Living Room
Bedroom
Exterior
Neutral
White
Gray
Green
Blue
Yellow
Pink
Black
Red
Brown
OrangeShiitake SW-9173 Paint Color by Sherwin-Williams
A complete guide on a beautiful beige color
Why do people love beiges so much? These colors give that atmosphere of coziness, and a homey vibe everyone appreciates. Besides, beige is a pretty versatile paint color, which means you can incorporate it into many interior styles and color palettes.
Today, we will tell you more about one of the members of the beige family. This color is called Shiitake, like a mushroom, and after you read this article, you will figure out why.
You will learn what undertones and LRV it has, how to coordinate it, and in what rooms this beige will work best.
via forbes
What Kind of Color Is Shiitake SW-9173 by Sherwin-Williams?
As we have already mentioned in the introduction section, SW Shiitake is a beige paint color (soft beige, to be precise). However, you can also see it’s referred to as tan, which is correct as well.
Being tan/beige paint color, SW Shiitake reads warm, but not in a traditional sense of warmth. As Encycolorpedia says, this color is often not warm/orange enough compared to many other beiges.
With its balanced tone, SW Shiitake gives that minimalist vibe to a space, adding creaminess, softness, and a fragile appearance to any room. If you want to make your living space look more symmetrical, this color should definitely be considered!
housekeepingbay.com
Is SW Shiitake a Warm or a Cool Color?
The outstanding feature of SW Shiitake paint color is that this beige feels equally warm and cool. It neither feels too warm (e.g., like taupe colors) nor too cool (e.g., like gray colors). This is the most significant surprise people get when they use this beige on their walls since it is typically considered a warm color.
Thanks to its balanced nature, this beige paint color will make any room and space in your home feel more relaxed, calm, and refined. It also has a subtle touch that can bring a sense of safety and warmth to your living space.
What Undertones Does SW Shiitake Color Have?
Before you use any color on your walls, you must check out its undertones! Depending on them, the color may often read quite differently. However, when it comes to SW Shiitake, it doesn’t lean into an orange undertone, unlike traditional beige paint colors.
Instead, this warm beige color shows a very subtle yellow undertone that is barely seen. Homeowners often wonder whether this color could pick up a wink of green. Well, yes, there is such a possibility.
But usually, SW SHiitake may reveal a slightly greenish hue only if you pair this beige with finishes that have orange-pink undertones.
housekeepingbay.com
Coordinating Colors For SW Shiitake
Since it is a beige paint color, SW Shiitake will look fabulous with blue, bronze, brown, green, and creamy white, as well as darker mauve and crisp white colors. If you need to know the specific color names, you should check out the following options:
- SW Aesthetic White
- SW Urban Jungle
- SW 6276 Mystical Shade
- SW 7004 Snowbound
- SW 7713 Tawny Tan
What Is the LRV of SW Shiitake Paint Color?
The LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value and shows the percentage of light the paint color can reflect from the surface it’s applied to. The LRV range goes from zero to 100, where zero is black, and 100 is pure white.
housekeepingbay.com
The LRV of SW Shiitake is 51, which means it is a light-medium depth paint color. If you use this beige in a south-facing room or a room with afternoon western sunshine, SW Shiitake may lean into its warmth. It can even show more yellow!
However, in north-facing or east-facing light, the Shiitake paint color can add pleasant and balanced warmth to your room. Just make sure the room has plenty of light! Otherwise, the color will look a bit flat.
housekeepingbay.com
What is LRV? Read It Before You Choose Your Ideal Paint Color
Trim Colors to Use With SW Shiitake
If you can pick up the correct trim color, you can successfully highlight the tone of the paint color used on the walls, making it work better. For SW Shiitake as a wall color, the following paint colors will help you release and highlight its true hue:
housekeepingbay.com
Colors Similar to SW Shiitake
You must realize there is usually no 100% color match when choosing similar colors. You will anyway see shifts in undertones, temperature, hue, and depths. With SW Shiitake, this rule works as well. Luckily, you could check out the following color options that read the closest to this soft beige:
- SW 7033 Brainstorm Bronze
- SW 7034 Status Bronze
- SW 7030 Anew Gray
- SW 7036 Accessible Beige
- SW 7037 Balanced Beige
- SW 7038 Tony Taupe
housekeepingbay.com
Become part of a friendly group eager to help. Our color experts are just a post away!
Join Facebook Community
Colors That Go With SW Shiitake
To create a balanced color palette in your home, it is essential to be able to select colors that work well together. With such warm beiges as SW Shiitake, you should consider using warm neutrals with similar undertone profiles. Also, you may want to try using grays with blue-green undertones that have a similar depth or are darker. At the same time, try to avoid colors that are cooler and lighter than SW Shiitake.
For example, you could use the following paint colors with SW Shiitake to reach a harmonious look:
- SW Moody Blue
- SW Refuge
- SW Agreeable Gray
- SW Silvermist
- SW Urbane Bronze
Color Pairings with Shiitake
Color pairings with Shiitake by Sherwin Williams offer endless possibilities for creating balanced and inviting spaces.
This warm greige shade is a natural fit for both modern and classic interiors, blending seamlessly with a range of colors to add depth and character to any room.
Shiitake SW 9173 and Alabaster SW 7008
Shiitake and Alabaster create a warm and welcoming look with their gentle, complementary tones. Shiitake is a soft greige with just enough warmth to add depth, making it an ideal choice for walls where you want subtle color without overpowering the room. Alabaster, a warm white, adds brightness and pairs beautifully with Shiitake, creating a balanced and fresh feel.
Together, Shiitake and Alabaster offer a clean, cozy aesthetic that works well in living rooms, bedrooms, or kitchens. Shiitake’s gentle warmth brings a sense of comfort, while Alabaster keeps the space feeling light and open, perfect for a versatile, timeless interior.
via housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake SW 9173 and Iron Ore SW 7069
Pairing Shiitake with Iron Ore creates a striking, modern contrast that feels both bold and balanced. Shiitake’s warm greige tones add softness, providing a neutral backdrop that complements the intensity of Iron Ore, a deep, charcoal-like shade. This duo works wonderfully in spaces where you want to add a touch of drama without overwhelming the room.
Iron Ore brings depth and elegance, while Shiitake keeps the look grounded and inviting. This combination is ideal for accent walls, trim, or cabinetry, bringing a refined touch to any space and creating a modern yet cozy atmosphere.
via housekeepingbay.com
Comparing SW Shiitake With Other Colors
Comparing SW Shiitake with other colors helps highlight the unique warmth and versatility of this soft greige shade by Sherwin Williams.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy, complementary tone or a contrasting neutral, Shiitake pairs well with a variety of shades, from warm beiges and crisp whites to deeper charcoals and earthy greens:
SW Shiitake SW 9173 vs Loggia SW 7506
Shiitake and Loggia are two warm neutrals that each bring a cozy, grounded feel. Shiitake is a light greige with a soft warmth, offering a balanced neutral that feels both airy and adaptable. Loggia, slightly darker and warmer, leans more toward beige, adding a bit more depth and richness to a space.
Choosing between Shiitake and Loggia comes down to the desired atmosphere.
Shiitake provides a lighter, more open feel, while Loggia adds a bit more warmth and structure, perfect for creating a comfortable and inviting space with a touch of richness.
housekeepingbay.com
SW Shiitake SW 9173 vs Sandbar SW 7547
Shiitake and Sandbar are both warm, versatile neutrals with different levels of depth. Shiitake is a soft, light greige that feels neutral and fresh, ideal for spaces where you want an airy, subtle warmth. Sandbar, slightly darker and more beige, provides a cozy, grounded look that’s a bit warmer than Shiitake.
These colors work well for a relaxed, natural feel, with Sandbar offering a bit more presence and Shiitake bringing a lighter touch.
Both are excellent choices, but Shiitake suits areas needing a softer, more versatile neutral, while Sandbar is perfect for adding a warm, inviting atmosphere.
housekeepingbay.com
SW Shiitake SW 9173 vs Balanced Beige SW 7037
Shiitake and Balanced Beige both bring warmth to a room, with each offering a different take on cozy neutrals. Shiitake is a light greige that feels airy and versatile, making it ideal for spaces where a subtle, soft tone is desired. Balanced Beige, on the other hand, is slightly deeper with a warm beige undertone, adding a richer, cozier feel.
Balanced Beige is great for spaces where you want a grounded, more substantial color, while Shiitake provides a gentle, neutral backdrop.
Both colors offer warmth and balance, but the choice depends on whether you want a light, adaptable neutral or a deeper, more traditional beige.
housekeepingbay.com
SW Shiitake SW 9173 vs Accessible Beige SW 7036
Shiitake and Accessible Beige are two inviting neutrals that add warmth and versatility to any space. Shiitake is a warm greige that feels both modern and soft, while Accessible Beige leans a bit warmer with a beige undertone, creating a cozier feel.
Accessible Beige works well in rooms that benefit from a grounded warmth, while Shiitake is perfect for spaces that need a lighter, more adaptable color.
Together, these colors offer a range of neutral warmth that can suit various styles, from modern to traditional.
housekeepingbay.com
SW Shiitake SW 9173 vs Agreeable Gray SW 7029
Shiitake and Agreeable Gray are two popular greiges that offer subtle differences in tone. Shiitake leans slightly warmer, with a soft, inviting feel that brings warmth without overpowering. Agreeable Gray is a touch cooler, providing a balanced, more neutral greige that works well in a variety of settings.
Agreeable Gray’s cooler undertone gives it a fresh, modern appeal, while Shiitake offers a bit more warmth, making spaces feel cozy and comfortable.
Both are versatile neutrals, but the choice depends on whether you prefer a slightly warmer or cooler greige.
housekeepingbay.com
SW Natural Linen SW 9109 vs Shiitake SW 9173
Natural Linen and Shiitake are two warm neutrals that each bring a unique softness to a room. Natural Linen has a light beige tone with a hint of warmth, creating a cozy, inviting backdrop that feels fresh yet comforting. Shiitake, in contrast, leans slightly more toward greige, providing a neutral warmth with a modern twist.
Natural Linen works well for a soft, light atmosphere, while Shiitake adds a bit more depth with its subtle gray undertones.
Together, they offer a choice between a classic, warm beige and a modern, versatile greige, perfect for any style and setting.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake vs. Tony Taupe
SW Tony Taupe reads warmer and more pronounced than SW Shiitake. Also, if you compare these colors, you will see that the Tony Taupe color has deep red undertones, unlike its counterpart. On the other hand, both colors may show the slightest wink of green sometimes.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake vs. Taupe Tone
SW Taupe Tone color has stone gray undertones, which makes it different from SW Shiitake. Also, the Taupe Tone reads deeper and darker. These colors look significantly contrasting, but you’d better not use them together.
However, the Taupe Tone may work well as a darker alternative for SW Shiitake.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake vs. Balanced Beige
Balanced Beige has passive undertones. And since it leans a bit into gray, it can pick up a faint green undertone as well. This greenish hue is what unites these colors. Compared to the Balanced Beige, SW Shiitake is a bit lighter, but this distinction is pretty faint too.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake vs. Moth Wing
This is another contrasting pair of colors where the Moth Wing color is darker and deeper than SW Shiitake. Also, their undertones differ. SW Moth Wing is a warm medium beige with gray undertones, while SW Shiitake has faint yellow undertones.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake vs. Dhurrie Beige
These two are so much alike that you can hardly see the difference! That’s because they have the same LRV of 51, but their undertones are slightly different.
Upon closer examination, it can be seen that SW Dhurrie Beige has reddish undertones, while SW Shiitake reveals its faint greenish hue more.
housekeepingbay.com
Where In Your Home to Use SW Shiitake Paint Color
Beige is considered a versatile color that can be used in different rooms and on different surfaces, fitting right in various interior styles. Below, we want to show you how SW SHiitake may work in different rooms of your home to help you imagine how this beige might read indoors and outdoors as well!
Shiitake SW-9173 in the Living Room
In a living room, this color will feel pleasantly warm and welcoming. It will undoubtedly complement the contemporary, modern, and modern farmhouse living rooms, pairing with the shades of off-white or white on the furniture upholstery.
If you want to add visual interest, add blues, greens, or mauves to the throw pillows and accessories. Metallic accents will also work nicely. For this purpose, we recommend you use matte black, brushed brass, or copper.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake SW-9173 in a Bedroom
In your bedroom, this beige will create a calming atmosphere. You can paint all the walls to enhance a calming effect, or you can paint an accent wall only.
Also, consider using wooden textures on the furniture frame, shelves, and window frames.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake SW-9173 and Kitchen
Painting the kitchen walls in SW Shiitake will give a seamless and spacious look. You can also add shades of blue or green on the lower cabinets. Furthermore, you can use brass or chrome-finished handles with white marble countertops and glossy backsplash tiles.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake SW-9173 on the Cabinets/Kitchen Cabinets
This color can read lovely on kitchen cabinets and other cabinets in your home. Its depth gives you more flexibility and space for choosing coordinating wall paint colors, which means more options for creativity.
housekeepingbay.com
Shiitake SW-9173 for the Exterior use
SW Shiitake is a good color for exterior walls since it suits almost any roofing, stone, and brickwork. Especially for the Craftsman, Ranch-style, Mid-Century Modern, and Mediterranean homes!
This paint on the exterior will add a vibe of perfection to your house. However, note that it often looks a bit warmer and lighter than expected on the exteriors.
Also, if you have a porch and columns, either use greige, gray, or beige paint on them. Finally, to make your entryway door stand out, you can paint it blue, green, or mauve.
housekeepingbay.com
Conclusion
Now you know what color SW Shiitake is. You know its LRV and undertones, as well as coordinating colors and trim colors. You also know in what rooms it will work best of all.
With all these tips and recommendations regarding its use in your home, you can make this warm beige work wonders on interior and exterior walls!
housekeepingbay.com
Ever wished paint sampling was as easy as sticking a sticker? Guess what? Now it is! Discover Samplize's unique Peel & Stick samples. Get started now and say goodbye to the old messy way!
Get paint samples
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐Does Shiitake color read too warm?
It depends on your color perception, but typically, this beige reads well-balanced.
⭐Does SW Shiitake work with green colors?
Basically, yes, it does. But it depends on the shade of green you want to use. Stick to muted and neutral greens.
⭐Will any white work with this beige?
You’d better opt for neutral whites and whites that read muted. Too crisp or too cold whites won’t look nice with this warm color.
11 thoughts on “Shiitake SW-9173 Paint Color by Sherwin-Williams”
Leave a Reply
That sounds like a beautiful palette! Since Shiitake (SW 9173) is a warm, earthy greige, you’ll want a cream that has warmth but stays light and airy.
I’d recommend Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008). It’s a soft, creamy white with just the right warmth to complement Shiitake without being too yellow. Another great option is SW Natural Choice (SW 7011), which is a bit creamier and offers a cozy, inviting feel that will work well with the warmth of Shiitake on your trim and cabinets.
Both are timeless and create a soft, cohesive look throughout your home!
I’m trying to put together an exterior palette for my single-story stucco home and I like Shiitake for the body with Tricorn black on the shutters and front door, but I’m having a tough time choosing a color for the fascia, trim and garage door. My garage door is on the front of the house, so I was considering a monochromatic look to have the garage blend vs. stand out. Taupe Tone was a top contender after using samplize swatches on the house, but then I read this. Why shouldn’t Shiitake be paired with Taupe Tone?
Hey there! Melinda here! 👋
First off, I love that you’re thinking about Shiitake and Tricorn Black—it’s such a classy combo! Shiitake has that perfect warm, neutral vibe without feeling too cold or stark, and Tricorn Black always adds just the right touch of drama. You’ve got a great foundation to build on!
Now, about Taupe Tone… I totally understand why you’re second-guessing it. You’re right—Shiitake and Taupe Tone can be a little too similar, and that lack of contrast could leave things looking flat or “muddy,” especially if your garage door is a big focal point in the front. They’re both stunning colors on their own, but together, in certain lighting, it might not pop the way you want.
If you’re aiming for a monochromatic look but still want a bit of definition, I’d suggest going with something like Aesthetic White (SW 7035) or Natural Choice (SW 7011). These colors are soft and warm, like Shiitake, but lighter, so they’ll blend beautifully without making the house feel too one-note. Aesthetic White especially is a nice option if you want to keep things subtle but not boring.
Another color to consider for your trim and fascia could be Accessible Beige (SW 7036). It’s still neutral but offers a touch more depth than Aesthetic White and will play nicely with Shiitake without competing. Accessible Beige tends to shift in lighting, so it’ll give your exterior a bit of interest without standing out too much.
You’re on the right track with a monochromatic look for the garage—it’s a great way to make it blend in seamlessly while keeping the focus on your front door and shutters (and that Tricorn Black is going to look amazing!).
Can’t wait to see how it turns out! 😊
Hope this helps!
Yes, very helpful, thank you!
Sorry Melinda, one more question. If I want to go darker (vs. lighter) than Shiitake on the garage, etc. would Moth Wing be out of the question? I know they have different under tones, but they seem to work well side by side when I take the samples outside.
Hey Kathy! 😊
Don’t worry—always happy to answer more questions! 💖
Going darker instead of lighter can definitely work, and I see why you’re considering Moth Wing. It’s a beautiful, soft brownish-gray, and you’re right—the undertones are a bit different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Moth Wing has a bit more of a cooler, earthy vibe compared to the warmer tones in Shiitake, but since they’re both pretty neutral, they can work well together depending on your natural light and how the colors interact.
Here’s where you might want to be careful, though: because the two colors have different undertones (Shiitake’s warmer vs. Moth Wing’s cooler), you might notice that in certain lighting, one could look slightly off or clash a little—especially if your home gets a lot of direct sunlight. If you’re still leaning toward a darker garage look, I’d recommend painting a larger section of the house (like a poster board size) with both colors next to each other and checking it at different times of day. Sometimes colors that look great together in small swatches can shift a lot once they’re up in a bigger space.
Another idea if you want to go a bit darker but stay more in the warm tone family might be Dorian Gray (SW 7017). It’s a medium-tone gray with warm undertones, and I think it could complement Shiitake really well while still giving you that darker contrast.
Ultimately, if Moth Wing is speaking to you and looks good next to Shiitake in your space, trust your gut! Sometimes those little undertone differences can add character rather than be a problem. 😊
Hope that helps! Can’t wait to hear what you decide on!
Melinda 💖
I am looking for the perfect cream color throughout my house that will pair well with shiitake. All of my trim, doors, and cabinets are shiitake and I’m looking for a lighter color for the walls that would complement it well. I appreciate your feedback!
Could you please explain why this color is called Shiitake?
Hey there! As far as I remember, shiitake is the name of a mushroom that grows in Japan. I guess they named this color after a mushroom because they have a similar color.
Hi! Could you please help me? I have a big bathroom, and I want to paint it all Shiitake color. Do you think it will read nicely?
Hi! I guess it depends on how well your bathroom is lit. It’s good that it’s big since this beige could make a small room look even smaller. And if your bathroom has a window that lets enough daylight in, I’d say go for it! By adding some white, you will make the space look fabulous!