Laurel Garland → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Behr Laurel Garland (PPU11-09), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Laurel Garland
If you love Behr Laurel Garland but need a PPG alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers PPG, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Laurel Garland (PPU11-09) is a medium-dark green with dark sage undertones. A dark, muted sage green. Deeper than Sage Wisdom, lighter than In The Moment. The rich, earthy green of dried laurel leaves. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 23) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Laurel Garland and every PPG color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The good news: there is a strong PPG match for Laurel Garland. Elf (PPG1131-5) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Elf is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Laurel Garland
Elf is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
| Laurel Garland | Elf | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 23 | 25 |
| Hex | #969E91 | #99A698 |
| Undertone | Dark Sage | Medium Sage |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Laurel Garland has dark sage undertones. A dark, muted sage green. Deeper than Sage Wisdom, lighter than In The Moment. The rich, earthy green of dried laurel leaves.
Elf has medium sage undertones. A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Laurel Garland in Your Room
In bright rooms, the sage is earthy and grounding. In dim rooms, reads as a warm dark gray-green. A solid mid-dark sage.
Elf in Your Room
In bright rooms, a definite sage. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
LRV and Brightness
Laurel Garland has an LRV of 23, while Elf has an LRV of 25. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Laurel Garland
Behr recommends Laurel Garland for: kitchen, accent wall, exterior, office, bedroom. With an LRV of 23, this is a medium-dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Elf is recommended for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, exterior, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Elf in the same rooms you planned for Laurel Garland.
Laurel Garland in Other Brands
Looking for Laurel Garland equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Laurel Garland (PPU11-09) is Elf (PPG1131-5) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Elf is the closest PPG option. Very close match. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Laurel Garland is a Behr color with dark sage undertones and an LRV of 23. Elf is a PPG color with medium sage undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 2.3, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.