Mid-Century ModernNorth-Facing

CITRINE

Jotun · 1866

The Analysis

Citrine is a high-energy yellow with a significant LRV of 70.05, meaning it reflects a large amount of light and will make any room feel significantly brighter and more spacious. Because it leans towards a warm, golden hue, it effectively compensates for dim areas by mimicking the glow of natural sunshine.

This shade works best as a primary wall colour in functional spaces or as a deliberate, bold accent to highlight architectural features. It is a dominant colour, so it acts less like a neutral backdrop and more like a centerpiece for your room’s design.

LRV 70

History & Origin

This is a distinctly modern and fresh take on yellow; it avoids the muddy, mustard tones found in older heritage palettes. It feels contemporary and intentional, fitting well into updated interior styles that favor clean lines and saturated accents.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

It excels in kitchens or mudrooms where you need a mood boost, pairing perfectly with light oak wood tones or high-contrast matte black hardware. Avoid cool-toned metals like polished chrome, as the warmth of the yellow will clash with their blue undertones.

The Mood

Living with this colour daily is inherently energizing and optimistic, making it an excellent choice for rooms where you want to feel active rather than sleepy. It provides a cheerful, wakeful atmosphere that is less likely to feel sterile than stark white or grey.

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.

  • Lazy Sun

    Valspar · 3006-6A

  • Whipped Apricot

    Valspar · 2007-2B

  • Moroccan Sands 4

    Dulux

  • Full Bloom

    Behr · HDC-SP14-7

  • Golden Rambler 3

    Dulux

  • Sunday Afternoon 0904

    Colourtrend

Lighting

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

  • Natural