Log in
color-overlay-crushed

Café Au Lait

Café au lait is a creamy light brown, similar to coffee mixed with cream. This soothing, warm color combines the earthy sensuousness of brown with the purity and freshness of white. It speaks of roots, stability, and safety, but don’t be fooled, this particular hue is never boring. Rather, it is slightly unexpected and always pleasant. It is an agreeable neutral with gentle conviviality. Not surprisingly, it is a popular hue for decorating interiors. Café au lait works well on walls, either as a focal point or on an accent wall. It also looks fantastic when used for furniture, accents, and accessories. A larger statement piece, such as a sofa in this hue, can be accentuated with cream and gold pillows and a soft beige throw. A versatile hue, café au lait pairs nicely with an array of colors, including various shades of orange and blue. Warm neutrals, such as cream and chardonnay, create layers of coziness and comfort. Dashes of fuchsia look lovely with this hue, adding dynamic pops of color.

#A9806A
#A9846A
#765C4A
#FFF1E7
#FFE3CF

Popular Images for Café Au Lait

More Information About Café Au Lait


What is the hex code?

The hex code for café au lait is #A9806A. Similar hex codes include #B19A87 (sand motif) and #A77B57 (fairmont gold).


What color is café au lait?

Café au lait is a creamy light brown with delicate white undertones, similar to coffee mixed with cream.


What is the history?

The origins of café au lait, translated as “coffee with cream,” can be traced back to 17th century France. Coffee beans were just finding their way to this region, thus the coffee (or café) shop was born.


What is the color meaning and symbolism of this hue?

Café au lait speaks of roots, stability, and safety. Literally meaning “coffee with cream,” this hue is full of energy, cheerfulness, and warmth.


What colors go best with café au lait?

Café au lait pairs nicely with various shades of orange and blue. It also pairs well with similar colors, such as beige, olive green, and brown.

Similar Colors to Café Au Lait

cafe-au-lait-v-hazelnut
Café Au Lait vs Hazelnut
While also a warm color, hazelnut is slightly lighter, containing subtle yellow and orange undertones. Great for interior design, this soothing hue is perfect as a focal point or accent piece.
cafe-au-lait-v-brown
Café Au Lait vs Brown
Brown is a darker, moodier hue. It pairs well with lighter shades, such as pale blue, ivory, and blush pink.
cafe-au-lait-v-desert-sand
Café Au Lait vs Desert Sand
Desert sand is a lighter, weakly saturated reddish-yellow hue, resembling the color of the desert. This calming shade is the perfect addition to interior design, pairing nicely with sage, deep green, and plum.

From the Blog: Top Color Resources

The Meaning of Colors in Cultures Around the World

Color quite literally colors the way we view our world. Let’s take a deep dive into the symbolism of colors in cultures around the world.

Vector of black business woman holding a big pencil with a color swirl in the background.

101 Color Combinations to Inspire Your Next Design + Free Swatch Download

In this roundup, we compiled 101 new color combinations to inspire your next project. Download the free swatch files today!

what-are-hex-colors-cover

What Are HEX Colors and How They Work in Design

What exactly is HEX color? Learn the definition of HEX colors, how many there really are, and discover how to use them in your designs.

color-scheme-guide_featured

What Is a Color Scheme? Definitions, Types, and Examples

Learn everything you need to know about color schemes and how to apply them to your next interior design, graphic design, or web design project.

business hero image

Images to boost your business

High-quality, legally protected images available at a low price.

We have more than 475,000,000 assets on Shutterstock.com as of November 30, 2023.

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.