Farrow & Ball does not publish LRV; this value is estimated from the color’s hex using standard relative-luminance calculation. The matte estate finish typically reads lower.
Citron is a saturated, confident yellow with a noticeable lean toward green. It is not a mellow buttery tone or a safe golden neutral. This is a color that announces itself the moment you walk into a room, landing somewhere between ripe lemon and the flesh of a green pear.
In natural daylight it reads bright and almost acidic, with that telltale citrus quality that gives it its name. As the light drops or shifts to warm incandescent bulbs, the green edge softens and the color can appear closer to a rich marigold gold. On cloudy days or in north-facing rooms it holds its yellow character better than most golds, which tend to go flat.
It photographs brighter than it looks on a swatch card, so test a large sample before committing. A single wall of Citron can shift the entire color temperature of a room, bouncing warm light onto adjacent surfaces.
The defining feature of Citron is its green undertone. Where most Farrow & Ball yellows lean orange or warm gold, Citron pushes toward chartreuse. That green note is what makes it feel fresh and lively rather than cozy and nostalgic.
In strong afternoon sun the green becomes more prominent, giving the walls an almost limey brightness. Under warm artificial light the green recedes and you see more of the golden yellow base. The brightness of the pigment means it rarely reads muddy, even in rooms with limited natural light.
In matte finishes like Estate Emulsion, the green undertone is the most apparent because sheen does not compete with it. In a higher sheen, say Modern Eggshell on woodwork, the yellow base comes forward and the green sits further back. Keep this in mind when choosing finishes for walls versus trim in the same color.
Citron is at its best in rooms that benefit from energy. Kitchens are the natural home for it, whether on all walls in a small galley or as a feature wall behind open shelving. It pairs well with natural wood countertops and white cabinetry, giving the space a clean but lively feel.
Dining rooms are another strong candidate. A full room of Citron under candlelight loses its green bite and warms up beautifully, making evening meals feel inviting without being heavy. It also works well in entryways and hallways where you want an immediate hit of color without the commitment of a large room.
Bedrooms are a bolder choice. If you want a cheerful, wake-up-happy space it can work on a single wall behind the headboard. For bathrooms, it brings a sunny optimism that can offset the cool tones of white tile and chrome fixtures.
A dining room in full Citron feels lively during the day and warmly inviting at night. The green undertone softens under candlelight, making evening meals feel relaxed. White or cream table linens and Off-White trim complete the look.
In a living room, Citron works best as an accent wall or in an alcove rather than on every surface. Balance it with neutral furnishings and plenty of natural texture like linen, jute, or warm wood to keep the room from feeling overwhelming.
A small bathroom in Citron feels sunny and optimistic, even without a window. It plays well against white tile, brass hardware, and natural stone. Use a higher sheen finish here for moisture resistance.
Citron needs companions that let it be the star without creating visual chaos. Pointing (No. 2003) is the natural trim partner, its warm creaminess calming the yellow without fighting the green undertone. Off-White (No. 3) works similarly on ceilings and adjacent walls, providing a soft landing for the eye as it moves away from the saturated yellow.
For a sharper, more modern contrast, All White (No. 2005) on trim and ceiling creates a crisp frame that makes Citron pop even harder. Light Gray (No. 17) is the quieter supporting player, useful on lower cabinets, wainscoting, or a connecting hallway to ease the transition from Citron to calmer zones.
Pairing Citron with a cool blue-gray trim or wall can create an uneasy contrast where neither color looks intentional. The green undertone in Citron fights the blue, producing a slightly sour combination.
Citron's green-yellow base and a warm coral create a high-contrast clash that can feel jarring and chaotic, especially in a small room.
A very cold, blue-toned white next to Citron can make the yellow look garish and the white look clinical. The contrast is too harsh.
Citron has a yellow base with a distinct green undertone. This sets it apart from most Farrow & Ball yellows, which tend to lean orange or gold. The green gives it a fresh, citrusy quality rather than a warm, buttery one.
It sits in an interesting middle ground. The yellow base is inherently warm, but the green undertone pulls it cooler than colors like Yellow Ground or Ciara Yellow. In strong daylight the cool, green side dominates. Under incandescent lighting it reads warmer and more golden.
Farrow & Ball recommends Pointing (No. 2003) for trim and Off-White (No. 3) as a supporting neutral. All White (No. 2005) works for a crisper contrast, and Light Gray (No. 17) is a great option for adjacent rooms or lower wall sections.
Estate Emulsion is the go-to for living spaces. Its chalky matte finish highlights the green undertone beautifully and gives the color real depth. For kitchens and bathrooms, Modern Emulsion offers a slight sheen and better moisture resistance. Use Modern Eggshell or Estate Eggshell on woodwork.
Citron (No. 74) has a hex value of #EDCE82 and an LRV of 63.8. That puts it in the medium-light range, bright enough to open up a room but saturated enough to make a real color statement.
Yes, and arguably better than many yellows. Its green undertone holds up well under the cooler light of a north-facing room, where warmer golds can look flat or muddy. It will read slightly more chartreuse than golden, so test a sample to make sure you like that cooler version.
