Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Brown: Complete Color Review

Looking for a deep brown paint color with a rich, historic feel? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Brown and whether it could be right for your home.

Warm browns are back in a big way, and I love seeing them used more often. Brown can feel warm, grounded, and inviting, yet still classic and polished.

Deep browns can add a moody accent to a space, or they can work as a beautiful neutral backdrop. I especially like colors like this when you want depth but do not want black, charcoal, or navy.

Let’s look at the details of Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Brown so you can decide if it is the right deep chocolate brown for your space.

Rookwood Dark Brown, Sherwin Williams, SW 2808

Rookwood Dark Brown is a deep chocolate brown with historic character. It feels both elegant and relaxed.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Brown

Color Family

Rookwood Dark Brown is in the orange family.

Light Reflectance Value

8

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

With an LRV of 8, Rookwood Dark Brown is a very dark paint color. It will absorb a lot of light, so I would pair it with good lighting, lighter trim, or natural textures to keep the room from feeling too heavy.

RGB Colors

R: 95 G: 77 B: 67

RGB describes the amount of each color, red, green, and blue, present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix used to create the paint color.

Hex Code

#5F4D43

Undertones

Rookwood Dark Brown has warm orange and red undertones, which give it that rich, inviting look.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Rookwood Dark Brown will lean warmer and lighter, looking more brown. It will feel extra cozy in these spaces.

In darker spaces, such as north-facing rooms, it will lean a bit cooler, darker, and more dramatic.

Best Uses

Rookwood Dark Brown can be used as a smart, polished neutral paint color or as a deep, moody accent color.

Some of my favorite places to use Rookwood Dark Brown are:

• Bedrooms, living rooms, or dens
• Fireplace
• Built-ins
• Interior or exterior doors
• Shutters
• Cabinetry or a kitchen island
• Accent wall
• Furniture
• Small bathrooms

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Chateau Brown
• Benjamin Moore French Press
• Behr Roasted Nuts
• Sherwin Williams Sable
• Benjamin Moore Dark Chocolate
• Behr Baronial Brown
• Sherwin Williams Tea Leaf

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Brown

Coordinating Colors

Rookwood Dark Brown pairs beautifully with other warm colors, including lighter browns, oranges, tans, beiges, off-whites, soft whites, golden yellows, and dusty pinks.

It works really well with deeper colors too, such as purples, greens, teals, and blues.

Warm tans:

• Tawny Tan
• Quinoa
• Macadamia
• Bittersweet Stem
• Row House Tan

Mid-toned blue-greens:

• Aquaverde
• Waterscape
• Hazel
• Watery
• Tidewater

Muddy orange-browns:

• Wheat Penny
• Toasty
• Antiquarian Brown
• Brandywine
• Decorous Amber

Trim Colors

Rookwood Dark Brown looks amazing paired with creamy whites for trim. It keeps the overall look fresh while letting the warmth of the brown shine.

Soft white trim colors:

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

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Brown

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Rookwood Dark Brown.

What color is Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Brown?

Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Brown is a deep chocolate brown with warm red and orange undertones. It feels inviting, sophisticated, and historic.

What's the difference: SW Rookwood Dark Brown vs Behr Baronial Brown?

These two deep browns are very close, so this is a good comparison. Rookwood Dark Brown has an LRV of 8, and Behr Baronial Brown has an LRV of 7, so Baronial Brown is just a touch darker.

Rookwood Dark Brown leans a bit more orange. Baronial Brown reads a bit more red, which can make it feel richer and slightly moodier.

If you are choosing between the two, I would swatch them side by side. With colors this close, your room’s lighting will make the final decision much easier.

Is brown a luxury color?

Yes, brown can definitely feel like a luxury color, especially deep, dark browns. A dark brown paint color makes a space feel sophisticated, on-trend, and timeless.

I think brown works so well right now since homes are moving back to warmer colors. Browns work great on front doors, shutters, kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, and more. Endless possibilities!

Swatch a few brown paint colors in your home and see what you think.

What's the difference: SW Rookwood Dark Brown vs Rookwood Medium Brown?

These two colors have similar names, but they are not the same brown. Rookwood Dark Brown has an LRV of 8, and Rookwood Medium Brown has an LRV of 10, so Rookwood Dark Brown is the darker of the two.

Rookwood Dark Brown feels deeper and more chocolatey, with red-orange warmth. Rookwood Medium Brown looks a bit more classic brown and slightly more orange.

I would choose Rookwood Dark Brown if you want a moodier look. Rookwood Medium Brown is still dark, but it gives you a little more softness, so swatching both will help you choose the one that feels better in your space.

What color trim goes with Rookwood Dark Brown paint?

Rookwood Dark Brown pairs beautifully with soft whites for trim. My favorites are Behr Cameo White, Sherwin Williams Alabaster, or Benjamin Moore White Dove.

Is Rookwood Dark Brown too dark?

With an LRV of 8, Rookwood Dark Brown is a dark paint color, but it’s not the darkest paint color. It’s rich without leaning into black.

In brighter rooms, Rookwood Dark Brown will appear slightly lighter and show more warmth. In rooms without a lot of natural light, it will feel darker and more dramatic.

I would swatch it on more than one wall and look at it morning, afternoon, and evening.

Thanks for reading!