Blue and navy are every bit as classic for home exteriors as gray and other neutrals, but it can be tricky to find the perfect shade. Let’s take a look at 6 gorgeous exterior blues that will have your neighbors gawking and gossiping!
In no particular order, here are the shades:
1. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Hale Navy is probably Benjamin Moore’s most popular navy of all time. (Possibly even their most popular blue!) This classic navy blue has a subtle dollop of gray to keep it extra subtle and neutral.
Here is a very typical look for Hale Navy on an exterior:
This house also looks very typically “Hale Navy”:
Here is Hale Navy looking a little darker and more charcoal:
Here is another more black-leaning look:
You should know that the undertone of Hale Navy is generally pretty predictable, but it is on the royal/purple end of blue, rather than green.
Here is a look at Hale Navy where it looks more peri-navy:
Still definitely blue and not purple, but if you like a navy that leans more teal, this isn’t the right one.
If you are looking for a luscious predictable navy with lots of depth, Hale Navy is a great choice. (If you’re curious, you can see the Sherwin Williams version of Hale Navy here.)
2. Sherwin Williams Indigo Batik
Indigo Batik is a mid-toned blue that reads almost like a bright version of navy. This is a great color if you like the idea of a classic navy blue exterior, but want something with a little more “oomph.”
The team at Headwaters Painting LLC transformed this ho-hum gray exterior into the cutest little blue cottage:
If you ask me, Indigo Batik is a pretty foolproof blue! It has a very rich almost jewel tone, and without any funky undertones.
The back of this house with the shakes is even cuter!
3. Benjamin Moore Deep Royal
Deep Royal is a sexy navy blue that verges on black.
If you’re curious about the difference between Deep Royal and Hale Navy, Hale Navy is much more gray in comparison, and a bit lighter.
Deep Royal is a very saturated and bold navy that never looks gray.
This shade is almost like a perfect true blueberry color. You can definitely see that this shade is on the purple side of blue, and not teal at all.
4. Benjamin Moore Dark Royal Blue
Not to be confused with “Deep Royal” the next color on our list is Dark Royal Blue, which happens to be nowhere near as dark as Deep Royal.
Dark Royal Blue is much more electric blue than it is dark or royal! I recognize that this shade is quite “specific” but there are some great reasons to take a risk with Dark Royal Blue!
Why is this a versatile blue for your exterior?
Dark Royal Blue is a really perfect mid-toned blue in terms of undertone. It is perfectly blue! It doesn’t look either teal or purple.
The other great thing about this color is that it might be too bright for some, but the actual color is pretty unoffensive unless you’re a blue hater.
This would be a great choice if you want a popping blue color, especially if your home has a lot of windows or other unpainted space. It’s also a great choice for contrasting shutters or dormers with a more neutral exterior color.
5. Sherwin Williams Cyberspace
Cyberspace is one of my all time favorite blue/navy/charcoal colors! It is a front runner in all of those categories in my opinion.
This color is basically the opposite of Dark Royal Blue! It’s a very subtle and neutral charcoal blue.
Doesn’t it look amazing against the complementary tone of the orange brick?
Cyberspace can range in appearance from a true navy to nearly black.
This one does tend to have a more purple undertone again (rather than teal), but it generally looks somewhere between a deep charcoal and navy, and I wouldn’t say that it ever actually looks purple.
This one is such a solid deep blue that it’s hard to know what else to say about it. It’s one to keep on your short list, trust me!
6. Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue
Our final shade is pretty similar to Indigo Batik, but a bit lighter and from Benjamin Moore instead. It’s Newburyport Blue!
This saturated blue is equal parts bold and people-pleasing. Benjamin Moore classifies it as a dark blue, but in my opinion it is more mid-toned. (Its LRV is right on the line at 10.3.)
The color on the garage and side door is Benjamin Moore Gravel Gray.
Newburyport Blue is perfect if you are torn between a bold blue and a navy. I also think that a richer blue looks especially great if you have a lot of bright shrubs and other greenery to show off!
Here’s another look at all 6 of these luxurious blue exterior paint colors:
I hope this post helped with your analysis paralysis and got you on your way to getting that exterior painted!
If you still aren’t set, here are a few more favorites that you might like:
