Clary Sage vs Sage
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, Clary Sage belongs to the greige-grey family and Sage to the beige-greige family. With LRVs of 41 and 42, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Clary Sage's neutral character against Sage's warm — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 3.0, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Clary Sage vs Sage in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Clary Sage and Sage are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Clary Sage reads more restrained here, while Sage adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The temperature contrast between Sage and Clary Sage is what sets these apart most in this context.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The temperature contrast between Sage and Clary Sage is what sets these apart most in this context.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The temperature contrast between Sage and Clary Sage is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Clary Sage vs Sage Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Clary Sage on one side and Sage on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Clary Sage comparisons
See how Clary Sage stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
