Sherwin Williams French Roast: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect dark brown paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams French Roast and if it might be right for your home!

Dark, warm, colors create a cozy, bold vibe that welcomes you right in.

Dark browns feel inviting and neutral while still adding a flair of drama.

Let's talk about French Roast, a deep warm brown by Sherwin Williams today.

French Roast, Sherwin Williams, SW 6069

French Roast is a dark, rich brown that makes a space feel cozy, inviting and warm.

Sherwin Williams even featured French Roast in its 2025 Colormix Forecast, highlighting it as one of the trending colors to watch.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Roast

Color Family

French Roast is in the red family.

Light Reflectance Value

4

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 4, French Roast is an extremely dark paint color.

If you use French Roast in a bathroom or closet without any natural light, it may even look slightly black-ish.

RGB Colors

R: 79 G: 52 B: 38

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 to make the color!

Hex Code

#4F3426

Undertones

French Roast is a deep brown with a strong red undertone. That warmth makes it feel more inviting than cooler browns.

Because of its low LRV, it will always look dark, but in south-facing rooms with plenty of sunlight, you might notice more of its warmth coming through.

Best uses

This color is all about coziness. Whether you go all-in with it or use it as an accent, here’s where I’d recommend trying it:

• Entire room: Perfect for a living room, home office, or den if you want a snug, intimate feel.
• Accent wall: Adds depth without overwhelming the space.
• Furniture and built-ins: Looks stunning on bookshelves, cabinets, or a statement dresser.
• Shutters and trim: A dramatic contrast against lighter walls.
• Exterior doors: A warm, inviting alternative to black or navy.

Similar Colors

If you love French Roast but want to explore other options, here are some close matches:

• Sherwin Williams Rojo Marrón – A warm, earthy brown
• Benjamin Moore Coffeehouse Chocolate – A rich, chocolatey brown
• Behr Heritage Oak – Slightly softer and more muted
• Sherwin Williams Turkish Coffee – A deep, espresso-like brown
• Benjamin Moore Tudor Brown – A touch cooler but still cozy
• Behr Dark Walnut – A deeper, more neutral brown
• Sherwin Williams Terra Brun – A warm, rustic brown

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Roast

Coordinating Colors

With its dark warm color, French Roast pairs well with warm whites / off-whites and muted blues, greens and grays.

It also works great with other warm colors, such as reds and oranges.

Dark warm whites / off-whites:

• Aged White
• Neutral Ground
• Creamy
• Divine White
• Kestrel White

Mid-toned soft greens:

• Acacia Haze
• Oyster Bay
• Evergreen Fog
• Coastal Plain
• Cornwall Slate

Muted, gentle blues:

• Niebla Azul
• Stardew
• Languid Blue
• Rain
• Interesting Aqua

Trim Colors

With its dark warm color, French Roast pairs well with soft whites for trim.

Soft white trim colors:

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

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Roast

FAQS

Got questions about French Roast? Here are some of the most common ones!

What color is Sherwin Williams French Roast?

Sherwin Williams French Roast is a deep, rich brown with a warm red undertone. It’s a bold, sophisticated color that adds warmth and depth to any space.

Is SW French Roast good for a front door?

Absolutely. French Roast makes a stunning front door color. Its deep, warm brown tone creates an inviting and cozy first impression.

It pairs beautifully with warm whites, off-whites, beiges, and tans, as well as natural wood and stone. If you're planning your exterior palette, keep these complementary colors in mind.

What are SW French Roast's undertones?

French Roast has deep red undertones, which give it a rich, warm, and inviting feel. These undertones make it stand out from more neutral or yellow-based browns.

What's the difference: SW French Roast vs Turkish Coffee?

Both French Roast and Turkish Coffee are deep, warm browns, but they have some key differences.

• French Roast is slightly darker, with an LRV of 4, while Turkish Coffee has an LRV of 5.
• French Roast has red undertones, while Turkish Coffee has yellow undertones.
• French Roast is more saturated and bolder, making it a stronger statement color.

If you're unsure which one fits your space better, try swatching them side by side to see how they look in your lighting.

Is Sherwin Williams French Roast a good exterior color?

Yes, but it depends on how dark you want to go.

French Roast is a rich, warm brown that looks fantastic on exteriors.

However, because it’s so dark, you might also want to consider Brevity Brown, which is the next shade down on the Sherwin Williams paint strip and slightly lighter.

For some homes, French Roast may feel too dark for an entire exterior, but it works beautifully as an accent color—think front doors, shutters, or trim. Swatch it first to see if the depth works for your space.

What's the difference: SW French Roast vs BM Coffeehouse Chocolate?

Both are gorgeous deep browns, but they have some distinct differences.

• French Roast is darker, with an LRV of 4, compared to Coffeehouse Chocolate’s LRV of 7.
• French Roast is more saturated, making it a richer, bolder color.
• Coffeehouse Chocolate is more neutral, while French Roast has a strong red undertone.

If you’re deciding between the two, swatching both will help you see how they look in your space and lighting.

Thanks for reading!