Bitter Sage

Technical Profile

What color is Bitter Sage? It's a light cool green with the hex code #8EB48A. Colors similar to Bitter Sage include MPC Mint Green Met., Valspar Green Goddess, PPG Chatty Cricket. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Bitter Sage has a cool (green) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Bitter Sage (#8EB48A) by Behr is a light green paint color with a gentle, subdued character. It delivers a bright, welcoming quality that keeps interiors feeling fresh. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, green is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle earthy, organic quality even under different lighting conditions. Its Light Reflectance Value of 66 means it reflects a healthy amount of light, keeping spaces bright without feeling stark. Light sage and mint greens feel fresh in kitchens, guest bedrooms, and garden-view rooms. Eggshell or satin finishes complement light tones nicely, balancing a subtle sheen with durability for high-traffic areas. For color coordination, Bitter Sage pairs beautifully with magenta tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring green and green hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its cool (green) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Behr is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from MPC, Valspar, PPG and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Bitter Sage offers a breezy, coastal serenity that keeps spaces feeling clean and refreshed. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for organic modern, biophilic, and mid-century aesthetics. As part of the Behr palette, Bitter Sage benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Bitter Sage can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. This tone works well alongside natural textures like jute rugs, bleached wood, ceramic tile, and woven baskets, building an inviting, tactile space. You can order Bitter Sage (N390-4) directly from Behr or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.