Deep Desert Shadow
M331 · #504A3C · LRV 6.9 — warm red-orange tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Deep Desert Shadow6.9
- 2Anonymous20
- 3Fawn Brindle36
What Color Is Deep Desert Shadow, Really?
Deep Desert Shadow reads as a warm red-orange tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Valspar M331 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Deep Desert Shadow
Deep Desert Shadow earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Greige-leaning neutrals like this are the safe whole-home choice when you want warmth without committing to a color.
How Lighting Changes Deep Desert Shadow
At LRV 6.9, Deep Desert Shadow 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. Its orange 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. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Deep Desert Shadow 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 Valspar M331 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Enduring BronzeSW 7055 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.0 | 7 | Color page → |
| Behr | Chocolate Cupcake710D-7 · Behr | 3.8 | 7 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Southern Vine2138-10 · Benjamin Moore | 0.3 | 7 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Charred440-7DB · Dutch Boy | 2.9 | 7 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Black FoxHGSW 3471 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 4.6 | 7 | Color page → |
| Magnolia Home | Wooded AcresJG-122 · Magnolia Home | 4.7 | 7 | Color page → |
Similar Valspar Colors
The nearest shades to Deep Desert Shadow within Valspar'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 #504A3C in HSL space. Pair Deep Desert Shadow with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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