ColorplanBenjamin Moore Ancient Oak (940) is a light beige with a warm yellow undertone and an LRV of 75. Closest matches: Sherwin-Williams Natural Choice (SW 7011), Farrow & Ball Lime White (No.1) and Behr Swiss Cream (HDC-CT-27). For trim, try White (OC-151).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Beige |
| LRV | 75.0 (light; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #E6E1CB |
| RGB | 230, 225, 203 |
| HSL | 49°, 35%, 85% |
About Ancient Oak
Ancient Oak (940) is a light beige from Benjamin Moore with a warm yellow undertone. With an LRV of 75, Ancient Oak reflects most of the light that hits it, which helps small or dim rooms feel larger.
In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Ancient Oak's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward. It's a good fit for open-plan living areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. It's very close to Lancaster Whitewash (HC-174); you'd mostly see the difference side by side.
How Ancient Oak changes with the light
Ancient Oak has a gentle warm undertone that keeps it from going cold in north-facing rooms, and it looks a touch warmer again in afternoon west light.
North-facing rooms
Ancient Oak's warmth balances the cool north light, which is why warmer colors are the safe pick for north rooms.
East-facing rooms
Ancient Oak will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows Ancient Oak close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Ancient Oak will glow warmer in the late afternoon.
See Ancient Oak in real homes
Photos people have shared of Ancient Oak in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Ancient Oak equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Close · ΔE 3.2
Also close: Neutral Ground (ΔE 3.4)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Ancient Oak questions
What undertone does Ancient Oak have?
Ancient Oak has a warm yellow undertone, so it reads as a warm color. In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Ancient Oak's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward.
Is Ancient Oak a light or dark color?
Ancient Oak has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 75.0 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a light color. With an LRV of 75, Ancient Oak reflects most of the light that hits it, which helps small or dim rooms feel larger.
What is the closest match to Ancient Oak in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Natural Choice SW 7011 (close, ΔE 3.2); Farrow & Ball: Lime White No.1 (very close, ΔE 1.5); Behr: Swiss Cream HDC-CT-27 (close, ΔE 2.8). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Ancient Oak?
Try White (OC-151) on trim and Distant Gray (OC-68) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Ancient Oak's undertone.
Where does Ancient Oak work best?
Ancient Oak works well in open-plan living areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. With an LRV of 75, Ancient Oak reflects most of the light that hits it, which helps small or dim rooms feel larger.
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