Sherwin-Williams Elephant Ear is a muted, mid-tone neutral that sits perfectly between a warm gray and a soft taupe. With its earthy depth, it grounds a room and pairs beautifully with crisp white trims.
Will Elephant Ear clash with your room?
Paint Technical Profile
| Color ID / SKU | SW 9168 |
| HEX Code | #988F85 |
| Light Reflectance (LRV) | 28 |
| Temperature | Warm |
| Primary Undertone | Taupe |
| Hidden Undertones | Brown, Gray |
| Use | Interior, Exterior |
| Best Exposures | South, West |
| Best For | Exteriors, kitchen cabinets, cozy bedrooms, accent walls |
Digital Visualizations & Applications Explore curated design concepts and coordinating palettes.
Digital exterior test: This warm greige siding hue modeled alongside copper gutters and a whitewashed brick foundation.
Design Specifications
- Lighting Exposure:Overcast soft daylight
- Trim Color:SW Alabaster
- Roofing:Charcoal architectural shingles
- Accents:Copper gutters
- Masonry:Whitewashed brick foundation
Complementary Paint Colors
Concept rendering: Visualizing a mid-tone taupe on kitchen cabinetry paired with reclaimed terracotta tile floors.
Design Specifications
- Lighting Exposure:Bright natural light from large casement windows
- Wall Color:SW Snowbound
- Countertop:Soapstone
- Hardware:Brushed nickel cup pulls
- Flooring:Reclaimed terracotta tiles
Complementary Paint Colors
Digital color study: A rich mushroom tone applied to bedroom walls, accented by dark smoked oak flooring.
Design Specifications
- Lighting Exposure:Dim, moody evening lamp light
- Coordinating Color:SW Urbane Bronze
- Textiles:Charcoal velvet and washed linen
- Wood Tones:Dark smoked oak
- Accent Metals:Antique brass
Complementary Paint Colors
Material visualization: Testing this earthy gray-brown as a focal wall against light maple planks and cognac leather.
Design Specifications
- Lighting Exposure:Directional spotlighting highlighting texture
- Main Wall Color:SW Extra White
- Flooring:Light maple planks
- Furniture:Cognac leather lounge chair
- Styling Props:Large potted fiddle leaf fig
Complementary Paint Colors
Room Compatibility & Clashes Diagnoses
Hackrea's reports evaluating the compatibility of Elephant Ear in real rooms.No compatibility tests for Elephant Ear yet.
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Closest Cross-Brand Equivalents
The absolute closest scientific color matches for Elephant Ear across top paint brands.