20 Navy Blue Paint Colors Designers Use Every Time (With Brand Codes)

Rebecca Deczynski · February 4, 2025

Navy blue living room with dark walls, cream seating, geometric wall art, and warm wood coffee table creating classic elegant space

Navy blue is the most neutral non-neutral. Used right, it does what cream and gray do—grounds a space, frames the furniture, sets the mood—except it does it with conviction. A navy wall feels considered in a way a beige one usually doesn't.

But not all navies are the same hue. Some lean teal. Some lean black. Some lean almost gray. The undertone is what makes a navy room feel cozy or cold, historic or modern, intimate or stark. Pick the wrong one and the room seems off; pick the right one and the rest of the design falls into place.

Here are the 20 navy paint colors our designers repeatedly come back to, with notes on what each one does best.

Painting a room and want a second set of eyes on the whole palette? Take the Havenly style quiz and get matched with a designer who can help.

1. Benjamin Moore Three-Piece Suit (2062-10)

Luxe navy bedroom with ornate damask wallpaper accent wall, brass chandelier, and warm wood tones creating elegant sophistication

A deep, shadowy navy, this paint (formerly known as Polo Blue) instantly refines a room. Use it as an accent in a bedroom—it pairs beautifully with detailed wallpaper or molding. Color details →

2. Farrow & Ball Wine Dark (308)

Modern dining room in deep navy with geometric pendant light, neutral upholstered chairs, and bright natural light emphasizing clean elegance

Inspired by Homer's poetry, this true blue is a chameleon: dim and moody at night, refreshing by day. A near-perfect dining room color, it especially works with dark wood accents. Color details →

3. Benjamin Moore In The Midnight Hour (1666)

Serene coastal bedroom featuring navy shiplap walls, natural wood nightstands, and soft linens for calming, airy tranquility

Cool but velvety, while leaning slightly teal, this hue is surprisingly cozy. It looks best in coastal or breezy bedrooms where it can contrast against neutrals. Color details →

4. Benjamin Moore Evening Sky (833)

Contemporary living room pairing deep navy accent wall with warm mustard chairs and black sofa for balanced, welcoming contrast

An almost-black navy with plum undertones, this one is a lusher alternative to charcoal—great for accent walls in living and dining rooms. It’s modern, sophisticated, and never drab. Color details →

5. Benjamin Moore Bold Blue (2064-10)

Eclectic jewel-tone sitting room with rich navy walls, burgundy accents, ornate rug, and vintage wood details for moody sophistication

A true navy with an almost academic feel, this is the right choice for a stately living room or library. Pair with velvet drapes and leather for a moody, dark, slightly studious atmosphere. Color details →

6. Benjamin Moore Kensington Blue (840)

Classic entryway with navy wainscoting, brass fixtures, geometric black-and-white runner, and cream doors creating a sophisticated traditional aesthetic

A historic-feeling navy that lends itself to crown molding and wainscoting, use this color with brass fixtures and graphic patterns for a cool, contrast-driven traditional space. Color details →

7. Benjamin Moore Winding Waterway (2063-10)

Modern living room with deep navy accent wall, gallery grid, curved brass floor lamp, warm wood coffee table, and mustard chair for contemporary sophistication

Once known as Old Navy, this dark navy that skews almost slate. It’s sneakily versatile, working with both gray tones and warm browns. It’s best for taking an otherwise neutral room one shade more interesting. Color details →

8. Benjamin Moore Deep Secret (CSP-625)

Serene bedroom with charcoal navy walls, sage green bedding, natural wood dresser, and soft warm lighting creating a calming retreat

This color is a gray-tinged navy that's moody without being dramatic. Subtle green undertones help it reflect natural light. It’s the bedroom color if you want a room that helps you actually sleep. Color details →

9. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154)

Transitional home office with navy walls, industrial shelving, black desk, and natural light creating a balanced professional workspace

A medium-depth navy with classic nautical leanings, This is the most "default" navy on this list, in the best way—it’s reliably good in bathrooms, studies, and as an accent on millwork. Color details →

10. Farrow & Ball Railings (31)

Elegant living room with dark navy walls, cream sofa, gallery of framed prints, warm wood accent table, and natural linen curtains

Sure, it’s technically black with blue undertones, but this paint is like a good navy blazer: classic, versatile, and hard to get wrong. Color details →

11. Clare Nearly Navy

Moody mid-century modern study with navy walls, warm wood accents, golden autumn light, and jewel-tone seating

A teal-tinged navy that's punchy and unexpected, this color is somehow still calming. It’s best in a home library or office where you want a saturated atmosphere without the gravity of a true dark blue. Color details →

12. Benjamin Moore Blue Note (2129-30)

Eclectic bedroom featuring deep navy walls, vibrant rust and burnt orange bedding, botanical elements, and boho touches

A navy with neutral gray undertones, this one looks beautiful with warm wood tones and crisp white, meaning it works especially well in bohemian and natural-leaning bedrooms. Color details →

13. Backdrop Surf Camp

Sophisticated bedroom with navy accent wall, warm caramel bedding, natural wood furniture, and neutral tones

Laid-back enough for kitchen cabinets, deep enough for a moody office, this classic dark blue with green undertones was one of Backdrop's first colors and remains a team favorite. Color details →

14. Benjamin Moore Washington Blue (CW-630)

Contemporary urban living room with navy walls, neutral upholstery, terracotta accents, and floor-to-ceiling city views

Based on the Prussian blue created by hand-grinding pigment in oil, this paint borders on vibrant, catching the eye without making the whole room a statement. Color details →

15. Backdrop School Blazer Blue

Scandinavian dining space with navy banquette seating, natural wood table, bright windows, and fresh florals

A deeper, fuller cousin to cobalt, this one reads as a classic navy. It’s ideal for offices, bedrooms, and bathrooms—especially with crisp white trim. Color details →

16. Benjamin Moore North Sea (CC-932)

Sophisticated navy dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral upholstered chairs, and tropical greenery creating an elegant, light-filled retreat

An inky midnight blue that’s deep, saturated, and mysterious, this one is part of Benjamin Moore's Designer Classics collection for a reason—it's a tried-and-true workhorse for moody rooms. Color details →

17. Benjamin Moore Stonecutter (2135-20)

Contemporary living room blending deep navy walls with warm wood tones, modern artwork, and sculptural furniture for a gallery-like ambiance

Green undertones with soft touches of gray, this navy leans dark and a little theatrical—great in a powder room or TV den, where moodiness is the point. Color details →

18. Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray (2062-20)

Luxurious navy primary bedroom with coffered ceiling, paneled walls, warm brass accents, and layered bedding creating an intimate, high-end sanctuary

A "blackened teal blue" per Benjamin Moore, and a bestseller for a reason, this color has green undertones that shine in natural light. It reads as moody teal after dark. Color details →

19. Clare Goodnight Moon

Transitional sitting room in deep navy with golden accent chairs, geometric area rug, and window seating offering sophisticated warmth and contrast

A strong navy a few shades above black, this one works equally well outdoors and in. It can cover bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, and exteriors—it’s worth swatching for yourself before you commit. Color details →

20. Farrow & Ball Hague Blue (30)

Mid-century modern library anchored by navy walls, curated shelving, neutral reading chair, and warm wood accents creating a refined, cultured retreat

A true navy with subtle green undertones, this paint is named after the "fantastically colored woodwork much used by the Dutch." It looks especially good on woodwork and wainscoting. Pair with Borrowed Light for a classic combo. Color details →

How to Pick the Right Navy for Your Room

A few quick rules our designers use:

For bedrooms: Lean toward navies with green or gray undertones (Deep Secret, Gentleman's Gray, Stonecutter). They read calmer.
For dining rooms and libraries: Lean toward truer, deeper navies (Hale Navy, Winding Waterway, School Blazer Blue). They hold a candle-lit room.
For kitchens and cabinetry: Pick a navy that reads almost-black (Railings, Evening Sky). They're forgiving with visible wear.
For trim and millwork on white walls: Look for navies with crisp, cool undertones (Three-Piece Suit, Bold Blue). They contrast cleanly.
For small rooms: Don't be afraid to go dark all-over. A small powder room or office in a saturated navy reads jewel-box, not closet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular navy paint color?

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154) is the most widely used navy in interiors and has been for years. It's a medium-depth navy that works almost anywhere—bathrooms, studies, kitchen islands, and accent walls.

What undertones should I look for in a navy?

The three to know: green (Hague Blue, Gentleman's Gray, Deep Secret) reads warm and historic; gray (Old Navy, Railings) reads modern and neutral; black or plum (Evening Sky, Goodnight Moon) reads dramatic. Always test a swatch in the actual room before committing—undertones shift with light.

Is navy a good color for a small room?

Yes—provided you commit. A small powder room or den in a saturated navy reads cozy and jewel-toned, not cramped. The mistake is to do half a navy room (one accent wall, three white) in a small space, which makes the proportions feel off.

What finish should I use for a navy wall?

Eggshell or matte for walls. Satin or semi-gloss for trim and millwork. High-gloss navy on a door or cabinet looks beautiful but is unforgiving of imperfections—skip it on uneven walls.

What color trim goes with navy walls?

Crisp white (Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, Decorator's White) is the safest choice. For a softer look, try a warm white like Simply White or Swiss Coffee. Skip cool grays—they fight with the navy.

Should I paint the ceiling navy too?

Only if you're going for full-immersion. Painting the ceiling in the same navy as the walls works in studies, libraries, and small powder rooms, but can make a low-ceilinged bedroom feel closed in. Keep ceilings white unless you're committing to the cocoon.

Want Help Choosing?

Paint is one of the few design choices that's reversible, but the prep, the swatching, and the second-guessing are real. If you want a designer to weigh in on the navy that's right for your room (and the rest of the palette to go with it), we can match you with one in about ten minutes.

Take the Havenly style quiz →

This story was originally published on September 4, 2024. It was updated on June 4, 2026.