Gardenia vs Yarrow
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Both sit in the beige family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Gardenia (LRV 78) reflects noticeably more light than Yarrow (LRV 48), a difference of 30 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 39.9, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gardenia vs Yarrow in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Gardenia and Yarrow in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Gardenia reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Yarrow.
Color Details
Gardenia vs Yarrow Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gardenia on one side and Yarrow 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.