FarmhouseSouth-Facing

Sugar Maple

Behr · S230-5

The Analysis

Sugar Maple is a mid-tone tan with strong warm, earthy undertones. With an LRV of 31.48, it absorbs more light than it reflects, which pulls the walls inward to make large rooms feel more contained and cozy rather than spacious or bright.

It functions best as a sophisticated main wall color or a cohesive backdrop for a living space. Because it is a neutral earth tone, it is versatile enough to serve as a calming foundation without overwhelming a room.

LRV 31

History & Origin

This shade leans into a classic, timeless aesthetic reminiscent of traditional woodwork and transitional design. It avoids the trendy, temporary nature of high-contrast modern palettes, offering a look that feels established and permanent.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

It excels in living rooms or studies where you want to encourage warmth. Pair it with dark walnut wood tones and matte black hardware to emphasize its natural depth, or use brass accents to pull out the subtle golden hues.

The Mood

This color provides a grounding, stable presence that feels inherently restful and balanced. It avoids the clinical sterility of white or the high-stimulation of bold primaries, making it a reliable choice for everyday relaxation.

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.

  • EMBRACE

    Jotun · 12179

  • Dune Drift

    Behr · QE-12

  • Wilderness Cabin

    Benjamin Moore · 1168

  • Poncho

    Behr · S240-5

  • Sturdy Bronze

    Valspar · 3001-7C

  • Cinnamon Scone

    Valspar · V085-4

Lighting

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

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