Bittersweet reads as warm and grounded — strong in kitchens, family rooms, and any space where warmth is the dominant mood you're after. At LRV 47 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Because it's a fully saturated example, it lands strongest as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than the dominant whole-room color. Skip it in rooms that already run warm or get strong afternoon sun, where it can tip into an overpowering glow.
Ref. #FEA051 · DET462
Bittersweet
47%LRV Value
Bittersweet Technical Profile
What color is Dunn-Edwards Bittersweet (DET462)? It's a medium warm orange — hex #FEA051, LRV 47. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Bittersweet is Hirshfield's Au Gratin — a near-identical match on the wall, with Benjamin Moore Fruity Cocktail and Valspar Pumpkin Burst also close. Its LRV of 47 gives Bittersweet depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with warm whites like White Dove, white oak floors, and unlacquered brass or copper hardware. Terracotta tile or deep green plants complete an earthy warm palette. As a fully saturated example, it reads as a confident statement color — best deployed as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than a whole-room dominant. Oranges glow under 2700K warm bulbs, deepening into rich amber. Under 4000K cool light they can lose warmth and shift toward beige — particularly true for muted or dusty oranges. Saturated colors amplify lighting effects more than muted ones: warm bulbs deepen and enrich, cool daylight sharpens and slightly cools the same hex.
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Colors Similar to Bittersweet
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Bittersweet
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Bittersweet
#FEA051
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#D6D05C
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Bittersweet
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Bittersweet 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 Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Bittersweet.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Bittersweet — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Bittersweet from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Bittersweet are Au Gratin by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Fruity Cocktail by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Pumpkin Burst by Valspar (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Bittersweet's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Bittersweet?
Bittersweet has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 46.8, 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. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Bittersweet
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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Bittersweet depends on the room. Here's how to choose.