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Oranges and terracottas
Caramel
Caramel is a deep, warm color with warm (red, orange or yellow) character. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 20.5, so it reflects roughly 21% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #AF6F09 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 175, 111, 9 |
| HSL | 37°, 90%, 36% |
| Estimated LRV | 20.5 |
| Temperature | warm |
| Text on it | Black text, contrast 5.1:1 |
LRV here is estimated from the screen color (relative luminance). Paint brands publish measured LRVs on their own chips, which can differ.
How it reads on a wall
A dramatic choice for accent walls, cabinetry, doors, built-ins and dining rooms. Works best with good light or as a cozy, enveloping color in small rooms.
North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light all day; a warm color like this one helps balance it.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light that will make this color look warmer and more saturated in the afternoon.
Rooms it suits
- Dining rooms
- Accent walls
- Kitchen islands and lower cabinets
- Powder rooms
A 60-30-10 palette built on Caramel
White Beach
Caramel
Denim
The 60-30-10 rule splits a room into a main color, a secondary color and an accent. Swap in real paint and fabric samples before you buy.
Harmonies
Complementary
Denim#2243B6Analogous
Honey and Thyme#AAAA00Analogous
Velvet Volcano#AB0102Triadic
Jade#00A86BTriadic
Lilac Spring#8822CCSplit complementary
True Sky Blue#24A6C2Tints and shades
Lighter tints work as a ceiling or adjoining-room color; deeper shades suit trim, doors or cabinets.
Similar named colors
Closest Colors of the Year
Getting Caramel in real paint
Caramel is a name from the open color-names list (MIT license), not a specific paint product. Most paint counters can mix a close match: bring a printed or physical sample, or use a brand color-match tool, then buy a sample pot and paint a 2 by 2 foot swatch on two walls. Screens and printers shift color.
On-screen colors are approximations. Pantone, Color of the Year and brand color names are trademarks of their owners.