Best moody paint colors
We are going to spice things up today and talk about some bold and moody colors to use in your home.
Moody colors, especially the really dark ones can sometimes be hard to get on board with. But if you’re feeling like you want some adventure in your life, why not start small.
Take one of these colors and paint a piece of furniture, paint all trim in the room a daring color while keeping the walls a little bit safer. Paint trim a darker color and add in more light by painting the remaining walls white. Start somewhere small like a powder room or laundry room. Even if you don’t want to fully commit to darker walls, incorporating more saturated colors in your home add a ton of personality.
A couple things to think about:
These moody colors are generally darker, and to make them really shine you do need at least an average amount of light. Pay attention to the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) listed. 100 is pure white and 0 is pure black.
Here is a tip if you are worried about a dark color making your room look smaller….paint the ceiling too.
If you really want to amp up the drama, opt for high gloss finish.
Benjamin Moore Rock Gray
A strong blue paint color with a healthy gray undertone, Rock Gray is the perfect moody blue-gray paint color. Rock Gray has an LRV of 23.77.
Benjamin Moore Blue Nova
The 2024 Benjamin Moore Paint Color of the Year does not disappoint. This rich blue is the perfect pop of color for walls, builtins and exteriors. Blue Nova has an LRV of 16.
Sherwin Williams Stable
Rich brown colors have been trending as homeowners rush to add warmth back to their walls, and Sherwin Williams Sable is a beautiful paint color, perfect for offices or bedrooms. Stable has an LRV of 8. This is also a fabulous choice for exteriors, too!
Benjamin Moore Puritan Gray
Looking for a medium-depth paint color with a whole lotta personality? Try Benjamin Moore Puritan Gray. This chameleon of a color comes off as sometimes gray-blue, sometimes blue-green, and will absolutely change throughout the day as lighting shifts. Puritan Gray has an LRV of 34.
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green
Narragansett Green is a deep blue-green paint color with an LRV of 9. This color is so dark that it will come off as almost black in a room that doesn’t have at least average to above average natural light, so be careful, but it is stunning!
Benjamin Moore Backwoods
Looking for a deeply saturated forest green? Backwoods by Benjamin Moore might be the color for you. This rich dark green has an LRV of 12 and is the gorgeous on cabinetry and on walls. You do need a healthy amount of natural light to pull this color off.
Sherwin Williams Expressive Plum
Jewel tones are making a comeback and who doesn’t love a pretty plum? Sherwin Williams Expressive Plum is rich and moody on the walls. This is another color that’s very dark, with an LRV of 12, so again, make sure you have the light to let this color shine.
SW Raisin
The darkest color on this list, if you’re in the mood for some serious drama, Raisin fits the bill. With an LRV of 3 this color is dark. Raisin can best be described as a dark, sultry brown with an overwhelming violet undertone.
SW Waterloo
Benjamin Moore Bewitched
Looking for that dark jewel tone with tons of drama? Benjamin Moore Bewitched is the perfect color for you. Be warned! This color is dark and has an LRV of just 6.
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