Sherwin Williams Macadamia: Complete Color Review

If you’re looking for a soft brownish beige that feels warm and welcoming, Sherwin Williams Macadamia is worth checking out. It’s a neutral that makes a room feel cozy and complete without being boring.

Beige is making a comeback, and I’m happy about it. This isn’t the plain beige from the 90s.

Macadamia is richer and more inviting, the kind of color that adds warmth but still looks stylish.

Warm beiges are a great option if you want a neutral backdrop but still want warm, rich walls. They also pair easily with lots of other paint colors and finishes.

So let’s get into the details of Sherwin Williams Macadamia and see if it's the right shade for your home.

Macadamia, Sherwin Williams, SW 6142

Macadamia is a warm brownish beige that feels rich but still welcoming. It’s a great neutral if you want your space to feel grounded and comfortable.

Try it in your living room or kitchen.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Macadamia

Color Family

Macadamia is in the yellow family.

Light Reflectance Value

49

Macadamia has an LRV of 49. On the scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white), that puts it right in the middle. It’s not a light color, but it’s not heavy either.

In bright rooms, it has enough depth to keep from washing out. But if you’re after something really light and airy, this may not be the one.

RGB Colors

R: 204 G: 183 B: 155

These numbers show how much red, green, and blue are in the color, on a scale from 0 to 255.

Hex Code

#CCB79B

Undertones

Macadamia has golden yellow / orange and slight gray undertones.

In a sunny, south-facing room, it looks warmer and more beige, sometimes leaning a little yellow. In north-facing rooms with less light, it shifts cooler and more neutral.

In small, dark spaces, it can even look a bit dingy. I’ve seen this happen before, which is why I always check colors in the actual space.

Best Uses

Macadamia is a great neutral that works in a lot of different spaces. If it matches your style, try it in:

• A whole house paint color
• Living rooms
• A kitchen, paired with very light or very dark cabinetry
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Lamb's Wool
• Benjamin Moore Warm Sand
• Behr Wildwood
• Sherwin Williams Quinoa
• Benjamin Moore Stone House
• Behr Practical Tan
• Sherwin Williams Whole Wheat

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Macadamia

Coordinating Colors

Macadamia is neutral enough that it pairs with lots of colors. It looks great next to blues and greens, but also works with warm earthy shades like beiges, greiges, browns, and soft whites.

If you want specific ideas, try these:

Mid-toned red-oranges:

• Roycroft Adobe
• Foxy
• Cavern Clay
• Red Cent
• Peppery

Deep blues:

• Naval
• Anchors Aweigh
• In the Navy
• After the Storm
• Sea Mariner

Muted green-blue-grays:

• Halcyon Green
• Quietude
• Jasper Stone
• Calico
• Eventide

Trim Colors

You’ve got two ways you can go with trim when using Macadamia. For a crisp, high-contrast look, pair it with a bright white:

Bright white trim colors:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

If you’d rather keep the look softer and warmer, go with a gentle white instead:

Soft white trim colors:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Macadamia

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Macadamia.

What are the undertones of Sherwin Williams Macadamia?

Sherwin Williams Macadamia is a brownish beige with golden yellow / orange and slight gray undertones.

What is the color code for Macadamia?

The color code for Sherwin Williams Macadamia is SW 6142. Its hex code is #CCB79B, which can be useful if you’re working on a digital design or mood board.

What colors go with Sherwin Williams Macadamia?

Macadamia is neutral enough that it pairs well with lots of colors. It looks especially nice with shades of blue and green, or with red-oranges and earthy neutrals like beige, greige, brown, and soft white.

Some of my favorite pairings are:

• Sherwin Williams Roycroft Adobe: a warm mid-toned red
• Sherwin Williams Naval: a rich deep blue
• Sherwin Williams Halcyon Green: a muted blue-green

Just remember to swatch them on your wall first before you go all in!

What's the difference: SW Macadamia vs Kilim Beige?

Macadamia and Kilim Beige are both warm beige neutrals, but Macadamia is the darker of the two. It has an LRV of 49 compared to Kilim Beige’s 57.

This means Kilim Beige will read a little lighter and softer on the wall. I’ve compared the two, and the difference is clear when you see them together swatched on a wall.

How does SW Macadamia look in different settings?

In rooms with lots of natural light, like south-facing spaces, Macadamia looks warmer and more beige, sometimes even showing a yellow hint.

In darker spaces, such as north-facing rooms or basements, it tends to look cooler and more neutral. In very small or shadowy rooms, it can sometimes look a little flat or dingy.

What's the difference: SW Macadamia vs Nomadic Desert?

Nomadic Desert is slightly darker, with an LRV of 46 compared to Macadamia’s 49. Both are warm beiges, but they show different undertones.

Nomadic Desert leans more orange, while Macadamia leans more yellow. These shifts show up more in warm light, like a sunny south-facing room.

Seeing them side by side in your own space is the easiest way to pick the one that feels right for you.

Thanks for reading!