Ref. #9D6C40 · 3011-5
Autumn Surprise
18%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Autumn Surprise Technical Profile
What color is Autumn Surprise? It's a deep warm brown with the hex code #9D6C40. Colors similar to Autumn Surprise include Vista Paint Fallen Leaf, Behr Castellina, Dunn-Edwards Autumn Bark. Autumn Surprise has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 18, Autumn Surprise creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Autumn Surprise pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Autumn Surprise
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Autumn Surprise
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Autumn Surprise
#9D6C40
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A6A46A
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Autumn Surprise
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Autumn Surprise 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 Valspar Colors
Other Valspar colors close to Autumn Surprise.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Autumn Surprise — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Autumn Surprise have?
Autumn Surprise by Valspar has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the brown color family.
What colors match Autumn Surprise from other brands?
The closest matches are Fallen Leaf by Vista Paint (#9F6E41), Castellina by Behr (#A16E42), Autumn Bark by Dunn-Edwards (#9D6F46). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Autumn Surprise?
Autumn Surprise has an LRV of 18.3, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Autumn Surprise
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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Autumn Surprise's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.