Sedate Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Sedate Gray (SW 6169), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Sedate Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Sedate Gray 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.
Sedate Gray (SW 6169) is a medium-dark green with calm sage-gray undertones. A calm sage-gray at medium depth. More restrained than Clary Sage, less dark than Chatroom. Named for its quiet, composed character. A sophisticated mid-tone neutral with green undertones. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 31) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Sedate Gray 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 good news: there is a strong Valspar match for Sedate Gray. Bonsai (VR093B) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Bonsai is the closest Valspar option at LRV 32. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Sedate Gray
Bonsai is the closest Valspar option at LRV 32. Very close match.
| Sedate Gray | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 31 | 32 |
| Hex | #A8AAA2 | #A7AE9F |
| Undertone | Calm Sage-Gray | Medium Sage |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Sedate Gray has calm sage-gray undertones. A calm sage-gray at medium depth. More restrained than Clary Sage, less dark than Chatroom. Named for its quiet, composed character. A sophisticated mid-tone neutral with green undertones.
Bonsai has medium sage undertones. A medium sage green with the organic, cultivated quality of a bonsai tree. More saturated than Sparkling Sage, less dark than Cathedral Stone.
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
Sedate Gray in Your Room
The sage-gray is composed and quiet. In bright rooms, the green shows softly. In dim rooms, a warm gray. Reliably calm.
Bonsai in Your Room
The sage is natural and organic. In bright rooms, a definite green. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
LRV and Brightness
Sedate Gray has an LRV of 31, while Bonsai has an LRV of 32. 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 Sedate Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Sedate Gray for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, exterior. With an LRV of 31, 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.
Bonsai is recommended for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, exterior. 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.
Sedate Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Sedate Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Sedate Gray (SW 6169) is Bonsai (VR093B) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Bonsai is the closest Valspar option at LRV 32. 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. Sedate Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with calm sage-gray undertones and an LRV of 31. Bonsai is a Valspar color with medium sage undertones and an LRV of 32. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, 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 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.