Bitter Lemon

Technical Profile

What color is Bitter Lemon? It's a light cool yellow with the hex code #A19939. Colors similar to Bitter Lemon include PPG Be Yourself, MPC Abruzzo Green Met., Benjamin Moore Forest Moss. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Bitter Lemon has a cool (green) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Bitter Lemon (#A19939) by Behr is a light yellow paint color with a balanced saturation that feels natural and approachable. It delivers a bright, welcoming quality that keeps interiors feeling fresh. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, red is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle rosy warmth even under different lighting conditions. Its Light Reflectance Value of 58 means it reflects a healthy amount of light, keeping spaces bright without feeling stark. Light yellows brighten bathrooms, laundry rooms, and north-facing spaces that crave extra warmth. Eggshell or satin finishes complement light tones nicely, balancing a subtle sheen with durability for high-traffic areas. For color coordination, Bitter Lemon pairs beautifully with blue tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring green and orange hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its cool (green) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Behr is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from PPG, MPC, Benjamin Moore and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Bitter Lemon offers a breezy, coastal serenity that keeps spaces feeling clean and refreshed. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for cottage-core, transitional, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. As part of the Behr palette, Bitter Lemon benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Bitter Lemon can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. This tone works well alongside natural textures like jute rugs, bleached wood, ceramic tile, and woven baskets, building an inviting, tactile space. You can order Bitter Lemon (M310-6) directly from Behr or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.