Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn: A Complete Color Review

Need the perfect dark red paint color for your home? Let's talk about Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn and see if it might be right for you.

I'm loving the dark, moody color trend happening right now. A deep color can completely transform how a room feels. It brings drama, warmth, and so much personality all at once.

Red is powerful. It brings energy and confidence. But not all reds are loud or bright. Some are deeper and way calmer. Dark Auburn is one of those. It's rich and bold, but it also feels warm and grounded.

If you want something dark that doesn't feel too flashy, Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn a great option.

Dark Auburn, Sherwin Williams, SW 6034

Dark Auburn is a deep, dark red. I think it's perfect for adding sophistication and warmth to any room.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Dark Auburn

Color Family

Dark Auburn is in the red family.

Light Reflectance Value

5

Light Reflectance Value tells you how much light a paint color reflects. The scale goes from 0 to 100. Zero is pure black. One hundred is pure white.

With an LRV of 5, Dark Auburn is an extremely dark paint color.

RGB Colors

R: 90 G: 53 B: 50

RGB just shows how much red, green, and blue are mixed to create the color. Each number runs from 0 to 255.

You can see this shade leans heavily red, but the mix keeps it earthy. That's why it feels more like a deep auburn than a bright red.

Hex Code

#5A3532

Undertones

Dark Auburn has strong brown undertones. That brown base is what makes it feel warm and sophisticated instead of loud.

In rooms with a lot of natural light, especially south-facing rooms, you’ll see that Dark Auburn looks a bit brighter and redder. But its brown undertones keep it from feeling too intense or overwhelming.

In darker rooms like north-facing spaces, it will deepen and feel extra moody. I actually love it in cozy spaces where you want that rich, wrapped-in-color feeling.

Best Uses

Dark Auburn is perfect when you want to make a statement.

You could use it for a bold accent wall, a cozy dining room, a dramatic powder room, or a home office with personality.

If you're feeling confident, you could even try color drenching. That means painting the walls, trim, and maybe even the ceiling the same shade. It creates a rich, cozy look that feels very custom.

Dark Auburn is also a great choice for:

• Other small rooms
• Exterior doors
• Furniture
• Lower cabinets or a kitchen island
• Creating a focal point, such as a fireplace
• Built-ins
• Shutters
• Bathrooms
• Foyers

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Sommelier
• Benjamin Moore Bewitched
• Behr Cimarron
• Sherwin Williams Cordovan
• Benjamin Moore Nicolson Red
• Behr Chipotle Paste
• Sherwin Williams Fiery Brown

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Dark Auburn

Coordinating Colors

Dark Auburn pairs beautifully with neutrals. Think crisp white, creamy tan, greige, soft gray, or even black.

If you want more color, it also works well with sunny yellows, light blues, greens, oranges, and soft pinks.

Dark Auburn was also included in the 2026 color palette as one of nine coordinating colors for the Sherwin Williams Color of the Year, Universal Khaki.

Other coordinating shades included White Snow, Cream and Sugar, Lemon Chiffon, Henna Shade, Dark Auburn, Limestone, Garden Gate, and Watery.

Whites with a violet undertone:

• Cultured Pearl
• Gauzy White
• Dreamy White
• Hush White

Mid-tone neutrals:

• Universal Khaki
• Accessible Beige
• Portico
• Khaki Shade
• Sleepy Owlet

Sunny yellows:

• Lemon Chiffon
• Full Moon
• Friendly Yellow
• Lily
• They call it Mellow

Trim Colors

For trim, I would choose a crisp white. That clean contrast makes the deep red stand out and keeps the room feeling fresh.

My favorite bright white trim colors to pair with it are:

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

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Dark Auburn

FAQs

Here are some common questions I get about Dark Auburn.

What color trim goes with SW Dark Auburn?

Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn looks beautiful with a crisp white trim. That bright contrast really makes the deep red stand out.

I love pairing it with Sherwin Williams Extra White, Benjamin Moore Simply White, or Behr Ultra Pure White.

What's the difference: SW Dark Auburn vs Sommelier?

Both have an LRV of 5, meaning neither is lighter nor darker than the other. Both are extremely dark!

Between the two, Dark Auburn is more orange / saturated and Sommelier is more red / muted.

That's why I always suggest swatching both in your space and watching them throughout the day before making a final choice.

Is SW Dark Auburn red or brown?

Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn is a deep, dark red with strong brown undertones. It sits right between the two.

Those brown undertones help calm the red down so it doesn't feel too bold or loud. I find it feels rich and cozy rather than bright.

What's the hex code for SW Dark Auburn?

Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn has a hex code of #5A3532. This is helpful if you're matching the shade for a website, mood board, or digital project.

Does SW Dark Auburn go with Universal Khaki?

Yes, it does. Sherwin Williams Dark Auburn pairs really well with Universal Khaki.

Universal Khaki was named as Sherwin Williams 2026 Color of the Year. An extremely dark red like Dark Auburn complements it well.

What's the difference: SW Dark Auburn vs Cordovan?

While both are dark paint colors, Dark Auburn (LRV 5) is very slightly darker than Cordovan (LRV 6).

Dark Auburn is more red / saturated and Cordovan is more pink / muted.

When colors are this close, that small undertone shift can make a big difference in your space. I always swatch them side by side and check them in natural and artificial light before deciding.

Thanks for reading!