Get inspired with ecru design templates.
The color ecru is a sandy neutral originally inspired by the color of unbleached linens.
Inspiration in the color ecru.
Learn the history and meaning of the color ecru, the deep raw neutral.
What is the meaning of the color ecru?
Ecru is a color that some haven’t even heard of. Others have heard of the color ecru but don’t really know what it means. The confusion about ecru goes deeper than infrequent use. Did you know that all beige is ecru but not all ecru is beige? At least, that’s what the French roots of the two suggest.
The color ecru in design has taken on a specific hex to match the deep neutral reminiscent of unbleached linen.
The history of ecru color.
The color ecru comes from the French word for unbleached linen.
The word écru in French means “raw, crude” and was used to describe the color of unbleached linen. In English, ecru has long been considered a shade of beige. By the early 1800s, ecru in English was defined as a gray-yellow that is greener than chamois and darker than old ivory. To add to the growing confusion around ecru color, the word ecru was used interchangeably with beige until the 1950s.
The exact shade of ecru took time to pan out, but the word has been in English since 1627.
The word ecru appeared as a color name in English in 1627. The color was similar to the color of sand, but the many different shades of sand across beaches only added to the color’s ambiguity. Ecru color was finally differentiated from beige by the interior design community in the 1950s. Designers defined ecru as a deeper and browner color than beige.
Ecru color is an especially rich and useful neutral.
The color ecru forms an essential pillar in the library of neutral colors. Ecru is a deep, relaxing color with a hint of warmth. The color ecru can sit in the background without demanding any attention. It provides a comforting foundation to build anything from. The color ecru is popular today in fashion and interior design thanks to these qualities.
The color ecru across different cultures.
The French language gets specific about the color ecru.
The color ecru was once considered a shade of beige in English, but the French origins suggest that it’s the other way around. Écru means “raw” in French and refers to any undyed linen, silk, or wool. Those materials have slightly different shades when left undyed. Beige, on the other hand, comes from the French word meaning undyed wool. So, in the end, beige is a type of ecru, but not all ecru is beige.
Ecru color in the interior design world.
It was the interior design industry that defined the color ecru for good in the 1950s. Ecru color is popular today as a trusted dark neutral. Ecru is commonly used as a backdrop for furniture of bright colors or eye-catching textures. Ecru is also a popular color for window treatments. The color ecru can help a space feel warmer, or it can add a sense of luxury and refined design. It just depends how the color is used.
Ecru color in Scandinavia.
There is no single Scandinavian color palette, but there is a tendency to favor nature-inspired tones in fashion and interior design in the northernmost reaches of Europe. The color ecru is found in products from Scandinavian clothing brands partly because of the undyed wools and linens used in items like traditional Scandinavian sweaters. Ecru is also considered a minimalist shade for décor, fitting well into the region’s modernist character.
How to use the color ecru.
1
2
3
4
5
The color ecru versus old ivory.
Ecru color has also been compared to old ivory. The two are discernibly different. Ever since ecru color was defined as a sand color, ivory stands apart as a significantly lighter off-white. The color ecru was never used interchangeably with ivory like ecru and beige, but ivory and ecru are both neutral colors that can be used within many of the same palettes.
The color ecru versus beige.
The color ecru was used synonymously with beige for centuries, but recent design standards have redefined both shades. Ecru is significantly richer than beige. The color ecru is also based in sandy brown, whereas beige is based more in yellow.
Tap into the psychology of the color ecru.
The color ecru is a soft and warm neutral. It’s such a natural shade that it often represents simplicity. The flipside of this is that it can also symbolize plainness. Ecru color does provide a predictable sense of comfort with uncomplicated effort, a response seemingly unique to this raw shade.
Combine ecru with other colors.
The color ecru is a nature-inspired tone by definition. In fact, it doesn’t get much more natural than ecru, since it means “undyed linen.” Combine this earthy tone with other neutrals for a relaxed and comforting look. Pair the color ecru with any shade of green to recall scenes of nature. Play with ecru alongside shades of pink or pastels for a more playful palette.
Information about ecru color.
The black HEX code picker is #C2B280. This is the neutral originally inspired by the color of undyed linen.
The color ecru can be achieved in a RGB space with 194 red, 178 green, and 128 blue. Ecru color can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 26% cyan, 25% magenta, 57% yellow, and 0% black.
Load more