Umber vs Yearling
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both beiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige to land. Yearling (LRV 28) reflects noticeably more light than Umber (LRV 10), a difference of 18 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 22.3, 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
Umber vs Yearling Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Umber on one side and Yearling 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 Umber comparisons
See how Umber stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 10, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 10, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 10, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 10, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 10, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 10), opening up a space where Umber encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 10, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 10 vs 7), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 24 vs 10, Cement grey is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 57 vs 10, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.