Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme: A Color for Every Mood
I will show you everything you need to know about Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme SW 6186, a paint color that makes homes feel calmer and more organized.
This earthy green shade has won over homeowners and designers because it works in many spaces.
From kitchens to bedrooms, inside to outside – it fits everywhere! This color transforms plain walls into stunning focal points and dated cabinets into modern masterpieces.
Are you looking for a color that makes a statement without shouting? Do you want something that feels fresh but won’t go out of style next year? Dried Thyme hits the sweet spot between bold and subtle, modern and timeless.
Let’s explore what makes this mid-toned green so special and how you can use it to create a home that feels both on-trend and personal.
What is Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme?
Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme (SW 6186) is a mid-toned green paint color that brings a touch of nature indoors.
This shade offers the perfect balance between muted and noticeable, making it an ideal choice for those who want color without going too bold. Its earthy undertones create a sense of calm in any space.
Looking at the color details, Dried Thyme has a HEX code of #7B8070 and an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 21. This places it firmly in the medium range – not too light or dark.
The color contains hints of gray that help it feel more subtle than a true green, giving it that soft, sage-like quality.
Why is it a Color for Every Mood?
Dried Thyme adjusts to various moods and settings, making it adaptable for home design. This green creates a peaceful backdrop when you want a space to feel calm and collected.
If you’re aiming for a touch of class, it delivers a refined look without trying too hard.
The color’s natural qualities bring the outdoors inside, connecting your living space to nature. This connection helps create rooms that feel grounded and honest rather than artificial or forced.
The green tone reminds us of plants and herbs, adding a fresh feeling to the interiors.
Fits Multiple Design Styles
Dried Thyme’s greatest strength is its ability to work with different design styles. In modern spaces, it adds warmth to balance sleek lines and minimal decor.
In farmhouse settings, it complements wooden beams and vintage items. For rustic homes, it enhances natural materials like stone and wood.
Interior and Exterior Applications: A Mood for Every Space
Dried Thyme’s true value is revealed by seeing how well it works in different rooms and spaces. This versatile color shifts its personality based on where and how you use it, creating thought-out and pulled-together spaces.
Let’s examine how this adaptable green works throughout the home.
1. Living Room
Dried Thyme creates a nature-inspired space that feels comforting and put together in living rooms. The color makes a room feel lived-in from day one, avoiding that stark, just-painted look many colors have. I find it brings a sense of history even to brand-new walls.
As a feature wall behind a fireplace or sofa, the color adds depth without stealing attention from your furniture. When used on all four walls, it creates a cocoon-like feeling that still feels open rather than closed.
This makes it perfect for both small and large living spaces.
2. Bedroom
Your bedroom should feel like a retreat; Dried Thyme helps create that peaceful feeling. The color softens the environment, making it perfect for restful sleep. The room is dark enough to feel cozy but not so dark that it feels small.
With neutral bedding in creams or whites, the green walls create a perfect modern and timeless backdrop. Layer in organic textures like linen curtains, wool throws, or rattan lamp shades to enhance the natural feel.
Add velvet pillows in rust or gold tones for a touch of luxury.
3. Kitchen
Kitchens painted with Dried Thyme feel current without chasing trends. The color works most stunningly on cabinetry, offering a fresh take on white kitchens without going too bold. An island painted in this shade becomes a focal point that grounds the room.
The color blends perfectly with white quartz countertops, creating a clean contrast. Brass or bronze hardware pops against the green cabinets, adding warmth to the space.
The green enhances these organic touches if you have natural wood elements like open shelving or bar stools.
4. Bathroom
Turn your bathroom into a personal spa with Dried Thyme walls or vanities. The color works beautifully with marble surfaces, creating a high-end look that feels classic and fresh. Pair with soft gray towels and natural wood accents for a complete look.
Use the color on an accent wall behind a freestanding tub for a striking effect. The color creates a sense of being surrounded by nature while you soak.
On vanity cabinets offer a touch of personality without dating your bathroom design.
5. House Exteriors
Dried Thyme makes a statement on home exteriors while still fitting in with natural surroundings. It’s dark enough to withstand bright sunlight, which can wash out lighter colors.
The color pairs well with white trim for a classic look or black accents for a more modern approach.
Stone or brick elements work harmoniously with this green, as the color pulls from natural elements found in these materials. For a cohesive look, carry some of this color to outdoor furniture or planters.
Comparing Dried Thyme to Similar Shades
When choosing the perfect green for your home, it helps to see how Dried Thyme stacks up against other popular Sherwin-Williams colors.
Small differences in shade can change the entire feel of a room, so let’s look at how this versatile green compares to its color cousins.
Dried Thyme vs. Rosemary
Dried Thyme and Rosemary (SW 6187) come from the same color family, but Rosemary takes a deeper dive into richness. With an LRV of 14 compared to Dried Thyme’s 21, Rosemary appears notably darker on walls.
This makes Dried Thyme the more versatile option for most spaces.
While both colors share green undertones, Rosemary contains more gray and feels more muted. In contrast, Dried Thyme maintains more of its color identity, allowing its green to shine through more clearly.
If your space gets limited natural light, Dried Thyme might be the better choice, as it won’t absorb as much light as Rosemary.
Dried Thyme vs. Evergreen Fog
Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) gained fame as Sherwin Williams’ 2022 Color of the Year and shares some qualities with Dried Thyme. With an LRV of 30, Evergreen Fog appears noticeably lighter than Dried Thyme on your walls.
It leans more heavily into its gray undertones, making it read almost as a green-tinted neutral in some lights.
Dried Thyme maintains more of its green identity in all lighting conditions, while Evergreen Fog can shift dramatically based on the light. In north-facing rooms, Evergreen Fog might look almost gray, while Dried Thyme more consistently retains its character.
Dried Thyme vs. Retreat
Retreat (SW 6207) has the same LRV as Dried Thyme (21), meaning they share similar depth and lightness. However, they differ in their undertones and overall character.
Retreat appears cooler and more gray than Dried Thyme, which maintains warmer, earthier qualities.
In a side-by-side comparison, Dried Thyme looks more decidedly green, while Retreat is a green-influenced neutral.
Dried Thyme tends to make more of a color statement in a room, whereas Retreat blends more seamlessly with other colors.
Conclusion
What makes Dried Thyme SW 6186 so special? It’s a rare paint color that works across styles, rooms, and lighting conditions without feeling like a compromise.
If you’ve been looking for a green that offers character without overwhelming your space, this mid-toned shade delivers.
Its versatility means you can start small—perhaps on a piece of furniture or accent wall—and expand its use as you fall in love with its subtle depth.
Remember to test a sample in your own space before committing. How light plays in your home will reveal Dried Thyme’s unique personality in your environment.
Ready to bring this adaptable green into your home? Whether on kitchen cabinets, bedroom walls, or your front door, Dried Thyme offers that perfect balance of timeless appeal and fresh style.
