Behr Reef Blue S490-3
| Code: | S490-3 |
| Name: | Reef Blue |
| Brand: | Behr |
What color is Behr Reef Blue?
Immerse yourself in the serenity of Behr Reef Blue, a tranquil hue that effortlessly echoes the depths of the ocean. This captivating color S490-3 brings a sense of calm and relaxation to any space it graces, making it an ideal choice for bedrooms, home offices, or even living rooms. Pair it with crisp whites and sandy neutrals for a coastal-inspired retreat, or with bold accents for a more vibrant look. Whether you're seeking a peaceful sanctuary or a rejuvenating escape, Reef Blue S490-3 is the perfect choice to infuse your room with a touch of soothing elegance.
Behr Reef Blue reviews
View the photos of real spaces painted with this that were not included in specific categories.Close-ups, painted furniture, storages and dressers, hallways, stairs and ceilings.
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What are Behr Reef Blue undertones?
The undertone of Reef Blue can be accurately described as a Blue hue, as is apparent from the color space provided. By isolating the pure hue and eliminating any tints, tones, and shades, we were able to precisely determine its undertone. This approach has proven to be more accurate than traditional methods of defining undertones on a white background, which are now considered outdated.
HEX value
HEX value:
#93BDCF
RGB code:
147, 189, 207
Is Behr Reef Blue S490-3 cool or warm?
With a hue of 198° thisBluerefers cool paint shade according to HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) on the color wheel.
S490-3 Reef Blue HSL code: 198, 38%, 69%
Hue - degree on a color wheel from 0 to 360. 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue.
Saturation is expressed as a percentage. At 0%, it appears as a shade of grey, and at 100%, it is in full color..
Lightness is also a percentage value. 0% is black, and 100% is white.
- Cooler hues have a calm and relaxation effect
- Cool blue shades make a room feel sleek, fresh, and modern, perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices where a sense of calm and sophistication is desired.
- Using mid-tone cool colors like soft greys and muted blues can help create a calming and modern look in rooms like home offices, bathrooms, and bedrooms. But avoid using these shades in rooms without natural light, as they may look dull.
Act like a pro: Mixing warm and cool shades is a must have to get harmonius interior. Add accents that contrast with the primary color to create visual balance. If your walls are a warm color, don’t forget to add accent in cold colors (furniture, art, décor). A good practice is too use a complementary color scheme.
How light temperature affects Reef Blue
Natural Lighting. During the day, natural light shifts from about 2000 K at sunrise/sunset to 5500–6500 K at noon.
In addition, natural‑light temperature depends on its direction:
| Direction of sunlight | Visible temp. | Hue | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Cool | Bluish | All day |
| East | Warm | Yellow | Before noon |
| West | Warm | Orange‑red | After noon |
| South | Warm | Orange‑yellow | All day |
Artificial Lighting. When choosing bulbs, pay attention to their color‑temperature (Kelvins).
Use the slider to see how this Blue shade looks under different lighting:


4000K
Coordinating colors.
Colors that go with Behr Reef Blue:
Monochromatic color scheme
This scheme consists of various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. While it offers a perfect combination of hues, without accent décor it may become monotonous.
Lighter shades
Darker shades
Complementary color scheme
This color scheme is a combination of two shades that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a vibrant and dynamic visual effect. For the color Reef Blue with a green hue, complementary colors are those with a red hue close to 18, such as Behr Autumn Ashes and Piano Brown.
LRV of Reef Blue
Reef Blue has an LRV of 44.86% and refers to Light Medium colors that reflect half of the incident light. Why LRV is important?
Light Reflectance Value measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from a painted surface.
Simply put, the higher the LRV of a paint color, the brighter the room you will get.
The scale goes from 0% (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100% (pure white, reflecting all light).
Act like a pro: When choosing paint with an LRV of 44.86%, pay attention to your bulbs' brightness. Light brightness is measured in lumens. The lower the paint's LRV, the higher lumen level you need. Every square foot of room needs at least 40 lumens. That means for a 200 ft2 living room you’ll need about 8000 lumens of light – e.g., eight 1000 lm bulbs.
Color codes
We have collected almost every possible color code you could ever need. To copy the code, just click the icon to the right of it.
| Format | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | #93bdcf | |
| RGB Decimal | 147, 189, 207 | |
| RGB Percent | 57.65%, 74.12%, 81.18% | |
| HSV | Hue: 198° Saturation: 28.99% Value: 81.18% | |
| HSL | hsl(198, 38, 69) | |
| CMYK | Cyan: 28.99 Magenta: 8.7 Yellow: 0.0 Key: 18.82 | |
| YIQ | Y: 178.494 I: -30.812 Q: -3.283 | |
| XYZ | X: 41.488 Y: 47.101 Z: 65.92 | |
| CIE Lab | L:74.255 a:-9.743 b:-13.582 | |
| CIE Luv | L:74.255 u:-21.594 v:-19.419 | |
| Decimal | 9682383 | |
| Hunter Lab | 68.63, -12.196, -8.907 |
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