See Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in Real Homes! (Review & Dupes) SW 7674

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn is a popular dark gray color that most often has a hint of a blue undertone. This is a great alternative to the slightly darker Iron Ore.

Swatch of Sherwin Williams Peppercorn beside a picture of a bronze bowl of Peppercorns with peppercorns scattered all around it.

Here we will see Peppercorn in real homes, check out a color palette, and go over some solid alternatives.

This post may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products that I use.

What Color is Sherwin Williams Peppercorn (SW 7674)?

Peppercorn is a mid-toned to dark charcoal paint color. Most often when we think of charcoal we will picture a dark gray with a touch of a cool blue cast, and Peppercorn fits the bill!

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn swatched over a background of Peppercorns

What Are the Undertones of Peppercorn?

Technically Peppercorn is a “perfect” gray, using equal parts of red, green, and blue.

Peppercorn Hex code chart with a dollop of Peppercorn over a white background scattered with Peppercorns.

Most often, Peppercorn looks like a nice true charcoal, but you might find that it has a slight blue undertone. I’ll point that out when we look at real homes in just a minute!

On the rare occasion, Peppercorn can also look ever so slightly green:

Peppercorn accent wall behind pop art — Credit @stlsweets

But this hint of green is far less common.

I don’t find that Peppercorn ever looks purple, but it might when swatched next to more blue-green colors. I wouldn’t recommend using it with teal if you are worried about a purple undertone.

Is Peppercorn Warm or Cool?

If I had to choose, I would say that Peppercorn is a cool-toned gray paint color. It can look neutral, but if it does have an undertone, it will most likely be cool.

LRV and RBG of Sherwin Williams Peppercorn

The LRV of Peppercorn is 10.

At 10, Peppercorn is right on the line where darker mid-toned colors meet with truly dark colors. You will see when we get to real homes, that it toes this line in real life.

The LRV of Peppercorn plotted at 10 on a hex scale from 0 (true black) to 100 (Pure white)

The RGB of Peppercorn is: Red 88, Green 88, and Blue 88.

Sherwin Williams provides the hex value for Peppercorn as: #585858

The Peppercorn Color Strip

Here is the full color strip from Sherwin Williams that contains Peppercorn:

Lighter Version of Peppercorn

One shade lighter than Peppercorn is the color Grizzle Gray. You can see that Grizzle Gray is only marginally lighter, with an LRV of 13. For a visibly lighter alternative, consider Cityscape.

I will say that Cityscape is not quite a perfect gray on paper though, and is slightly more likely to have a green undertone. (Same goes for Grizzle Gray.)

Darker Version of Peppercorn

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is often compared to Peppercorn, and it is a great darker alternative.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in a Color Palette

For this color palette, I just chose some of the most popular Peppercorn pairings:

Coordinating Colors for Peppercorn

Accessible Beige

Lucky for us, I have a few examples of Peppercorn with Accessible Beige, courtesy of Shal from @maisonwithavista:

Here is one more (for now) :

Accessible Beige in a hallway with Peppercorn in the alcoves and framed family photos. — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

We will see more from Shal’s home in just a minute.

Light French Gray

Light French Gray is another popular color to pair with Peppercorn, that keeps things on the cooler side:

I’m going to be honest here: Although I personally like the combo, it isn’t really on trend with the warmer tones that are currently in favor. However the great thing about trends is that they always come back around!

Pure White

Pure White is my top pick for a white to pair with Peppercorn. It’s perfectly neutral and won’t influence the color too much.

Complementary Color for Peppercorn

A complementary color is the color directly across the color wheel. Peppercorn is a pure gray, so technically it does not have a complementary color.

If we choose a complementary color based on how Peppercorn looks in real life, a gray beige like Agreeable Gray is the perfect choice:

Coordinating colors Peppercorn and Agreeable Gray swatched side by side

What Trim Colors Go With Sherwin Williams Peppercorn?

Here are some of the most popular whites from Sherwin Williams and how they will look with Peppercorn:

White Paint that Goes with Peppercorn

Greek Villa

Greek Villa is a creamy white with a warm beige undertone. This looks really nice with Peppercorn, but bear in mind that it might emphasize the blue undertones.

Alabaster

Alabaster is also a creamy white, but it’s a bit more gray than Greek Villa. Again it might emphasize the blue undertones in Peppercorn, but it’s a good soft white if you don’t want a harsh contrast with your trim.

Peppercorn on a wall behind a dresser topped with decor knick knacks — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

Snowbound

Snowbound is a true white with just a whiff of softness, as opposed to being a true creamy white. It will give more contrast against your Peppercorn walls, and it shouldn’t emphasize the blue tones.

Pure White

Pure White is another true-but-soft white, and is my favorite pairing for Peppercorn. (But we already talked about that in the color palette.)

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in Real Home Interiors

Time to see the spicy Peppercorn in real homes!

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in the Living Room

Let’s start with a home we saw a little bit of already: Shal’s Maison with a Vista!

Accessible Beige Living room walls with Peppercorn fireplace wall. — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

Here we have a closeup of Peppercorn with Accessible Beige on that fireplace wall.

Now for a far away glimpse of the same:

Accessible Beige Walls with Benjamin Moore Linen Cabinets and Peppercorn on the fireplace wall in the living room in the background. — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

And here is a shot of the living room fireplace before it had the brass sconces:

Peppercorn on a living room fireplace wall — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

Directly against Accessible Beige, I feel like the blue undertone of Peppercorn shows up more.

This shouldn’t really be surprising because complementary colors will emphasize each other, and Accessible Beige is very close to the opposite of Peppercorn’s blue-gray look.

Here in the hallway alcove, Peppercorn is at its max darkest:

Accessible Beige in a hallway with a bump in painted in peppercorn charcoal gray with family photos hung — Photo credit: @maisonwithavista

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn Accent Wall

Shal also used Peppercorn for an accent wall in this reading nook:

Peppercorn accent wall in an Accessible Beige Reading nook — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

Here is one more, where Peppercorn looks more neutral:

Peppercorn Accent wall against an Accessible Beige wall in a reading nook with neutral painting and bench. — Photo Credit: @maisonwithavista

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in a Bedroom

Moving on to another home, Martina (@livedinlook) used Peppercorn in a subtly sports themed bedroom:

Peppercorn on a board and batten accent wall in a bedroom — Photo Credit: @thelivedinlook

In this first shot, there is not much by way of undertone, just a nice true gray.

Here is a closeup of the board and batten:

Closeup of Sherwin Wiliams Peppercorn on a bedroom wall on board and batten — Photo Credit: @thelivedinlook

You can see that Peppercorn is really adaptable to any style. This accent wall would suit all kinds of decor!

Peppercorn in a Bathroom

Mary & Kenny Ellis of @averyellishome, used Peppercorn on a funky herringbone accent in their main bathroom:

Peppercorn on a wood feature behind a round mirror in a bathroom with Sherwin Williams on the rocks on the wall — Photo Credit: @averyellishome

The wall color is Sherwin Willams On the Rocks, which is a really soft gray.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn on the wall above a cream colored vanity in a bathroom. — Photo Credit: @averyellishome

I find in this bathroom, that Peppercorn looks the most like a true gray.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in an Office

Marissa from @in_v est_homes used Peppercorn in several places in her amazing flip house, including this fun hide-away office:

Peppercorn ceiling in the entrance of an otherwise white home, with matching Peppercorn office. — Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

Matching Peppercorn sliding doors frame the space, in an otherwise very simple living room.

An all-peppercorn office with matching sliding doors is seen on the left side of a white living room, with neutral furniture and rug to the right side. — Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

Just off the living room, Marissa used Peppercorn on the stairway and front door to really make a statement in the entrance.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn looks black on a shiplap ceiling in an entrance way, with same color on stair risers. — Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

In the bright daylight, Peppercorn has that blue undertone.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn in a Kitchen and on Cabinets

Marissa continued with the pops of Peppercorn leading into the kitchen:

Accessible Beige Cabinets in a white kitchen with black and brass accents — Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

The cabinets here are Accessible Beige.

In this next kitchen, the team at The Finishing Room (@thefinishingroommke) opted to use Peppercorn on an island, with white perimeter cabinets:

Peppercorn on a kitchen island with butcher block top with white perimeter cabinets. — Photo Credit: @thefinishingroommke

Here I am finding that Peppercorn looks a bit darker.

After having gone through all of these inside photos however, I think Peppercorn generally looks pretty consistent.

Let’s take it outside!

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn on Real Home Exteriors

Kelly (@thetatteredpew) has Peppercorn on the exterior of her home:

Peppercorn looking blue in natural light. — Photo Credit: @thetatteredpew

Here it is definitely giving a bold blue undertone!

On a snowy day in low light, Peppercorn looks closer to black, but this is not typical:

Peppercorn looking dark charcoal on the exterior of a home in winter with a wooden door. — Photo Credit: @thetatteredpew

What a beautiful scene!

Barbara (@barbaraanne.art) is also the proud owner of a Peppercorn exterior:

Acacia haze on front and side doors of sw peppercorn house — Photo Credit: @barbaraanne.art

Barbara paired Peppercorn with the lovely gray-green of Acacia Haze on the doors.

Peppercorn on exterior siding of a long ranch style home surrounded by a lush green lawn. — Photo Credit: @barbaraanne.art

Again, I find the blue undertone fairly strong here, but that’s sort of what you expect from charcoal.

I’ve got one more, this time on stucco:

Peppercorn and Snowbound Townhome Stucco exterior — Photo Credit: @stoeckinteriors

Stoeck Interiors (@stoeckinteriors) had the stucco painted in Sherwin Williams Snowbound, the bump outs in Peppercorn, and the garage doors in SW Sea Serpent. I love the contrast of this color scheme!

Peppercorn Compared to Other Charcoal Paint Colors

If I know anything, it’s that you are laboring over your color choices right now! Here is how Peppercorn stacks up compared to colors in the same arena:

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Black Fox

Black Fox is a gray-brown paint color, as opposed to the plain gray of Peppercorn.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Black Fox stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

It is also darker, with an LRV of 7.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Behr Cracked Pepper

Cracked Pepper is very similar to Peppercorn, but it has a touch of blue in it. It is also a little bit darker, with an LRV of 8.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Cracked Pepper stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Cyberspace

Cyberspace is a deep charcoal blue. It is much more blue and more saturated looking than Peppercorn.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Cyberspace stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

I loooove this color. You can see it in real life here: Sherwin Williams Cyberspace (The Moodiest Charcoal Blue!)

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Forged Steel

Forged Steel is very nearly a “perfect” gray like Peppercorn, but it is ever so slightly warmer. It also has an LRV of 10.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Forged Steel stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal

Kendall Charcoal is a bit lighter than Peppercorn. It can look similar, but Kendall Charcoal is equally likely to have a greenish or blue undertone, where Peppercorn is more often blue.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Kendall Charcoal stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Iron Ore

Technically Iron Ore is a near perfect gray with just a hint of warmth, but in real life it has a blue-ish undertone very similar to Peppercorn.

Iron Ore is darker, with an LRV of 6.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Iron Ore stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

If you’re having trouble deciding, I have a whole post comparing these two: Sherwin Williams Iron Ore vs Peppercorn (Full Comparison!)

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Tricorn Black

Tricorn Black is a true black paint color, and not a gray like Peppercorn.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Tricorn Black stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Urbane Bronze

Urbane Bronze is a deep charcoal brown. It can look almost metallic or a touch olivey, but never blueish like Peppercorn.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Urbane Bronze stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

See the whole post here: Urbane Bronze Review and Dupes (It Goes With Literally Everything!) SW 7048

Urbane is darker than Peppercorn, with an LRV of 8.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Web Gray

Web Gray is an actual blue gray, as opposed to a gray that happens to have a blue undertone. It is lighter than Peppercorn, with an LRV of 13.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Web Gray stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn vs Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron

Wrought Iron is a smokey off-black that is darker than Peppercorn. It also tends to be a chameleon and can range from having an almost brownish undertone, to green or blue.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn color card with swatches of other dark paint colors down the right hand side. Wrought Iron stands out swatched bigger than the rest of the colors.

Peppercorn Dupes from Other Brands

Now let’s take a look at other colors that can get you the same look as SW Peppercorn!

Graphic reads "Peppercorn Dupes," with swatches of Peppercorn alongside dupes Gray, High Speed Steel, and Shadow Mountain. Background is white with a stainless spoon of peppercorns.

Benjamin Moore Peppercorn Equivalent

The closest match that Benjamin Moore offers to Peppercorn, is their shade simply called “Gray.”

Benjamin Moore Gray (2121-10)

Gray actually has the exact same color composition as Peppercorn: R 88, G 88, B 88.

On paper these two are identical, so here is a real life comparison:

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn on a kitchen island on the left side of the photo, Benjamin Moore Gray on perimeter cabinets on the right side. — Left: @finishingroommke Right: @revivehome_kc

The kitchen on the right in Benjamin Moore Gray, almost looks more like Peppercorn than Peppercorn does on the left.

I will say that “Gray” might look a bit flatter than Peppercorn does.

Valspar (Lowe’s) Equivalent to Peppercorn

Next up we have the Lowe’s option: High Speed Steel.

Valspar High-Speed Steel (4005-2B)

High-Speed Steel is a touch lighter and more blue than Peppercorn:

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn on half of a gallery wall with Valspar High Speed Steel on the other half.

I had a hunt for real life photos of High-Speed Steel, and while there weren’t a lot, I think it looks very similar to how Peppercorn actually looks on the wall.

Peppercorn Behr Equivalent (Home Depot)

From Behr, the equivalent to Peppercorn is the shade Shadow Mountain.

Behr Shadow Mountain (PPU24-22)

Like Benjamin Moore Gray, Shadow Mountain has the exact same hex value and RGB as Peppercorn, so on paper it will be identical:

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn on half of a wall with Behr Shadow Mountain on the other half

From what I have seen of Shadow Mountain, it looks very much like Peppercorn. Of course each brand will have a slightly different formula, so it might not be exact, but this is definitely as good as it gets!

Here’s a comparison of all the dupes over top of Peppercorn: