Merlot vs Expance
Where Merlot belongs to Sherwin-Williams's range, Expance is a Tikkurila color. Hue-wise, Merlot belongs to the pink family and Expance to the beige family. Expance (LRV 51) reflects noticeably more light than Merlot (LRV 4), a difference of 47 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of NaN, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Merlot vs Expance Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Merlot on one side and Expance 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 Merlot comparisons
See how Merlot stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
