Soft Sage by Sherwin-Williams (SW 9647) brings a quiet, refreshing balance to any space. This gentle mix of green and gray creates a natural, grounded look that feels calm without seeming dull.
It’s the perfect color when you want your home to feel peaceful, warm, and effortlessly stylish.
Watch how it shifts with the light—soft green tones in the morning, then a cozy gray hue by evening. It pairs beautifully with bright whites and warm neutrals, so it works for pretty much any style, whether you’re farmhouse-obsessed or more into modern vibes.
Whether you’re updating one room or planning a full refresh, this shade adapts easily to your space.
Key Takeaways
- Soft Sage is a balanced green-gray that adds calm and warmth.
- Light changes its tone, giving rooms natural depth and movement.
- Works well with whites, neutrals, and earthy accent colors.
What Color Is Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647?
Soft Sage (SW 9647) is a muted green paint with balanced gray undertones, creating a calm, natural look. It feels fresh but not too bright, giving your walls a soft, welcoming tone that’s clean and modern without being stark.
Color Family
You’ll find Soft Sage in the green-gray color family. It leans more neutral than vibrant, so it’s great for spaces that need just a hint of color.
The gray in this shade tones down the green, leaving a smooth and earthy appearance. In moderate light, the color tends to look slightly warmer, picking up hints of beige or taupe.
Cooler light brings out more of its gray side. That balance makes it versatile—you can use it anywhere from bedrooms and bathrooms to open living areas.
Soft Sage pairs easily with white trim, natural wood tones, and other muted or warm neutrals, giving your space a cohesive look.
Its subdued quality makes it a safe bet if you want color that feels timeless and easy to blend with your existing décor.
Color Codes (Hex, RGB, LRV)
Here are the key technical details for Sherwin Williams SW 9647 Soft Sage:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hex Code | #BCBCAE |
| RGB | 188, 188, 174 |
| Light Reflectance Value (LRV) | 50 |
The Hex and RGB values show a balanced mix of green and gray, giving it a neutral, muted look on most surfaces.
With an LRV of 50, Soft Sage reflects about half the light that hits it. It isn’t too dark or too bright, so it works in both natural and artificial lighting.
This mid-range value helps keep a room feeling open yet grounded. It’s a practical color for everyday living spaces.
Real World Examples of Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 in Different Spaces
This muted green-gray tone brings calm energy and a grounded look to rooms. It blends easily with both warm and cool elements, making it handy for lots of styles and lighting situations.
Bathrooms
Soft Sage gives bathrooms a calm, spa-like feel without making them look cold. Its yellow-gray undertones help balance the cooler light you usually get with white tiles or chrome fixtures.
Pair it with matte black or brushed brass hardware for quiet sophistication. Use it on walls with white trim or marble counters for a clean, refreshed look.
If your bathroom doesn’t get much natural light, try a semi-gloss or satin finish to bounce more brightness around. For a cozy touch, bring in woven baskets, soft towels, or natural wood shelves.
The color’s muted hue keeps things restful, even when you add in texture or pattern.
Bedrooms
In bedrooms, Soft Sage supports rest by giving the walls a soft, natural backdrop. It pairs well with warm beige fabrics and crisp white bedding, offering a gentle balance.
The color’s Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 48% means it reflects a moderate amount of light, so rooms feel peaceful but not washed out. Try it with oak furniture, linen curtains, or neutral rugs.
You can layer slightly darker greens or off-whites to add depth without losing that airy quality. Warm table lamps in the 2700K–3000K range make the green tones look fresher at night.
This is a color that helps your bedroom feel tidy yet comfortable—honestly, that’s all most of us want at the end of a long day.
Front Doors
Paint your front door in Soft Sage and you’ll brighten the exterior without going overboard. The muted green stands out gently against white, gray, or brick siding.
It works especially well with natural wood porches or stone accents. If your home’s exterior gets a lot of sun, a satin finish adds durability and a subtle sheen.
Go for black or bronze door hardware for contrast. Pair Soft Sage with muted trim colors like off-white or greige for a timeless look.
The effect is friendly and understated—great for curb appeal without making a loud statement.
Home Offices
Soft Sage helps a home office feel light and organized. Its neutral green tones can ease visual strain, making it a smart pick for rooms where you need to focus.
Paint the walls Soft Sage and keep the trim bright white for a crisp boundary. Add natural woods like birch or walnut for warmth.
Mix in cool metals like brushed steel for some modern balance. The color fits especially well with daylight-balanced light bulbs (around 5000K), which bring out its neutral temperature and create a calm but alert atmosphere.
House Exteriors
Soft Sage feels grounded and natural outdoors. On exteriors, it reads as an earthy, subdued green that complements landscaping and neutral roofing tones.
It shows depth in direct sunlight but still looks elegant on cloudy days. Use it on siding, trim, or shutters to help your house blend into its surroundings.
It looks balanced with stone foundations, off-white trim, or charcoal roofing. If you want more variation, try pairing Soft Sage siding with white window frames or dark green shutters.
The tone adapts easily, whether your home is traditional or contemporary.
Kitchen Cabinets
On kitchen cabinets, Soft Sage gives a subtle pop of color while keeping things airy. It contrasts nicely with bright countertops like white quartz or light marble, but never feels too loud.
The yellow undertones bring warmth under natural or soft artificial lighting. Try it on lower cabinets with white uppers for a two-tone look.
Brass or nickel hardware both work—pick your vibe. This shade pairs nicely with oak floors or matte tile backsplashes, giving the kitchen a comfortable, lived-in feel that still seems fresh.
For durability, go with a satin or semi-gloss finish. Cleanup’s easier, and you won’t get too much shine.
Living Rooms
Soft Sage creates a balanced, natural setting in living rooms. It supports both casual and refined decorating styles and adapts well to different lighting levels.
Since the color sits between green and gray, it complements neutral upholstery, white trim, and wood accents without clashing. Use it as a wall color or pick it for accent walls, furniture, or built-ins.
It pairs well with cream textiles, tan leather, and even soft blue throws. During the day, natural light gives it a gentle green glow; at night, warm lamps bring out its cozy side.
The result feels calm, lived-in, and easy to personalize with different textures or art.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 Undertones
Take a look at Soft Sage (SW 9647) and you’ll see it’s not just a flat green. Subtle gray undertones give it a calm, balanced vibe that works as a neutral backdrop in lots of rooms.
In bright natural light, the green pops a bit more. In dimmer or artificial lighting, the gray tones get stronger and the color turns cooler and more muted. This shift makes the color flexible and easy to use in different spaces.
Soft Sage leans a bit toward the cool side of the spectrum. Its hints of blue-gray make it feel peaceful and airy, not warm or yellowish.
This cool balance helps it pair easily with whites, taupes, and lighter woods.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what affects how you see its undertones:
| Condition | Undertone Impact |
|---|---|
| Natural sunlight | Brings out the soft green hues |
| Artificial light | Highlights gray undertones |
| North-facing rooms | Makes the color appear cooler |
| South-facing rooms | Adds a lighter, slightly warmer glow |
These undertones let Soft Sage blend well with both modern and traditional styles, giving you a touch of color without ever feeling overwhelming.
How Does Lighting Affect Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647?
Lighting really changes how Soft Sage looks and feels in a space. Its green and gray tones react to both natural and artificial light, sometimes looking warmer or cooler depending on where and when the light hits.
Natural Lighting
Soft Sage shifts a lot with the direction and strength of sunlight. In south-facing rooms, this color appears warmer and a bit brighter because of the direct light.
You’ll see more of its soft green tones, which makes the room feel open and cheerful. In north-facing rooms, the light is cooler and weaker, so the green gets muted and the gray comes forward.
The color looks more subdued, making the space feel calm but a little cooler. East-facing rooms get warm sunlight in the morning, so the green is warmer early and smoother by afternoon.
In west-facing rooms, the light does the opposite—cooler in the morning and warmer, golden evenings bring out different sides of the shade.
If you want to see how it really looks, test paint samples on different walls. You’ll notice how shadows and reflections change the tone throughout the day.
Artificial Lighting
Artificial light changes how you see Soft Sage indoors. Warm bulbs like incandescent or soft-white LEDs give the paint a gentle glow, making its green warmth stand out and the space feel cozier.
This works well in bedrooms or living areas where you want a relaxed vibe. If you use cooler bulbs—think daylight or bright-white LEDs—the color shifts grayer and feels a bit more muted.
That cooler effect fits modern kitchens or offices, especially if you like crisp light. Bulb brightness, wall finish, and even nearby surfaces all play a part in how Soft Sage looks.
Matte finishes soak up more light, showing the color softly. Semi-gloss reflects more, making the color seem lighter.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 LRV 50 (Light Reflectance Value)
Soft Sage (SW 9647) bounces a good amount of light around, giving rooms an easy, natural glow. Its gentle green-gray tone, with an LRV around 50, sits right in the middle—so things don’t get too dark or too bright.
What is LRV?
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) just means how much visible light a paint color reflects, on a 0–100 scale. Zero is pure black, soaking up nearly all light, while 100 is pure white, bouncing nearly everything back.
Knowing the LRV lets you guess how bright or muted a space will look under different lighting. Low LRV colors tend to absorb light, making rooms warmer and cozier. High LRV colors reflect more, brightening up smaller spaces.
Soft Sage’s LRV sits right near the midpoint, which gives you flexibility. It handles both natural and artificial light well. Even if your room doesn’t get much sunlight, the color keeps things open but grounded.
In bright rooms, it won’t look washed out or overly pale. That’s handy if you’re after a steady, balanced look.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 LRV Range
With an LRV of about 50, Soft Sage lands in a sweet spot between light and dark. It doesn’t dim the space or make it feel overlit, so its subtle green-gray vibe stays consistent all day.
This mid-range LRV makes Soft Sage pretty adaptable. In morning light, the green shows up a bit more. By evening, those gentle gray undertones step forward, keeping things calm and unified.
It pairs nicely with white trims, earthy woods, and natural textures—the reflectance level never overpowers what’s around it.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| LRV | 50 |
| Reflects | About half of the light that hits it |
| Effect | Balanced brightness without glare |
Try it in open-plan spaces, bedrooms, or kitchens—anywhere you want steady light reflection and a comfortable visual environment.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 Coordinating Colors
Pair Soft Sage SW 9647 with soft neutrals and natural tones to enhance its gentle green hue. Coordinating shades keep your space feeling connected, especially when you play with both warm and cool elements.
Sanctuary SW 9583
Sanctuary SW 9583, a muted gray-beige, gives a calm, grounded backdrop next to Soft Sage. It blends warmth and neutrality, making it great for living rooms or open layouts.
Sanctuary softens green tones without taking over, so you get a smooth visual flow between walls and trim. If you use Sanctuary on big surfaces and Soft Sage as an accent, the result is soothing and balanced.
Natural finishes like rattan, linen, and light oak look great with this combo. Layering in brushed nickel or warm brass metallics adds interest but keeps the mood calm.
| Finish Type | Recommended Use |
|---|---|
| Matte or Eggshell | Walls |
| Satin | Trim or cabinetry |
Willowleaf SW 9649
Willowleaf SW 9649 sits close to Soft Sage, just a touch deeper and grayer. Use it to build gentle contrast that still feels natural.
It’s a solid pick for accent walls, built-ins, or next to lighter neutrals like Accessible Beige SW 7036. This pairing keeps things grounded but still fresh and organic.
Willowleaf leans a little cooler, balancing warm lighting and wood. Add soft white trim like SW 9541 White Snow for a clean frame and crisp outline.
In daylight, Willowleaf helps Soft Sage look even more sophisticated and ties rooms together nicely.
Limestone SW 9599
Limestone SW 9599 is a pale greige with subtle beige and gray notes, so it’s a clean counterpoint to Soft Sage’s muted green. Use it for ceilings, trim, or nearby walls to keep things airy and unified.
Its understated tone lets your furniture and décor stand out. When you pair it with Soft Sage, you get a balanced palette that feels modern and comfortable.
Add some texture—maybe woven fabrics, ceramics, or matte black fixtures—to keep the space from falling flat. This combo works especially well in bedrooms or kitchens if you want light reflection without harsh contrast.
Trim Colors for Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647
The right trim color with Soft Sage SW 9647 helps keep its calm energy intact. Soft, clean whites usually work best—they add contrast but keep the palette fresh and light.
Snowbound SW 7004
Snowbound SW 7004 gives Soft Sage a crisp, modern edge. This cool white has hints of gray and creamy warmth, so it stays soft—not harsh.
It’s a top pick for living rooms and bedrooms where you want a peaceful, coordinated look. The undertones of Snowbound by Sherwin Williams SW 7004 help your trim blend with either natural or artificial light.
This color highlights Soft Sage’s muted green while grounding it with a neutral base.
- Best for: Contemporary or transitional spaces
- Lighting match: Performs well in north- or south-facing rooms
- Pairing tip: Works well on window trim, doors, and built-ins
Using Snowbound creates contrast that feels tailored, not jarring. If you want trim that frames the walls quietly, this is a good pick.
Pure White SW 7005
If you like a simpler, more universal white, try Pure White SW 7005. It’s a slightly warm white, so it complements the soft green of Soft Sage without going yellow.
Pure white has a neutral vibe that adjusts well as the light changes. It’s great for showing off crown molding and window casings, but it doesn’t steal focus from the wall color.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Pure White | Soft Sage |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Warm, Clean | Muted Green |
| Effect Together | Balanced contrast | Calm visual flow |
This combo feels fresh and understated—perfect if you want your room open and peaceful.
Alabaster SW 7008
Alabaster SW 7008 brings a warmer touch to Soft Sage. Its soft white with creamy undertones boosts the organic warmth of the green.
This pairing makes rooms comfortable and welcoming, but still bright. Alabaster by Sherwin Williams SW 7008 has a high LRV, so small rooms feel bigger.
You’ll notice how it softens the edges of Soft Sage while staying bright for trim and ceiling details. Use Alabaster trim in kitchens, home offices, or anywhere with wood accents. It plays well with oak and rattan for a unified, clean finish.
Comparing Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 to Similar Colors
Soft Sage lands somewhere between warm and cool greens, with a quiet balance that works across styles. It shifts gently with the light, so comparing it to other greens can help you pick the right mood for your space.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Clary Sage SW 6178
Soft Sage (SW 9647) leans a bit gray, while Clary Sage (SW 6178) has more herbal warmth. Both are muted, natural greens, but Clary Sage comes off deeper and a touch more traditional.
Soft Sage reflects more light, with an LRV around 47, so rooms stay brighter and softer. Clary Sage, with an LRV near 44, absorbs a bit more, which adds coziness.
If you want a casual, airy feel, Soft Sage feels fresher. For something more grounded and warm, Clary Sage might be your pick. Both go well with natural woods and earthy beiges, but Clary Sage especially suits rustic or vintage decor.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Dried Thyme SW 6186
Dried Thyme (SW 6186) is deeper and richer than Soft Sage, with a stronger green and smoky undertone. It brings in a cozy, natural vibe—almost forest-like.
Soft Sage is more neutral and balanced, so it’s easier for whole rooms. Dried Thyme works better as an accent wall or on cabinetry if you want depth.
If your space doesn’t get much natural light, Soft Sage helps keep things open. In a bright room, Dried Thyme adds warmth and contrast, but still feels earthy. Both pair well with soft whites like Alabaster or warm neutrals like Accessible Beige.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Nurture Green SW 6451
Nurture Green (SW 6451) feels a bit fresher and more yellow-based than Soft Sage’s gray undertone. It brings a garden-like energy and a little more color to a room.
Soft Sage stays subtle, its green-gray tones fading gently into the background. Nurture Green is livelier, especially in daylight—it just feels more springlike.
Pick Nurture Green if you want a stronger connection to the outdoors. Go with Soft Sage for a natural mood that’s softer and more understated. Both work nicely in living rooms or kitchens with warm lighting.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Ripe Olive SW 6209
Ripe Olive (SW 6209) stands out as a bold contrast to Soft Sage. Soft Sage feels light, airy, and neutral, while Ripe Olive brings deep, dramatic, shadowy energy.
With an LRV around 6, Ripe Olive almost looks black-green in dim spaces. Soft Sage’s mid-range LRV keeps rooms looking open and inviting.
Try Ripe Olive on cabinets or a feature wall to frame Soft Sage’s gentle vibe. When you pair them, you get a palette that feels sophisticated—Soft Sage balances Ripe Olive’s intensity, and Ripe Olive grounds the freshness of Soft Sage.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Escape Gray SW 6185
Escape Gray (SW 6185) shares a calming base with Soft Sage, but it definitely leans cooler. You’ll notice more gray-blue tones in Escape Gray, which gives it a modern, sleek feeling.
Soft Sage’s green shows up more, bringing warmth to neutral spaces. Escape Gray reflects light with a refined softness, especially in rooms with cooler undertones.
If you want just a hint of color but prefer a subtle gray feel, Escape Gray is a good pick—maybe for minimalist homes or a modern kitchen. Soft Sage works better if you’re after a lived-in, natural look that pairs well with wood and greenery.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 vs Rosemary SW 6187
Both shades live in the same family of muted greens, but Rosemary (SW 6187) is darker and has a more mature depth. Rosemary mixes in gray and olive, which adds a sophisticated tone—great for accent walls or cabinetry.
Soft Sage stays lighter and airier, so it’s versatile enough for entire rooms without darkening the space. Side by side, Rosemary looks bolder and moodier, while Soft Sage keeps things gentle and calm.
If you want layered dimension, use Rosemary for focal spots and Soft Sage for the surrounding walls. They work together nicely. You could even anchor them with a neutral like Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) for a natural, cohesive palette.
Complementary Colors to Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647
Soft Sage plays well with colors that balance its warm green and subtle gray undertones. Try contrasting shades like coral or blue if you want to liven up a room, or stick with earthy tones for a more harmonious, cozy feel.
The right pairing completely changes the vibe—Soft Sage can feel fresh, cozy, or even bold, depending on what you put next to it.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Coral Clay SW 9005
Coral Clay brings in a soft terracotta warmth that really enhances Soft Sage’s calm green. This combo is perfect if you want a cozy yet refreshing look.
The orange-red in Coral Clay complements Soft Sage’s yellow-green base, so you get a nice balance between cool and warm. Try Coral Clay on accent walls, trim, or even small décor like vases and pillows.
It brightens up Soft Sage without feeling harsh. The mix works in both traditional and modern spaces, honestly.
| Room Type | Recommended Ratio | Lighting Type |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room | 70% Soft Sage, 30% Coral Clay | Natural or warm LED |
| Bedroom | 80% Soft Sage, 20% Coral Clay | Soft white lighting |
Altogether, you get a room that feels lively but still soothing—a blend that makes you want to settle in.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Rainwashed SW 6211
Pairing Soft Sage with Rainwashed gives you an airy, peaceful combo. Rainwashed mixes green and blue with a touch of gray, so it blends easily with Soft Sage’s muted warmth.
They share a natural base, so there’s harmony, but you don’t lose visual interest. In bright rooms, the two look fresh and a bit coastal. In lower light, Rainwashed’s blue undertone softens, giving a misty, relaxed feel.
Try Soft Sage on main walls and Rainwashed on ceilings or cabinets for gentle contrast. Add white or sandy beige details to pull everything together. Woods like pine or oak look great with these tones, too.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Rejuvenate SW 6620
Rejuvenate is a warm, energetic coral-red that brings vibrancy right next to Soft Sage’s calm. This contrast gives a structured, welcoming look—really nice for dining rooms or sitting areas where you want a little bit of boldness, but nothing too wild.
Soft Sage keeps Rejuvenate’s warmth in check, so the room feels natural, not overpowering. Use Rejuvenate for curtains or a rug, and let Soft Sage cover the larger surfaces like walls or cabinets.
Light wood or bronze accents round out the look. Under warm lights, the combo glows softly; in daylight, it feels cheerful and still refined.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Indigo Batik SW 7602
Mixing Soft Sage with Indigo Batik gives you a strong contrast. Indigo Batik is a deep blue with cool undertones, adding a sense of depth to any room.
The pairing feels grounded and classic, letting Soft Sage act as the lighter, soothing touch. Try Indigo Batik on trim, cabinets, or accent furniture. Against Soft Sage walls, those darker details draw the eye without making the space feel heavy.
Lighting really matters here. Soft natural light shows off the green and blue interplay, while warmer light adds a bit of coziness. This combo works especially well in offices, entryways, or kitchens that need contrast but not chaos.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Waterscape SW 6470
Waterscape is a gentle aqua that leans toward turquoise, adding cool brightness next to Soft Sage’s mellow feel. Together, they make a crisp, nature-inspired palette that feels open and fresh.
This duo is great for bathrooms or kitchens. Go with Soft Sage on the walls and Waterscape for cabinets or tile accents. The look stays clean and easy, especially with white countertops or brushed nickel hardware.
If your room gets strong sunlight, the colors shift a bit—Waterscape looks more blue, while Soft Sage’s warm green base stands out. Soft natural light keeps both shades even and soothing.
Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams SW 9647 with Ripe Olive SW 6209
Ripe Olive brings out a rich, dark green that really deepens the soft, mid-tone vibe of Soft Sage. Together, they create a natural, layered look that feels grounded and calm.
Honestly, it’s a bit like how greens show up in nature—timeless and balanced without trying too hard.
Try painting accent walls, doors, or even furniture in Ripe Olive against Soft Sage backgrounds. The contrast is just enough to keep things interesting, but it never shouts for attention.
Add in some brass or cream accents if you want a little extra warmth. Natural materials like leather or stone work beautifully here, especially if you’re aiming for cozy living spaces or a quiet reading nook.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.