Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is a striking medium to dark blue paint color that has gray undertones and acts neutral. Could it be the perfect paint for you? Read on and see!

In the world of interior design, neutrals have been the reigning champs and the go-tos for decades. And I totally understand why. They’re safe because most people like them—they aren’t too “loud,” and they pair well with a huge variety of colors and color palettes.

However, there’s a shift happening. The design world is embracing more and more bold hues, especially shades that provide deep, rich color AND act neutral! (Do you hear me shouting with joy? I love color!)

Navy is one of those shades. At first, you might not think of this rich blue as exactly neutral, but it helps to imagine your favorite pair of denim and how it pairs beautifully with pretty much anything. As you can see, navy really can be a neutral shade!

For example, a beautiful shade like the ultra-popular Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy can be both bold and neutral, and it works for almost any home decor style. The downside to a hue like this one is that it’s dark – really dark. In fact, it can be too dark for some people and some homes.

So, what if you don’t want to go quite as dark? Is there a neutral navy blue that’s not quite as deep? Yes! And I have a terrific example for you today.

Say hello to Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156).

This paint shade is a timeless and popular choice from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collections line, and it lacks any undesirable undertones that can often turn people away.

It’s bold, beautiful, and neutral. Let’s learn more about this classic dark blue paint!

What color is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue?

Here are a few quick, essential qualities to know about this timeless shade:

  • Bold, neutral blue that leans cool without feeling cold
  • Dark blue (many would say navy) with an LRV of 12
  • Popular choice for walls, accents, and cabinets
  • Lacks undesirable undertones and pairs well with many other colors

PRO Tip

Any time you are choosing a new paint color, you need to try out the real paint color in your home first!

The easiest and quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I solely use them for paint samples now. There’s no mess, no leftover sample pots of paint. Plus, these no-mess, peel-and-stick rectangles made from real paint, are easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!

Undertones in Van Deusen Blue

This paint color is super versatile – it’s really a muted blue. That means that instead of having green or purple undertones, it has gray ones. They’re just strong enough to keep this beautiful shade from looking too bright and give it a moody quality. 

And every once in a while, you may notice just a hint of green. It’s definitely subtle but can occasionally appear.

However, Van Deusen Blue from Benjamin Moore simply reads blue (albeit a rich, gorgeous blue) the vast majority of the time.

Lighting can have a large impact on paint’s appearance. For example, in a room with cool-tinted lighting (ex: north-facing light), you may notice the gray undertones more. On the other hand, warm-tinted lighting (ex: south-facing room) will make Van Deusen Blue look bluer and more balanced.

LRV of Ben Moore Van Deusen Blue 

Light reflectance value (LRV) is the amount of light a paint color either reflects or absorbs. A higher LRV number indicates a lighter color (because it reflects more light). Put another way, LRV 100 is pure white, and LRV 0 is pure black. 

Van Deusen Blue has a Light Reflectance Value of 12 (11.97, to be exact). 

Although Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue is dark, it’s not quite as dark as Hale Navy’s LRV of 8. I would say with an LRV of 12 that it’s on the light side of the dark spectrum.

For some people, it could still be too dark to paint an entire room. However, if that room has a lot of natural light, it could look incredible.

Also, keep in mind that using different paint finishes can impact how dark this shade feels. A semi-gloss will appear lighter than a flat in the same shade.

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Coordinating Colors

BM Van Deusen Blue shines around many colors – and helps them shine too! I think it looks particularly wonderful with lighter blues, blue-greens, grays, pinks, yellows, browns, beiges, off-whites, and whites. 

And it also looks great with wood tones and stone.

Benjamin Moore recommends pairing it with:

  • Aloe Vera
  • Mt. Rainier Gray
  • Yellow Freeze

Some of my personal favorite pairings include:

Best Trim Colors to go with Van Deusen Blue

If you choose this shade as your wall color, you have some options for your trim color. I personally love how crisp, clean white looks with Ben Moore Van Deusen Blue. I recommend using Simply White, Chantilly Lace, or Pure White.

Van Deusen Blue on a Color Strip

Other paint colors on the sale color strip with Van Duesen Blue, include:

van deusen blue paint strip

Where can you use Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue?

There are plenty of options for where to use this timeless shade of paint. Consider it for any place where you want to add some bold color, especially kitchen cabinets and islands or on a wall adjacent to white wainscotting.

In addition, try using it for:

  • Doors
  • Cabinets
  • Vanities
  • Kitchen islands
  • Interior walls
  • Accent walls
  • Exteriors

Is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue a good color for cabinets?

Yes! This hue is terrific for cabinets because it will add bold color without making the entire room look too dark. 

Home Styles that Work with Extra White

  • Farmhouse
  • Traditional
  • Transitional
  • Coastal
  • And more

Room Examples using Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue

I’ve rounded up a few examples of Ben Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) paint to demonstrate how it appears in various lighting situations. Take note of how dark or light it appears in each setting.

Van Deusen Blue Kitchen

How gorgeous is this kitchen from Studio Dearborn? Ben Moore Van Deusen Blue is one of those colors that can make lower cabinets grab your attention and make you say “wow” instead of “oh, that’s dark.” 

I love how well this blue pairs with the dark gray countertops and adds a playful (but also chic) vibe to the room.

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Living Room

Have you ever wondered why some people call the ceiling the fifth wall? Look at the visual impact that Van Deusen Blue has on this living room from Mathe Design, and you’ll see why!

By keeping the walls white, painting the ceiling, and adding pops of navy throughout the room, an eye-catching, cohesive design was born (and the ceiling looks tall!).

Bedroom in Van Deusen Blue

This nursery from Dream Book Design sports a nautical theme, and this deep moody blue is the perfect color choice! Since the room has low levels of natural light, you can really see how dark (and gorgeous) Van Deusen Blue can appear.

White and navy are a classic design combination, and this bedroom from Digs Design Company (via Houzz) is incredible. Chic and timeless, it provides a restful respite from the troubles of the world.

Check out my favorite Bedroom Paint Colors and see if Van Deusen Blue makes the list!

Ben Moore Van Deusen Blue Home Office

Color psychology attempts to describe the mental and emotional effect that colors have on people. Blues are energizing and grounding and help improve focus. I guess that’s what makes Van Deusen Blue perfect as a home office color like this one from Bees Knees Design, LLC.

Ben Moore Blue Bathroom

Bathrooms can often be small, dark spaces. However, if your bathroom has plenty of natural light, consider using this shade in it to create a chic space.

PKA (via Houzz) created a gorgeous master retreat with a classic navy and white color scheme.

Van Deusen Blue and white bathroom
via PKA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue warm or cool?

Blues are typically cool colors, so Van Deusen Blue leans cool, particularly with the gray undertones the shade offers.

Can I use Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue for my home exterior?

Yes, and it’s a terrific exterior color. The one word of warning I would give is that dark shades tend to fade in the sun faster than light paint shades. 

If you’re considering this hue for the exterior body of your home, it works best in overcast climates or shady locations so that you don’t have some faded areas and some more vibrant spots.

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue is a great blue paint for any home because it delivers sophistication and timelessness. And it’s an ideal choice for walls, cabinets, kitchen islands, or anywhere you want to add bold, eye-catching color.

More Paint Colors

If you’re searching for great go-to shades to use in your home, I highly recommend a few of my favorites:

Tools to Help to Paint a Room Yourself

I’ve gathered some helpful tools for painting a room yourself. I recommend starting by checking out my tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps. I do my own painting nearly all of the time, and I use these tools to make the job easier and give professional-looking results! 

  • Paint Brush – These paint brushes are a little more expensive than your basic brush, but they’re worth it! I’ve used these brushes for more than a decade, and if you wash them out well after each use, they will last for years.
  • Painter’s Tape – A MUST-have for taping off edges. You’ll need to tape off all edges if you don’t have a steady hand.
  • Drop Cloths – Another must-have to protect flooring and furniture from drips.
  • Paint Cup – Sure, you could use any old cup, but I’ve come to swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush cleanly in place when you need to take a break. And it fits my hand perfectly, keeping it from cramping.
  • Roller Tray – I’ve found the only paint tray I’ll ever use again. The magnetic piece holds the roller in place so it doesn’t slip into the paint. The liners may be a luxury, but I won’t paint without them because it makes cleaning up so much faster and easier!

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