10 BEHR Black Paint Colors Loved by Interior Designers and Bloggers
So you’ve decided you’re going to GO FOR IT and use black paint in your home. Whether you’re just adding a small wood accent wall or incorporating black into your whole house color scheme, there’s a lot to consider.
Just like choosing a white paint color, there are SO MANY black paint color options that the process can be overwhelming.
Today we’re sharing the top picks for paint colors from Behr paint.
Table of Contents
This BEHR black paint color guide contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.
What to consider before choosing a black paint color?
- Lighting: Before you choose a black paint color for your space, consider how much natural light enters the room through windows and also what other artificial lighting you will use. Black-painted rooms will absorb light and don’t reflect light, like lighter paint colors door (hence the low LRV values of these black paint colors). Keep in mind that black spaces will look darker, so it is important to make sure you have sufficient lighting in the room to prevent it from feeling too dark and gloomy. There is a delicate balance between moody and gloomy.
- Undertones: Do some research on your paint color before to see what undertones it has. Paint undertones are subtle hues that can be present in a color. Undertones are often seen when painted on a large surface and when held up against another neutral color (like if you put the paint color next to a plain sheet of white paint, you’ll be able to see the undertones more clearly. Undertones are often described as warm or cool. Warm meaning there are more yellow, orange, and red in the color and cool undertones pull more purple, green, and blue. It can be difficult to see a paint’s undertones at first glance, but it can be helpful to hold the paint cards next to each other to see the subtle differences.
- Room Size: Black paint can also make a room feel smaller and more cramped. If the room is already small, this is definitely something to consider. However, adding a dark paint color to the walls in an already large and spacious room, like a living room, can make it feel cozy and intimate.
- Contrast: Black will also make the other colors in the room stand out, so take some time to think about how you want to incorporate other colors in the room – like through the furniture, wall decor, accents, flooring, trim, and ceiling paint colors.
- Maintenance: It is no secret that black (and all dark paint colors for that matter) tend to show more dust, dirt, and scuffs when compared to lighter paint colors. If you have kids or pets, you may want to think twice before using a black paint color in a high-traffic area. We highly recommend BEHR’s Scuff Defense line when using a dark color. We used it when we painted Midnight by NY in our home office and the dark charcoal walls with Graphic Charcoal in our living room. It has worked great to prevent scuffs and is easy to clean without leaving marks!
- Paint Samples: As always, whatever you do, PLEASE get a sample of the paint color and try it in a few different spaces in your room before committing to your paint color. Observe the paint samples at different times of the day and in different lighting to see how the colors change. You can check out my 4-step process of choosing paint colors in this video for more tips and tricks.
What is LRV?
LRV is noted below under each of the black paint color overviews in the “paint color stats” section. L
RV stands for light reflectance value. Light reflectance value is the amount of light that is reflected off of the paint color surface. The lighter (or more white) and color the higher the LRV – meaning that pure white has an LRV of 100 and pure black has an LRV of 0.
All of these favorite black paint colors have an LRV of less than 10, meaning that they really bring done the light in a room, and not much light is reflected. Long story short, these paint colors are all DARK.
10 Behr Black Paint Colors Loved by Interior Designers and Bloggers
Black
When in doubt, keep it simple. When I was struggling with what Behr black paint color to choose for our front door, I decided to just choose plain and simple “black”.
Honestly, there’s not a lot of information on this paint color online because it is “just black”. But I’ve found by using it in our projects that the richness of this paint color is really dictated by the sheen of the paint.
The semi-gloss paint I used on the front doors and on the trim of these outdoor planters really looked bold and rich, which was accentuated by the shiny sheen of the paint.
When Behr’s Black paint is used in more of a matte finish or eggshell, it appears a little less bold.
It’s a wonderful option if you’re overwhelmed by all of the black colors and just want something that is true black without risking another color of undertones showing through.
Black Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: N/A, it is just “black” in their system
- LRV: 5
- RGB Values: R 63, G 63, B 62
- Hex Code: 3F3F3E
Limousine Leather
This black paint color is the darkest of the colors we’re featuring in this article.
It’s a true black that doesn’t have any blue, green, or brown undertones.
It is a great choice for an accent wall, furniture, or your front door.
If you do any amount of searching online, you’ll see others describe this color as “the blackest black that Behr makes” or a “top-notch black paint color” and even “the blackest black I’ve ever seen”.
Limousine Leather Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: MQ5-5
- LRV: 4
- RGB Values: R 59, G 60, B 59
- Hex Code: 3B3C3B
Similar Paint Colors in Other Brands
- Blacktop by Benjamin Moore
- Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball
- Starless Sky by PPG
- Greenblack by Sherwin Williams
- Black Heron by Valspar
Broadway
Broadway is a deep slate shade that is perfect if you’re wanting a more dark and moody look to your space. There’s a reason why it was a part of BEHR’s 2021 Color Trends Palette. You may notice some very slight green undertones with this black paint color, but it makes it feel soft and natural.
One of the keys when working with dark colors is to pair them with lighter colors for contrast. Even if you’re going to be using the deep black paint color on all 4 walls, you can contrast a lighter color on the ceiling, trim, and with decor.
This bedroom with dark walls incorporates lighter bedding, curtains, and accents to not make the room feel too dark and dingy. It’s the perfect combination!
It looks great painted on kitchen cabinets in this space, especially when combined with a lot of natural light and white tile backsplash.
Broadway Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: PPU18-20
- LRV: 6
- RGB Values: R 67, G 68, B 66
- Hex Code: 434442
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Notre Dame by Benjamin Moore
- Off-Black by Farrow & Ball
- Onyx by PPG
- Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams
- Noir by Valspar
Carbon Copy
Carbon is a rich dark gray paint color. Not to be confused with Behr Carbon, which is a dark shade of black paint, this gray color is a great way to get a dark and moody look without taking the full risk of going absolute black.
This is a great accent color if you don’t have much light in your room because it doesn’t feel as dark as a true black.
It’s the perfect shade for this kitchen island and when compared to the other white cabinets, it totally looks like a black paint color, doesn’t it?
Related Reading – Check out these black kitchen islands for ideas and inspiration!
Carbon Copy Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: PPU25-01
- LRV: 9
- RGB Values: R 84, G 85, B 84
- Hex Code: 545554
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore
- Tar by Farrow & Ball
- Black Widow by PPG
- Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams
- Ebony Field by Valspar
Little Black Dress
Little Black Dress is a really pretty black color that has cool undertones, meaning that you’ll see a small tint of blue. You may notice these blue undertones more in spaces with more natural light.
It looks great painted on the top half of the walls, above the white shiplap, in this dining room. It looks great paired with the blush pink, wood tones, and white contrasting paint colors.
Little Black Dress Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: PPU24-23
- LRV: 6
- RGB Values: R 67, G 72, B 75
- Hex Code: 43484B
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Black Horizon by Benjamin Moore
- Railings by Farrow & Ball
- Black Forest by PPG
- Big Dipper by Sherwin Williams
- Naval Night by Valspar
Totally Black
Totally Black is a great black wall color if you’re looking for something that is a true black paint color with no other undertones.
It’s the perfect color here for this shiplap accent wall behind the bed in this master bedroom. The gray fabric bed and lighter bedding and furniture end up being the perfect combination.
Totally Black Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: HDC-MD-04
- LRV: 5
- RGB Values: R 63, G 64, B 65
- Hex Code: 3F4041B
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
Totally Black shares a lot of the same similar paint colors with Broadway, so it is easy to see that they are both very similar.
- Black Panther by Benjamin Moore
- Off-Black by Farrow & Ball
- Black Magic by PPG
- Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams
- Dark Kettle Black by Valspar
Cracked Pepper
Cracked Pepper a great option if you’re looking for something in between black and gray. It has some blue undertones, but they don’t appear very strong. I would describe this as a soft black paint color.
Depending on the lighting conditions, Cracked Pepper can almost look like very dark charcoal. It reminds me a bit of Graphic Charcoal, which we painted on the walls in our living room.
It’s a great option for a fresh coat of paint on french doors, like on this back porch.
It also looks great when used on kitchen cabinetry, like this. I love how it looks when paired with natural wood tones like these floors.
Cracked Pepper Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: PPU18-01
- LRV: 8
- RGB Values: R 79, G 81, B 82
- Hex Code: 4F5152
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Almost Black by Benjamin Moore
- Tar by Farrow & Ball
- Evergreen Boughs by PPG (this one has definite green undertones)
- Perle Noir by Sherwin Williams
- Chimney Smoke by Valspar (this one looks like it has more blue undertones)
Satin Black
Satin Black is sure to make your space feel luxurious and moody. This bold color choice has blue undertones when the space has a lot of natural light or bright lighting. It’s really the perfect backdrop to any space.
Homemade by Carmona has, in fact, used this color in 10 different spaces in her home (including the door on her front porch, for black walls throughout her home, and as the exterior paint color on her guest house, shown above) so it is what she would call the “perfect black paint color”.
Satin Black Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: PPU26-01
- LRV: 8
- RGB Values: R 78, G 81, B 82
- Hex Code: 4E5152
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- French Beret by Benjamin Moore
- Tar by Farrow & Ball
- Evergreen Boughs by PPG
- Perle Noir by Sherwin Williams
- Chimney Smoke by Valspar (this one looks like it has more blue undertones)
Ink Black
Ink Black is actually “technically” a deep navy blue paint color that can look and feel like it is black, depending on the lighting and other items in the room.
It brings a really cozy vibe to this bedroom where it is used on all 4 walls with picture frame molding for some extra character.
Ink Black Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: N490-7
- LRV: 7
- RGB Values: R 69, G 73, B 77
- Hex Code: 45494D
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore
- Railings by Farrow & Ball
- Black Forest by PPG
- Cyberspace by Sherwin Williams
- Sooty Lashes by Valspar
Night Club
If you’re looking for dark paint colors, Night Club is a great option. It has slightly blue undertones, but that may not appear in certain lighting.
I love it used on the bottom cabinets in this gorgeous two-toned kitchen combined with other neutral colors, like wood and white.
Night Club Paint Color Stats
- Behr Color Code: N500-7
- LRV: 7
- RGB Values: R 73, G 75, B 78
- Hex Code: 494B4E
Similar Paint Colors In Other Brands
- Day’s End by Benjamin Moore
- Railings by Farrow & Ball
- Witchcraft by PPG
- Rock Bottom by Sherwin Williams (this one has some definitely olive green undertones)
- Sooty Lashes by Valspar
Well, there you have it! Hope you are feeling inspired for your painting project.
Which of these popular black paint colors was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks for explaining the differences in the colors, especially the LRV effect of the paints! Feeling more confident moving forward with black doors!
Awesome! Be sure to check out this post about painting doors dark: https://www.makingmanzanita.com/painting-interior-doors-black-dark/
Thanks for explaining the differences in the colors, especially the LRV effect of the paints! Feeling more confident moving forward with black doors!
Awesome! Be sure to check out this post about painting doors dark: https://www.makingmanzanita.com/painting-interior-doors-black-dark/
Thank you for your great overview! I found this very helpful in my hunt for a black paint color.
So glad you found it helpful! What color are you going with?
Thank you for your great overview! I found this very helpful in my hunt for a black paint color.
So glad you found it helpful! What color are you going with?