Synergy

Sherwin-WilliamsSW 6938LRV 43#48C2B0
LRV43 — medium
Undertonegreen · soft · gray · neutral
FamilyGreens & Sage
Best roomsbedroom · bathroom · living room
In the Room

What Synergy Actually Looks Like

Synergy SW 6938 reads as a bold, saturated teal-green that sits right in the middle of the light-dark spectrum at an LRV of 43. It is not subtle. On a swatch it can look almost tropical, but on a full wall it settles into something more confident and grounded. In bright daylight this color leans noticeably green, while under warm incandescent lighting it can pull slightly bluer and feel a touch deeper. Expect it to shift throughout the day, cooler in the morning and warmer under evening lamps. Compared to the grayed-out teals that dominate mood boards lately, Synergy has real chromatic punch. It wants to be noticed.

Undertone Read

Synergy Undertones

The primary undertone here is green, and it is not hiding. What keeps Synergy from feeling like pure emerald is a blue component that pushes it firmly into teal territory. Some designers also detect a quiet gray foundation that prevents the color from reading neon or overly candy-like. In north-facing rooms or on cloudy days, that gray undertone surfaces more, cooling the whole effect. In south-facing spaces with direct sun, the green dominates and the color can look surprisingly warm for a teal. The balance between these green, blue, and gray undertones is what gives the color its versatility, but it is important to test a large sample in your actual light before committing.

Where It Works Best

Where Synergy Works Best

Synergy works best when you treat it as a feature rather than a backdrop. On an accent wall, it gives a room an immediate focal point without the weight of a dark navy or charcoal. In bathrooms, it creates a spa-like energy, especially paired with white tile and natural wood tones. Bedrooms benefit from Synergy on a single wall behind the headboard, where it adds personality without overwhelming the room. On exteriors, it makes a bold front door or shutter color that reads fresh and modern, particularly against white or light gray siding. In living rooms, consider it for built-in shelving or a fireplace surround. Avoid using it on every wall in a small room, as an LRV of 43 in a high-chroma teal can close a space in quickly.

Room by Room

Where to put Synergy

Bedroom

Use Synergy on the headboard wall only and keep the remaining walls in a warm white or pale neutral. White linen bedding and light wood furniture will balance the saturation. This setup gives you bold color without disrupting sleep, since the most vivid surface is behind you when you are in bed.

Bathroom

Synergy thrives in bathrooms because the color naturally evokes water and calm. Paint it on the vanity wall or as an all-over color in a powder room. Pair with white subway tile, brushed brass hardware, and a frameless mirror. The LRV of 43 is bright enough to keep a small bathroom from feeling dark, but test with your lighting first.

Living Room

In a living room, Synergy works as an accent wall behind the sofa or on built-in cabinetry. Pair it with a warm gray sofa, cream throw pillows, and a jute rug. This approach lets the color be a conversation piece without dominating the whole room. If your living room gets strong afternoon sun, expect the green to pop even more.

Accent Wall

This is Synergy at its best. A single accent wall in a dining room, office, or entryway gives you high visual impact with minimal commitment. Frame it with crisp white trim to sharpen the edges. Add floating shelves in natural wood to break up the color and create depth.

Exterior

On a front door, Synergy is an instant personality upgrade. It works well against white, light gray, or even dark charcoal siding. For shutters, it adds a coastal or mid-century modern vibe. Keep in mind that direct sunlight will amplify the green, so look at your sample in full outdoor sun before deciding.

What to Pair With

What to Pair With Synergy

Because Synergy has strong teal-green saturation, it pairs best with neutrals that give it breathing room. Warm whites with a slight cream cast keep it from feeling clinical. Crisp bright whites create a more graphic, contemporary contrast. Soft warm woods like white oak or light maple ground the color naturally. For metallic accents, brushed brass and matte gold complement the green undertone beautifully, while polished chrome leans into the cooler blue side.

Compare

Synergy vs similar colors

All comparisons are matched against Synergy at LRV 43.0.

What to Avoid

Colors that clash with Synergy

Reads too bright or cartoonish on a full room

In a small room with strong overhead lighting, Synergy's saturation can feel overwhelming and almost artificial. The green undertone amplifies under fluorescent or high-kelvin LED light.

FixLimit it to one wall or use it below a chair rail with a warm white above. Swap cool-white bulbs for 2700K warm LEDs to tame the green intensity.
Clashes with warm-toned wood floors

Red-toned woods like cherry or mahogany can create an uncomfortable contrast with Synergy's cool green-blue base. The warmth of the floor fights the coolness of the wall.

FixAdd a large neutral rug between the floor and wall color to create a visual buffer. Or lean into the contrast intentionally with warm brass accents that bridge the two temperatures.
Looks different on every wall in the same room

Because Synergy shifts between green and blue depending on light angle and direction, you may notice each wall reads as a slightly different hue, especially in rooms with mixed natural and artificial light.

FixUse it on a single feature wall and paint the remaining surfaces in a consistent neutral. If you want all walls in this color, ensure even lighting throughout the room.
FAQ

Common questions

Synergy has an LRV of 43, placing it squarely in the medium range. It reflects enough light to keep a room from feeling dark but is saturated enough to make a strong visual statement.

It leans green overall, but the blue component is strong enough that most people call it teal. In warm, sunny rooms the green dominates. In cooler, north-facing light it can read more blue. A gray undertone adds depth to both readings.

A clean, warm white trim is the safest and most popular choice. It sharpens the contrast and lets Synergy's teal take center stage. Avoid trim colors with strong yellow or pink undertones, as these will clash with the cool green base.

You can, but be thoughtful about it. An LRV of 43 in a highly saturated teal will feel intense on all four walls, especially in smaller spaces. It works best as an all-over color in larger rooms with plenty of natural light, white trim, and lighter furniture to offset the saturation.

It works well as an exterior accent, like a front door, shutters, or porch ceiling. As a full-body exterior color, it is a bold choice that suits modern or coastal-style homes best. Direct sunlight will push the color greener than what you see on an indoor swatch.

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Start with your photos. Quotes by tomorrow.

Upload a few photos of your home, meet up to four vetted local painters, and get expert color guidance at no cost.

Start a project See it on your home →
1,247Homes consulted
4.9Avg. painter rating
0Spam calls. Ever.