California Lilac

Technical Profile

What color is California Lilac? It's a very light cool blue with the hex code #BED3FD. California Lilac is a distinctive shade in the Behr lineup, and while close cross-brand equivalents exist, its specific blend of cool tone and very light depth gives it a character worth comparing in person. California Lilac has a neutral 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. California Lilac (#BED3FD) by Behr is a very light blue paint color with a striking intensity that commands attention. It delivers an airy, open feeling that maximizes the sense of space in any room. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, blue is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle cool, atmospheric depth even under different lighting conditions. With a Light Reflectance Value of 82, it reflects the vast majority of light, helping smaller rooms feel more spacious. A barely-there blue like this soothes bedrooms, ceilings, and nurseries with its sky-like openness. An eggshell or matte finish works well at this lightness, hiding minor wall imperfections while still being easy to wipe clean. For color coordination, California Lilac pairs beautifully with yellow tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring blue and teal hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its neutral 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 Valspar, Dunn-Edwards, Benjamin Moore and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, California Lilac brings a crisp, spa-like tranquility that opens up a room and calms the mind. 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 nautical, classic traditional, and Hamptons-style interiors. As part of the Behr palette, California Lilac benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. High-LRV colors like California Lilac are forgiving in most lighting conditions, but they can pick up reflected color from adjacent walls, flooring, or large furniture pieces, so evaluate samples in situ. Very light shades can sometimes read as stark white on small swatches — viewing a larger area in your intended space reveals the true character of the color. Pair this shade with natural linen, light oak, rattan, and marble for a fresh, layered look, or contrast it with dark walnut and wrought iron for more definition. You can order California Lilac (600A-3) 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.