Garden Sage → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Garden Sage (SW 7736), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Garden Sage
If you love Sherwin Williams Garden Sage 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.
Garden Sage (SW 7736) is a medium-dark green with garden sage undertones. A muted garden sage. Named for the herb. More saturated than Sedate Gray, less dark than Chatroom. A warm, organic sage. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 30) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Garden Sage 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 Seine (VR086F) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Seine captures a similar earthy sage quality. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Garden Sage
Seine captures a similar earthy sage quality.
| Garden Sage | Seine | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 30 | 48 |
| Hex | #A5AD9E | #BEC6BB |
| Undertone | Garden Sage | River Green |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Garden Sage has garden sage undertones. A muted garden sage. Named for the herb. More saturated than Sedate Gray, less dark than Chatroom. A warm, organic sage.
Seine has river green undertones. A soft green named for the Parisian river. Between Sparkling Sage and Mint Julep. Refined and calming, with French sophistication.
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
Garden Sage in Your Room
The sage is earthy and pleasant. In bright rooms, a definite green. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
Seine in Your Room
The green is soft and cultivated. In bright rooms, a gentle sage. In dim rooms, a warm green-gray.
LRV and Brightness
Garden Sage has an LRV of 30, while Seine has an LRV of 48. That means Seine reflects more light. If you switch from Garden Sage to Seine, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Garden Sage
Sherwin Williams recommends Garden Sage for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, exterior, living room. With an LRV of 30, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Seine is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, nursery. 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.
Garden Sage in Other Brands
Looking for Garden Sage equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Garden Sage (SW 7736) is Seine (VR086F) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Seine captures a similar earthy sage quality. 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. Garden Sage is a Sherwin Williams color with garden sage undertones and an LRV of 30. Seine is a Valspar color with river green undertones and an LRV of 48. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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.