Behr So Merlot#84525B · LRV 12
So Merlot reads as a red / warm — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover the spec, what Behr PPU1-15 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Color spec
| Brand | Behr |
| Name | So Merlot |
| SKU | PPU1-15 |
| Hex | #84525B |
| RGB | 132, 82, 91 |
| HSL | 349°, 23%, 42% |
| LRV | 12 |
| Undertone | red / warm |
| Family | Red |
About Behr So Merlot
With an LRV of 12, So Merlot is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its red undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
So Merlot works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Reds bring energy and appetite, classic in dining rooms and front doors.
Kompozit alternative
The closest hex in the Kompozit deck, ranked by ΔE2000 (perceptual color difference). ΔE under 2 is indistinguishable to most eyes; under 5 is a very close visual match.
Closest matches at every US brand
9 brands · top 5 each5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all red from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
PPG / Glidden
Valspar
Dunn-Edwards
Clare
Farrow & Ball
Magnolia Home
Similar Behr colors
closest in the Behr deckThe nearest shades to So Merlot within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #84525B in HSL space. Pair So Merlot with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.