Essential Brown BNC-03 is a beige paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #C1BE9F, LRV 47 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Lichen Stone from Benjamin Moore (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #C1BE9F · BNC-03
Essential Brown
47%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Essential Brown Technical Profile
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Essential Brown in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Essential Brown in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
BehrEssential Brown
Nearly identical
Benjamin MooreLichen Stone
Lichen Stone
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Northern Landscape
PPG
Nearly identical
Bayou Shade
Valspar
Nearly identical
Sea Glass
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Willowed Tree
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Pebble Grey
RAL
Very similar
Glass .03
Colorhouse
Very similar
Marrett Apple
Vista Paint
Very similar
Recycled Glass
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Cooking Apple Green
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Garden Hedge
Hirshfield's
Very similar
California Avocado
Kilz
Very similar
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Essential Brown
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Essential Brown
#C1BE9F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9DAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Essential Brown
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Essential Brown 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 Essential Brown.
More beige colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the beige family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Essential Brown — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Essential Brown have?
Essential Brown by Behr has a neutral undertone and sits in the beige color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Essential Brown in your own space before committing.
What colors match Essential Brown from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Essential Brown are Lichen Stone by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Northern Landscape by PPG (a near-identical match), Bayou Shade by Valspar (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Essential Brown's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Essential Brown?
Essential Brown has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 47.0, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light.
Explore More with Essential Brown
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 Essential Brown's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.