagecore front door featuring Downing Earth by Sherwin-Williams
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1 Bedroom Photo
For guest bedrooms, Downing Earth is a welcoming embrace. It's a universally appealing tone that feels clean and fresh for new arrivals, yet has enough "personality" to make their stay feel special and considered. It works across all seasons, feeling cool in summer and cozy in winter.
A modern luxury bedroom painted in Downing Earth
@mybudgetrecipes
1 House Photo
Using Downing Earth 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.
Downing Earth color — aesthetic house inspiration
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1 Kitchen Photo
On kitchen walls, Downing Earth adds a considered, intentional feel without demanding too much attention in a busy space. It holds its own against both warm wood countertops and cool quartz or marble, making it an incredibly flexible choice for the hardest-working and most high-traffic room in the house.
Downing Earth — scandinavian kitchen
@mybudgetrecipes
1 Patio Photo
Exterior color behaves differently than interior — there's more bleaching, more weather, and more competition from the natural surroundings. Downing Earth holds its character in open light and tends to look even better after a few seasons than it does fresh from the can.
mediterranean patio featuring Downing Earth by Sherwin-Williams
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1 Mudroom Photo
The mudroom is often the first interior space guests see. Downing Earth makes that threshold feel considered and designed without demanding more attention than it deserves. It's a "hardworking" color that still maintains its dignity.
Downing Earth paint in a small mudroom
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1 Living Room Photo
The beauty of Downing Earth in a living room lies in its versatility with textures. It provides a smooth, matte-like quality that contrasts beautifully against plush velvet sofas or chunky wool rugs. It's a color that invites you to stay a little longer, creating an atmosphere that feels established rather than just decorated.
A organic modern living room painted in Downing Earth
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Coordinating Colors
At LRV 39 vs 20, Outerbanks is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (20 vs 15) makes Downing Earth the marginally brighter of the two.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 21 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 22 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 20 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 22 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 20 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 20 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 22 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 22 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 21 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 23 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 20 vs 7, Downing Earth is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (20 vs 11) makes Downing Earth the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 20 vs 7, Downing Earth is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 69 vs 20, Starry Night is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 20 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Dusty Heather reads slightly lighter (LRV 28 vs 20), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 47 vs 20, Lakeside is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
A 8-point LRV gap (28 vs 20) makes Elephant Ear the marginally brighter of the two.
Pavestone reads slightly lighter (LRV 32 vs 20), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 37 vs 20, Smooth Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 20 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Dorian Gray reflects far more light (LRV 39 vs 20), opening up a space where Downing Earth encloses it.
Darker Colors
A 10-point LRV gap (20 vs 10) makes Downing Earth the marginally brighter of the two.
Downing Earth reflects far more light (LRV 20 vs 7), opening up a space where Enduring Bronze encloses it.
At LRV 20 vs 8, Downing Earth is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (20 vs 10) makes Downing Earth the marginally brighter of the two.
Downing Earth reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 17), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.