Crumbling Cork

Technical Profile

What color is Crumbling Cork? It's a deep warm yellow with the hex code #A38365. Colors similar to Crumbling Cork include Sherwin-Williams Meadowlark, Sherwin-Williams Hopsack, Benjamin Moore Chowning's Tan. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Crumbling Cork has a neutral 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. Crumbling Cork (#A38365) by Valspar is a deep yellow paint color with a balanced saturation that feels natural and approachable. It delivers a grounded richness that adds drama and sophistication. 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. At an LRV of 25 it absorbs more light than it reflects, creating a moody, enveloping atmosphere. Deep ochre and mustard tones make striking accent walls in living rooms and pair beautifully with dark wood furniture. Satin or semi-gloss finishes help deep colors reflect just enough light to show their full depth, especially on accent walls and trim. For color coordination, Crumbling Cork pairs beautifully with blue tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring yellow and red hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its neutral undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Valspar is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Crumbling Cork delivers a fireside richness that wraps the room in warmth and groundedness. 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 cottage-core, transitional, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. As part of the Valspar palette, Crumbling Cork benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Crumbling Cork 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. Deep shades generally benefit from a quality primer and may require an extra coat for even, streak-free coverage. Deep tones pair beautifully with velvet upholstery, burnished metal fixtures, dark-stained wood, and textured wallcoverings on adjacent surfaces. You can order Crumbling Cork (8003-19E) directly from Valspar or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.