HeritageSouth-Facing

Hickory Chips

Valspar · 1-877

The Analysis

Hickory Chips is a deep, saturated brown that absorbs most light, making a room feel intimate and cozy rather than bright. Because of its low LRV of 7.992, it will shrink the visual boundaries of a space, making large rooms feel more grounded and enclosed.

It works best as a bold accent wall or a dramatic choice for a small, dedicated space like a library or powder room. Using it on all four walls creates a 'jewel box' effect, which is perfect for rooms intended for evening relaxation.

LRV 8

History & Origin

This is a classic, timeless tone that fits well into traditional or Heritage design schemes, reminiscent of mid-century wood paneling. It avoids trendy shifts, leaning instead toward an established, permanent look.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

Pair this with warm brass hardware to bring out the richness of the brown, or use matte black for a modern, industrial edge. It complements light-to-medium oak flooring perfectly, but avoid pairing it with dark espresso furniture to keep the room from feeling too heavy.

The Mood

This color provides a sense of stability and restfulness, acting as a neutral anchor that grounds a busy home. It feels sophisticated and solid, offering a grounded environment that lacks the visual clutter of lighter, high-contrast wall colors.

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.

  • Sturdy Brown

    Sherwin-Williams · SW6097

  • Mocha

    Little Greene · 6154

  • Dark Earth

    Valspar · 3011-8

  • Valise

    Valspar · V086-6

  • Wagon Train

    Valspar · 8003-22G

  • Jungle Beat

    Valspar · 8004-18G

Lighting

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

  • Natural