Lavender Color – Understanding All the Different Shades of Lavender

The lavender color is enthralling and beautiful, reminding us of the flower and stunning lavender fields. The color lavender can also be found in many other types of flowers, animals, and even an amazing sunset. To get a clearer understanding of the lavender color, we will be discussing things like the lavender color meaning and what colors make lavender, amongst other interesting topics.

All About the Lavender Color

What color is lavender? Is lavender purple? To get to the bottom of these questions, you could take a closer look at a lavender flower, after which the color is named. You can say the color is lavender purple, which simply means that lavender is a lighter shade of purple. Lavender is a combination of red and blue that consists of lighter shades.

Even though the color includes red, lavender is mostly associated with a blueish undertone, with a cool undertone. From this, we can then create many shades of lavender.

This is where the lavender hues differs from colors that can be mistaken for lavender. For example, lilac vs. lavender. While we have already categorized lavender as more of cool color, lilac is more of a warm pinkish color.

The warm and cool, or color temperature of colors forms part of color theory. This means you can determine what colors will work well together if you look at a color wheel, which is a simple visual representation of all colors.

Your warm, or reds, oranges, and yellow colors lay on one side, while the cool colors like blue and green lay on the opposite side of the color wheel. Below is a lilac vs. lavender table to display the different shades of color.

Lavender Color: A Brief History

Even though lavender is considered a shade of purple, it can stand on its own, with various shades of lavender of its own and different meanings and symbolism. The word lavender was first mentioned as a color in 1705. This was associated more with the general lavender flower color; however, further shades of lavender were later mentioned during the early 20th century in A Dictionary of Color. A little later, in the 1950s, another book known as the Dictionary of Color Names, which was used by stamp collectors, mentioned several or more shades of lavender.

Today, the “floral lavender,” which is the general lavender color that represents the lavender flower, remains the standard lavender color.

However, there are many more shades of lavender from dark lavender to light lavender and everything in between. The word lavender itself originates from Latin, from the word lavare, meaning “to wash”. Lavender flowers have been used since ancient times, for example, the Egyptians used the flowers in the mummification process. During the 16th century, many used flowers as perfume and to add the scent to linens. Over the years, lavender has also been used in cosmetics and soaps, which is why it is so closely associated with cleanliness.

Lavender also became well-known for its healing properties and was used, and still is used as a tea and in tinctures, balms, and creams.

Lavender Symbolism

Purple has been seen as the color of royalty for many years and is also associated with wealth and religion. The color purple was rare and difficult to come by, so it was expensive and was only worn by royalty and those who could afford it. 

The lavender color meaning can also be closely linked to that of purple, although it is a gentler color that helps to portray a sense of respect.

The lavender color is also closely linked to springtime, femininity, and youthfulness. Lavender might be used during the season of Lent or Easter; however, it is more of the violet-purple color that represents sorrow within the Christian faith. Other associations are grace, sophistication, creativity, vitality, and imagination.

The lavender color is also linked to romance and nostalgia, which is why it is a favorite color at weddings.

Lavender has a strong link to being more of a feminine color, however, due to its linked history with purple and its association with royalty and wealth, it also has certain masculine qualities. Since the flower lavender has healing properties, the color is also regarded as a healing color that provides calm and relaxation. The color also symbolizes purity and cleanliness.

Shades of Lavender

Lavender is mostly thought of as the color that is represented by the lavender flower, however, there are many shades of lavender that can be used in all forms of design from web design and advertising to interior design and art.

Floral Lavender

This color was mentioned around 1930 in the book A Dictionary of Color, along with three other colors including lavender gray, lavender-blue, and old lavender, which is a darker lavender gray. Lavender has also been given another name, periwinkle.

An interesting fact about lavender gray is that Prismacolor produced a colored pencil known as greyed lavender, with the code PC 1026, and is similar in color to lavender gray.

Web Lavender

This particular lavender color is the shade of lavender favored by websites or graphic designers. This color, as you can see, is quite a shade lighter and paler than your floral lavender. Some have also described the color as lavender mist. 

Lavender Blush

This color is a light shade of lavender that is paler and has more white than purple. Compared to this color, the heliotrope lavender color is a much brighter shade, with a stronger pink undertone, as seen further below.

Lavender blush will work well with pastel colors, and as a contrast, a pale blue would be your best option.

Languid Lavender

This can be described as a paler grayish violet lavender color. This color was created by using the Plochere color system, which originated during the 1940s and is mainly used by interior designers.

Light Lavender

The light lavender color is also known by the name wisteria, which can be described as a light to medium violet. The color was first verified and used in the English language, around 1892. The Prismacolor pencil PC 956, is now known as lilac, however, many describe it as being more of light violet and similar to the wisteria color.

You can find an exact shade of this color produced by Crayola crayons, which was created in 1993.

More Shades of Lavender

There are many more shades of lavender, including some paint shades from well-known and popular paint brands like Sherwin-Williams. However, there are too many to mention in a single article, so here are a few more shades of lavender that might interest you.

How to Make Lavender Color Paint

The color purple is a color that can be found mid-way between a cool blue and a warm red. So, when creating various colors, it can lean either way. You can blend colors that are reddish-purple or go for bluish purple.

When using more of the red, this will create more of a lilac color, while including more blue would leave you with more of a cool, lavender color.

The process sounds simple when blending paint to create purple, as you create purple by mixing the same amount of red and blue and then create lavender by adding white. Some of the recommended paint colors include the following, but you can use any red or blue you have available.

• Permanent Rose
• Quinacridone magenta
• Primary magenta
• Ultramarine blue
• Cerulean blue

Choose your colors and mix them to create a purple. Carry on using small amounts of paint each time so that you can reach the color you want. For example, if you are adding white, only use small amounts as you go.

You can always add more, but it is nearly impossible to back to a color you want if you have added in too much of a color.

When creating purple, we started off using equal amounts, however, you can mix in more blue to create a darker and cooler purple. Again, only add in small amounts of the blue as you go. Moving to the other side of the color wheel, you can create a warmer shade of purple by using a little more red in the mixture.

Always blend the paints properly so there are no streaks visible. To soften or lighten the purple, you can add in a little white and this will create a lavender or lilac shade of purple. Below are two examples of paint color combinations you might want to try out.

• Permanent rose mixed with cerulean blue makes a darker shade of purple that has gray undertones.
• Cyan and magenta will make a bright and vibrant purple.

You can then add white to these combinations to lighten the colors and create various shades of lavender like amethyst, or pastel purple. While working, create a lavender color palette or gradient and document the various shades of lavender as you go. You may also consider using black to darken the color, however, you must only use extremely small amounts as it can overwhelm the blend very quickly.

Instead of mixing your paints from scratch, you can also use pre-mixed purple paint, to which you can add white to create your basic shades of purple including lavender. You need to make sure that when you choose any of the paints that you are going to use, you check the labels and pigments.

In color theory, when blending all three of your primary colors, you will land up with a neutral or brownish color. For example, if you choose a red paint that has a yellow undertone or bias, and then you blend it with blue, it will make a brow or grayish color. So, you should always read the paint labels, or you can test the paints out before using them.

For example, If it is red without a yellow bias, when it is mixed with white it will appear pink and not peachy. To avoid mixing colors by accident, remember to wipe your palette knife and clean your paintbrush before using different colors.

Ultimately, it is best not to use red or blue colors that have a yellow or green bias as the purple created will not appear as it should.

What Colors Go with Lavender in Design?

Shades of purple, including those like lavender can be cooling and calming, and it is also associated with imagination and creativity. Lavender also radiates luxury, is easy to look at, and many lavender color palettes would work wonderfully when used in website design.

In fashion design, lavender can be used in many ways from dresses to suits, pants, sweaters, skirts, and jackets. Layering the color with other shades of purple, pink, gray, or sliver seems to be popular. Adding a pop of yellow to an ensemble can create an eye-catching moment.

WGSN, a trend forecasting company has predicted that the color, digital lavender, will be on-trend in 2023. So, you might see an increase in the lavender color over the next few years.

When it comes to interior design, lavender might be seen as a color that is used in a nursery, or children’s rooms, or as a more feminine color for a bedroom. However, it can be used as your main color theme or as an accent color, making a room more inviting and calming. One of the more popular ways of using bolder colors in a room is to simply paint one wall your chosen color, and this will be your accent wall. This creates a focal point, without being overwhelming.

The best colors that go with lavender would be neutral colors like white, gray, and silver. Of course, there are various shades of each of these colors, below is simply a quick example of what some of these colors may look like together.

Lavender and gray or silver work extremely well together and can both be used beautifully as accents in a white room. For example, a living area with gray curtains that go with the couch, and to this, add some colorful lavender pillows or a throw blanket.

Below are a few more color combinations you might want to try the next time you are designing a room.

Yellow and Lavender

These colors act great as contrasting colors and bring in a sense of warmth and serenity at the same time. Again, you can experiment with the various shades of yellow and lavender to see which ones you like best. These work best as an accent color as they might become too overwhelming if used as the main color theme in a room. Think of adding accessories like blankets, pillows, rugs, vases, or even yellow flowers.

Mint and Lavender

Just as it is in nature, green and lavender cannot go wrong. Both these colors naturally work together to create a wonderfully soothing atmosphere. This color combination can work in most rooms. Consider mint walls and accessories of lavender color.

This color scheme is also a popular wedding choice.

Pink and Lavender

This color combination can work great, especially if you want to bring in more of a feminine feel. This is a popular color scheme for a girls’ room. This might not be a color combination that you can use in every room in the home, especially the kitchen but you can bring in the colors if you have a more neutral color scheme and can change things up to suit your mood. Adding subtle touches of color can be just as interesting.

Lavender might be a color that has gained a reputation for being more feminine, however, the lavender color can produce calmness and provide a sense of elegance, without having to cross any boundaries. The trick is to use it in harmony and balance with other colors. Since lavender might be trending soon, you may want to consider it for your next design project.

Take a look at our lavender purple webstory here!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Is Lavender?

Lavender is named after the lavender flower and can be described as a lighter shade of purple. By adding white to the purple, you lighten the color, and you can produce the various shades of lavender.

What Colors Go with Lavender?

Lavender can work well with a lot of colors, these include neutral colors like white, gray, and even beige. Also, colors like yellow, green, pink, and other pastel shades go with lavender. You might also consider black and brown, which is a bolder choice for a color combination.

What Colors Make Lavender?

To make lavender, you will need to create a purple color first. How to make lavender color? The simple answer to this question is to mix red and blue to make purple, then add white to lighten the color and create lavender.

What Is the Meaning of Lavender?

The lavender color is seen as more of cool color, and like blue, it provides a sense of calm and peacefulness. Lavender symbolism also points to the color being luxurious and sophisticated because of its linked history with the color purple.

Charlene Lewis( Writer for Color Theory and Painting )

In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.

Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.

Learn more about the Art in Context Team.