If you’ve been looking for the perfect navy blue, look no further! Benjamin Moore Hale Navy paint color (HC-154) is a true navy that plays nicely with any color combination or design style. This color is a designer’s dream!
Navy blue will always be in style, no matter what the current trends are. It’s a classic color that pairs well with so many different color combinations.
Plus, it is at home in any design style – from nautical to modern to traditional to farmhouse – and everything in between.
This post shares our bathroom vanity that we painted in this color, as well as some of my favorite Instagram images from designers who feature this color often!
I hope sharing a variety of images of this color will inspire you to feel confident in taking the leap!
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is the best there is. It really is a true navy – not as bright as primary blue or as saturated as royal blue. It is a classic navy without any fuss.
In fact, Hale Navy HC-154 is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection (that’s the “HC” in its number). It’s a collection of tried-and-true colors found in American architecture throughout the 1700s and 1800s. For that reason, the colors have a timeless, traditional quality to them.
The beauty of Hale Navy is that it isn’t tied down to traditional styles. It looks just as beautiful in a more modern aesthetic. Its rich, deep tone makes it the perfect choice for any space, indoors or out.
Check out how we used navy blue chairs in our modern living room. We paired them with a white sectional sofa for a crisp, clean look. You can also check out this round-up of my favorite Blue Gray Paint Colors if you love pretty blue shades as much as I do.
Why You’ll Love Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- A true navy
- Deep, rich color
- Pairs well with other colors
- Matches any design style
In the above image, you can see one of my favorite Serena and Lily Wallpaper options – we used it in our Modern Bathroom at the lake cottage, too!
Hale Navy LRV
LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. In other words, it’s the measure that design professionals use for the percentage of light a color reflects off a surface.
Basically, LRV refers to how light or dark a color will look. It’s measured on a scale of 0 – 100, with 0 being the darkest (black) and 100 being the brightest (white).
Hale Navy falls firmly in the dark color family with a low LRV of 8. Now, you all know that I love soft, neutral paint colors. I love how they make our home feel light and airy. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t love an occasional saturated color like Hale Navy.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy Undertones
The beauty of Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is that it has both warm and cool undertones. It’s known as a transition color, because it really does go with everything!
It does have some rich gray undertones that give it a sophisticated, velvety look. The gray keeps Hale Navy from being too bright. Instead, it is simply a rich, deep blue.
Quick Tip
Keep in mind with a color as dark as Hale Navy, lighting changes everything!
Notice below, where the images show the vanity with a door closed (preventing light from coming in) and then an image with all doors and windows open. What a difference!
Trim Colors to Pair With HC-154
If your walls are Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, you really can’t go wrong with painting trim white. Of course, there are so many whites to choose from! Hale Navy is amazing because it will look beautiful with cool whites or warm, creamy whites.
Here are some of my favorite whites, all of which would look stunning with Hale Navy:
- Sherwin Williams Everyday White – a perfect creamy white
- Benjamin Moore White Dove – a warm, soft white with a hint of greige undertone
- Farrow & Ball White Tie – a light, warm white with a touch of yellow undertone
- Farrow & Ball Clunch – a warm, soft white with the slightest “muddy” undertone (retired from the color chart but available in the archive collection)
- Sherwin Williams Rhinestone – a soft grey white with the slightest blue undertone
- Sherwin Williams Zurich White – this warm white has a slight grey/greige undertone, so it isn’t too warm or too cool
- Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
Colors to Pair With Hale Navy
Hale Navy is a neutral color, so it pairs well with almost any color. No matter what neutral colors you use as your base, HC-154 will be a welcome addition. Here are some other beautiful color combinations to consider.
Navy blue and white is a classic color duo, and with good reason. Together they create a clean and crisp look. The contrast between the dark navy and bright white is stunning and can really play up features in a room.
This color combination can be used to create a rich, traditional style or a coastal modern style. We have paired it with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace in our lake cottage.
If you love a lot of color, navy blue is beautiful with bright colors such as teal, yellow, coral, and pink. You don’t have to paint every wall a different color to enjoy the variety – in fact, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s easy to add color through rugs, curtains, pillows, and accessories.
Navy blue is beautiful with neutral colors such as soft grays, greiges, and tans. For example, Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles is a beautiful mid-tone gray that would look striking with Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. Or for more of a greige, consider Benjamin Moore Pale Oak, Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray or Accessible Beige.
For a monochromatic or nautical look, navy blue looks great with other blues like Benjamin Moore Smoke, Benjamin Moore Silver Gray and Benjamin Moore Slate Blue. Instead of sticking to just one, you can vary the blue tones in a space for a subtle, layered style. Think in terms of turquoise, aqua, and sky blue – any other shade of blue, really!
And last of all, don’t forget red! Benjamin Moore Hale Navy paired with red has a classic Americana feel that is right at home in the farmhouse style. Of course, navy and red can be more subtle too, especially if you choose a muted red and introduce it through textiles like pillows or a vintage rug.
Where to Use Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- Front Door – for a dramatic impact and instant curb appeal
- Cabinetry – especially when paired with white walls and gorgeous cabinet hardware
- Accent Wall – to create a statement wall or space anywhere in your home
- Jewel Box Room – by simply painting your walls and trim the same color for a striking effect
- Exterior – paired with white or wood shutters for a clean and classic aesthetic
Tips
- Choose Your Palette – Choose a primary color and accent colors. Use your primary color for larger applications, such as furniture or an accent wall. Then fill in with your accent colors for layers like rugs, pillows, and curtains.
- Best Finish – Choose the right finish for your space. Learn all about paint sheens here – where and why to use each one!
- Add Warmth – Benjamin Moore Hale Navy looks stunning against warm, natural tones like wood and rattan. Also, stained wood floors or LVP vinyl plank floors are a great base layer!
- Add Metals – Mix in some warm metals such as gold, brass, and copper for a truly rich look! Brass lighting provides a beautiful contrast to Hale Navy HC-154.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hale Navy is a true navy, with slight gray undertones that keep it from being too bright. As a result, it is a rich, deep color with a timeless feel.
Hale Navy HC-154 has a low LRV (light reflectance value) of 8, so it is definitely on the dark end of the color spectrum. However, that doesn’t mean you should be afraid of using it.
Natural light helps, of course, but you can also bring in plenty of light through other elements such as furniture, curtains, floor coverings, and even permanent fixtures like countertops.
HC-154 is a transition color, meaning it has both warm and cool undertones. It can be used with almost any other color and look amazing!
Hale Navy acts like a neutral, so it adds color without overpowering other elements in a space.
what kind of paint and color did you paint your bathroom floors?
We used Grout Stain
Hi Julie! Love your postings. Was looking for your opinion on what white to use for our main kitchen cabinets while painting Hale Navy on our kitchen Island. We have a modern farmhouse feel with SW Repose Gray walls and Extra White on trim & doors. redwood natural wood look tile flooring. Some blacks and Brushed Brass accents. Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Would you suggest this color for the exterior of a home?
If you want a dark home, it’s lovely.
What wall color did you use with the Hale Navy vanity? I’m getting ready to paint my daughter’s vanity and I want to paint the bathroom a creamy soft white and I am new to picking white colors. I also can’t decide if I paint her bathroom a creamy soft white if I should use the same color (different sheen) for trim and ceiling? Her bathroom has zero natural light. Help!
Try Benjamin Moore White Dove – I think you’ll love that combination. If you want to go a little warmer, Cloud White.
Is White Dove what was used in this bathroom photo? If not, was it another BM color?
Hi Danielle,
Our bathroom walls are painted in Chantilly Lace – you can read more about it at that link!
Enjoy,
Julie
Thank you so much for this endorsement of Hale Navy! I happened to pick up a discounted gallon of this color at the hardware store a couple months back. Now I cannot wait to paint our master bedroom in this color for the “jewel box” effect. Thanks!
Love your blog……
It’s going to be SO GOOD! Please share when you do!