Amalfi
What Amalfi Actually Looks Like
Amalfi is a saturated, deep teal that reads almost jewel-like on the wall. With an LRV of 12, it absorbs a lot of light and lands squarely in the dark range. The color has a strong blue-green lean, like the deep Mediterranean water it is named after. In daylight, you will notice its teal character come forward, while in evening or low light it deepens toward navy. Unlike many blues in this depth range that carry heavy gray, Amalfi stays remarkably clean and chromatic. It is bold without being neon, moody without being murky.
Amalfi Undertones
The dominant undertone is teal, a push-pull between blue and green that shifts depending on your light source. In cool northern light, Amalfi reads more solidly blue, almost approaching a deep cerulean. In warm afternoon light or under incandescent bulbs, the green undertone surfaces and the color warms into a rich, almost oceanic teal. Some designers also note a slight navy quality, especially on large walls or in rooms with limited natural light. There is no gray or purple hiding in this color. It is one of the more straightforward deep teals Sherwin-Williams offers.
Where Amalfi Works Best
Amalfi works best where you want drama without heaviness. An accent wall in a living room is a natural fit, especially behind open shelving or a gallery wall where lighter objects can pop against the depth. In bedrooms, it creates a cocooning effect that feels rich and enveloping rather than dark and gloomy, particularly when paired with warm wood tones and soft textiles. On exteriors, Amalfi makes a striking front door color or a bold choice for shutters against lighter siding. Because its LRV is 12, avoid covering every wall of a small, windowless room unless you intentionally want that deep, intimate feel. Rooms with at least moderate natural light will let the teal undertone breathe.
Where to put Amalfi
Amalfi on a bedroom headboard wall creates a sense of depth and calm that is hard to beat. Pair it with white or cream bedding and warm brass sconces. The color shifts toward a quieter navy after dark, which makes the room feel restful at night and vibrant in the morning.
This is where Amalfi really earns its keep. A single accent wall in a living room or dining area lets you enjoy the drama without overwhelming the space. Keep adjacent walls light and let Amalfi be the focal point. Artwork with warm tones, terra cotta, or gold will come alive against it.
In a living room with good natural light, Amalfi on all walls creates a bold, collected look. Balance the depth with lighter upholstery, a pale area rug, and plenty of warm texture. If the room skews dark, use it on a single feature wall and pull Sky High or a soft neutral onto the remaining walls.
As a front door color, Amalfi is a real head-turner against white, gray, or even warm beige siding. For shutters, it adds coastal character without resorting to the expected navy. Keep in mind that exterior light will make it read a touch lighter and greener than it looks on an interior chip.
What to Pair With Amalfi
Amalfi's saturated teal depth pairs well with colors that offer contrast in either value or temperature. Sky High (SW 6504), a coordinating pick, provides a lighter, airier blue that can work on ceilings or upper walls in a two-tone scheme, keeping the room feeling open while Amalfi anchors the space. For trim, lean toward crisp whites or warm creamy whites to let the teal sing. Warm metallics like brass and copper are natural partners, and warm wood tones in walnut or oak keep the palette grounded.
Amalfi vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Amalfi at LRV 12.0.
Colors that clash with Amalfi
At LRV 12, Amalfi can swallow light in rooms without windows or with only small north-facing ones. The teal undertone disappears and the color reads closer to near-black navy.
Pairing Amalfi with cool gray upholstery or icy silver metals can make the room feel cold and flat. The teal undertone needs some warmth to really come alive.
A small swatch can read solidly blue, but once it covers a full wall, the green undertone becomes much more apparent. Some homeowners are caught off guard by how teal it looks at scale.
Common questions
Amalfi has an LRV of 12, placing it firmly in the deep/dark range. It absorbs most of the light that hits it, so it works best in rooms with adequate natural or layered artificial light.
It lands right in teal territory, which means it is both. In cooler light it reads more blue, and in warmer light the green undertone pushes forward. Most people describe it as a deep teal rather than a pure blue or a pure green.
A crisp, clean white trim gives the most contrast and lets Amalfi's teal saturation pop. A warm creamy white softens the look slightly. Avoid trim colors with strong yellow or pink undertones, which can clash with the blue-green base.
You can, but be strategic. It works on all walls in bedrooms or living rooms that get plenty of natural light and where you want a bold, enveloping feel. In smaller or darker rooms, limiting it to one or two walls keeps the space from feeling cramped.