Virtual Taupe
Often used for its versatile qualities, Virtual Taupe remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 8 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#8A7A6A
LRV
20.32
Virtual Taupe's Color Strip
Virtual Taupe is the fifth shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Moth Wing and Smokehouse. The strip spans from Accessible Beige at the lightest end to Van Dyke Brown at the deepest. Browsing strip 249 alongside this color helps you gauge whether to go lighter, darker, or stay right here.
Virtual Taupe in Real Rooms
Virtual Taupe has a medium LRV of 20.32 — 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 misc and house.
3 Misc Photos
These photos show Virtual Taupe in spaces that don't fit neatly into a single category: transitional spaces, accent applications, and rooms where the color becomes a fine detail rather than a broad backdrop.
A painted dresser in Virtual Taupe adds subtle elegance to any bedroom.
@jackandrewspainting
Furniture pieces painted Virtual Taupe bring soft, neutral sophistication to living spaces.
@what.bb.built
Virtual Taupe painted furniture offers timeless appeal with warm undertones.
@what.bb.built
5 House Photos
When choosing Virtual Taupe for an exterior, you are opting for a color that respects the landscape. It feels like it grew out of the earth rather than being dropped onto it, creating a harmonious relationship between the architecture and the garden.
The house exterior in Virtual Taupe blends seamlessly with natural landscaping.
@macfarland_painting
Virtual Taupe exterior paint creates a serene, cohesive look for this home.
@macfarland_painting
This home's exterior walls in Virtual Taupe age gracefully and beautifully.
@lin_meeshell
Virtual Taupe siding gives the house exterior a calm, sophisticated presence.
@macfarland_painting
The exterior's Virtual Taupe finish offers understated elegance and lasting appeal.
@macfarland_painting
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 73 vs 20, Aesthetic White is decisively the brighter choice.
Greek Villa reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 20), opening up a space where Virtual Taupe encloses it.
Vintage Vessel reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 20), opening up a space where Virtual Taupe encloses it.
Trim Color
At LRV 73 vs 20, Aesthetic White is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
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.
With LRVs of 21 and 20, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 20 vs 20), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 20 vs 18), 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 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.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 20 vs 6, Virtual Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 34 vs 20, Debonair is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 20 vs 7, Virtual Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (20 vs 11) makes Virtual Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 20 vs 7, Virtual Taupe 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.
Lighter Colors
At LRV 38 vs 20, Hibernate is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (28 vs 20) makes Elephant Ear the marginally brighter of the two.
Pavestone reflects far more light (LRV 32 vs 20), opening up a space where Virtual Taupe encloses it.
At LRV 37 vs 20, Smooth Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (24 vs 20) makes Timeless Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
Darker Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 20 vs 18), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Virtual Taupe reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 13), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 6-point LRV gap (20 vs 14) makes Virtual Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
A 6-point LRV gap (20 vs 15) makes Virtual Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
Virtual Taupe reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 13), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.