Onionskin Tan reads as warm and grounded — strong in kitchens, family rooms, and any space where warmth is the dominant mood you're after. At LRV 39 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. #C3A283 · 00YY 37/221
Onionskin Tan
39%LRV Value
Onionskin Tan Technical Profile
What color is PPG Onionskin Tan (00YY 37/221)? It's a medium warm orange — hex #C3A283, LRV 39. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Onionskin Tan is Benjamin Moore Cafe Royal — a near-identical match on the wall, with Sherwin-Williams Deer Valley and Behr Pacific Bluffs also close. Its LRV of 39 gives Onionskin Tan 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 Onionskin Tan
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Onionskin Tan
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Onionskin Tan
#C3A283
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#AEAE84
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Onionskin Tan
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Onionskin Tan 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 Onionskin Tan.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Onionskin Tan — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Onionskin Tan from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Onionskin Tan are Cafe Royal by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Deer Valley by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Pacific Bluffs by Behr (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 Onionskin Tan'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 Onionskin Tan?
Onionskin Tan has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 39.1, 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 Onionskin Tan
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 Onionskin Tan depends on the room. Here's how to choose.