Exterior paint colors are a tricky thing. They can look completely different from the paint chip you see in the store and will change based on the light. Not just sunlight throughout the day, but also based on shade from trees with or without leaves in different seasons… and the quality of sunlight changes throughout the seasons, too. When I picked my exterior paint color, I went through no fewer than 12 sample paints to find the right one in all lights. It’s a big decision!
But the good news is that there are some tried and true colors out there. So here are my top five Benjamin Moore blue exterior paint colors, based on real beautiful homes I’ve spotted in the wild.
Benjamin Moore Philipsburg Blue
If you’re looking to go dark but not too dark of a blue on your home, BM Philipsburg Blue is a great choice. With a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 19.06, it is a dark paint color, which fall in the 0–40 LRV range. In bright sunlight, it will appear more vibrant and blue, and in the shade it will appear darker and more muted. That’s because in addition to blue, BM Philipsburg Blue has a healthy dose of gray as well. I also love that this color has a small touch of green in it, which keeps the blue gray from feeling chalky and lifeless.
Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue
If you’re looking for a cheerful blue exterior paint color that reads as a true blue without feeling too pigmented, BM Buxton Blue is a great option for you. With an LRV of 44.97, this blue hovers right between a medium and dark paint color, so if you’re looking for something rich but not too dark, I would point you to this. This color again benefits from having a touch of both gray and green to mellow out the blue and ensure that it looks nice no matter the light. It’s also part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Colors collection, meaning that it’s inspired by classic tried and true paint colors from the past.
Benjamin Moore Slate Blue
I’m biased and love a touch of green in many of my blues, but if you’re a blue purist and want a paint color that reads as a true blue, BM Slate Blue is going to be a winner. It has a similar LRV to BM Buxton Blue at 43.21, meaning that it will look lighter and more pigmented in direct sunlight and more of a muted darker tone in the shade. This color is named after weathered gray slate, so keep in mind that in the shade or to visitors with poor color perception, it may appear gray rather than blue.
Benjamin Moore Vermont Slate
I’m biased because I love a blue that borders on teal, but BM Vermont Slate might just be my favorite exterior blue shade. This is a true dark blue color with an LRV of 12.9, so in the shade it will appear more like a warm navy, and in the bright sun like a vibrant teal. I think this color would be perfect for a midcentury home, as it feels both modern and traditional at the same time. BM Vermont Slate is part of the Benjamin Moore Classics Collection, which celebrates just that—paint colors that are classic yet contemporary.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
And we can’t have a blue exterior paint color roundup without including one of the most popular Benjamin Moore colors of all time, Hale Navy. This is a true dark navy with an LRV of 8.36 that will look almost like charcoal in the shade but a more vibrant dark blue in bright sunlight, as shown on the home above. It looks classic with white trim or striking with black trim, and it’s a beautiful choice for both interior and exterior projects. BM Hale Navy is also part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Colors collection. For a dark navy with a little more modern edge, check out Benjamin Moore Blue Note.
I hope this guide was helpful to you as you search for your perfect exterior paint color! For more free color suggestions, check out the rest of my favorite paint colors.
