Chartreuse
What Chartreuse Actually Looks Like
Chartreuse SW 0073 reads as a muted, dusty gold with a noticeable green lean. It is not the electric yellow-green you might expect from the name. Think of it more as aged parchment that picked up a mossy tint. In bright daylight it can look like a warm wheat-gold, but as the light dims or shifts north, the green and gray undertones push forward, giving it a subtle sage quality. It sits at an LRV of 64.1, which means it reflects a solid amount of light without ever feeling washed out or too pale. On a fan deck it often surprises people because it is quieter and more sophisticated than its name implies.
Chartreuse Undertones
This is where Chartreuse gets interesting. The dominant undertone is green, but it is a soft, grayed-out green rather than anything vivid. Some designers see it primarily as a warm gold with a green cast, while others read it as a sage that leans yellow. Both readings are valid, and the one you notice most will depend on your lighting and the colors around it. Cool north-facing light tends to amplify the gray-green side, making it feel more like a muted sage. Warm south-facing light brings out the golden, buttery quality. There is also a quiet neutral gray undertone that keeps the color from ever feeling too saturated. That gray note is what gives Chartreuse its historic, slightly weathered character.
Where Chartreuse Works Best
Chartreuse SW 0073 is an interior-only color, and it does its best work in spaces where you want warmth without the expected beige or tan. It is a natural fit for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. In a living room it creates a grounded, earthy backdrop that pairs well with wood furniture and natural textiles. In a kitchen it reads as an updated take on a classic farmhouse palette, especially alongside cream-painted cabinetry or open shelving. Bathrooms benefit from the way Chartreuse picks up on warm vanity lighting, while bedrooms feel calm and cocoon-like when this color wraps the walls. Its inclusion in several Sherwin-Williams historic collections tells you something: it belongs in homes with character, from Craftsman bungalows to midcentury ranches. Use it on all four walls for an enveloping effect, or limit it to an accent wall if you want just a hint of that green-gold warmth.
Where to put Chartreuse
On living room walls, Chartreuse creates an inviting warmth that avoids the predictability of beige. It reads golden in afternoon light and more sage-toned in the evening. Pair it with linen upholstery, warm wood tones, and a few darker accents like iron or aged brass. The LRV of 64.1 keeps the room feeling open without washing out the depth of color.
Bedrooms are one of Chartreuse's strongest applications. The grayed green undertone has a naturally calming effect, and the golden warmth keeps the room from feeling cold. Try it on all walls with cream bedding and walnut or oak furniture. In a room with limited natural light, this color will still hold its own without turning dull.
In a kitchen, Chartreuse feels like a modern nod to vintage palettes. Use it on upper walls above a tile backsplash or as the color for a breakfast nook. It pairs particularly well with butcher block countertops and aged brass hardware. Cream or warm white cabinets keep the look cohesive.
Chartreuse can work well in a bathroom, especially one with warm-toned vanity lighting. The color feels fresh without being clinical, and it picks up nicely on natural stone or warm tile. Keep the ceiling white and the fixtures simple. In a smaller bathroom, the LRV of 64.1 provides enough reflectivity to keep the space from feeling closed in.
What to Pair With Chartreuse
Chartreuse pairs well with colors that respect its quiet complexity. Because it straddles green and gold, it responds beautifully to both cool and warm companions. Acacia Haze (SW 9132), a muted sage green, is a coordinating pick that deepens the green undertone without competing. For trim, a clean warm white works best. Avoid anything too stark or blue-white, which can make Chartreuse look muddy by comparison. A soft cream or off-white trim lets the color breathe. Dark accents in deep olive, charcoal, or navy ground the palette and give it some visual weight.
Chartreuse vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Chartreuse at LRV 64.1.
Colors that clash with Chartreuse
Pairing Chartreuse with a crisp, blue-based white trim can make the walls look yellowish and grimy. The cool contrast fights the warm, green-gold undertones.
Saturated warm reds can create an unpleasant Christmas-like contrast with Chartreuse's green lean. The pairing feels busy and disjointed.
If the room next to Chartreuse is painted in a strongly cool gray, the sightline can feel awkward. Chartreuse will look overly yellow and the gray will look overly blue.
Common questions
Chartreuse SW 0073 has a precise LRV of 64.1. This puts it firmly in the light-medium range, bright enough to open up a room but deep enough to read as an actual color rather than an off-white.
It depends on your light. In warm, direct sunlight it reads more like a dusty gold. In cool or dim lighting, the green and gray undertones come forward and it can lean sage. Most people see it as a blend of both, which is a big part of its appeal.
A warm, creamy white is your best bet. Avoid stark or cool whites, which can make Chartreuse look muddy. The trim should have enough warmth to echo the golden quality of the wall color without matching it too closely.
Yes. With an LRV of 64.1, Chartreuse reflects a good amount of light. It will not make a small room feel dark or cramped, especially if you pair it with lighter trim and keep the ceiling white or near-white.
Pale Avocado (2146-40) by Benjamin Moore is frequently cited as the nearest match. Both share a muted green-gold character and similar lightness. Pale Avocado may lean a touch greener in certain conditions, so always test a sample side by side.