Onyx Benjamin Moore: The Ultimate Guide to This Bold Black Paint

You might be thinking about how and where to use Onyx Benjamin Moore black paint in order to get the best out of it.

Onyx 2133 10 is the only paint that comes to my mind when someone asks me to recommend a bold paint color.

Even though it is just black paint, you can use it in almost every space of the house. 

Just think about a house with a black accent wall, black trims or a featured area in black which can easily grab the attention of people.

Onyx benjamin moore paint is a soft version of black paint that holds the smoothness and boldness in one place.

The introduction of this paint color in the interior can influence the whole vibe by making it look rich and visibly interesting.

And you can also add different coordinating colors and materials which can make the color more interesting.

But before doing all of these, you need proper guidance and the knowledge of the undertones and effects of this color.

So here I am providing you all the details of Benjamin Moore Onyx, you can paint your house without making it look out of place.

Also read:

• Dover White Sherwin Williams
• Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore
• Benjamin Moore Grays

A Quick Overview of Onyx Benjamin Moore

As the name suggests, the Onyx Benjamin Moore name comes from a black onyx rock.

However, the Benjamin Moore shade is a soft and much smoother version of it, which is used to bring a character to the house without making it look extra dark. 

Onyx benjamin moore Hex Code #353434 with a color code of 2133-10 in the color preview series of Benjamin Moore.

Onyx Benjamin Moore RGB value is (53, 52, 52) making the undertones of onyx very neutral and minimal. 

You might be wondering if this shade is a matte or dark black color; but no this is just the darkest version of charcoal gray.

This makes this color work not only in the exterior but also in the interior of the house. 

Benjamin Moore Onyx Details: Undertones, LRV and Lighting Effects 

In this section, we will discuss the Benjamin Moore Onyx color in detail, including its depth, undertones and how it affects the space.

This will help you decide where to use this color and where not. We will also see what type of  lighting and space of the house will suit the color better.

Undertones

Benjamin Moore Onyx undertones consist of little to no undertones which means it is a truly neutral dark black color that can work with both warm and cool tone finishes.

Onyx doesn’t lean heavily into brown or blue undertones and balances itself with neutral undertones. 

With just a slight hint of warmth, this color makes itself approachable and less stark compared to other dark or cool blacks.

When paired with wood accents, brass or whites you can visibly see the warmth this color holds. 

LRV

Benjamin Moore Onyx lrv is around 4.99 which absorbs most of the light in the interior and gives the house a grounded and bold character.

This under 5 LRV of Benjamin Moore makes it sit in the category of pure black, reflecting absolutely nothing.

With this low LRV kind of paint, you need paints with medium to high LRV that have enough warmth to make the interior look balanced.

Lighting Effects 

If you are thinking of using this color in the north face room then the color will give a bluish tint and feel very cold and stark here.

In the east-facing room the color will look rich but will flatten out in the evening.

In the south facing room, Onyx will get a soft yellow tone throughout the whole day and will get slightly brighter at noon.

This is the space where it looks the best in my opinion, whereas in the west-facing room, the evening light creates a moody and luxurious ambience.

Benjamin Moore Onyx Review From My Personal Experience 

I was literally very confused between benjamin moore onyx vs sherwin williams iron ore, thinking which color would bring more boldness and character to my house.

Then I saw the Onyx Benjamin Moore color in one of my friends’ houses which made me more attracted to this color hue.

So whether you want a pop of this color or a fully coated wall, Onyx Benjamin Moore will not look out of place if paired thoughtfully. 

Application And Look

When we opened the gallon, it looked just pure black which felt too odd to put on the walls in a particular space.

But when we sampled it on a small portion of a wall, we clearly saw a much warmer shade of black that can easily be paired with any color. 

We mostly used this color on the accent wall, featured walls around the living room and on the doors and stairs, while keeping the whole interior in a warm white color. 

Maintenance And Durability 

Onyx is black in color which makes it works best in high-traffic areas and places where high maintenance is needed. It can hide the marks or stains clearly and doesn’t show dirt easily. 

And for durability, as we know Benjamin Moore products are known for their durability which makes them the best choice for any homeowner.

You can choose the paints like Aura, Regal, or Advance to get the maximum durability. 

We chose the satin sheen which makes the cleaning easier because just a single wipe of a damp sponge is enough to get the work done.

Cost And Availability

The cost and the availability of the paint depends on the location and the source of your purchase.

We bought 4 gallons of paint for a medium-sized house from which 1 gallon is still with us for future touch-ups.

The total cost of the product is calculated after deciding on the sheen and the product line.

These paints are available throughout the many Benjamin Moore stores in America. Or if you want a discount, you can get the paint from your local retailer.

Paint Line	Price/Gallon	Best For
Ben Interior	$57.99	Budget-friendly and DIY projects
Regal Select	$82.99	Most popular and pro-grade durability
Advance Interior	$89.99	Cabinets, trim and high-traffic surfaces
Aura Interior	$103.99	Premium, best color depth and longevity

Spaces Where Black Onyx Benjamin Moore Works Exceptionally Well

If you are thinking about how this color will work in different spaces of the house, then you don’t need to worry about that because Onyx Benjamin Moore 2133-10 is a very versatile color that will work with cool or warm tone colors perfectly.

So let’s discuss how you can make your exterior, living room or even the entry more striking and curb appealing.

Benjamin Moore Onyx Exterior

On the exterior, you can use this color on the trims with white or off-white walls to get that classic and versatile house exterior.

Onyx can be used on shutters, windows and garage doors to tie the overall look by making the black look more intentional.

And you can also add texture to the walls with brick and board accent or different siding in black and white,

Benjamin Moore Onyx Cabinets

BM Onyx Cabinets in the different spaces of the house can add a character to that space. However, you need to make sure that black doesn’t clash with any dark color in your interior. 

If you have light-colored walls like white, off-white or soft blue, and with Onyx cabinets, the overall look feels more coordinated.

In my opinion, Onyx Benjamin Moore Kitchen Cabinets will go with golden knobs, silver fixtures, light countertops and dark wooden flooring. And in the bathroom, you can use the same setting to match the house’s aesthetic. 

Benjamin Moore Onyx Front Door

You don’t need to paint the whole house in Onyx 2133-10. Rather, using it as a contrasting accent on the front door is enough to make the exteriror features pop.

Applying this on the front door is the best way to create a bold house entrance.

To make the visual appeal more intentional, you can coordinate this color with matching planters, a name plate, or exterior lighting like brass sconces, copper hanging lights, or even warm white porch lights.

Benjamin Moore Onyx In The Living Room 

In the living room, you can introduce Onyx Benjamin Moore through the accent walls, trims or in the furniture.

Imagine a wall in Onyx Black, white adjacent walls, big black trim windows and a white ceiling. These pairings will get you a modern house in black and white which speaks of richness and luxury.

For the surroundings, choose beige sofas, white lighting and soft-colored flooring to give the living room a contrast and sense of variety. 

Benjamin Moore Onyx Vs Other BM Black Colors Comparison

Benjamin Moore provides various kinds of black color that you can go for if you need a different kind of vibe in the interior.

These blacks are somewhat same or different then Benjamin Moore Onyx which we will discuss in detail. You can also use these colors as coordinating ones to make the palette more cohesive.

Benjamin Moore Onyx Vs Wrought Iron BM

Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10 is a deep charcoal black color with navy blue undertones which makes it look like an off-white color.

When comparing them side by side you can see the differences in their depth, color and undertones. There is not very much difference in the LRV, Onyx is 4.99 while the Wrought Iron has 8.17. 

Wrought Iron is ideal for the interior that needs depth of black without looking too dark and maintaining a palace for warmth.

Onyx is a much darker color which is especially used in the statement piece or to create contrast in the interior.

BM Black Beauty Vs Onyx Benjamin Moore

Black Beauty 2128-10 by Benjamin Moore and Onyx are two very similar dark paint colors. Onyx is slightly darker with an LRV of 4.99 whereas Black Beauty’s LRV is around 5.32.

Black Beauty has undertones like warm green which makes it more saturated than Onyx Benjamin Moore. 

You can pair these two as the coordinating colors to make the house look more cohesive and balanced.

Side by side the difference is subtle but Black Beauty 2128-10 will feel cozier in warm-toned rooms.

Benjamin Moore Onyx Vs Black Satin

Black Satin 2131-10 is a bit of blue-green undertone color with a similar LRV as Black Beauty.

The key difference between Onyx and Black Satin is that Black Satin looks softer and forgiving while Onyx 2133-10 is a bit intense and bold.

Black Satin sits between Black Beauty and Onyx on the color strip and has the most noticeable green-blue undertones in the black color family.

So if you want a neutral black then Onyx wins and for the more complex and cool depth, Black Satin is the only choice.

Benjamin Moore Onyx vs Soot BM 

Benjamin Moore Soot 2129-20 has an LRV of 6.19 which makes it slightly brighter than Onyx 4.99 LRV.

It is a charcoal navy blue paint but the darkest one is almost like a black which confuses many people. 

Soot is a bit softer whereas Onyx is a warmer true almost like a neutral black with no to few undertones.

Onyx is best for creating contrast with any light color and offers a defined and confident space.

If you want your black to be more bold and concentrated then go for Soot Benjamin Moore otherwise Onyx is always a great choice.

A Short Difference Table 

Feature	Onyx (2133-10)	Wrought Iron (2124-10)	Black Beauty (2128-10)	Black Satin (2131-10)	Soot (2129-20)
Color Depth	Deep true black	Soft black/charcoal	Very deep black	Muted soft black	Charcoal-black
Undertones	Neutral to slightly warm	Navy blue undertones	Warm green undertones	Green-blue undertones	Blue/charcoal undertones
LRV	4.99	8.17	5.32	~5–6	6.19
Warm or Cool	Neutral-warm	Cool	Warm	Cool-leaning	Cool
Overall Look	Bold and crisp black	Soft and diffused black	Rich and cozy black	Smooth and subtle black	Smoky charcoal-black
Best Use	Accent walls, doors and contrast trims	Whole rooms and exteriors	Bedrooms and warm interiors	Living rooms and cabinetry	Offices and moody spaces

Onyx Black Coordinating Colors To Upgrade Your Black Interior

Coordinating colors helps in defining and making that particular color pop through its undertones and harmony.

You can add these colors through the furniture, trims, ceiling or decorating fixtures of the house.

So let us understand the setting, pairing and the ways you can incorporate these colors with the Onyx Black Interior.

Chantilly Lace Benjamin Moore

Chantilly Lace Benjamin Moore OC-65 is a classic go-to white color that people introduce when they want to make the space brighter.

You can pair this color with the Onyx Benjamin Moore such as in the furniture, ceiling or on the exterior walls with black trims. 

This color will bring the exact contrast of the yin-yang that you want for your house and will also help in defining the Onyx Black color.

Gray Owl OC-52

Gray Owl BM is a soft gray color that has more white than gray and brings a modern and simple vibe to the house interior or exterior.

You can use this color as a main color on the walls and add Onyx Benjamin Moore as a pop color.

Such as in the furniture, cabinets or in the door and trims which will help you keep both the warmth and modernity in the same place. 

With Gray Owl and Onyx black interior you can go with soft blues, beiges or wood accent colors to add variety to the color palette.

London Fog 1541

BM London Fog is a mid tone gray color with foggy undertones that gives the vibe of a cobblestone street. You can use this color in the ceiling, on the adjacent wall or in the color of surrounding furniture like the chairs, tables or other fixtures.

Or you can do the opposite of what is mentioned above like use London Gray as a main color and keep the Onyx on the other things.

Fascinator Rose 2085-30

Fascinator Rose 2085-30 is a red color with a unique pink and violet undertone that creates a soft and vibrating space.

In my opinion, you should use this as the main color and keep the Onyx Benjamin Moore limited to the door, window or trims.

Or use a similar pink color in the pillows, cushions, furniture, decorating fixtures or in the curtains around the house. 

Revere Pewter HC-172

Revere Pewter HC-172 is a neutral gray paint that bridges the gap between warm and cool undertones.

You can use this color with Onyx Benjamin Moore to bring contrast and balance in the color palette.

Imagine an Onyx Benjamin Moore wall in the living room, a Revere Pewter adjacent wall, wood accent furniture and soft, muted color fabrics.

I am sure that this pairing will bring everything that is missing from the house.

BM Onyx Black Alternatives In Other Color Brands

So if, for some reason, you are unable to find this amazing color then you can search for its alternatives in another brands.

You might not get the exact match but still, there is a hope to find at least something very close to it.

So let’s explore these other alternatives of this color so you can at least get the vibe and feel of this color.

Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black 6258

If you are contemplating which color you should go for, Benjamin Moore Onyx Vs Tricorn Black SW, then the answer lies in the need and your love for that color.

Tricorn Black SW 6258 is a very true black color with an LRV of 3, which is also one of the most famous Sherwin-Williams colors.

This is slightly darker and leans towards a true jet black color with no undertones. You can go for this color if you want the Onyx Benjamin Moore alternative. 

So if you will ever search Onyx Benjamin Moore Sherwin Williams, you will most probably get Tricorn Black as a result. 

Behr Raven Black PPF-59

With the LRV of 5, this is the closest equivalent that you can go for in the Behr Brand. This is the darkest charcoal kind of color and a little cooler color than Onyx 2133 10.

You can achieve a slightly lighter look with this color. 

I saw this color sample on a wall and immediately felt that this is the perfect alternative to BM Onyx.

Raven Black has some cool grey to blue undertones, which makes it a great candidate to be used on accent walls, exteriors, trims and as door colors.  

Farrow & Ball Pitch Black 256

Pitch Black by F&B is a similar color to Onyx in terms of visible depth and in the LRV. This is a black color with a slight warmth and brown tones to it.

You can go for this color without a second thought because the vibe, color and everything is the same in both of these colors.

It feels more livable and less harsh than the Onyx Black Benjamin Moore.

Valspar Tomcat 

Tomcat 8006-12G is a slightly darker color than Onyx black 2133 10 which makes it lean towards a true black color. If for some reason, you can’t find Onyx BM then you can go for this color. 

Though you might not get that little warmth or softness like Onyx, it is still a very good option to bring boldness and confidence to the house.

Conclusion 

Onyx Benjamin Moore 2133 10 proved itself to be a worthy candidate in the “which paint is bold enough for the house” competition.

There might be some other colors in the category but Onyx is the only one that can bring contrast, distinctiveness and a whole new vibe to the house. 

Whether it is in terms of coordinating or complementary color this is I think the most versatile one that can be paired with many colors.

And you can make Onyx 2133 10 more coordinated by including it in the cabinets, accent wall, or even in the exterior.

Now that I have listed all the possible pairings, use of coordinating colors and even the different alternatives of it.

You can freely choose the Onyx Benjamin Moore color as one of your best interior or exterior colors of the house.

The modernity and calmness this color holds will definitely take your house to different heights.

FAQs on Onyx Benjamin Moore