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.
Lichen is one of those colors that people struggle to pin down, and that is exactly why it works so well. At first glance it reads as a warm, muted sage with a noticeable golden quality. It sits in that satisfying middle ground between green and gray, never fully committing to either.
In person, Lichen feels like dried moss or a lichen-covered stone wall, which is obviously where the name comes from. It has real depth without being dark. On a color card it can look surprisingly gray, but once it is up on a wall with natural light hitting it, the warm yellow-green character comes forward and the color opens up.
The dominant undertone here is golden yellow, and it is the reason Lichen feels so warm compared to other sage-adjacent greens. In morning light or on a north-facing wall, the gray in the mix becomes more prominent, and the color can settle into something quieter and more neutral. In direct afternoon sun, the golden warmth pushes forward and Lichen can read almost khaki-green.
There is very little blue in this color. If you are looking for a cool, minty, or eucalyptus-type green, Lichen will surprise you. It leans decisively warm. The finish you choose matters too. In Estate Emulsion, the chalky matte surface absorbs light and emphasizes the earthy, stony quality. In a higher sheen like Estate Eggshell, the golden tones become more apparent.
Lichen is one of those rare mid-tone colors that works in almost any room without feeling like a compromise. It has enough depth to anchor a space but enough warmth to keep things from going cold or clinical. It is especially good in living rooms and studies where you want the walls to feel enveloping but not dark.
It is a strong choice for transitional homes, older properties, and cottages. It connects well to natural surroundings, so rooms that look out onto gardens or greenery benefit from the visual continuity. Bedrooms work well too, the warm golden undertone keeps it from feeling sterile at night under artificial light.
Avoid using it in very small, windowless spaces unless you are deliberately going for a cocooning effect. The mid-tone depth can make tight rooms feel smaller. In hallways and stairwells with decent light, though, it is excellent.
Lichen turns a living room into something grounded and warm without going dark. Use it on all four walls with Old White on the trim and ceiling. The golden undertone keeps the room feeling inviting through the evening under lamp light.
This is one of Lichen's best applications. The earthy depth helps a study feel focused and calm. Pair it with bookshelves painted in the same color for a library effect, or contrast with Slipper Satin on built-in cabinetry.
Lichen gives a dining room an earthy, collected quality that works for both casual dinners and more dressed-up occasions. Under candlelight the golden warmth deepens. Try Setting Plaster on the ceiling for a subtle, flattering glow.
In a bedroom, Lichen creates a restful, nature-connected atmosphere. The warm undertones keep it from feeling cold at night. Pair it with linen textiles and Vert de Terre on an adjacent bathroom or hallway for a cohesive flow.
Lichen's warm, golden-green base gives you a wide range of pairing options. For trim and ceilings, Slipper Satin is the natural companion. Its creamy warmth echoes Lichen's golden side without creating harsh contrast. Old White works beautifully on woodwork too, feeling slightly more traditional and chalky.
For accent walls or adjoining rooms, Vert de Terre lightens the same color family and creates an easy flow. Setting Plaster brings in a soft pink warmth that plays off Lichen's green in a way that feels surprisingly natural, like stone and earth. Light Blue on trim or a feature door adds a gentle contrast that keeps things interesting without competing.
All comparisons are matched against Lichen at LRV 33.7.
Cool, saturated teals fight with Lichen's golden warmth. The clash makes both colors look muddy and confused.
A crisp optical white next to Lichen makes the walls look dirty or yellowed. The contrast is jarring rather than clean.
Strong orange pulls out the yellow in Lichen aggressively, making the walls look sickly rather than earthy.
Lichen has a dominant golden-yellow undertone with a warm green-gray base. It leans warm in most lighting conditions, with the golden quality becoming more pronounced in direct sunlight and the gray side showing more on north-facing walls.
Lichen is a warm color. Unlike many sage greens that skew cool or blue, Lichen's golden undertone keeps it firmly on the warm side. This makes it especially good under artificial light, where cooler greens can sometimes feel flat.
Slipper Satin (No. 2004) is the best all-around trim choice. Its creamy warmth complements Lichen without creating the harsh contrast you get from bright whites. Old White (No. 4) is another strong option with a slightly more traditional, chalky feel.
Estate Emulsion is the most popular choice for walls. Its ultra-matte, chalky finish brings out Lichen's earthy, stone-like quality and softens the color beautifully. For woodwork and trim, use Estate Eggshell in the same shade or a coordinating color. The slight sheen on eggshell makes the golden tones more visible.
Lichen (No. 19) has an LRV of 33.7, placing it in the mid-tone range. It will not brighten a dark room the way a light color would, but it is far from dark. The approximate hex value is #9C9F89, though on-screen color is never a substitute for a physical sample.
Both colors share the same warm, golden-green family, but Vert de Terre (No. 234) is noticeably lighter and softer. If Lichen feels too deep for your space, Vert de Terre is the natural step up in brightness while keeping the same tonal warmth. They also pair beautifully together in adjoining rooms.
