Sherwin Williams Alpaca vs Agreeable Gray: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect warm neutral paint color, it’s easy to get stuck comparing two similar versatile shades from Sherwin Williams. Popular choices Alpaca SW 7022 and Agreeable Gray SW 7029 appear alike at first glance with their neutral beige tones. But what really differentiates these two beautiful neutrals?

In this guide, we’ll analyze Alpaca vs Agreeable Gray in-depth to help you determine the ideal neutral paint for your home. We’ll look at undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, room pairings and more.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Alpaca and Agreeable Gray

Before getting into the nitty gritty, here is an overview of the main differences between Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca and Agreeable Gray:

Undertones – Alpaca is a warm light brown, Agreeable Gray is warm beige
Light Reflectance – Alpaca has an LRV of 57, Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60
Use – Alpaca suits boho styles, Agreeable Gray fits traditional decor
Rooms – Alpaca excels in living rooms, Agreeable Gray shines in bedrooms
Availability – Both come in all sheens

Now let’s explore Alpaca and Agreeable Gray more thoroughly.

Sherwin Williams Alpaca SW 7022

With its subtle warm light brown appearance, Sherwin Williams Alpaca SW 7022 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for boho styles. This versatile neutral works across eclectic spaces.

Here are some details about Alpaca:

LRV: 57
Undertones: Warm light brown
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Earth tones, blacks, rustic woods

Alpaca is a soft, approachable brown-influenced beige with faint tan undertones. In certain lights it can take on a weathered clay appearance. The laidback neutral has bohemian appeal.

The 57 light reflectance value prevents the shade from feeling too dark or drab. Alpaca strikes a cozy yet bright balance suitable for most rooms.

This versatile neutral complements organic, nature-inspired color combinations. Popular Alpaca pairings include:

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
Black iron accents
Distressed wood finishes
Natural fibers and textures

While suitable anywhere at home, Alpaca truly excels in these boho-chic spaces:

Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways

Alpaca’s earthiness helps create a welcoming, bohemian feel perfect as an all-over home color. Use it to allow rustic woods and blacks to stand out.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029

With its warm beige appearance, Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for accentuating traditional decor. This versatile neutral works in both formal and casual spaces.

Here are some details about Agreeable Gray:

LRV: 60
Undertones: Warm beige
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Blues, blacks, wood tones

Agreeable Gray is a relaxed, soft beige-influenced gray with faint tan undertones. In certain lights it can read as a weathered mushroom. The welcoming neutral has traditional appeal.

The 60 light reflectance value prevents the shade from feeling too dark or drab. Agreeable Gray strikes a cozy yet bright balance suitable for most rooms.

This versatile neutral complements both cool and warm accents nicely. Popular Agreeable Gray color pairings include:

Sherwin Williams Pure White
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
Black accent pieces
Walnut wood finishes
White trim and mouldings

While suitable anywhere at home, Agreeable Gray truly excels in these spaces:

Bedrooms
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Libraries

Agreeable Gray’s warmth helps create a welcoming, traditional feel perfect as an all-over home color. Use it to allow bold colors to stand out.

Comparing Alpaca vs Agreeable Gray

Now that we’ve examined Alpaca and Agreeable Gray independently, let’s directly compare them:

Light Reflectance

Alpaca and Agreeable Gray have LRVs of 57 and 60 respectively. Agreeable Gray will appear slightly brighter.

Undertones

Here’s where the main difference lies. Alpaca is a warm light brown, while Agreeable Gray is a warm beige-influenced neutral.

Use & Rooms

Alpaca’s earthiness excels in boho living rooms. Agreeable Gray’s warmth is perfect for cozy bedrooms.

Availability

Both Alpaca and Agreeable Gray come in any sheen from matte to high gloss.

Paint Color	Alpaca SW 7022	Agreeable Gray SW 7029
LRV	57	60
Undertones	Warm light brown	Warm beige
Use	Boho styles	Traditional decor
Finishes	All sheens	All sheens
Style	Boho	Traditional

Real-Life Photos: Alpaca vs Agreeable Gray

Let’s look at real-life photos to better visualize the differences between Alpaca and Agreeable Gray:

Sherwin Williams Alpaca

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

While they can overlap, Alpaca generally appears warmer and more brown than the soft beige tone of Agreeable Gray. But lighting affects their look.

Should I Choose Alpaca or Agreeable Gray?

So how do you decide between Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca or Agreeable Gray for your home? Here are a few tips:

Choose Alpaca SW 7022 if you want:

A warm, light brown neutral
A versatile color suitable for bohemian styles
An earthy, organic feel for living rooms
To allow wood tones and black to stand out

Choose Agreeable Gray SW 7029 if you want:

A warm, beige-influenced light gray
A sophisticated neutral for bedrooms and offices
A versatile color that works with traditional decor
A soft, airy backdrop

Get samples of both Alpaca and Agreeable Gray. Paint large test sections to view in different lighting at various times of day. This gives you the best sense of how the undertones read in your environment.

You can also try pairing them with decor you already have to visualize the look. Both offer beautiful warm neutral tones for varied styles.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are some rooms that are especially well-suited to Alpaca and Agreeable Gray paint colors:

Sherwin Williams Alpaca

Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Bedrooms
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Libraries

While both neutrals work well throughout the home, the above applications make optimal use of their unique strengths.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Alpaca and Agreeable Gray create peaceful backdrops. Complement them with other colors and materials for gorgeous spaces:

Alpaca SW 7022 Pairings

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
Black iron accents
Distressed wood finishes
Natural fibers and textures

Agreeable Gray SW 7029 Pairings

Sherwin Williams Pure White
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
Black accent pieces
Walnut wood finishes
White trim and mouldings

Alpaca vs Agreeable Gray – Which is Better?

So which neutral paint color is better for your home – Alpaca or Agreeable Gray?

Consider Alpaca SW 7022 if you want:

A warm, light brown neutral
A versatile color suitable for bohemian styles
An earthy, organic feel for living rooms
To allow wood tones and black to stand out

Consider Agreeable Gray SW 7029 if you want:

A warm, beige-influenced light gray
A sophisticated neutral for bedrooms and offices
A versatile color that works with traditional decor
A soft, airy backdrop

While Alpaca offers boho warmth, Agreeable Gray provides refined elegance.

Get samples before deciding. Either beautiful Sherwin Williams neutral you choose will suit your home perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between Alpaca or Agreeable Gray? Here are answers to some common questions:

What are the main differences between Alpaca and Agreeable Gray?

The main differences are their undertones and suitability for varied spaces. Alpaca is a warm light brown while Agreeable Gray is a more refined, beige-gray.