Clover
What Clover Actually Looks Like
Clover is a saturated, unapologetically bold deep blue. Think of the blue you see on a naval officer's dress uniform or the deep center of a gas flame. At an LRV of 6, it absorbs a tremendous amount of light, which means it reads richest in spaces with strong natural or layered artificial lighting. In dim rooms it can go nearly black, but when sunlight hits it directly you get a vivid, electric quality that lighter blues simply cannot deliver. The finish matters here. A matte or eggshell calms the intensity, while a semi-gloss on trim or cabinetry will bounce light and amplify the color's depth.
Clover Undertones
Clover's undertones are squarely cool blue. There is no gray muddying it and no green pulling it toward teal. Some designers describe it as a true primary blue pushed several shades deeper, while others pick up a faint violet flash in late-afternoon light. That violet note is subtle and depends on the bulb or sky you are working with, so test a large sample at different times of day before committing. Under warm incandescent light, Clover can shift slightly warmer and feel more approachable. Under cool LED or north-facing daylight, it leans crisper and more formal.
Where Clover Works Best
Clover works best where you want a room to feel grounded, dramatic, or deeply cocooned. It is a natural fit for an accent wall behind a bed or sofa, where it creates a strong visual anchor without painting every surface dark. In bathrooms it can mimic the look of deep water, especially paired with brass or gold hardware. On exteriors, Clover makes a striking front door or shutter color against lighter siding. Because of its low LRV of 6, avoid using it on all four walls in small, windowless rooms unless you intentionally want that cozy, enveloping effect.
Where to put Clover
Paint Clover on the wall behind your headboard and keep the remaining walls a warm, creamy white. The deep blue creates a moody backdrop that signals rest, and you will not feel boxed in because the lighter walls keep the room open. Layer in warm wood nightstands and linen bedding to balance the coolness.
Use Clover on vanity cabinetry or a single accent wall. Pair it with white subway tile and warm brass fixtures, and the blue reads rich without overpowering a small space. A semi-gloss finish handles moisture well and catches the light beautifully.
An accent wall in Clover behind built-in shelving or a fireplace gives the room a clear focal point. Warm neutrals on surrounding walls and a mix of cognac leather, natural wood, and warm metals keep the palette from feeling cold.
This is where Clover really shines. A single wall of this saturated blue can anchor an entire open-concept space. Carry the color into small accessories like throw pillows or ceramics to connect the accent to the rest of the room.
Clover makes a bold front door or shutter color. Against a warm white, cream, or even a soft gray siding, it reads classic and confident. Keep in mind that direct sun will show this blue at its most vivid, so check samples in full daylight before you decide.
What to Pair With Clover
Its coordinating palette leans warm and earthy to offset that intense blue. Alpaca (SW 7022) is a balanced warm greige that softens Clover without competing. Elephant Ear (SW 9168) adds a deeper, brownish taupe layer that grounds a room when used on adjacent trim or built-ins. Together, these three create a scheme that feels collected and intentional.
Clover vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Clover at LRV 6.0.
Colors that clash with Clover
With an LRV of 6, Clover absorbs almost all the light in a room. In spaces with small or few windows, it can read nearly black by evening.
Pairing Clover with a stark, cool white trim can push the whole room toward a cold, institutional feeling, especially in north-facing rooms.
Spot touch-ups on colors this deep and saturated often dry slightly differently, leaving visible patches.
Common questions
Clover has an LRV of 6, which makes it a very deep, light-absorbing color. For reference, pure white is 100 and pure black is 0, so Clover sits near the very dark end of the scale.
Clover is a true deep blue with cool undertones. It has no meaningful green pull. If you are looking for a deep color that leans teal or green, consider something like Commodore (SW 6524) or Blue Peacock (SW 0064) instead.
Warm whites and warm neutrals work best. Alpaca (SW 7022) is a great starting point. Avoid stark cool whites, which can make Clover feel cold and harsh.
You can, but the room will feel very cocooned and intimate. This works well in bedrooms or dens with good layered lighting. In smaller spaces, using Clover on one or two walls and a lighter color on the rest keeps it dramatic without feeling closed in.
Eggshell or matte for walls gives a rich, velvety look. Semi-gloss works well for doors, trim, or cabinetry where you want the color to catch and reflect light. Flat finishes can be harder to clean, which matters more with deep colors that show scuffs.