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Dark and Moody Paint Colors

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Dark and moody paint colors have become a popular choice for those who want to add depth, sophistication, and a dash of drama to their spaces.

Whether you’re aiming to create a comfy, cozy nook, an elegant dining room, or a striking feature wall, the right dark hue can transform any room. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer a range of stunning dark paint colors that can achieve just the look you’re after.

dark neutral living room with dark walls and couch and large art

The 14 Best Dark and Moody Paint Colors

Here, we explore 14 of the best dark and moody paint colors from these top brands, complete with detailed descriptions to help you choose the perfect shade for your project.

dark and moody paint colors digital swatches

Benjamin Moore’s “Hale Navy” (HC-154)

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy paint digital can swatch

Hale Navy is a timeless, deep navy blue that exudes elegance and sophistication. This color works magnificently in both traditional and contemporary settings. It meshes well with a clean, crisp white trim for a classic look or with metallic accents for a more modern feel. Hale Navy is perfect for a bold accent wall, a cozy reading nook, or even an entire room to create an intimate and inviting atmosphere.

READ MORE: HALE NAVY FULL PAINT COLOR REVIEW

Sherwin Williams’ “Iron Ore” (SW 7069)

SW Iron Ore digital paint can swatch

Iron Ore is a rich, charcoal black with subtle gray undertones. This color brings a sense of luxury and warmth to any space. It’s versatile enough to be used on kitchen cabinets, interior doors, or even as an exterior color for a modern, sophisticated facade. Iron Ore’s depth and intensity make it an excellent choice for creating a dramatic statement.

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Benjamin Moore’s “Kendall Charcoal” (HC-166)

Kendall Charcoal digital paint can swatch

Kendall Charcoal is a deep, neutral gray with a great balance between warm and cool undertones. This color is incredibly versatile and works well in both modern and traditional interiors. It pairs beautifully with white trim, wood accents, and bold, colorful decor. Kendall Charcoal is an ideal choice for living rooms, bedrooms, or any space where you want to create a grounded, cozy feel.

Sherwin Williams’ “Urbane Bronze” (SW 7048)

urbane bronze digital paint can swatch

Urbane Bronze is a sophisticated, dark bronze with warm undertones. Named the Sherwin Williams Color of the Year in 2021, this color brings a sense of calm and groundedness. It’s ideal for providing a touch of luxury to spaces like home offices, living rooms, or bedrooms. Pair Urbane Bronze with natural materials and textures for a beautifully cohesive look.

Benjamin Moore’s “Black Forest Green” (HC-187)

black forest Green
digital paint can swatch

Black Forest Green is a lush, dark green with black undertones that evoke the feeling of a dense, enchanting forest. This color is ideal for creating a moody, nature-inspired atmosphere. Use it in dining rooms, libraries, or as an exterior color to make a bold yet sophisticated statement. Pair it with rich wood tones and gold accents for a truly opulent look.

Sherwin Williams’ “Inkwell” (SW 6992)

inkwell digital paint can swatch

Inkwell is a deep, dark blue-black that offers a perfect blend of boldness and sophistication. This well rounded color can be used to create a dramatic feature wall, accent cabinets, or even on exteriors for a striking curb appeal. Inkwell pairs well with lighter colors, metallics, and natural wood tones to bring a balanced and stylish space.

READ MORE: THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS

Benjamin Moore’s “Raccoon Fur” (2126-20)

Racoon Fur digital paint can swatch

Raccoon Fur is a rich, dark gray with blue undertones that gives off a sophisticated and calming vibe. This color is ideal for creating an elegant, moody atmosphere in bedrooms, living rooms, or dining areas. Pair Raccoon Fur with soft whites, warm woods, and plush textiles to enhance its luxurious feel.

SAMPLE YOUR PAINT COLORS WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES

Instead of physically going to your nearest paint store to grab your samples, you need to try  Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples.

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Samplize Swatch

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Sherwin Williams’ “Cyberspace” (SW 7076)

Cyberspace digital paint can swatch

Cyberspace is a deep, cool blue with a hint of gray that brings a modern, sleek look to any space. This color works wonderfully in contemporary settings, particularly in home offices, kitchens, or as an exterior color. Cyberspace pairs well with lighter grays, whites, and metallic accents to create a chic, sophisticated environment.

Benjamin Moore’s “Soot” (2129-20)

Soot digital paint can swatch

Soot is an intense, deep black with blue undertones that adds a sense of drama and mystery to any room. This bold color is amazing for creating a statement wall, painting furniture, or even for entire rooms where you want to achieve a dramatic, intimate feel. Soot pairs beautifully with contrasting light colors, metallics, and rich textures.

Sherwin Williams’ “Tricorn Black” (SW 6258)

SW Tricorn Black PAINT CAN SWATCH

Tricorn Black is a true, deep black that offers a timeless, classic appeal. This amazingly versatile color can be used in a just about any setting, from modern to traditional, and works well on walls, trim, doors, and exteriors. Tricorn Black pairs excellently with nearly any color, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to make a bold, stylish statement.

READ MORE: TRICORN BLACK IN DEPTH PAINT COLOR REVIEW

Benjamin Moore’s “Wrought Iron” (2124-10)

wrought Iron digital paint can swatch

Wrought Iron is a soft black with subtle blue undertones, creating a deep, rich color that feels both dramatic and inviting. This versatile shade works well in bedrooms, living rooms, and even exteriors. Wrought Iron pairs beautifully with crisp whites, warm woods, and metallic accents, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to create a sophisticated, moody atmosphere.

Sherwin Williams’ “Peppercorn” (SW 7674)

peppercorn digital paint can swatch

Peppercorn is a dark charcoal gray with warm undertones that adds some depth and richness to any space. This color is fantastic for creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere in bedrooms, living rooms, or dining areas. Peppercorn pairs well with lighter grays, whites, and wood accents, making it a well rounded choice for both modern and traditional interiors.

READ MORE: FULL PAINT COLOR REVIEW OF PEPPERCORN

Benjamin Moore’s “Midnight Oil” (1631)

midnight oil digital paint can swatch

Midnight Oil is a deep, inky blue-black that brings a sense of elegance and sophistication to any room. This dramatic color is ideal for creating a moody, intimate atmosphere in spaces like dining rooms, libraries, or bedrooms. Pair Midnight Oil with rich textiles, warm wood tones, and metallic accents for a jaw-dropping luxurious feel.

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Sherwin Williams’ “Caviar” (SW 6990)

caviar digital paint can swatch

Caviar is a rich, deep black with subtle brown undertones that exudes sophistication and elegance. This versatile color works beautifully in both modern and traditional settings and can be used on walls, trim, doors, or exteriors. Caviar pairs well with lighter colors, metallics, and natural materials, making it a fantastic choice for creating a dramatic, stylish space.

READ MORE: CAVIAR PAINT COLOR REVIEW

How to Choose the Right Dark and Moody Paint Color

When selecting a dark and moody paint color, consider the following very helpful tips to ensure you choose the right shade for your space:

  1. Lighting: Dark colors can look different depending on the lighting in your room. Natural light will bring out the undertones of the paint, while artificial lighting can make the color appear deeper or lighter. Test the color in different lighting conditions to see how it will look throughout the day.
  2. Undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of the paint color. Some dark colors have blue, green, or brown undertones that can change and affect the overall feel of the space. Choose a color with undertones that complement your existing decor and desired atmosphere.
  3. Room Size: Dark colors can make a room feel smaller, so consider using them in larger spaces or as accent colors in smaller rooms. If you’re painting a small room, balance the dark color with lighter furnishings and decor to prevent the space from feeling too closed in.
  4. Purpose: Think about the mood you want to create in the room. Dark and moody colors are perfect for creating cozy, intimate spaces like bedrooms, reading nooks, or dining rooms. They can also add a pinch of drama and sophistication to more formal areas like living rooms or home offices.
  5. Balance: Balance the dark paint color with lighter elements in the room. This can include light-colored furniture, trim, or decor. Adding metallic accents or rich textures can also enhance the depth and richness of the dark color.

RECAP – SWOON WORTH DARK AND MOODY PAINT COLORS

BENJAMIN MOORE

  1. Hale Navy (HC-154)
    • A timeless, deep navy blue that exudes elegance and sophistication. Perfect for accent walls, cozy reading nooks, and creating intimate atmospheres.
  2. Kendall Charcoal (HC-166)
    • A deep, neutral gray with a balance of warm and cool undertones. Versatile and ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, or any space needing a grounded, cozy feel.
  3. Black Forest Green (HC-187)
    • A lush, dark green with black undertones that evoke a dense, enchanting forest. Great for dining rooms, libraries, or bold exterior statements.
  4. Raccoon Fur (2126-20)
    • A rich, dark gray with blue undertones, perfect for creating an elegant, moody atmosphere in bedrooms, living rooms, or dining areas.
  5. Soot (2129-20)
    • An intense, deep black with blue undertones, adding drama and mystery. Ideal for statement walls, painting furniture, or creating intimate spaces.
  6. Wrought Iron (2124-10)
    • A soft black with subtle blue undertones, offering a dramatic yet inviting feel. Works well in bedrooms, living rooms, and exteriors.
  7. Midnight Oil (1631)
    • A deep, inky blue-black that brings elegance and sophistication. Perfect for moody, intimate spaces like dining rooms, libraries, or bedrooms.
_dark neutral living room with black walls and couch and large window

SHERWIN WILLIAMS

  1. Iron Ore (SW 7069)
    • A rich, charcoal black with subtle gray undertones. Versatile for kitchen cabinets, interior doors, or modern exteriors.
  2. Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)
    • A sophisticated dark bronze with warm undertones. Adds luxury and calmness, especially suited for home offices, living rooms, or bedrooms.
  3. Inkwell (SW 6992)
    • A deep, dark blue-black ideal for dramatic feature walls, accent cabinets, or striking exteriors. Pairs well with lighter colors and metallics.
  4. Cyberspace (SW 7076)
    • A deep, cool blue with a hint of gray, offering a modern, sleek look. Great for contemporary settings, particularly in home offices or kitchens.
  5. Tricorn Black (SW 6258)
    • A true, deep black with timeless appeal. Versatile for walls, trim, doors, and exteriors, pairing well with nearly any color.
  6. Peppercorn (SW 7674)
    • A dark, charcoal gray with warm undertones. Adds depth and richness, perfect for cozy, intimate spaces like bedrooms or dining areas.
  7. Caviar (SW 6990)
    • A rich, deep black with subtle brown undertones. Exudes sophistication and elegance, suitable for modern and traditional settings alike.
dark neutral living room with dark walls and couch and large art

FINAL THOUGHTS

Dark and moody paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer a sophisticated and dramatic way to transform any space.

From deep blues and greens to rich blacks and charcoals, these colors can create a cozy, intimate atmosphere or add a sprinkle of elegance and luxury to your home. By considering factors like lighting, undertones, and room size, you can choose the perfect dark color to achieve your desired look.

Whether you’re updating a single room or giving the majority of your home a makeover, these stunning paint colors are sure to make a lasting impression.

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