Have you ever though of going super dark with a paint color in one of your rooms? I decided to give it a try with a charcoal gray paint color. Our home office was the perfect room for experimenting with a dark paint color because there actually isn’t a ton of wall space. One side is entirely open to the hall and a lot of the other wall space in the room is taken up by a large built-in bookcase and windows.
I was searching for a paint color that would look almost black but slightly softer. Basically, the perfect charcoal gray paint color. Today I’m sharing the paint colors that I considered in my search (and have updated my post to share the one that I ended up going with!). (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})
Why Choose a Charcoal Gray Paint Color
A charcoal gray paint color can add a bit of sophistication and glamour to a room. When done right, if feels luxuriously moody without being gloomy. I especially love it in spaces with white furniture, molding, or cabinetry because the contrast between the “almost black” and white is stunning.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (6258) LRV: 3
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore (7069) LRV: 6
Iron Ore is described by Sherwin-Williams as a cool, deep, and mysterious charcoal.
Benjamin Moore Graphite (1603) LRV: 7.59
Graphite is described by Benjamin Moore as an elegant deep gray hue that adds depth and drama to any space.
Benjamin Moore Nightfall (1596) LRV: 8.3
Spoiler! Benjamin Moore Nightfall is the charcoal gray paint color that I ended up painting our home office. It’s described as a “blackened gray” which I think is a great description of it because it is about as close to the line between gray and black as you can get. I LOVE it! The contrast of the dark charcoal gray with our white bookcases is stunning:
Get more details about this gorgeous paint color in my full post on Benjamin Moore Nightfall.
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn (7674) LRV: 10
Peppercorn is a versatile dark gray that’s evenly balanced between warm (yellow undertones) and cool (blue undertones).
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) LRV 14.61
Do you have a favorite?
Anonymous says
My son’s bedroom has white molding about 5′ up and then I painted the walls above black chalkboard paint. He can’t really reach that high (he’s only 6) so right now they simply look black and I just love it. I vote for the peppercorn. Best of luck to you.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I love it that you love your son’s black room color! It gives me some confidence to just go for it. Thanks!!
Lindsay, Xo Lindsay says
Go big or go home! Go with the blacks! I’ve been thinking of using the BM Black Satin in my guest room. Love the look!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thanks Lindsay – I think a black bedroom would be amazing!
jvw home says
I’ve used Kendall Gray and Urbane Bronze on projects…both GREAT choices. In fact, I just met with a client the other day and advised her to use the Kendall Charcoal (the one i use is Kendall Charcoal, but i’m assuming it’s the same grey?) on her doors….
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
There’s just something fabulous about black and gold, right? This office definitely needs a touch of elegance because it’s just a big hot mess right now!
mom929 says
I love the look of the contrast. For me the stark blacks feel a bit oppressive while the warm dark grays like Kendall Charcoal and Urbane Bronze feel like wrapping up in a cashmere blanket. Can’t wait to see it when it’s done
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Totally agree – the contrast between the dark color and white trim is what makes this color choice so stunning. Thanks so much for your input!
Andrea says
This is going to be fabulous. I just painted my powder room BM Hale Navy and I love the contrast of dark with white trim. Can’t wait to see what color you choose.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Coming over to your blog now to find your powder room – Hale Navy is actually a color I was thinking about for our bedroom. Glad to hear you love it!
pam {simple details} says
Gorgeous inspiration, Kris!! I LOVE my son’s dark charcoal room (Behr’s Mined Coal) and have been temped to paint everything dark ever since we did his! What a fun project to start the year! 🙂
therelishedroost says
7 years ago I convinced a french couple to paint there vintage bathroom off- black.. at first they though I was crazy but when it was done, boy was it a stunner! I think your office will look fabulous!! I love that deep rich color, just gorgeous!!
Linda {Calling it Home} says
I love dark walls in other people’s homes. I can’t wait to see what you decide. I am in an all white mode, so I am no help. Good luck. Your images are stunning.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
You know I am a huge fan of a deep dark color!! I used BM Nightfall #1596 in our basement and love it so much I’m going to do the whole basement in it. In fact I was thinking of using it in our dining room but how many black rooms in one house = goth??? 🙂 I also used straight “Black” in the powder room of our last house, and loved how I could bring any color in there with towels, art and flowers and it all worked with the black. Can’t wait to see what you choose – I’m sure it will be fabulous!
Jenny says
Love, love, love! I am a smitten kitten for Peppercorn, and have pinned the same photo you did, but haven’t found a place for it (yet) in our home. Urbane Bronze is another beauty! We went gray in my husband’s office, but didn’t go too dark, since his desk and other furniture pieces are black. Can’t wait to see what you choose!
Vel Criste says
I would most definitely, just not sure yet where. I can’t wait to see what you come up with Kris, Black or charcoal is so elegant and classy! I know it will look fabulous!
Catherine Clark says
I painted my dining room BM Kendall Charcoal and have white slipcovered chairs that pop against the walls. Tip from my decorator: paint the ceiling 50% Kendall Charcoal and 50% Decorator White. It looks great!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Love your idea about the ceiling – thanks for passing on that tip!
Layne @ The Room Journal says
I love this look. All my walls are shades of white but I would love to do a black wall in one of my rooms. It seems to make everything in front of it really pop. I’ve seen some images of BM’s Soot that looked really beautiful. It’s a black with just a hint of blue that I really love. I’m excited to see what you come up with!
Stacey {steward of design} says
Can’t wait to see what you pick! I’m so anxious to try this in one of my rooms.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Oh my gosh Celeste – that sounds absolutely beautiful! First of all, I’d be thrilled if our house had 9″ baseboards and secondly, the way you painted them sounds so up my alley. Your house must be a stunner!
Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says
I love how it looks….I would love to try it one of these days…
Tricia says
I love them all! Can’t wait to see which one you go with!
Stacey says
I am really loving the charcoals, dark blues right now. Great inspiration and can’t wait to see what you choose!
Loi Thai, Tone on Tone says
Go for it, Kris! Sounds like your home office would be divine in black. With the white bookcases and natural light, it will look so crisp and graphic. Do it soon so you can share with us 🙂
xo
Loi
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I am loving the look and I know you can make it look smashing!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Cristina – the chair is from Restoration Hardware!
Casey says
The wall color in the office is beautiful. I know you used Benjamin Moore Nightfall. It looks to have a green undertone though that I really like in particular. Did you use primer or paint over that original green wall? Just curious if I use Nightfall on my white walls if it would produce the same shade as pictured. Thanks!
Melanie says
Hi Kris
We live in a New England white Cape Cod style house-we just painted our front door Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black-glossy. We also have Mayne flat black 36 inch window boxes. I am struggling with our shutter color-currently Iron Ore-just doesn’t jive with the front glossy door. What do you think about the shutter color? Just Tricorn Black satin finish? Help!!! I tend to go with classic, timeless looks but i don’t want hum- drum either!
thx so much!
Melanie
Lizzy says
I am all for peppercorn. I have my office painted in that as well accent walls for my kids’ bedrooms. I am planning on doing part or basement in peppercorn as well. Have you looked at cyberspace? My main en-suite bathroom (toilet area) is that color.