Best Navy Blue Paint Colors Recommended By Designers

Navy blue paint colors are the kings of classic. Just like that perfect pair of blue jeans that goes with every color, navy is just as versatile with all colors in all different styles of interior design. But finding the perfect navy blue can be tricky.

When in doubt in situations where you want a pop of color, dark blue paint is always a safe bet. Because it can still act like a neutral! 

It is the perfect color when you want to embrace a darker color with a timeless look.

The best navy blue paint recommended by designers

Where to Use Navy Blue Paint

Whether it’s a moody master bedroom, traditional home office, dramatic living room, an accent wall, or small spaces like bathrooms, a dark blue paint color is the perfect choice many interior designers make because it’s bold without stepping too far out of the comfort zone. 

Ever since we painted our dining room navy, we have fallen in love. It is by far the most versatile color!

If you’re ready to embrace dark navy blue in your home, this list of the best navy paint colors widely used by interior designers will help with expert advice to use it anywhere. 

Romabio Blue Ridge Parkway - navy blue paint in dining room

The 8 Best Navy Blue Paint Colors

For our dining room wall color, we used Romabio Blue Ridge Parkway from the Bless’er House paint color line. It is an absolutely stunning dark blue paint.

If you’ve ever been baffled trying to find the perfect navy blue for your home (I especially love it on kitchen cabinets, islands, and furniture), consider this my shameless plug for Romabio Blue Ridge Parkway. BUT this list of other navy paint colors, widely recommended by designers, are real winners too. 

After years of trying out swatches and using navy in our own home, this is our running list of favorites on the market today.

navy blue paint in a dining room

1. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is a classic and rich true navy blue paint color that boasts a balanced blend of sophistication and boldness, making it a favorite for accent walls and statement pieces or for an entire room.

It has a subtle mix of gray undertones, which softens the hue and provides a neutral base, making it versatile for pairing with a variety of decor styles and color schemes.

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy - navy blue cabinet color in home office

2. Benjamin Moore Blue Note

Benjamin Moore Blue Note is a deep, moody blue that can appear almost royal blue when paired with crisp whites.

Its undertones are a complex blend of black and navy, giving it a profound depth that works beautifully in both well-lit and dimly lit environments.

3. Benjamin Moore Polo Blue

Benjamin Moore Polo Blue is a rich, classic navy paint color that embodies an air of elegance and serenity in any space.

It has subtle green undertones, which add a unique warmth and complexity, making it a great choice for both classic and contemporary designs. It’s a popular choice as an exterior paint color for front doors and siding too.

4. Sherwin Williams Naval

Sherwin Williams Naval brings a sense of calmness and depth to any room.

As a brighter color blue, it has a slight, warm undertone of purple, which adds a layer of complexity to the color, making it versatile for a wide range of design aesthetics.

Sherwin Williams Naval - navy blue paint on kitchen cabinets
Sherwin Williams

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5. Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue

Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue is a vibrant, medium-toned blue, making it an excellent choice for creating a statement.

Its undertones are a subtle blend of gray, which softens the color and adds a layer of versatility, allowing it to harmonize beautifully with a wide range of decor styles and color palettes.

Benjamin Moore Newportbury Blue - Cory Connor Designs - dark blue paint in a study
Source: Cory Connor Designs

6. Behr Chimney

Behr Chimney is a deep, charcoal gray paint color that offers an elegant and moody ambiance to any space. Its undertones are a mix of blue, giving it a cool and slightly maritime feel, which enhances its versatility and depth.

This deep navy works as a perfect neutral leaning slightly more into gray than other options and is a great use-anywhere shade of navy. 

7. Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue is a rich, smoky blue, perfect for creating a serene and sophisticated space.

Its undertones are subtly gray, which adds a soft, muted quality to the color, making it a favorite navy paint for many designers.

8. Farrow & Ball Hague Blue

Farrow and Ball Hague Blue is a rich navy with a historical depth, offering a luxurious backdrop to any room.

It is characterized by its subtle green undertones, which infuse the color with a unique warmth and complexity, enhancing its versatility in a variety of lighting conditions and design aesthetics.

Farrow and Ball Hague Blue - Park & Oak Design
Source: Park & Oak

What paint color sheen should I use?

Generally these are the typical recommendations for paint sheens (though rules can often be broken).

  • Ceilings – flat
  • Walls – eggshell (since eggshell can be wiped clean but isn’t shiny)
  • Cabinets – satin is most recommended, but semi-gloss can be used if you prefer that extra shine
  • Trim/doors – We typically use semigloss for a more traditional look, but satin works well for a more modern look.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy on office cabinet

How do I find which paint color is right for my space?

Sample, sample, sample.

  1. Narrow down your favorite colors to a select few from color swatch cards.
  2. Have color sample paints mixed at your local paint store to test at home.
  3. Brush the sample paint colors on 3-4 white foam poster boards and tape them up on various walls in the room. The white poster board will allow your eye to see any undertones.
  4. Look at the paint colors in the room in different lamp lighting, overhead lighting, as well as changing natural light throughout the day and night.

See more tips for how to find the best paint colors here.

sampling navy blue paint colors on a cabinet

What paint color works in every room?

That’s the kicker. There is no such thing as a paint color that works in every room because lighting in every home is always different and lighting changes our perception of color.

Do you have a favorite navy blue paint color you’d add to the list? Have you painted anything navy in your house that you’re completely in love with?!

Frequently Asked Questions

What color most complements dark blue paint colors?

Orange is the most complementary to blue because it is positioned opposite from blue on the color wheel. Yellow, pink, red, and white complement dark blue as well.

What color should I paint my front door if my house is navy blue?

Yellow and blue are the most popular front door colors when paired with navy blue exteriors.

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See more paint color recommendations by pro interior designers here.

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25 Comments

  1. We used Sherwin Williams Naval on the shutters on our home. They were an ugly shade of red when we bought the house last September. Something so simple, completely changed the look of the front of the house. We just love it!

  2. to each, his own! lol. but noooooo! I loved the gray/white – that’s also classic and timeless – cleaner & crisp tone. But you were ready to try something new, like you said, Seems like a color more for an office to me, but I’m glad you love it. Too man-cave for me, but since you switch your rooms so often – I’ll be anxious to see what you do with this. I see lots of white coming! lol

  3. I shall miss your beautiful gray dining room, but this looks totally AWESOME! Yes, it is a timeless, but edgy color. Best wishes. Cant wait to see how you style the room.