Regardless of how much the trends shift, some paint colors will remain in demand. Neutrals like black and white paint colors are simply too versatile and amazing to fall out of style. Whether for homes or workspaces, these neutrals are simply irreplaceable.

However, people do find it a little challenging to pick a black neutral, after all, they all look the same. But do they all look the same? I have put together an in-depth explanation of the 10 Best Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors for 2023.

This article will tell you all you need to know about these dark neutrals, helping you make an informed choice for your space.

Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors don’t just bring a whole new level of sophistication to spaces, they offer more. If you seek an elegant and majestic look for your room or workspace, pairing black with a much brighter color will do the trick.

Black paint colors come in different shades, each uniquely manufactured to fit into relevant settings. As such, they have different undertones, hues, tinges, and even temperatures, despite belonging to the same color family.

Qualities of Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors

High Versatility

In terms of versatility, Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors have very high versatility. They pair well with almost any color you can think of, including obscure ones. Working on interior spaces or exterior walls? Black paint colors fit in nicely.

Note that these dark neutrals also look amazing on cabinets, doors, and just about any woodwork in your space. You can also use them on accent walls.

Low LRVs

Black paint colors don’t have high LRVs because of their dark appearance. LRV means Light Reflectance Value, and it indicates how strongly a paint color reflects light. Since it runs from 0 – 100, lower values indicate weak reflecting strength, which in turn means the paint color absorbs light strongly.

Unsurprisingly, black absorbs light and reflects almost nothing. As such, you should use them sparingly in rooms or spaces with little light access. The reason is that the dark neutrals will reduce the brightness of the room further by absorbing the light.

This can give a moody or gloomy look, which is quite unpleasant.

However, pairing black with much brighter paint colors can prevent this effect. In areas like the kitchen or study, you can use the dark color on cabinets or shelves.

Shrinking Effect

You have probably heard of paint colors that make spaces appear smaller. No one does it better than black paint colors and you can use this for splendid results. Since they pair well with any decor or palette, feel free to use them in spaces and rooms where you don’t want too much of an airy or breezy feel.

Note that using them on furniture instead of walls has little to no effect in shrinking the space significantly.

The Original Monochromatic Color

When you pair black paint colors with white, you get the old but majestic and stylish monochromatic look. In workspaces, it gives a sense of competence, confidence, and class, making it highly desirable in offices.

On the other hand, using White and Black decor in homes gives peaceful, stylish, and focused vibes. No one can deny the luxurious look that comes with it.

10 Best Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors

1. Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258)

This paint color is quite fascinating for some reasons. Firstly, Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black is the deepest and darkest black neutral from the manufacturer. It has an LRV of 3 like some other black paint colors in its strip; however, it displays a much more significant depth.

Secondly, SW Tricorn Black has no undertones and is the closest paint color to true black from Sherwin Williams. Remember that the Light Reflectance Value runs on a scale of 0 – 100, where 0 indicates true black. This paint color isn’t true black but comes close.

Also, Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black’s RGB formula shows that its red, green, and blue blend exists in almost equal parts. This means that the paint color will appear the same at all times, and you don’t have to worry about hidden surprises.

Furthermore, the dark neutral doesn’t read warm or cool, as it appears perfectly balanced between the two temperatures.

SW Tricorn Black has the highest versatility of all black paint colors from the manufacturer. As such, it will look great in any space you choose to use it. Simply ensure that such spaces have decent access to light.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Tricorn Black	3	R:47 G:47 B:48	None	None

2. Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069)

Here we have a black paint color with rising popularity among home and property owners. Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a deep and dark charcoal paint with that brings an impressive level of sophistication to spaces.

Sheriwn Williams Iron Ore reads cool, thanks to its well-hidden green undertones. Despite the presence of these undertones, the paint color rarely reveals them, regardless of lighting and color pairings. It has an LRV of 6, which makes it unsuitable for spaces with limited access to light.

Paint colors that pair exceptionally well with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore include Sherwin Williams Extra White, Nebulous White, and Cityscape. However, remember that as a deep black paint color, SW Iron Ore pairs well with almost any paint color out there.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Iron Ore	6	R:67 G:67 B:65	Cool, Well-hidden Green	Cool

3. Sherwin Williams Black of Night (SW 6993)

Sherwin Williams Black of Night adds a sophisticated look to any space you choose to use it. While it sometimes flashes some semblance of green, the deep black paint color actually has blue undertones. It has an LRV of 4, making it slightly darker than SW Iron Ore which has 6.

This paint color goes great on accent walls, cabinets, bookshelves, doors, and even exterior walls. However, it only comes out excellently when used in well-lit areas. The reason is that Sherwin Williams Black of Night absorbs much more light and reflects almost none.

It reads cool but will not impose it on your space. Sherwin Williams Black of Night pairs best with SW Snowbound, First Star, and Berry Frappe. I only singled out these paint colors as they give the most natural pairings for the paint colors.

Feel free to pair it with several others, as it also has high versatility.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Black of Night	4	R:50 G:54 B:57	Cool Blue	Cool

 

4. Sherwin Williams Caviar (SW 6990)

Sherwin Williams Caviar look natural and bold on both walls and woodwork. As with other dark neutrals in its color strip, SW Caviar adds a sense of sophistication to any space. While it has one of the lowest LRVs of any paint color from the manufacturer, it isn’t the darkest paint product out there.

If you want a refined vibe in your space, go for SW Caviar as a dark neutral. This paint color works exceptionally well in a study or on accent walls in well-lit bedrooms or living rooms. The reason is that it has a look that helps the mind focus, making it perfect for such spaces.

Sherwin Williams Caviar has an LRV of 3 and you will sometimes detect a subtle brown undertone. You should keep this in mind when picking a palette, as undertones generally show up when you least expect.

Excellent pairing choices include Sherwin Williams Taupe Tone, Snowbound, and Oh Pistachio.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Caviar	3	R:49 G:48 B:49	Brown	Cool

5. Sherwin Williams Black Magic (SW 6991)

Sherwin Williams Black Magic is a warm and deep black paint color with an LRV of 3. Homeowners and experts often compare this paint color with Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black to know which one is darker and deeper.

However, SW Tricorn Black is the darker black, thanks to its hue, which is purple, and its absolute absence of undertones. Note that this doesn’t mean Sherwin Williams Black Magic is significantly less dark or impressive.

While it has the same LRV as SW Tricorn Black, Black Magic has a reddish tinge to it because of its hue. This makes it a tiny bit more energetic and colorful. It has black and subtle red undertones, and reads warm because of the red.

Sherwin Williams Black Magic looks great on accent walls, cabinets, exterior walls, and also doors.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Black Magic	3	R:50 G:49 B:50	Black and Subtle Red	Warm

6. Sherwin Williams Inkwell (SW 6992)

Also called the enchanting black, Sherwin Williams Inkwell gives the stability, depth, and richness of black, with some extra dreamy feel. It has an LRV of 4 but looks noticeably ‘lighter’ than some other black paint colors.

The reason is that Sherwin Williams Inkwell has gray and subtle blue undertones. They give it a lightened look. However, note that this makes the dark neutral more fitting to some decor and palette than other members of its color strip.

Experts recommend it for bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. While it works well on walls, you don’t have to limit it to such use only. Try it on cabinets and doors too. However, ensure that the space is well-lit for the best effect.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Inkwell	4	R:49 G:54 B:58	Gray and Subtle Blue	Cool

7. Sherwin Williams Greenblack (SW 6994)

As its name implies, Sherwin Williams Greenblack is a lovely blend of black and green. While most people describe it as the darkest green paint color from the manufacturer, SW Greenblack is actually a black paint color with strong green undertones.

It has an LRV of 4 and makes a bold statement on accent walls and cabinets alike. The dark neutral looks slightly more colorful than the average black on this list because of its green tinge. However, that also makes it the best option for nature-themed palette and decor.

Sherwin Williams Greenblack also goes great on exterior walls. It pairs excellently with other paint colors like SW Quietude, Rave Red, Snowbound, and Extra White.

Note that the paint color also has close RGB values but slightly more read to warm it a little.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Greenblack	4	R:55 G:58 B:58	Gray and Subtle Blue	Cool

8. Sherwin Williams Domino (SW 6989)

Sherwin Williams Domino is a warm and deep black paint color with evident purple and blue undertones. The dark neutral has an LRV of 3 and can warm up your space while adding a little extra color.

You will find this paint color quite captivating in both interior and exterior spaces. It also looks amazing on doors, cabinets, and other woodwork. Sherwin Williams Domino can also balance out spaces with a predominantly cool palette.

It pairs best with Sherwin Williams Aged White, Snowbound, and Aquitaine. As with other black paint colors, SW Domino also goes great on accent walls.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Domino	3	R:53 G:51 B:55	Purple and Blue	Warm

9. Sherwin Williams Black Swan (SW 6279)

Sherwin Williams Black Swan belongs to the same color strip as SW Domino and shares a similair hue. However, the dark neutral is slightly lighter, with an LRV of 4 and higher RGB values. Note that this doesn’t make Sherwin Williams Black Swan perform any better in dim-lit spaces.

With purple and gray undertones, SW Black Swan reads warm and can make spaces appear smaller. Using this paint color in well-lit spacious areas brings out it full potential. Try it on accent walls and cabinets when pairing with relevant colors.

Excellent choices include Sherwin Williams Original White, Creamy, Dried Edamame.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Black Swan	4	R:53 G:51 B:55	Purple and Blue	Warm

10. Sherwin Williams Bohemian Black (SW 6988)

While it belongs to the same color strip as SW Black Swan and has the same LRV, Sherwin Williams Bohemian Black has a sharper and a little cheerful look. The reason is that the dark neutral has a higher percentage of purple, which gives it a tiny reddish tinge.

Sherwin Williams Bohemian Black has an LRV of 4 and works best on accent walls, cabinets, and exterior walls. It pairs well with SW Extra White, Porch Ceiling, and Snowbound. Creamy whites and off-white paint colors generally pair well with this type of black.

You can also use the paint color as neutral to warm up spaces with strong cool colors.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB Value	Undertone(s)	Reading
Bohemian Black	4	R:59 G:55 B:60	Purple and Blue	Warm

FAQs

What is the Darkest Black From Sherwin Williams?

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black is the darkest black paint color from the manufacturer. It is such a perfect black that it has no undertone, reads neither warm nor cool, and has its RGB components in equal quantities.

The paint color is the closest you can get to true black from Sherwin Williams. It has an LRV of 3 and remains the exact opposite of Sherwin Williams High Reflective White.

Is There a Difference Between Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black and Black Magic?

Yes, both black paint colors are different. Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black is deeper and darker than SW Black Magic. The reason is that the former comes from a purple and blue hue, which gives it a darker look than Black Magic which comes from a red and brown hue.

Also, Sherwin Williams Black Magic has a reddish tinge, which is absent in Tricorn Black. This makes Black Magic more suitable to a palette that needs a black neutral with some extra color in it.

Is There a Paint Color Doesn’t Pair Well With Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors?

While black paint colors remain the most versatile out there, they don’t do well with other black paint colors that have different undertones or tinges.

The best black-on-black pairings are a result of using similar colors with complementing or similar undertones and appearances. Since you have a wealth of color options to pick from, you don’t have to worry about black clashing with any of them.

Asides from that, black paint color pair nicely with every other color out there!

Conclusion

While they fit into almost any palette and decor, Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors are abundant enough to pose a challenge when you want to make a choice. All you have to do is recognize what you need for your palette and pick the fitting dark neutral.

Fortunately, every member on this list is unique and fits into certain decor than others. Some even have higher versatility than others.

Finally, remember to perform a swatch test before picking the color. This will prevent unwanted surprises in terms of undertones and lighting effects.