Empress Lilac is a calming choice — works as both a whole-house neutral when lightened and a dramatic anchor when deepened to navy. 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 low-light north-facing rooms unless you want a deliberately cool, cocooning effect, since blue can read chilly there.
Ref. #B7B2D1 · 90BB 47/149
Empress Lilac
47%LRV Value
Empress Lilac Technical Profile
What color is PPG Empress Lilac (90BB 47/149)? It's a medium warm blue — hex #B7B2D1, LRV 47. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Empress Lilac is Hirshfield's Petunia Trail — a near-identical match on the wall, with Vista Paint Lilac Lake and Vista Paint Petunia Trail also close. Its LRV of 47 gives Empress Lilac depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with cool whites like Chantilly Lace, walnut or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Brass accents add warmth for a layered look. 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. Blues stay crisp under 4000K+ cool LEDs. Under 2700K warm bulbs they can read grayer or shift slightly purple — particularly true for mid-tone and saturated blues. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Colors Similar to Empress Lilac
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Empress Lilac
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Empress Lilac
#B7B2D1
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A085AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Empress Lilac
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Empress Lilac 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Empress Lilac.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Empress Lilac — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Empress Lilac from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Empress Lilac are Petunia Trail by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Lilac Lake by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Petunia Trail by Vista Paint (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 Empress Lilac'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 Empress Lilac?
Empress Lilac has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 46.5, 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 Empress Lilac
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 Empress Lilac depends on the room. Here's how to choose.