Burnt orange is considered an earth tone color by most designers and color experts. Earth tones are colors that are found in nature and are muted and flat in tone. Burnt orange fits this description well, as it has a muted yet warm orange tone that evokes the earth and nature.
What defines an earth tone color?
Earth tones are colors that are muted and flat in chroma. They are meant to emulate the natural colors found in dirt, wood, rock and other organic elements. The defining characteristics of earth tones include:
- Low saturation and muted tones
- Neutral or dull tones rather than bright
- Colors found naturally in soil, wood, stone etc.
- Warm, organic hues like brown, tan, beige, orange, yellow
- Flat finish rather than glossy
Earth tones are the opposite of bright, neon or primary colors. They bring a natural, soothing feel to designs and spaces.
How burnt orange fits the definition of an earth tone
Burnt orange contains all the key qualities that define earth tones:
- Low saturation – Burnt orange is much more muted than bright orange. It has grayness that tones down the brightness.
- Neutral tone – While still distinctly orange, burnt orange is not overwhelmingly bright or neon like standard orange.
- Found in nature – Burnt orange can be seen in natural elements like clay, fallen leaves, rocks and wood.
- Warm earthy hue – Orange is considered one of the quintessential earth tones, and burnt orange has a distinctly earthy, natural look.
- Flat finish – Burnt orange has a matte look rather than a glossy or shiny finish.
You would be hard-pressed to find burnt orange in synthetic materials. Instead, it screams natural and organic.
Where burnt orange is found in nature
Here are some of the ways burnt orange manifests naturally in the environment:
- Clay – Clay deposits rich in iron oxide display burnt orange tones.
- Leaves – In autumn, fallen leaves often turn vibrant burnt orange shades.
- Wood – Wood that has been scorched or aged over time takes on burnt orange hues.
- Rocks – Iron-rich rocks and mineral deposits exhibit burnt orange colors.
- Flowers – Certain flowers like marigolds and chrysanthemums have burnt orange shades.
- Animals – The coats of animals like red foxes and Bengal tigers have burnt orange stripes and markings.
As you can see, burnt orange pops up frequently in the natural world across geology, flora and fauna.
How burnt orange is created
There are a couple ways burnt orange gets its distinctive color:
- Mixing – Orange is muted by adding browns, reds, yellows, blacks and grays
- Burning – Literally burning orange materials like wood, clay or mineral oxides
- Aging – As orange materials age and oxidize over time, they turn burnt orange
This explains why burnt orange is associated with autumn, earthiness and organic materials. The color arises naturally over time in nature.
Burnt orange color codes
Here are some of the common color codes used to represent shades of burnt orange:
| Color System | Burnt Orange Code |
|---|---|
| HEX | #CC5500 |
| RGB | 204, 85, 0 |
| CMYK | 0, 58, 100, 20 |
| Pantone | PMS 158 |
These codes can be used in web design, graphic design and printing to reproduce consistent burnt orange tones.
How burnt orange is used in design
As an earthy, natural color, burnt orange fits well in certain aesthetics. It works best in rustic, organic, retro and autumnal styles. Some examples include:
- Rustic interior design – Burnt orange can provide a cozy earthy feel in log cabins, farmhouses and rustic spaces.
- 70s retro – Burnt orange rose to popularity in the 1970s and fits well in retro, vintage or boho designs.
- Autumn themes – Burnt orange fits perfectly with autumn colors like yellow, red and brown.
- Ethnic textile patterns – Burnt orange works nicely in Navajo, Aztec, Oriental and African prints and motifs.
- Natural product branding – Being earthy, burnt orange conveys organic and natural product qualities well.
It tends to clash, however, when paired with cold colors like blues, greens and purples. Overall burnt orange works best in warm, earthy palettes.
How burnt orange differs from standard orange
| Burnt Orange | Standard Orange | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturation | Low | High |
| Brightness | Dull, muted | Bright, vivid |
| Hue | Slightly red | True orange |
| Use | Earthy themes | Fun, tropical themes |
While related shades of orange, burnt and standard orange have quite different looks and uses in design.
Conclusion
With its muted saturation, natural earthy hue, and organic sources in nature, burnt orange clearly qualifies as an earth tone color. It possesses all the defining traits like low chroma, dullness, warmth and organic origins. Burnt orange arises naturally through mixing, burning and aging of materials over time. This distinguishes it from synthetic bright oranges and makes it ideal for earthy, rustic designs related to autumn, retro and natural themes. When used appropriately, burnt orange can bring a cozy and soothing feel to designs wanting an earthy touch.
