Ref. #997D78 · UL130-19
Cafe Ole
23%LRV Value
Warm (Pink)Undertone
Cafe Ole Technical Profile
What color is Cafe Ole? It's a deep warm gray with the hex code #997D78. Colors similar to Cafe Ole include Valspar Southern Road, Benjamin Moore Quietly Violet, Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink. Cafe Ole has a warm (pink) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 23, Cafe Ole creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Cafe Ole pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Cafe Ole
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Cafe Ole
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Cafe Ole
#997D78
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#AD9F85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Cafe Ole
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Cafe Ole Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Behr Colors
Other Behr colors close to Cafe Ole.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Cafe Ole — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Cafe Ole have?
Cafe Ole by Behr has a warm (pink) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Cafe Ole from other brands?
The closest matches are Southern Road by Valspar (#9A7971), Quietly Violet by Benjamin Moore (#927977), Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball (#A0837F). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Cafe Ole?
Cafe Ole has an LRV of 22.8, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Cafe Ole
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Cafe Ole's warm (pink) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.