Chatroom → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Chatroom (SW 6171), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Chatroom
If you love Sherwin Williams Chatroom but need a Valspar 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 Valspar, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Chatroom (SW 6171) is a dark green with earthy sage undertones. An earthy sage green at medium-dark depth. More muted than Rosemary, deeper than Acacia Haze. The kind of green you find in dried herbs and weathered garden sheds. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 18) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Chatroom and every Valspar 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Tidal Basin (VR091A) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Chatroom
Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Chatroom | Tidal Basin | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 17 |
| Hex | #858D80 | #788C90 |
| Undertone | Earthy Sage | Medium Teal-Blue |
| Family | Green | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Chatroom has earthy sage undertones. An earthy sage green at medium-dark depth. More muted than Rosemary, deeper than Acacia Haze. The kind of green you find in dried herbs and weathered garden sheds.
Tidal Basin has medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Chatroom's earthy sage quality may read differently than Tidal Basin's medium teal-blue character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Chatroom in Your Room
In bright light, the sage is earthy and organic. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm dark gray with green undertones. A versatile, natural color.
Tidal Basin in Your Room
In bright light, the teal-blue character is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray mutes it into a sophisticated dark neutral. Under warm light, it feels moody and inviting.
LRV and Brightness
Chatroom has an LRV of 18, while Tidal Basin has an LRV of 17. 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 Chatroom
Sherwin Williams recommends Chatroom for: exterior, kitchen, bedroom, accent wall, office. With an LRV of 18, this is a 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.
Tidal Basin is recommended for: accent wall, bedroom, office, bathroom, dining room. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Chatroom in Other Brands
Looking for Chatroom equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Chatroom (SW 6171) is Tidal Basin (VR091A) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. 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. Chatroom is a Sherwin Williams color with earthy sage undertones and an LRV of 18. Tidal Basin is a Valspar color with medium teal-blue undertones and an LRV of 17. With a Delta E of 3.7, 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 3.7, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar 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.