Vermilion works as a confident anchor color — best in rooms that can carry visual weight (dining rooms, libraries, accent walls) rather than as a whole-room palette. At LRV 5 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Because it's a fully saturated example, it lands strongest as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than the dominant whole-room color. Skip it where you want a calm, restful feel — red raises visual energy, so it fights bedrooms and small home offices.
Ref. #7E191B · 2914
Vermilion
5%LRV Value
Vermilion Technical Profile
What color is Sherwin-Williams Vermilion (2914)? It's a dark warm red — hex #7E191B, LRV 5. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Vermilion is RAL Brown Red — a very close match. With an LRV of 5, Vermilion creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Pair it with creamy off-whites like Alabaster for trim, walnut or cherry hardwoods, and brass hardware — the warmth keeps reds from feeling clinical. Deep forest green or navy work as bold accent walls. As a fully saturated example, it reads as a confident statement color — best deployed as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than a whole-room dominant. Reds intensify under 2700K-3000K warm bulbs, deepening into wine territory. Under 4000K+ cool LEDs they can read pinker or slightly washed — sample under your actual room lighting before committing. Saturated colors amplify lighting effects more than muted ones: warm bulbs deepen and enrich, cool daylight sharpens and slightly cools the same hex.
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Colors Similar to Vermilion
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Vermilion
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Vermilion
#7E191B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8E633C
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Vermilion
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Vermilion 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 Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Vermilion.
More red colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the red family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Vermilion — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Vermilion from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Vermilion are Brown Red by RAL (a very close match), Purple Red by RAL (a very close match), Spanish Red by Dutch Boy (a very close match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Vermilion's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Vermilion?
Vermilion has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 5.2, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Vermilion
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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Vermilion depends on the room. Here's how to choose.