Ref. #78738B · 1173-6
Plum Shade
18%LRV Value
Cool (Violet)Undertone
Plum Shade Technical Profile
What color is Plum Shade? It's a deep warm gray with the hex code #78738B. Colors similar to Plum Shade include Hirshfield's Dancing In The Spring, Vista Paint Suzette, Vista Paint Dancing in the Spring. Plum Shade has a cool (violet) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 18, Plum Shade creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Plum Shade pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Plum Shade
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Plum Shade
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Plum Shade
#78738B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A184AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Plum Shade
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Plum Shade Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Plum Shade.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Plum Shade — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Plum Shade have?
Plum Shade by PPG has a cool (violet) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Plum Shade from other brands?
The closest matches are Dancing In The Spring by Hirshfield's (#7B7289), Suzette by Vista Paint (#7C7791), Dancing in the Spring by Vista Paint (#7B7288). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Plum Shade?
Plum Shade has an LRV of 18.1, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Plum Shade
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Plum Shade's cool (violet) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.