A dark color sounds risky until you meet one that looks like it belongs in the house. Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green is one of those: a deep, blackened teal that looks green in some light, blue in others and nearly black at night. It is a favorite for kitchen cabinets, doors, libraries and offices.
This review covers what Narragansett Green really looks like, its LRV and undertones, how it changes through the day, which trim and coordinating colors Benjamin Moore lists, where it works best and the mistakes that make a dark teal feel heavy.
Quick Answer: Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green at a Glance
- Code: HC-157, from the Historical Colors collection.
- Color: a blackened teal, deep green-blue.
- LRV: 9.14 (from Benjamin Moore), very dark.
- Undertone: teal with black in it; it can lean green in warm light and blue in cool light.
- Best for: cabinets, doors, home offices, libraries and moody rooms.
What Narragansett Green Is
Benjamin Moore describes Narragansett Green HC-157 as a blackened teal that conveys a strong sense of history and architectural relevance. It sits in the Historical Colors collection. On a wall, Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green looks like a deep sea or a dark pine: green in a sunny room, bluer in a cool one and almost black under dim light.
The Undertones
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green is a teal base with a lot of black. In warm light it leans green, and in cool north light it leans blue. In low light it can look almost black, with only a hint of teal at the edges. Next to cream, it looks greener, and next to white, it looks bluer, so check it against your trim, floor and fabrics.
How Light or Dark Is It? (LRV)
LRV runs from 0 (black) to 100 (white). Benjamin Moore lists Narragansett Green at 9.14, so it is very dark and absorbs almost all the light that hits it. That makes it cozy and dramatic, and it also means a small or dim room needs plenty of lamps.
How It Looks in Different Light
Dark colors change a lot with the light, so judge this one at several times of day.
| Room light | How Narragansett Green reads | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| North-facing | Cooler, bluer, close to black | Use warm 2700K bulbs and warm wood |
| South-facing | Greener, richer teal | Enjoy it; add cream to keep it fresh |
| East-facing | Clearer and a little lighter in the morning | Check it again in the evening |
| West-facing | Rich and warm late in the day | Avoid yellow-white trim |
| Lamp light | Velvety, deep and cozy | Layer lamps at different heights |
Narragansett Green vs Other Dark Colors
Dark colors look close on a chip, so compare them side by side. Benjamin Moore lists Lead Gray, Amazon Green, Stonecutter and Dark Pewter as similar colors. Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green is bluer and more teal than a dark green, and cooler than a deep brown, which our guide to Benjamin Moore Silhouette shows is a very different mood.
Best Trim and Coordinating Colors
Benjamin Moore lists Manchester Tan HC-81, Swiss Coffee OC-45, Tranquil Blue 2051-50 and White Ice OC-58 as coordinating colors. Swiss Coffee is a soft, creamy white that keeps the teal warm, and White Ice is a crisp white that gives a graphic contrast. Manchester Tan works for a warm accent, and Tranquil Blue for a lighter blue partner.
Best Rooms and Materials
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green suits home offices, libraries, dining rooms, kitchens and front doors. It looks best with warm woods, brass, leather and linen, and with plants for contrast. Add a light rug and warm lamps so the room does not disappear into the color.
Narragansett Green on Cabinets and Doors
This shade is popular on kitchen cabinets, built-ins and doors. On cabinets, it looks rich with brass pulls and a white marble or light stone counter. For more options, see our kitchen cabinet colour ideas. Use a cabinet-grade enamel, a bonding primer and thin coats.
Color Drenching With Narragansett Green
Painting walls, trim, doors and the ceiling the same color gives a seamless, cocooning look. Our guide to color drenching ideas for every room explains how to choose finishes. With a very dark color, use matte on walls and satin on trim so the surfaces differ just enough.
Narragansett Green in a Small Room
A dark teal can make a small room feel snug if you commit to it. Paint all the walls and the trim, keep furniture light, add a mirror and use warm lamps at different heights. Avoid dark floors and dark furniture together.
Furniture and Flooring Pairings
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green looks best with warm floors: honey oak, walnut and sand-colored tile. Cool gray floors can make it look flat. Furniture in cream, caramel leather and rattan feels natural, and brass or aged bronze adds warmth. Add a light rug to anchor the room.
Doing This as a Renter
Dark colors take extra coats, so ask your landlord. If you cannot paint, bring in the look with a deep teal curtain, a large dark print, a dark rug and brass lamps, or paint a single piece of furniture.
Budget and Timing
Benjamin Moore prices vary by product line and store, so check current costs. A very dark color usually needs a tinted primer and two coats, so allow a full weekend for an average room, and longer for cabinets. A sample costs far less than repainting.
Where to Start If This Is Your First Time
Paint a large sample board and move it around the room for a few days. Look at it in the morning, at noon and with your lamps on at night. Start with one wall, a door or a small room, then extend it if you love it. When you are ready, follow our guide on how to paint a room.
Styling Tips
Layer texture rather than pattern: linen curtains, a wool throw, a jute rug and ceramic lamps. Add warm accents such as caramel, rust or cream so Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green has something to play against, and keep art in wood or brass frames. Plants look especially good against a deep wall.
Quick Recap
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green is a blackened teal with an LRV of 9.14. Pair it with Swiss Coffee or White Ice trim, warm woods and brass, layer your lamps and test it in your own light before painting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Judging it on a tiny chip. Always test a large sample.
- Using cold white bulbs. They make it look black or blue.
- Skipping a tinted primer. It can add a coat.
- Having one ceiling light. Dark rooms need lamps.
FAQs
Is Narragansett Green blue or green? Both; it is a blackened teal.
What is the LRV of Narragansett Green? 9.14, according to Benjamin Moore.
Does Narragansett Green look black? In low light it can; in daylight it shows teal.
What trim goes with Narragansett Green? Swiss Coffee OC-45 or White Ice OC-58, both listed by Benjamin Moore.
Is Narragansett Green good for cabinets? Yes, with brass hardware and a light counter.
Is Narragansett Green still in style? Deep, historic colors remain popular.
Tools and Basics to Gather
A large sample board, painter’s tape, drop cloths, an angled brush, a roller, a tray, a stepladder and a tinted primer for deep colors. Keep windows open while you paint and follow the safety directions on the can.
The Bottom Line
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green is a deep, historic teal that makes a room feel rich and finished. Test it in your own light, pair it with warm woods, brass and a soft white trim, and layer your lamps. Done that way, it is a dark color that never feels gloomy.
Related:
Kitchen Cabinet Colour Ideas · Color Drenching Ideas for Every Room
