Picking the right navy is basically a rite of passage for anyone obsessed with home design. You think it’s going to be easy. Then you see the swatches. One looks like a school uniform. Another looks like a chalkboard. But Washington Blue Benjamin Moore (CW-630) is that rare breed that actually lives up to the "stately" vibe everyone wants.
I've seen people confuse this with some of the more famous navies like Hale Navy or Newburyport Blue. Don't. It’s a completely different animal.
What Is This Color, Actually?
Washington Blue isn't your standard, run-of-the-mill dark blue. It’s part of the Williamsburg Color Collection. This matters because the collection is based on actual pigments found in 18th and 19th-century research.
Specifically, this shade is inspired by the process of hand-grinding Prussian blue in oil. That history gives it a certain "depth" that modern, chemically bright blues just can't touch. It’s lush. It feels expensive. Honestly, if you want a room to look like it belongs to someone with a massive private library and a secret inheritance, this is the one.
The Numbers You Need
- LRV: 5.95 (It’s dark. Very dark.)
- Collection: Williamsburg
- Vibe: Sophisticated, slightly moody, and "old money."
Because the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is just under 6, it’s not going to bounce light around. It’s going to absorb it. That’s not a bad thing, but you've gotta know that going in.
Washington Blue Benjamin Moore vs. Hale Navy
This is the showdown everyone asks about. Hale Navy (HC-154) is the undisputed king of Benjamin Moore blues, but Washington Blue is for the person who thinks Hale Navy is a little too "safe" or gray.
Hale Navy is heavily transitioned with gray. In a dark room, it can almost look charcoal. It's a neutral navy.
Washington Blue Benjamin Moore, on the other hand, is unapologetically blue. It has a slight vibrancy—almost a velvet-like quality—that stays blue even when the sun goes down. It doesn't hide in the shadows as much as Hale Navy does. If Hale Navy is a navy blazer, Washington Blue is a royal velvet cloak. Both are great, but they aren't the same.
Where It Honestly Works Best
You can't just slap this on every wall and hope for the best. Well, you can, but it might feel like living in a cave.
- Kitchen Cabinets: This is where it shines. Pair it with brass hardware. The warmth of the brass against that Prussian blue base is perfection.
- The "Moody" Office: If you have built-in bookshelves, drench them in this color. Use a satin or semi-gloss finish to give it some dimension.
- Powder Rooms: Small spaces can handle drama. Since you aren't spending hours in there, the dark intensity doesn't get old.
- Exterior Accents: It’s a killer choice for a front door. It says "I have good taste" without being as predictable as black or red.
Lighting Will Make or Break You
South-facing rooms with tons of natural light will bring out the hidden "glow" in Washington Blue. It looks rich and regal.
In a North-facing room? Be careful. Without that warm sunlight, it can feel a bit cold. You’ll want to lean into warm artificial lighting—think 2700K to 3000K bulbs—to keep it from feeling too icy.
The Best Supporting Cast
You can't just leave Washington Blue out there on its own. It needs friends.
Whites: Avoid super-stark, bluish whites. It’ll make the room feel like a hospital. Instead, go for something like Benjamin Moore White Dove or Simply White. You want that tiny bit of warmth to balance the depth of the blue.
Wood Tones: Mid-to-dark woods like walnut or cherry look incredible against this. It brings out the historical roots of the color.
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Contrasts: If you're feeling brave, a muted ochre or a dusty terracotta works surprisingly well as an accent. It breaks up the "seriousness" of the navy.
Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen people try to use this in a room with zero windows and then wonder why it looks like a black hole. If you don't have natural light, you need a lighting plan. Layers, people. Sconces, lamps, overhead—use them all.
Also, don't skimp on the primer. Dark colors like this usually need a gray-tinted primer to get that true, even finish. If you try to put this over a white wall in two coats without a primer, you might end up with streaky "holidays" (painter speak for gaps) that'll drive you crazy.
Actionable Next Steps
- Order a Samplize sheet. Don't trust the tiny paper chip. These 12x12 peel-and-stick samples are the only way to see how the color shifts from 10 AM to 8 PM.
- Check your trim. If your trim is a "cool" white, hold it up against the blue. If it looks "dirty" or "yellow" next to the blue, you might need to repaint your trim too.
- Test with your hardware. If you have chrome or nickel, it’s going to feel very modern and cool. If you have unlacquered brass or gold, it’s going to feel traditional and warm.
- Commit to the sheen. For walls, an eggshell finish is the standard, but for a truly high-end look on trim or cabinets, go for a satin finish in the Advance line. It levels out like a dream and looks like a factory finish.