Looking for the perfect warm clay paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams Studio Clay and if it might be right for your home!
Warm neutrals invoke some of the best feelings: cozy, inviting, welcoming, organic, earthy.
Warm neutrals with some color depth feel sophisticated and on trend while holding on to that inviting feeling.
Sherwin Williams Studio Clay is one of those beautiful chameleon colors, crossing the lines between clay / greige / taupe. Let's talk about the details!
Studio Clay, Sherwin Williams, SW 9172
Studio Clay is a warm, mid-toned neutral that looks a lot like natural clay. It’s soft, muted, and balanced. If you’re going for a calm, earthy feel, this is a great place to start.
Sherwin Williams even included it in their 2025 Colormix Forecast, which features their most popular and trend-forward shades.
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Studio Clay
Color Family
Studio Clay is in the neutral family.
Light Reflectance Value
27
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 27, Studio Clay is on the darker side of mid-range. It won’t reflect a ton of light, so it works best in spaces that already have natural or layered lighting.
RGB Colors
R: 149 G: 141 B: 127
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
#958D7F
Undertones
Studio Clay has brown undertones, as well as subtle orange and green undertones.
In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Studio Clay will appear warmer and as more of a brown / taupe.
In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, Studio Clay will appear cooler / more neutral and as more of a greige / gray.
It's very important to swatch colors on your wall to make sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
Best uses
You can use this color almost anywhere. It feels inviting without being loud, which makes it great for rooms where you want to unwind. I’d try it in:
- Living rooms, bedrooms, or dens where you want a cozy, organic feel
- Accent wall
- A focal point such as a fireplace or built-ins
- Home exterior
- Interior or exterior doors
- Cabinets
- Furniture
Similar Colors
Looking for close matches? These have a similar vibe:
- Sherwin Williams Quarry Stone
- Benjamin Moore Cathedral Gray
- Behr Gary Squirrel
- Sherwin Williams Tanglewood
- Benjamin Moore Wildwood Crest
- Behr Shady Oak
- Sherwin Williams Elephant Ear
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Studio Clay
Coordinating Colors
As a warm neutral, Studio Clay pairs well with a variety of other colors. It pairs well with other warm colors, such as soft whites, tans, grays, browns, blacks and reds.
Studio Clay also pairs well with blues, greens and purples.
Warm neutrals
- Sealskin
- Mexican Sand
- Drift of Mist
- Tanbark
- Carnelian
Deep browns:
- Rockweed
- Black Bean
- Raisin
- Bitter Chocolate
- Turkish Coffee
Mid-toned blues:
- Lakeside
- Krypton
- Dockside Blue
- Languid Blue
- Niebla Azul
Trim Colors
Studio Clay looks great with either bright trim colors or soft white trim colors.
If you want more contrast, go with a bright white for trim. If you're looking to lean into the warmth and comfort of Studio Clay, go with a soft white for trim.
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
Studio Clay color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home's aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
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Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Studio Clay
FAQS
Here are some common frequently asked questions about Studio Clay.
Is Sherwin Williams Studio Clay warm or cool?
Sherwin Williams Studio Clay is a warm paint color.
What's the difference: SW Studio Clay vs Behr Studio Clay?
Same name, but different paint colors!
Sherwin Williams Studio Clay is a warm neutral clay color. Behr Studio Clay is a warm off-white, almost beige.
SW Studio Clay is much darker, with an LRV of 27 vs Behr Studio Clay's LRV of 62. The difference is stark!
As always, swatch colors in your space before making a final decision on paint color.
What's the difference: SW Studio Clay vs BM Studio Clay?
Two paint colors named Studio Clay, both warm, neutrals, but they have some key differences!
With an LRV of 27, SW Studio Clay is very slightly darker than BM Studio Clay, which has an LRV of 28.
While both have warm undertones, BM Studio Clay leans a bit more red/orange, and SW Studio Clay leans a bit more orange/yellow.
Lastly, BM Studio Clay is slightly more saturated, and SW Studio Clay is slightly more muted.
If you’re torn between the two, try swatching them side by side to see which one feels right in your space.
What color is Studio Clay Sherwin Williams?
Sherwin Williams Studio Clay is a warm greige-taupe. It's a gorgeous neutral that's ideal for creating an inviting, organic vibe.
Studio Clay will appear warmer and more of a brown / taupe in spaces with lots of natural light.
In darker spaces, Studio Clay will appear as more of a greige / gray.
What is the color code for SW Studio Clay?
Sherwin Williams Studio Clay's color code is SW 9172.
Its hex code is #958D7F, which is helpful if you’re trying to match it for any digital project.
Where to use SW Stone Clay?
SW Stone Clay looks great in a variety of spaces. You can use it for a whole room or as an accent color.
Try Stone Clay in any of the following:
- Living rooms, bedrooms, or dens
- Accent wall
- A focal point such as a fireplace or built-ins
- Home exterior
- Interior or exterior doors
- Cabinets
- Furniture
Before you go...
So, you've found the perfect paint color, but here's the thing - there's another big decision you have to make: picking the right paint sheen. Seriously, the level of glossiness can totally change how your color looks on the walls and how long the paint lasts!
Check out our complete guide to understanding paint sheens.
Still unsure which paint color is right for your space?
Choosing paint doesn’t have to be stressful! My free Paint Color Planning Quick Start Guide walks you through the exact steps to confidently choose the perfect color — without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless swatch testing.
👉 Click here to download the free guide!
My Paint Color Formula course walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!
Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.
