HeritageSouth-Facing

Urban Auburn

Valspar · 1-877

The Analysis

Urban Auburn is a deep, saturated brown with significant red undertones. With an LRV of 8.3, it absorbs a lot of light, which will make a room feel smaller and more enclosed, creating an intimate, cave-like atmosphere.

This is a bold, high-impact shade that functions best as an accent wall, on cabinetry, or in a dedicated library or study. It is too dark to serve as a neutral backdrop for a whole-home color scheme.

LRV 8

History & Origin

This shade leans into a Heritage aesthetic, reminiscent of the wood-paneled walls and rich textiles found in 19th-century studies or libraries. It is a traditional, classic choice that feels settled and established.

Undertonewarm
FamilyOrange

How to Use It

Pair this with warm brass hardware to highlight the red undertones or matte black for a sharp, modern contrast. It looks best alongside light oak or walnut furniture to prevent the room from feeling too dark.

The Mood

Living with this color feels grounding and stable rather than energizing. It creates a restful, quiet environment that is ideal for winding down, though it can feel heavy if applied to every surface in a small room.

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.

  • Two Cents

    Valspar · V081-6

  • Cowboy Suede

    Valspar · 2011-6

  • Burnt Cinnamon

    Benjamin Moore · 2094-10

  • Earthly Russet

    Benjamin Moore · 2173-10

  • Cimarron

    Benjamin Moore · 2093-10

  • Satchel

    Benjamin Moore · AF-240

Lighting

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

  • Natural