Your BEST Green? SW Evergreen Fog 9130 Color Review (2024)

Read all about Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog 9130, plus see it used in 17 real homes!

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog SW 9130 is a medium sage green with strong gray undertones. It’s a great go-to neutral for anyone who wants to add rejuvenating color to a room.

Calling all fans of muted green! You’re going to want to pay attention to this color.

Cool grays once ruled the design world, and (I’m happy to say) recently, greiges have taken over as top dogs. Thankfully, there’s always space to add some color in this “neutrals rule” world.

What’s better than a color that acts neutral? Um, nothing.

I’ve always loved shades of blues, but lately, I’ve been drawn toward grounding and restorative muted greens. Sage greens have gray (and often blue) undertones that deliver the best of worlds by offering a splash of color in a toned-down way.

When you want to add a vibe of natural tranquility to your home, check out my top sage green colors. Today, I’m highlighting one of my favorites in more detail. Say hello to Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog!

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What color is Evergreen Fog?

I’m excited that this gorgeous neutral was able to stand out from the sea of green when it was selected as the 2022 Color of the Year. The Sherwin-Williams company describes this stand-out member of the green color family as a “versatile, chameleon color (that) will breathe a calming freshness into your space.”

While some color descriptions say almost nothing about a color, this one says more than most, especially when you read further and see that it’s described as a “gorgeous green-meets-gray with just a bit of blue.”

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Acting as a neutral, Evergreen Fog takes a different approach from Sherwin Williams 2021 Color Of The Year Urbane Bronze SW 7048 because it offers a bit of fresh color.

Not too different from Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay, today’s shade provides a subtle earthy yet stunning sophistication that will elevate any room. And this subtle yet stunning statement shade can provide a natural feel that many of us long for in our indoor spaces.

Plus, it’s timeless, versatile, and oh-so shifty (in the best of ways). If you add this shade to your home, it’ll hold your interest for years to come.

But will it shine in YOUR home? SW Evergreen Fog’s best qualities can also be its biggest drawbacks in the wrong environment. Let’s learn more to see if it’s right for you.

Do you want to be happy with your paint color picks, instead of living in a house of paint color regrets? Grab your free copy of “5 Mistakes People Make When Picking Paint Color” so you can avoid these all too common pitfalls! Click here , or on the picture below, and I’ll email your copy right now!

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FAQs about Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog Undertones

Evergreen Fog is in the green family and has strong gray undertones along with some subtle blue and green undertones.

Colors that shimmy and change as much as Evergreen Fog can throw out some surprises in different types of lighting. That’s why if there’s ONE thing you take from this post, it’s to use peel-and-stick paint swatches to help you choose your final color.

With these paint swatches, you won’t worry about discovering any surprises after you cover your walls in paint! And this type of swatch is so easy to remove and reposition without damaging your drywall that it’s simple to check how the color truly behaves in multiple places.

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How Different Types of Lighting Affect Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog

The sun moving across the sky may help plants grow, but it can wreak absolute havoc on interior paint colors as it draws out certain undertones at different times of the day.

Pro Tip: No paint color will appear the same at two different times of the day or on multiple walls because varying light colors impact it too much.

When to Avoid SW Evergreen Fog

In many spaces, Evergreen Fog reads neutral and muted. Since it’s a medium to deep shade, it’s not an ideal choice in a room with low or no natural lighting (unless you’re going for the cave look).

Also, avoid pairing this color with shades that have violet undertones. Trust me.

Best Coordinating Colors for Evergreen Fog

Lighting isn’t the only major factor in how a shade appears. Coordinating colors can play a significant role too, and Evergreen Fog is a prime example.

Although it usually acts neutral, it can lean cool when paired with cool, bright whites, blues, or cool grays. In contrast, it can cool down warm shades such as creamy whites or earthy colors like terracotta.

Personally, I love seeing green hues and earthier tones like this one paired with warm whites. It creates such a rich color palette, especially when organic materials like woods and leathers, and metals like champagne gold or warm brass are added into the mix.

Many cool grays and greiges (warm or cool) work well with Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog, and it’s glorious when paired with warm wood tones!

Trim Colors to Use with Evergreen Fog

My favorite trim colors to pair with this shade are Alabaster, Shoji White, and White Dove. Swiss Coffee and the cooler Pure White can also look amazing, depending on your desired look.

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Psychology of Going Green

There’s no doubt that different colors can make us feel different ways. From a color psychology standpoint, common moods and feelings associated with and evoked by the color green include:

Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) LRV

Let’s take a detour to the nerdy side for a moment and investigate the numerical aspects of this shade.

LRV = Light Reflectance Value (also sometimes called the “light reflective value). This is a number that falls between 0 and 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

Lower numbers indicate paint colors that absorb more light and appear darker. Conversely, higher numbers indicate brighter-looking shades because they reflect more light. Most paint colors sit somewhere between 3 and 93 on the scale.

The LRV of Evergreen Fog = 30

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This value indicates that Evergreen Fog is a medium to dark shade. In real life, it often doesn’t appear very dark in rooms with good natural light. However, this rich color offers tons of body and will never look washed out.

But before you slap it on your walls, know that some people will find it looks too deep in rooms that have little or no natural light.

SW Evergreen Fog Compared to Other Colors

Just like you can’t find your favorite pair of jeans without testing several styles, picking paint colors isn’t any different! Let’s compare a few similar gray-green shades with Evergreen Fog to help narrow down your list of top choices.

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog vs. Clary Sage

Comparing these beautiful sage greens side-by-side is a little like comparing oranges to grapefruit. They both belong to the same family but have some big differences.

Clary Sage (SW 6178) offers great contrast since it’s much brighter (LRV of 41) and leans warmer thanks to some strong yellow undertones. It’s a smart choice for rooms that don’t have good natural light or areas where you want to add warmth.

Evergreen Fog is the color you want when you crave a restful retreat or neutral and toned-down pop of color.

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SW Evergreen Fog vs. Retreat

Evergreen Fog and Retreat (SW 6207) have similar undertones (Retreat has deeper gray undertones), but its LRV of 21 makes Retreat appear much darker and less colorful than Evergreen Fog.

Use Evergreen Fog in spaces where you want a noticeable pop of color, and save Retreat for bright rooms that you want to tone down or places where you want a neutral shade with just a hint of green.

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Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog vs. Acacia Haze

Evergreen Fog and Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze (SW 9132) are the two closest colors in our comparison regarding saturation levels. With an LRV of 32, Acacia Haze appears nearly identical in depth to Evergreen Fog.

That, however, is where the similarities end because Acacia Haze doesn’t have the yellow undertones that Evergreen Fog does. If you want a slightly cooler (and bluer) sage green, pick Acacia Haze.

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17 Real Life Homes Using Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog

Now it’s time to have some fun – in the only way that gives you a clear sense of how colors truly behave. While you’ll definitely want to try out a swatch in the actual room you want to paint in your home, here are some real-life examples of Evergreen Fog to inspire you.

If these walls could talk, here’s what you might hear.

SW Evergreen Fog Living Rooms

A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.

1. Chic and Tranquil

This room from D2 Studio & Co highlights everything I LOVE about Evergreen Fog! This color adds a restful vibe yet is super chic when paired with light neutrals. Stunning!

2. Neutral with Warm Tones

What do you get when you mix cool gray-green with warm brown and wood tones? A balanced and beautiful room like this one from Comfort and Grace Home!

3. Organic Tranquility

Evergreen Fog provides a gorgeous background of serene color that balances out all the wood and warm copper tones in this room from Rebecca and Genevieve. Look at the gorgeous German Smear on the fireplace – oh, baby, light my fire!

Bedrooms Using Sage Green Paint

In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.

4. Gorgeous with Neutrals

Shiplap is always beautiful and chic, and it even takes this shade to a whole new level. The light neutral tones in this bedroom from Blesser House let Evergreen Fog shine and keep the room feeling bright and spacious.

5. Restorative Respite from Daily Stress

Like some of the other images we’ve already seen, SG Style Blog pairs Evergreen Fog with neutrals and natural elements. What makes this image stand out is the color’s versatility because it’s terrific in a boho-style room!

6. Deep and Peaceful

What do you want to do the most in a nursery? Well, I would say encourage a baby to sleep! This nursery from Simplify the Chaos hits the mark.

Notice the hint of yellow? That’s thanks to the lighting combined with the influence of the warm brown tones.

7. Sophisticated Sage

Evergreen Fog’s strong gray and subtle blue undertones are on full display in this bedroom from Thistlewood Farms. I love my blue bedroom, but this image makes me seriously consider a sage makeover!

8. Playful Backdrop

If you’re feeling more playful than elegant, Kelle Hampton shows off Evergreen Fog’s versatility. Paint is an easy way to improve the entire vibe of a room.

Imagine this room with white walls…it still would be awesome, but this great sage green gives it a really playful personality while still acting relatively neutral.

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog Kitchens

For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).

9. Farmhouse Beauty

Although this kitchen from Kindred Interiors would have been beautiful in white and gray-toned neutrals, sage green adds just the right amount of color and personality to make it feel like home.

10. Bridges the Gap Between Warm and Cool Tones

There are many warm-toned elements in this kitchen from Painted by Kayla Payne. The creamy walls and earthy accents would not look like they belong with the cooler elements (appliances and backsplash) without Evergreen Fog to bridge them together.

11. Hello, Blue Undertones

These kitchen cabinets from Schue Love show off this shade’s blue side in a way I’ve never seen anywhere else. The bright light combined with the cool, gray-toned flooring and crisp white paint encourages those blue undertones to come out to play. And I gotta say, I’m loving it.

Sage Green Bathrooms

Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.

12. Perfect for Vanities

The trick with small bathrooms is to make them feel more spacious, which very dark colors can struggle to accomplish. This bathroom from Rocky Canyon Rustic makes great use of Evergreen Fog to add a subtle pop of color and make this small space feel airy.

13. Bold and Beautiful

Probably This took a different approach and used Evergreen Fog on the upper part of the wall and ceiling (and the door!). Since the majority of the wall space is white, the bathroom feels more spacious than it actually is, while the bold green up above adds visual interest.

Home Offices Painted Evergreen Fog

14. Retreat to Nature

Green is a very grounding shade…a color of nature. The brilliant use of Evergreen Fog in this room (the ceiling, too!) from Vintage Revivals offers a neutral background to highlight all the gorgeous plants.

15. Light in Bright Light

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog can appear deep and rich in rooms with low levels of light. But it has enough saturation to hold its own in this very bright and stunning home office from Clark and Aldine.

The gray undertones let it play the part of neutral so the other design elements can stand out.

SW Evergreen Fog in Other Homes

16. Laundry Room Personality

Does your laundry room need a little personality? I love The Wild Decoelis‘s choice to paint the cabinets! White paint and wood tones balance this room out.

17. Bold and Sophisticated Mudroom

Winland Designs created a beautiful mudroom through the use of dark sage built-ins, gold pulls, and wood tones. It’s dark (but not too dark) and timeless.

Put a cork in it because this color review is done! I hope you enjoyed exploring Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog and found it helpful to look at real examples of it in 17 beautiful homes, featured in various design styles and spaces.

I hope that this has helped you to decide whether this organic color, this gorgeous green, this fresh hue that’s a very trendy, popular choice right now could also be the perfect choice for your own home.

Remember to get samples to put on your walls! Tiny paint chips are too small, and photos on a computer screen can provide assistance for ruling out colors, but they can’t show you how a particular color will truly appear in your home.

As far as sampling goes, I highly recommend these mess-free, re-usable, re-positionable peel and stick paint samples ⤵

Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!

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