Café Blue Valspar 5001-4A

Café Blue LRV and undertone

Valspar Café Blue (5001-4A) has an LRV of 29.07, placing it in the dark range of the supplied color data. Its blue color family and cool blue undertone establish its basic direction, while its LRV indicates relatively limited light reflection. Light reflectance value measures the percentage of visible light a surface reflects, with lower values indicating darker colors. At 29.07, Café Blue may make a room feel less bright than a pale blue or white, especially when natural light is limited.

The cool undertone can appear different under changing daylight and artificial lighting. North-facing rooms often emphasize cooler qualities, whereas south-facing rooms generally receive warmer light. Check a large sample at different times of day before committing. White trim can create a stronger contrast, while gray trim may produce a closer tonal transition. The result also depends on flooring, furnishings, and the finish selected.

Café Blue in other brands

The closest listed alternatives are PPG After the Storm (PPG1036-4) and PPG Gray Heron (PPG1033-5). Both have a ΔE of 4.2, which means they are only similar rather than close matches. Their LRVs are 34.0 and 28.0, respectively, so After the Storm reflects more light, while Gray Heron is slightly darker by this measure.

Sherwin-Williams Acacia Haze (SW 9132) has an LRV of 32.0 and a ΔE of 6.1, indicating a more noticeable difference. Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog (SW 9130), at ΔE 7.7, differs more substantially. Behr Adirondack Blue (N480-5) has a ΔE of 8.5, and Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (HC-165) has a ΔE of 9.8. These options may share broad color similarities, but their numerical differences make side-by-side testing important. ΔE describes measured color distance, not a guarantee of identical appearance in every room.

Lighter and darker Valspar alternatives

Valspar Blue Arrow (5001-3C) has an LRV of 39.43, making it lighter than Café Blue. It may suit a room where a similar general color direction is wanted with greater light reflection. Valspar Warm Eucalyptus (8004-28F), at LRV 21, is darker and may be worth testing where lower reflectance is preferred.

Valspar Coastal Villa (6005-2A), with an LRV of 29.92, is marginally lighter by LRV. Valspar Granite Dust (5006-1C), at 48.11, is considerably lighter. The supplied ΔE values show that these alternatives differ visibly in color, so LRV alone cannot establish a match. Compare painted samples with the room’s fixed finishes and lighting before deciding.

Before you buy, compare a physical sample with the swatch on Valspar’s page for Café Blue.