Oat Straw → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Valspar Oat Straw (VR086A), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Oat Straw
If you love Valspar Oat Straw but need a Behr alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Behr, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Oat Straw (VR086A) is a light cream with warm golden cream undertones. A warm golden cream with natural, organic undertones. Like dried oat straw in late summer. More golden than Swiss Coffee, lighter than Rattan. A warm, earthy off-white. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 69) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Oat Straw and every Behr color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The good news: there is a strong Behr match for Oat Straw. Antique White (PPU5-14) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Antique White is the closest Behr option. Very close match.
Behr Matches for Oat Straw
Antique White is the closest Behr option. Very close match.
| Oat Straw | Antique White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 69 | 71 |
| Hex | #DDD6C6 | #E0D8CA |
| Undertone | Warm Golden Cream | Warm Antique Cream |
| Family | Cream | Cream |
Undertone Comparison
Oat Straw has warm golden cream undertones. A warm golden cream with natural, organic undertones. Like dried oat straw in late summer. More golden than Swiss Coffee, lighter than Rattan. A warm, earthy off-white.
Antique White has warm antique cream undertones. A warm, golden cream with an antique quality. The warm, aged patina of old plaster walls.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Oat Straw in Your Room
The golden warmth is gentle but present. In south-facing rooms, it glows with a golden quality. In north-facing rooms, it reads as a warm, pleasant neutral.
Antique White in Your Room
The golden warmth is inviting. In south-facing rooms, it glows. A timeless warm cream.
LRV and Brightness
Oat Straw has an LRV of 69, while Antique White has an LRV of 71. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Oat Straw
Valspar recommends Oat Straw for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway, whole house. With an LRV of 69, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Antique White is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway, whole house. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Antique White in the same rooms you planned for Oat Straw.
Oat Straw in Other Brands
Looking for Oat Straw equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Oat Straw (VR086A) is Antique White (PPU5-14) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Antique White is the closest Behr option. Very close match. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Oat Straw is a Valspar color with warm golden cream undertones and an LRV of 69. Antique White is a Behr color with warm antique cream undertones and an LRV of 71. With a Delta E of 2.3, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.