Bohemian Black
SW 6988 · #3B373C · LRV 4 — neutral with no strong undertone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Bohemian Black4
- 2Oyster Catch9
What Color Is Bohemian Black, Really?
Bohemian Black reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Sherwin-Williams SW 6988 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Bohemian Black
Bohemian Black earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Near-blacks like this are best as contrast — doors, trim, cabinets, window frames.
How Lighting Changes Bohemian Black
At LRV 4, Bohemian Black is about as dark as paint gets — it reads near-black on a wall and reveals its character only in direct daylight or under warm bulbs. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Bohemian Black are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Sherwin-Williams SW 6988 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behr | Double EspressoBNC-21 · Behr | 4.1 | 4 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Dark Basalt2072-10 · Benjamin Moore | 3.3 | 5 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Black Currant8004-1G · Valspar | 1.3 | 4 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Onyx Black00NN 05/000 · Glidden | 3.6 | 5 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Deepest Purple445-7DB · Dutch Boy | 1.2 | 4 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Bohemian BlackHGSW 6988 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 0.0 | 4 | Color page → |
Similar Sherwin-Williams Colors
The nearest shades to Bohemian Black within Sherwin-Williams's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #3B373C in HSL space. Pair Bohemian Black with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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