COAT Private Matters alternatives

The colour you’re matching
COAT Private Matters
Hex#9B5E45LRV≈ 15ShadeMid-toned brown

Private Matters is a mid-toned brown from COAT, and a popular colour to match across brands or on a tighter budget. PaintDial’s closest match from another UK brand is Gazpacho by Johnstone's (very close), with every other close match ranked below.

PaintDial verdict

Gazpacho by Johnstone's is the closest match from any other brand (very close) — though it’s lighter (about 2 LRV points) and slightly softer. It’s also the best-value tier of the close matches — unusual, as the nearest match and the best-value one usually differ. No other brand gets within a near-identical match of Private Matters — it’s one of the more distinctive colours in the library, so expect a visible difference whichever you pick. LRV is estimated from each brand’s swatch, so order testers before committing.

Below is every genuinely close match to Private Matters from the other eight brands — ranked purely by closeness, so where one brand has several near-misses, they all appear. For the single best match per brand, see the Private Matters colour page.

All 20 close matches, ranked

1GazpachoJohnstone's · Value · very closeLighter (about 2 lrv points) and slightly softer than Private Matters.Closest overall match.#9D67502Iron DustJohnstone's · Value · very close#9A5B4A3Fragrant ClovesJohnstone's · Value · very closeSlightly warmer and slightly more saturated than Private Matters.#9B58354Winter SpiceJohnstone's · Value · very closeSlightly softer than Private Matters.#9667505Nigerian Sands 2Dulux · Mid-range · very closeSlightly warmer than Private Matters.#9A5C386Fruit SmoothieJohnstone's · Value · very closeSlightly cooler and noticeably softer than Private Matters.#9766567Golden ChestnutJohnstone's · Value · very closeDarker (about 2 lrv points) than Private Matters.#9456368Folk TalesDulux · Mid-range · very closeLighter (about 2 lrv points), slightly cooler and noticeably softer than Private Matters.#9768569Soft CopperDulux · Mid-range · very closeLighter (about 2 lrv points), slightly cooler and noticeably softer than Private Matters.#97685610Nutmeg Cluster 1Dulux · Mid-range · very closeLighter (about 2 lrv points), slightly cooler and noticeably softer than Private Matters.#97685611Spice It UpJohnstone's · Value · very closeDarker (about 2 lrv points), slightly cooler and slightly softer than Private Matters.#8C5C4A12Burnished CopperDulux · Mid-range · very closeDarker (about 2 lrv points) and slightly more saturated than Private Matters.#9A523813Crushed CinnamonJohnstone's · Value · closeLighter (about 3 lrv points) than Private Matters.#A3695314Russet AppleJohnstone's · Value · closeSlightly cooler and noticeably softer than Private Matters.#8B5E4D15Rich ClayJohnstone's · Value · closeDarker (about 3 lrv points) than Private Matters.#90543F16Glowing FirelightJohnstone's · Value · closeDarker (about 2 lrv points) and slightly more saturated than Private Matters.#9B503617ChorizoValspar · Value · closeSlightly more saturated than Private Matters.#A65D4B18Bay HorseDulux · Mid-range · closeDarker (about 3 lrv points) than Private Matters.#8E563719Muted CopperJohnstone's · Value · closeDarker (about 3 lrv points) than Private Matters.#8A563C20Singed RedFarrow & Ball · Premium · closeSlightly cooler than Private Matters.#99584B

Common questions

Is there a Dulux equivalent to Private Matters?

The nearest Dulux colour is Nigerian Sands 2 (very close). It won’t be pixel-perfect, so order a tester before committing.

What’s the best-value alternative to Private Matters?

Of the close matches, Gazpacho by Johnstone's is the best-value option (value, very close).

How close are these to Private Matters?

The list shows every genuinely close match from other brands, ranked nearest-first by perceptual colour difference — including several from one brand where they’re all close. Screens differ from paint on a wall, so treat these as a shortlist and always order tester pots.

Matching a different colour?

Search any paint name in the tool to see its closest matches across every UK brand.

See the full Private Matters colour page →