What Is AD6C5E Color and How to Use It in Your Design Projects

AD6C5E is a warm terracotta-brown hex code with RGB values of 173, 108, 94. This earthy shade brings natural warmth to web design, interiors, and branding. It pairs well with teal, cream, and neutral tones for balanced, inviting designs.

Understanding the AD6C5E Color Code

The hex code #AD6C5E represents a muted terracotta shade that sits between rust and clay brown. This color breaks down to 67.8% red, 42.4% green, and 36.9% blue in the RGB model. For print projects, the CMYK values are 0% cyan, 37.6% magenta, 45.7% yellow, and 32.2% black.

The color has a hue angle of 10.6 degrees, placing it firmly in the warm orange-red family. With 32.5% saturation and 52.4% lightness, AD6C5E delivers warmth without overwhelming intensity. The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of approximately 20 classifies it as medium-dark, making it suitable for both backgrounds and accent applications.

Psychology Behind AD6C5E

Warm earth tones trigger feelings of stability and comfort. Research on color psychology shows that terracotta shades create grounding effects in spaces. The natural clay association brings authenticity and tradition to design work.

This shade communicates reliability without formality. Brands seeking to appear approachable yet established often choose colors in this family. The muted quality prevents aggressive energy while maintaining visual interest.

Web Design Applications

Background and Layout Use

AD6C5E works as a section background for lifestyle brands, artisan businesses, and wellness sites. The color creates warmth without reducing text readability when paired with proper contrast ratios.

Single-page layouts benefit from alternating white and AD6C5E sections. This rhythm guides users through content while maintaining visual cohesion. For full-page backgrounds, reduce opacity to 85-90% to prevent overwhelming the interface.

Button and CTA Design

Call-to-action buttons in AD6C5E provide subtle emphasis. The color draws attention through warmth rather than bright contrast. Pair with off-white or cream text for optimal readability.

Hover states should shift 10-15% darker to signal interactivity. This maintains the warm aesthetic while providing clear user feedback. Button borders in complementary teal create additional definition without clashing.

Typography Considerations

Dark brown or charcoal text provides sufficient contrast against AD6C5E backgrounds. WCAG 2.1 guidelines require a minimum 4.5:1 ratio for body text. Test combinations using accessibility checker tools before finalizing designs.

Headers in cream or off-white stand out elegantly. This reversal works for hero sections where the terracotta dominates. Avoid pure white text, which creates a harsh contrast that strains the reader’s eyes.

Complementary Color Pairings

Teal and Cadet Blue

The complementary color to AD6C5E is #5E9FAD, a cadet blue with teal undertones. This pairing creates strong visual contrast while maintaining sophistication. Use the 60-30-10 rule: 60% neutral, 30% AD6C5E, 10% teal for balanced compositions.

Blue-green accents work for links, icons, and secondary buttons. The cool tone balances the warmth without fighting for dominance. This combination appears frequently in eco-friendly and wellness branding.

Neutral Companions

Beige, cream, and soft gray form the foundation for AD6C5E palettes. These neutrals let the terracotta shine as the personality color. Warm whites (with slight yellow undertones) harmonize better than cool whites.

Charcoal gray provides depth for text and borders. The combination of AD6C5E with #4A4A4A creates professional polish suitable for corporate applications. Add cream accents to prevent the palette from feeling too heavy.

Bold Accent Options

Mustard yellow (#D4A017) brings energy when used sparingly. This analogous pairing stays within the warm spectrum while adding brightness. Limit mustard to small elements like badges or highlight boxes.

Deep burgundy (#800020) adds richness for luxury branding. The shared red undertones create cohesion while burgundy’s darkness provides contrast. This combination works well for wine brands, law firms, and upscale retailers.

Interior Design Uses

Wall Color Selection

AD6C5E transforms living rooms and bedrooms into warm sanctuaries. The color reflects approximately 20% of light, making spaces feel cozy without darkness. North-facing rooms benefit most from this warm injection.

Apply to accent walls behind seating areas or beds. Full-room application works in large spaces with ample natural light. Pair with white trim and light wood flooring to prevent heaviness.

Furniture and Textiles

Leather sofas in this shade develop rich patina over time. The color disguises minor wear while maintaining visual appeal. Pair with cream cushions and throws for textural contrast.

Upholstered chairs work in dining rooms and home offices. The warmth makes spaces feel lived-in immediately. Choose fabrics with slight texture to add dimension beyond flat color.

Graphic Design Applications

Brand Identity

AD6C5E communicates organic authenticity for food brands, artisan goods, and sustainable businesses. The color suggests handcrafted quality and natural ingredients. Companies targeting 30-50 year old demographics respond well to this sophisticated warmth.

Logo applications should pair AD6C5E with cream or charcoal for optimal reproduction across media. The color prints consistently in CMYK and displays reliably across digital screens.

Marketing Materials

Brochures and flyers gain warmth without sacrificing professionalism. Use AD6C5E for headers, borders, and background sections. The color photographs well, maintaining its character in printed materials.

Business cards in AD6C5E with white text create memorable impressions. The non-standard color choice differentiates brands while remaining appropriate for professional contexts.

Color Variations and Adjustments

Tints and Shades

Lightening AD6C5E by 30% creates #D4ACA3, a soft peachy tone for backgrounds. This tint maintains warmth while providing higher contrast for text. Use in email templates and social media graphics.

Darkening by 30% produces #7B4D41, a rich chocolate brown. This shade adds depth to footers, sidebar elements, and navigation bars. The darker version pairs well with the original AD6C5E in layered designs.

Saturation Adjustments

Reducing saturation by 20% creates a more neutral clay tone suitable for corporate applications. This modification maintains the warm base while appearing less decorative. Professional service firms benefit from this subtle approach.

Increasing saturation produces a more vibrant terracotta that works for creative industries and youth-oriented brands. Test saturation changes carefully, as too much intensity can appear unprofessional.

Technical Implementation

For web projects, declare AD6C5E in CSS as color: #AD6C5E; or background-color: #AD6C5E;. The color displays consistently across modern browsers without special handling.

Print designers should convert to CMYK (0, 38, 46, 32) and request color proofs. Terracotta shades can shift slightly between screen and paper. Request proofs on actual paper stock for critical projects.

RGB values (173, 108, 94) ensure accurate reproduction in digital photography and video. Import these values into design software color pickers for precise matching across projects.

Conclusion

AD6C5E delivers warm sophistication across design disciplines. The color’s natural associations with clay and earth create immediate emotional connections. Whether building websites, designing interiors, or developing brand identities, this terracotta shade provides reliable warmth and visual interest without overwhelming compositions.