Choosing a paint color can sometimes be an overwhelming task. It’s a big decision, and one that you want to get right, so that you don’t have painter’s remorse after spending all of that time, money and energy painting a room (or rooms). Given that I work with paint on a regular basis, and many homeowners are doing other renovations while I’m painting cabinets, not to mention that I have painted just about every room in my entire home at least once, I thought it would be worthwhile to share some of my favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors. Don’t worry, we’ll do Sherwin Williams on another day.
I will readily admit that I’m drawn to Benjamin Moore’s colors more than most. I use them a lot, I’m comfortable with them, I know them, I have many of them in my own home.
Balboa Mist
Balboa Mist is a light, warm gray and super versatile as a result. It’s pretty on walls, cabinetry and even furniture. A great light and neutral backdrop for pops of color, and is still warm and welcoming.
I used Balboa Mist in my daughter’s room for one of my One Room Challenge projects, and I still love that it’s a nice neutral backdrop that will work as her tastes change over the years.
Here you can see Balboa Mist on a bathroom vanity. Still light and bright, without being white.
Gettysburg Gray
I find myself drawn toward the warm grays, regardless of the shade. Gettysburg Gray is more of a mid-tone gray, but still a warm gray that plays well with other colors and doesn’t feel at all cold.
Kendall Charcoal
Kendall Charcoal is darker gray that I have always loved. So many times, I’ve found photos of a paint color that caught my eye, and sure enough, it was Kendall Charcoal.
Gentleman’s Gray
This color came across my radar when I was looking at Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue paint color and fell in love with it. Gentleman’s Gray was a close enough match for me, so I added it to my powder room (I told you I like drama in a powder room). It’s a rich, inky, indigo blue – beautiful for walls, furniture and even cabinets if you’re feeling bold.
Wrought Iron
If you’re looking for a dark color that’s not necessarily black, give Wrought Iron a look. It’s a deep, rich, warm gray, and a nice change from basic black.
Revere Pewter
If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably already know how much I love Revere Pewter, but if I’m talking about my favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors, it must be included. It’s quite possibly, the perfect color, in my opinion. Works great if you want to have a modern gray/greige color, but have a lot of brown in your house that you need to take into account. Sometimes it reads more gray, sometimes more beige, but it’s an absolutely stunning color that I have incorporated into my own home. My family room was already painted in Revere Pewter, but when I did the One Room Challenge in my dining room, I decided to bring the color in here as well, and it’s perfect with the pops of navy.
It’s also a great color for cabinets. My friend Kayla at Painted by Kayla Payne, has a stunner of a kitchen in Revere Pewter. I absolutely love it. This is what I’m talking about when I say you don’t have to have a white kitchen for it to be light, bright and super stylish.
Collingwood
Collingwood is right up there with Balboa Mist as a light, but warm gray that serves as a beautiful backdrop in a room. I have yet to put it on cabinets, but if anyone would like to give this color a whirl, please let me know – I’m game.
White Dove
White Dove is one of my go-to whites for cabinets and trim, and it’s also a great white for walls as well. It’s soft without being stark and a bit of a warmer white, and great option that doesn’t lean yellow.
Here it is as a trim color in this bright and sunny family room (wall color is Benjamin Moore’s Shale, in case you’re wondering).
Here is White Dove on kitchen cabinets – so soft and pretty.
Nightfall
This is another go big or go home kind of color, but I think it is a great high contrast color, and you can even use it in a kitchen with white cabinets, and it won’t feel at all dark. It’s also another fun one for an accent wall at the end of a hallway perhaps, or even a powder room. I used it in our basement powder room, and I love it.
Yes, remember, I painted it the night before my Christmas cookie exchange last year. Alas, the irony of the name of the paint color…
Kris, at Driven by Decor has it in her office area, and I was inspired by the high contrast look and how striking it is with wood toned furniture.
It would also be sharp if you used it on the back of bookcases in your home or on a piece of furniture.
I love how cozy Nightfall looks in Dear Lillie’s bedroom. I might need to give this color some more thought, given that I like my bedroom as dark as possible when I sleep (vampire style, according to my husband). The light finishes balance out the dark walls, and I think it would make for a great retreat when it’s time to settle in for the night.
Here’s a handy chart of my favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors for you to pin these and remember them for future use. What are your favorite Benjamin Moore Colors? Did I miss any of them?
Are you itching for more color ideas? Check out my post about my favorite Sherwin Williams paint colors here.
Jenny
20 Comments
Lauren@SimplyLKJ
June 26, 2018 at 10:16 amGreat round up of colors Jenny. I love the Gettysburg Gray on the cabinets.
Angela
October 22, 2018 at 12:28 pmThank you for this list. I’ve been struggling to choose colors and I got some great ideas here. Bravo!
Sharon
April 5, 2019 at 7:52 amThank you for the great recommendations! I have a two story craftsman and am looking for a darker gray to paint the exterior of my house (gray, white trim with black shutters). Do you think the Kendall would be too dark for as an exterior paint? Thank you.
Jenny
April 9, 2019 at 9:13 pmI think Kendall could be a great exterior option, but I would have to see the house for sure to give you an informed opinion. 😉
Kandi
May 13, 2019 at 2:02 pmI love revere pewter and night fall. Do you think they would go well together?
Jenny
June 3, 2019 at 9:51 pmI think Revere Pewter can play well with just about ANY color out there!
Noelle Hale
June 16, 2019 at 9:01 pmHi! Recently painted my master in Kendall. 10ft ceilings, big crown & base, exterior of soaking tub & shower is tiled in bite subway. I love the color but I am at a complete loss as to what color vanity! Help! Thank you, Noelle
Nora Charles
December 16, 2019 at 3:04 pmHello-
I recently had a 100+ year old victorian 6 unit apartment house painted in Kendall grey, with oatmeal trim, and wrought iron for the doors. It is stunning! It’s a winning combination that I am going to use on other old buildings. My only complaint is it is on a bus line in Seattle and the oatmeal trim gets very dirty.
michelle
July 15, 2020 at 8:24 pmwould you say Nightfall has any navy undertone in it at ALL? I paint things that look so navy/black that many say is just “black” on my front door and it goes bright navy (sunlight I guess). Would Nightfall fit the bill for a navy black? If there is any hint of navy then it will be what I’m looking for for the sunny front door!
Jenny
July 23, 2020 at 4:12 pmI can’t say that it really has any navy undertones, but it is a gorgeous color. I recently painted the back of our built-ins Sea Serpent (Sherwin Williams), and it’s a super dark, rich navy that might be closer to what you’re looking for.
Janet
December 30, 2020 at 5:05 pmHello, The previous owner painted the whole house blue so I’m going to repaint the main living area Balboa Mist.
What paint colors complement Balboa Mist? I have a den with double doors that open to the living room and I would like a contrasting color. Both rooms have southern exposure. Do you think Chelsea Gray is too much contrast? I don’t want any blue undertones. Thank you, Janet
Jenny
January 10, 2021 at 12:09 pmI’m a lover of contrast personally! Chelsea Gray is a gorgeous color!
Judy
January 23, 2021 at 7:41 pmMy hallway is revere pewter. I’m looking to paint the interior doors black. Any suggestions?
Jenny
February 11, 2021 at 11:56 amTricorn Black is a beautiful color for doors.
Susan
April 10, 2021 at 5:40 pmHi Jenny,
Do you think Anew Gray would be a good choice for the exterior of a house? If so, what accent would you recommend to go with it? Thank you!
Carla
July 21, 2021 at 3:28 pmI am thinking about using Wrought Iron as an accent wall in the living area and on the kitchen island. Do you think Balboa Mist will look good with it in the walls with White Dove trim?
Jenny
July 26, 2021 at 7:34 pmThat sounds lovely! Take cues from your counters and floors in choosing the colors, as they are the the things that should be steering color choices.
Lynn
August 24, 2021 at 6:41 pmWe used BM White Dove on exterior walls as well as all trim on our stucco house &SW Anew Gray on shutters & lintels over windows- really love this look! BM Wythe Blue on front door. This scheme is really Belgian/Euro in look.
Anew Gray looks very soft taupe but not really “gray”.
Jo-Anne
March 17, 2023 at 11:19 amI am leaning towards painting my entire house balboa mist. I have painted the kitchen cabinets chantilly lace. I am struggling with a dark color fir the opposing wall of cabinets. I did one coat of Kendall charcoal..I thought it looked quite green. (My quartz is very light grey with a finer darker vein. ) I also have a wrought iron tester. The flooring I am leaning towards will be a natural oak that looks good with grey and I am really liking congac for a leather couch. Is congac wrong with balboa mist?
Jenny
March 26, 2023 at 8:45 pmI think Cognac goes with just about everything!