Lavender: Color codes, color palettes, and uses

From fields of fragrant blooms to the soft glow of twilight, lavender evokes a sense of tranquility and magic. These days, the soft rebel of the color palette is strutting down fashion runways, chilling on social media, and casually showing up in bold UI designs like it owns the place (because honestly? It kinda does). 

Digitally, the lavender color hex code shows up as #E6E6FA, a delicate, almost ethereal shade that’s equal parts dreamy and daring. Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of this captivating color and offer design inspiration for your creative projects.

You’ve seen the color lavender: it’s a gorgeous pale, light purple color. It’s named after the iconic flower, and just like its beautiful blossoms, it has a cool undertone. More often than not, you’ll notice that it leans more towards purple than violet (which would be more of a red hue).

Out in the wild, lavender flowers can vary in hue and value. They’re anything but one-dimensional: you can find a dark lavender color or a lighter lavender color in a natural setting. Still, people tend to think of lavender as a pastel color. Craving inspiration? Let’s take a look at several colors that go with lavender, perfect for your lavender color aesthetic. And, if you’re smitten with lavender, #E6E6FA is the hex code for a beautiful light purple background — the ultimate lavender color.

Note that lilac (with the hex code #C8A2C8) is often associated with lavender, as the two are close neighbors. The color lilac vs. lavender comes down to hue. Note the lavender blue color tone versus the warmer red nature of lilac. Lavender color tends to be cooler, whereas lilac is almost a pink lavender color, regardless of value (light or darkness).

Monochromatic palettes play with the lightness and darkness of a single hue (yep, this is all lavender!), creating a smooth vibe that feels intentional. This monochromatic lavender color palette combines soft gradients, making it calm, cohesive, and soft, yet confident. The result? A grounded backdrop that gives your typography and photography plenty of room to breathe and shine.

The hex, CMYK, and RGB codes for this palette are:

Use these lavender color code values to select the perfect lavender background color or help you start your own lavender color palette. You can also easily convert CMKY to Pantone colors, if you prefer. Actually, lavender would go great with the Pantone color of the year 2025, the timeless Mocha Mousse!

Wondering what colors go with lavender? It already leans into blue, so this color scheme takes that idea and runs with it. Push into blue and then even into blue-green — they both work really nicely with lavender. Don’t be afraid to up the saturation too, as we see in the fourth color in this lavender color palette.

This harmonious color scheme with lavender is rather analogous, when looking at the color wheel, so it’s a simple and easy-to-use choice.

Next, let’s jump into some lavender complementary colors. On a standard color wheel, purple’s complement is yellow. Therefore, it’s worth looking at some lavender pastel color variants that follow this theme. Take a look at these colors that go with lavender — it’s a sweet, welcoming lavender color palette with a springtime feel.

Triadic color schemes are another color wheel concept. If you’re still unsure about what colors go with lavender best, you might want to try a concept like this one. Pairing a light purple with orange and green not only has some natural vibes but also keys into that triadic color system. Keep the values soft and the saturation low for a relaxing color scheme.

This square-on-the-color-wheel setup brings in three lovely hues: Misty Rose (#FAE6E6), Cosmic Latte (#FAFAE6), and Bubbles (#E6FAFA). You get warmth, coolness, contrast, and harmony all rolled into one dreamy mix. 

When used thoughtfully, this tetradic lavender color palette is all charm, no clash. The result is a soft yet dynamic combo that works wonders in dreamy editorial layouts, playful packaging, or branding that wants to feel gentle but not basic.

Color theory and the color wheel can be an excellent means of generating interesting lavender color palettes and logo color schemes.

The color lavender is all about peace and calm. According to color psychology, it evokes ease and harmony. This probably stems from the lavender flower, which is soothing, soft, tranquil, and has calming properties and scent. But what does the lavender color mean?

Interestingly, the word lavender — which again, is likely a reference to the flower of the same name — may come from the Latin word “lavare”, which means “to wash”. Lavender has been used for its scent for hundreds of years. It’s also had a large presence in aromatherapy as it’s a soothing scent often used for relaxation and sleep. It’s no wonder, then, that this color is associated with things like calm and peacefulness.

Purple, however, has often had an association with royalty and prestige. The light purple nature of lavender changes that communicative quality. For example, imagine a deep, royal purple, or even a dark lavender color. There’s something so regal and strong about it. 

A light lavender color, in contrast, is much softer. There’s a gentleness here that almost feels like a breath of cool, refreshing air—it lacks the intensity of a more saturated purple color. We could push this even further with a more muted, dusty lavender color or even a gray lavender color. It could make this color feel subtle, like a whisper.

This lovely shade gets its name from the lavender flower (obviously!), but its story goes way deeper. Lavender has been turning heads for over 2,500 years. Ancient Egyptians used it in perfumes (and mummification, because why not smell fabulous in the afterlife?), while Romans tossed it into bath rituals. Basically, if your self-care routine involves scented candles or oils, you owe lavender a thank-you note. Maybe two.

Fast forward to the 18th century, and purple tones were worn by royals and aristocrats. Noted, purple pigments were tricky (read: expensive), so wearing them was a flex. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when synthetic pigments came along, that purple became more accessible. 

Also, lavender has always had a bit of a rebel streak. In the 20th century, it was reclaimed by counterculture movements and LGBTQ+ communities, evolving into a symbol of pride, resistance, and the beautiful spectrum of identity.

From fashion royalty to runway moments, this shade has bloomed throughout centuries, and honestly, we’re here for it.  Here are some of lavender’s most unforgettable moments — the kind that made history, turned heads, and proved that pastel can pack a punch.

As a pigment, lavender first showed up in the 16th century, when artists began grinding colors using spike oil — basically the paint-studio cousin of the lavender flower.  A few centuries later, Vincent van Gogh gave us Enclosed Field with Rising Sun, a vibrating canvas with bold brushstrokes that simply radiates life.

And we couldn’t skip another grand artist (who, by the way, admired Van Gogh): Henri Matisse. His Woman in a Purple Coat isn’t just one of his final oil paintings, but a masterclass of Expressionism by conveying emotions through the complexity of color.

Fun fact: Jackson Pollock’s Lavender Mist doesn’t actually feature a single shade of lavender (we know, the audacity!). Instead, it’s a swirl of his signature dripping brushstrokes with black, white, silver, blue, and orange, but still earns an honorable mention for the name alone. Icon behavior.

Leave it to French fashion designer Jacquemus to go full art-history-meets-runway. For the brand’s 10th anniversary show, he took inspiration from painters who captured Provence’s dreamy lavender fields — then staged the entire show in one. The result? A surreal blend of fashion, nature, and art history.

From Barbra Streisand’s iconic lavender moment in Hello, Dolly! to Julia Roberts’ unforgettable gown in My Best Friend’s Wedding, lavender has always known how to make an entrance. With its dreamy softness and luxe undertone, it’s no wonder it keeps popping up in high-end fashion — especially in dresses, coats, and head-to-toe monochrome looks. 

With its soft elegance and calming pull, lavender helps brands evoke a sense of serenity and subtle luxury, making it a go-to for beauty, wellness, and lifestyle niches aiming to feel both modern and sophisticated. 

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glaze-On Liquid Eyeshadow campaign uses lavender with intention and impact. From the sculptural lavender cap to the gradient lavender-pink background, the color sets a tone of dreamy rebellion and modern glam. 

Its futuristic packaging and names like Space Cowboy and Sugar Twist prove that lavender can be both ethereal and edgy while conveying glam.

A: Lavender is a soft, muted purple with a hint of blue. It gets its name from the lavender flower, and the pigment itself is derived from mixing light purples and blues in paint, often tied to floral or botanical tones in design.

A: The classic lavender color hex code is #E6E6FA.

A: To create this dreamy hue, mix a touch of blue into a light red or pink base. 

A: You can darken lavender by adding a bit of gray or a deeper purple.

A: Lavender is a cool color. 

A: Lavender is a type of purple — lighter, airier, and usually mixed with white and blue undertones. Think of it this way: purple is the bold parent; lavender is the dreamy, artsy kid.

A: Not quite. Lavender leans more blue, while lilac (#C8A2C8) tilts toward pink. They’re close neighbors, though! 

The lavender color combinations are limitless. Color is powerfully communicative, so consider that when making your choices and building your color palettes.

Need something soft and serene? Go for lavender! It’s a top choice for weddings, but also consider stressful situations that might want added peace. A doctor’s office, for example, could benefit from soft, peaceful colors.

Let lavender spark your creativity, and be sure to check out Envato for lavender assets such as photos, graphics, videos, and more.