Oil
General Information about #281E0D
The hexadecimal color code #281E0D, often referred to as 'Oil', is a dark shade of brown, evoking a sense of earthiness and richness. It's composed of 15.7% red, 11.8% green, and 5.1% blue. In the RGB color model, these values translate to a dark, muted tone that closely resembles natural substances like crude oil or dark soil. This color is commonly used in design to convey a feeling of stability, warmth, and sophistication. It's often associated with vintage aesthetics, natural environments, and luxury products. Due to its low luminance, it's essential to consider accessibility when using this color, ensuring sufficient contrast with surrounding elements to maintain readability and usability.
The color #281E0D, often referred to as 'Oil', presents accessibility challenges due to its low luminance. Its dark nature results in a low contrast ratio against standard white backgrounds, potentially making text or elements using this color difficult to read for users with visual impairments. To ensure accessibility, it's crucial to pair 'Oil' with very light colors that offer a high contrast ratio, ideally exceeding the WCAG recommended ratios for normal and large text. Additionally, consider providing alternative visual cues, such as icons or descriptive labels, to supplement the color and ensure that information isn't conveyed solely through color. When using 'Oil' as a background, light-colored text is imperative. Furthermore, testing with accessibility evaluation tools and real users is recommended to identify and address any potential usability issues.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #3b3327
A slightly lighter brown that offers a similar earthy tone but with improved visibility against various backgrounds.
- #333333
A dark gray that provides better contrast and readability, suitable for text and UI elements.
- #363923
A dark olive green that shares the natural feel but may offer more distinctiveness in some contexts.
Applications
Website Design
In web design, the color #281E0D can be used sparingly to create a sense of luxury and sophistication, particularly in themes related to nature, vintage aesthetics, or high-end products. It's effective for backgrounds in website footers or banners, paired with gold or cream accents to enhance its richness. However, it should be used carefully for text, opting for larger font sizes and ample spacing to maintain readability. Consider using it for subtle borders or dividers to add depth without overwhelming the user interface, especially within dark mode designs. When implementing the color, it's important to maintain consistency and balance to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing user experience.
Interior Design
In interior design, #281E0D, reminiscent of dark wood or aged leather, can bring warmth and depth to a space. It serves as an excellent accent color for walls, furniture, or decorative elements in living rooms, studies, or home libraries. Pair it with lighter, neutral colors like beige or cream to create a balanced and inviting atmosphere. Use it for statement pieces like a leather sofa or a wooden desk to evoke a sense of timeless elegance. Accessorize with metallic accents, such as gold or brass, to enhance its richness and sophistication. When applied thoughtfully, this color can transform a room into a cozy and stylish sanctuary.
Fashion
In fashion, this dark earthy tone offers a grounding presence, lending itself well to classic and understated styles. It's a great color for creating capsule wardrobe pieces like trench coats, leather boots, or tailored trousers. It pairs beautifully with warmer hues like rust, mustard, and cream for an autumnal palette. Use it as a base color and add pops of brighter colors for contrast and visual interest. This color works well in both casual and formal settings, making it a versatile choice for creating a variety of looks. The richness of the tone lends a touch of sophistication, perfect for creating polished and refined ensembles.