Hickory Smoke
What Hickory Smoke Actually Looks Like
Hickory Smoke reads as a rich, deep brown that hovers close to black in low light but reveals its warm, woody character when sunlight hits it. Think of aged walnut or the bark of an old oak. It is not a true black, not a true chocolate, but something in between that feels grounded and serious. With an LRV of 6.6, it absorbs a lot of light, so it will darken a room considerably and make surfaces feel like they recede.
Hickory Smoke Undertones
The dominant undertone is warm brown with an earthy, almost smoky quality. Some designers see a slight amber warmth that keeps it from ever reading cold or ashy. Others pick up on a near-black depth that can make the brown feel muted to the point of appearing charcoal in north-facing rooms. The consensus is that this is firmly a warm color, but the warmth is restrained. It will never read orange or red. Instead, it leans toward the cooler side of the brown family, which is why the word "smoke" fits. In artificial light, especially warm LED, the brown undertone becomes more obvious. Under cool fluorescent light, it can flatten out and look muddier.
Where Hickory Smoke Works Best
Hickory Smoke works best when used with intention and restraint. It is too dark for an entire room unless you are deliberately going for a cocooning effect in a den or media room. On an accent wall, it creates immediate depth and draws the eye. It is excellent on a front door, where it reads as distinguished without being as stark as black. On kitchen cabinets, particularly lowers, it grounds the space while a lighter upper cabinet color keeps things from feeling heavy. On exteriors, it pairs well with natural stone or warm-toned siding and holds up visually against landscape greenery. Because the LRV is only 6.6, always test a large sample in the actual room before committing.
Where to put Hickory Smoke
Hickory Smoke on a front door is a sophisticated alternative to black. It reads dark from the street but up close reveals its warm brown character, especially in afternoon sun. Pair it with brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware. Simple White on the door trim keeps the look crisp.
Use Hickory Smoke on a single wall behind a bed or sofa. It anchors the room and makes lighter furniture pop. Keep the other three walls in a warm white or pale greige. At an LRV of 6.6, it needs that surrounding lightness to avoid making the space feel closed in.
On lower cabinets, Hickory Smoke adds weight and drama while lighter uppers keep the kitchen feeling open. It pairs well with warm wood countertops, butcher block, or lighter quartz. Brass pulls complement the warm undertone nicely.
As an exterior body color or accent trim, Hickory Smoke has enough depth to stand up to natural materials like stone veneer and cedar shingles. It fades less noticeably than true blacks, and its brown base looks natural against landscaping. Consider a warm cream for fascia and window trim.
What to Pair With Hickory Smoke
Simple White (SW 7021) is the coordinating partner for good reason. It is a clean, slightly warm white that provides sharp contrast against Hickory Smoke without clashing temperatures. Use it on trim, ceilings, and adjacent walls to let the deep brown breathe.
Hickory Smoke vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Hickory Smoke at LRV 6.6.
Colors that clash with Hickory Smoke
With an LRV of 6.6, Hickory Smoke can read almost black in rooms with small windows or limited natural light. The warm brown character that makes it interesting gets lost.
Pairing Hickory Smoke with blue-based grays or cool silvers creates a temperature clash. The warm brown reads muddy next to cool tones, and neither color looks its best.
Painting all four walls and the ceiling in Hickory Smoke can make even a large room feel small and cave-like, especially during the day when you expect brightness.
Common questions
It is fundamentally a deep brown. With an LRV of 6.6, it gets close to black territory, and in dim rooms it can read nearly black. But in any decent light, the warm brown undertone is clearly visible. Think of it as brown that has been deeply shadowed rather than a black with brown added.
Simple White (SW 7021) is the go-to coordinating trim color. It is warm enough to complement the brown undertones without creating a jarring contrast. Avoid bright blue-white trim, which will make Hickory Smoke look muddy by comparison.
Yes. It works especially well on lower cabinets paired with a lighter upper cabinet color. The deep tone hides everyday wear better than lighter colors, and the warm brown base looks great with brass hardware and natural wood or stone countertops.
The LRV is 6.6, which places it firmly in the deep, dark range. For reference, pure black is 0 and pure white is 100. At 6.6, it will absorb most of the light in a space, so plan your lighting accordingly.
It does. The warm brown reads as natural and grounded against landscaping and pairs well with stone, brick, and wood siding. It is less prone to showing fading than a true black and holds up well in direct sunlight. Use it on the body, shutters, or the front door.