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Mid-Century ModernNorth-Facing

Key Lime

Behr · 420A-3

The Analysis

Key Lime is a high-energy yellow-green that acts as a strong light reflector, making small or dim rooms feel significantly larger and brighter. Because of its relatively high LRV (67.39), it bounces daylight around effectively, preventing a room from feeling stagnant or cave-like.

This is a bold, high-chroma accent color rather than a neutral backdrop. It serves best as a vibrant focal point, such as on a kitchen island, a playful mudroom wall, or inside a pantry, rather than across every wall in a primary living area.

LRV 67

History & Origin

This color channels the mid-century modern obsession with zesty, optimistic palettes. It is a direct evolution of the retro-modern aesthetic, prioritizing bold personality over the muted, historical tones found in Victorian or Colonial architecture.

Undertonewarm-green
FamilyGreen-Yellow

How to Use It

Pair this with natural light wood tones like white oak or cool-toned metals like matte black to ground the intensity. It thrives in kitchens, bathrooms, or creative workspaces where you want to introduce a sharp, clean pop of color.

The Mood

Living with this color is a daily dose of stimulation; it is inherently energizing and youthful. It lacks the quiet, passive quality of a neutral, so it works best in spaces where you want to feel alert and active rather than tucked away for sleep.

Colour harmonies

Complementary

Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.

Analogous

Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.

Split complementary

Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.

Triadic

Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.

Tetradic (square)

Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.

Monochromatic

Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.

Brand Matches

Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.

  • Green Lime 0771

    Colourtrend

  • Citron Cocktail

    Benjamin Moore · 410

  • Spring Lawn

    Valspar · 6006-9C

  • Willow Creek 3

    Dulux

  • Key Lime

    Benjamin Moore · 2031-50

  • Lush Meadow

    Valspar · 6005-9C

Lighting

See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.

  • Natural
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
  • Evening
  • Overcast
  • 2700K
  • 3500K
  • 4000K
  • 5500K