Pale Papaya 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. Skip it in rooms that already run warm or get strong afternoon sun, where it can tip into an overpowering glow.
Ref. #DAAD89 · 311-3DB
Pale Papaya
47%LRV Value
Pale Papaya Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Pale Papaya (311-3DB)? It's a medium warm orange — hex #DAAD89, LRV 47. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Pale Papaya is Hirshfield's Sweet Sue — a near-identical match on the wall, with Benjamin Moore Casabella and Benjamin Moore Indian Summer also close. Its LRV of 47 gives Pale Papaya 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. At mid saturation, this color sits at a flexible mid-point — bold enough to anchor a room without dominating, and pairs cleanly with both crisp and creamy whites. 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. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
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Colors Similar to Pale Papaya
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Pale Papaya
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Pale Papaya
#DAAD89
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#B9B579
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Pale Papaya
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Pale Papaya 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Pale Papaya.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Pale Papaya — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Pale Papaya from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Pale Papaya are Sweet Sue by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Casabella by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Indian Summer by Benjamin Moore (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 Pale Papaya'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 Pale Papaya?
Pale Papaya has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 46.6, 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 Pale Papaya
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 Pale Papaya depends on the room. Here's how to choose.