Caramel

Technical Profile

What color is Caramel? It's a medium warm orange with the hex code #875228. Caramel is a distinctive shade in the Dutch Boy lineup, and while close cross-brand equivalents exist, its specific blend of warm tone and medium depth gives it a character worth comparing in person. Caramel has a warm (golden) 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. Caramel (#875228) by Dutch Boy is a medium orange paint color with a rich, saturated presence that draws the eye. It delivers a versatile mid-tone depth that anchors a room without overwhelming it. On the temperature spectrum this shade leans toward warmth, adding coziness and inviting energy. In its RGB breakdown, red is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle rosy warmth even under different lighting conditions. A Light Reflectance Value of 35 gives it moderate light reflection, striking a balance between brightness and depth. A medium orange lends spirited energy to family rooms, playrooms, and creative studio spaces. A satin or eggshell finish brings out the richness at this depth, and the slight sheen makes walls easier to maintain. For color coordination, Caramel pairs beautifully with blue tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring yellow and red hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its warm (golden) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Dutch Boy is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Behr, Benjamin Moore, MPC and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Caramel strikes a cozy, amber-toned balance that feels like late-afternoon light filtering through linen curtains. 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 bohemian, Southwestern, and modern farmhouse aesthetics. As part of the Dutch Boy palette, Caramel benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Caramel 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. Mid-tone shades like this look best when balanced with a mix of textures — think leather seating, brushed brass hardware, woven wool, and raw-edge wood. You can order Caramel (VS-9805) directly from Dutch Boy or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.