To complement your dark, dramatic and high aura I will definitely suggest you Benjamin moore charcoal slate.
Which is officially known as charcoal slate HC-178, this shade (also known as Charcoal slate PM-8) belongs to Benjamin Moore historical collection.
This is a dramatic charcoal gray that fills the need of both a classic and modern design house.
Charcoal Gray shows confidence with its neutral tones and by adding this color in your interior or exterior, it will make the house bold and its tones are dark enough to make any house look refined.
In this post, I will break down everything you need to know like from the undertones, LRV to the different applications in the house.
And you will see the magic of charcoal gray making your house feel high-end and eye-catchy.
Also read:
Color Description Of Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate HC-178
Charcoal slate HC-178 is a dark charcoal gray that can appear black in dim lighting or small places.
However, this color feels soft and subtle unlike black which makes the space look extra bold. And benjamin moore charcoal slate hex code is #656769 which defines a muted and medium dark gray color with very subtle cool undertones.
Charcoal slate by Benjamin Moore can make the house feel deep and refined the architectural appeal.
With the coolness of this color you can balance out the extra warmth in the house and make the house soothing and eye-pleasing.
This color looks good on a textured wall in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and exterior siding with white trims.
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate: Undertones, LRV and Best Uses
To understand charcoal slate deeply you need to understand the LRV, undertones and where it looks best.
After getting this information, you will have the idea of how to design and place this color in different spaces of the house.
LRV of Charcoal Slate
The light reflectance value of this color is around 12.71 which means it reflects very little light and behaves like a moody and dark color.
This color works best in the house with open layout or the spaces that need defined lines.
It looks bright in the south facing room or rooms with ample lights whereas in the north facing room it looks dark.
By adding higher lrv colors you can get that contrasting visual that is very much intriguing.
Undertones
Undertones are the reason a color looks different in certain lighting and spaces; so you need to keep that in mind while selecting a color.
Undertones behave differently according to the space elements and the colors of your furniture.
So even if you like a color most possibly your interior might not like it.
Benjamin moore charcoal slate undertones consist of subtle cool blue, slate gray and a tiny hint of green in certain lighting.
These undertones keep it from feeling flat and modest and give it a character.
Lighting Behaviour
Lighting is the most crucial point while selecting any color for your interior, because a color changes dramatically in different lighting.
In north facing rooms, Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate HC-178 appears cooler and almost black.
Whereas in the south facing rooms undertones soften and in warm artificial a subtle richness comes to the surface.
Cool LED lighting enhances its charcoal tone and makes it cooler and calming.
Depth and Saturation
With the lrv of 14 this color is very deep and visually heavy because of its charcoal gray color.
It is dense in pigment, has clean finish and architectural depth.
And for the saturation this color is highly saturated which can cover any wall in just one coat.
Some dark grays feel thin or washed in bright rooms but BM Charcoal Slate feels solid and architectural.
It has enough blue-gray pigment to prevent it from reading like a flat black and keep it looking intentional.
Style and Best Uses
To enhance charcoal gray and the interior of yours, you need to incorporate its coordinating colors into the interior.
Pair it with White Dove OC-17, add brass or matte black fixtures, or use warm wood accent flooring to balance cool undertones.
You can also add Benjamin Moore Slate Gray or add blue elements like rugs, curtains etc, in the furniture, fixtures or any other decorative element.
The versatility of this color makes it shine in modern, transitional and even traditional interiors.
How Do Charcoal Slate By Benjamin Moore Look In Different Rooms?
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate HC-178 can make your interior or even the exterior bolder and finer.
From your living room to your bathroom we are going to make every space defined with the use of coordinating colors.
Living Room
When I painted my living room with Charcoal Slate, I used white on the windows and trims, light gray in the furniture fabrics and wood in the flooring and furniture.
This pairing makes the overall
living room well coordinated and designed.
If you need more colors then you can go for beige and blue furniture, lighter flooring and warm fixtures.
This can balance out the depth and makes the interior more balanced.
A white or off-white ceiling can offer you contrast with an eye-catchy interior.
Bedroom
With a darker charcoal slate color like this you need a complementary color that can make the interior pop instantly.
Warm wood accent bed with Benjamin Moore Slate Gray bedding and white door and windows.
This is the setting that can make the room more vivid and soft.
Dark wood furniture can make the bedroom more depthful while light one will add warmth to it.
Charcoal gray colors really go well with green planters, soft or warm lighting and dark blue furniture.
Bathroom
Benjamin moore charcoal slate makes the bathroom appear luxurious and high-end when paired with right fixtures and furniture.
White fixtures, dark wood vanity and beige marble countertops will bring contrast to the bathroom.
Chrome fixtures, white tiles across the bathroom with big black frame mirror and white lighting delivers a defined and thoughtfully designed interior.
For the flooring, I would suggest to go with wood or slate blue tiles to make it more luxurious.
Kitchen
Benjamin moore charcoal gray kitchen cabinets will bring warmth and depth to it without making it extra dark.
Benjamin Moore charcoal slate the lower cabinets while a lighter gray on the uppers is the best you can do for the kitchen.
Steel or silver fixtures, white countertops and warm lighting can make the overall aesthetic advanced.
White tiles on the backsplash add texture to the kitchen and make it more natural and classic.
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate Exterior
On the exterior, you can go with charcoal slate as the primary color and benjamin moore white dove as the trims across the exterior.
White trim windows and Benjamin Moore Charcoal Black doors will make the overall appeal balanced and refined.
Big windows on the exterior can make the exterior modern and high-class and create a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors.
A natural wood accent door and porch area will help you in toning down the darkness of the house.
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate vs Other Popular Dark Gray Paint Colors
I know there are also some popular colors in the market besides BM’s charcoal gray which might perform the same as this color.
To make yourself sure that charcoal gray is right, you need to compare it with other same hue colors and then make a decision.
To make the work easy for you I have come up with some comparison that you can go for.
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate Vs Kendall Charcoal
Kendall Charcoal HC-166 is one of the most popular dark gray colors from BM which has similar undertones with Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate HC-178.
The main differences are in their undertones and warmth.
Dark charcoal gray has blue-indigo undertones while kendall charcoal leans towards a subtle green undertones that makes it darker.
Kendall Charcoal appears warmer and often used in traditional house interiors.
So if you want a darker and warmer charcoal paint that looks good with wood and earthy then go with kendall charcoal.
BM Charcoal Slate Vs Behr Imperial Gray
Behr Imperial Gray PPU26-02 is a darker gray than charcoal slate and has slightly the same undertones.
Imperial Gray is a neutral paint and that’s what makes it more versatile than any other color.
Although they have very similar LRV but Charcoal Slate carries slate-blue hues giving it a cooler and slightly more dramatic appearance.
So if you want a gray that is light, less bolder and works in a bright environment choose Imperial Gray.
It is more neutral and therefore looks softer and less moody in most spaces.
You can also use this color as a coordinating color to make a smooth transition in a charcoal slate house.
Charcoal Slate Vs Farrow & Ball Down Pipe
Charcoal Slate is lighter compared to 26 Down Pipe and has a softer and smokier tone.
While both the colors are equally saturated and have the same lrv, Down Pipe can make a lighter color pop and darker color look cohesive.
Down Pipe feels more atmospheric and traditional while Charcoal Slate appears cleaner and crisper.
This is why it is often used in the classic european style house interior.
Charcoal Slate vs Lava Gray by PPG
Lava Gray PPG1038-6 is a slightly warmer charcoal that leans towards a more dark blue charcoal.
Charcoal slate has a lower lrv than lava gray but still looks darker and depthful.
Despite having a higher lrv lava gray looks cooler and softer.
Choose lava gray when you want a charcoal with subtle navy tones, has a cooler vibe and softer charcoal effect.
Or just use them as coordinating colors to enhance the house palette and bring vividness to it.
A Short Comparison Table
| Paint Color | Brand | LRV(approx) | Undertone | Overall Look |
| Charcoal Slate HC-178 | Benjamin Moore | 14.5 | Blue-indigo | Cool and dramatic charcoal |
| Kendall Charcoal HC-166 | Benjamin Moore | 14.61 | Green-gray | Slightly warmer charcoal |
| Imperial Gray PPU26-02 | Behr | 14 | Neutral gray | Softer dark gray |
| Down Pipe No.26 | Farrow & Ball | 13.06 | Blue-green | Smoky and moody |
| Lava Gray PPG1038-6 | PPG | 13 | Warm gray | Warmer charcoal tone |
Top Color Pairings for Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate HC-178 is a deep charcoal gray paint that is best paired with colors that create contrast and balance its depth.
Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate coordinating colors are Whites, soft greiges, muted blues and natural wood tones that work perfectly well.
The right coordinating colors can highlight the richness of charcoal slate while preventing the space from feeling too overwhelming.
1. Grant Beige HC-83: This is a beige color that works perfectly as trims around the walls or use this in the color of your furniture or decorative items.
This color will help in providing warmth to the depthful house interior.
2. Wind’s Breath OC-24: This is also a beige color with subtle gray undertones that makes it welcoming and perfect for a modern house interior.
You can use this on the ceiling or in the doors and windows.
3. Blue Danube 2062-30: This is a dark teal toned blue color that looks classic yet stylish.
You can use this color in the bedding, fixtures or paint the hanging lights with it.
Or you can use this color on the adjacent wall with charcoal slate on the main wall.
4. Swiss Coffee OC-45: This is a bright white color that perfectly works on the ceiling, doors and windows to offer a striking contrast.
And maintain the balance of colors in the house palette.
5. Boothbay Gray HC-165: This is a calm blue-gray tone paint that works perfectly well when used in the furniture fabrics, curtains or in the fixtures of the house.
Conclusion
With the ending of our journey of finding, how can Benjamin moore charcoal slate be the next big thing in the interior of your house.
To make everything fit together you need a bond and that can only be provided by this color.
Benjamin moore charcoal slate is a rich and dramatic dark grey paint which is very versatile and has modern sophistication.
Its low LRV, subtle undertones depth makes it an ideal choice for interior and exterior.
Whether you use it in the cabinets, accent walls or in the exterior it creates a natural, grounded and refined look of the house.
Use this color wisely and you will get yourself a house that many will remember for the rest of their life.
A home that inspires many, stays timeless and works in every generation and house model.
FAQs on Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate
Charcoal Slate HC-178 by Benjamin Moore has subtle blue-gray or slate undertones. These cool undertones give the color a deep and rich look which prevents it from looking flat or modest.
Charcoal gray pairs elegantly with colors like whites, beiges, soft blue and light greens. These colors complement charcoal slate very well without looking out of place. These colors create contrast and help balance the richness of this deep charcoal shade.
Generally charcoal grey is darker than slate grey because they are very close to black with their low LRVs. while slate grays usually appear slightly lighter and often contain blue or gray undertones in them.
Charcoal grays are considered cool toned colors because they contain blue, green or gray undertones. However, some charcoal shades can lean warm depending on the pigment used.
