Bellbottom Blues
What Bellbottom Blues Actually Looks Like
Bellbottom Blues is a rich, medium-deep blue with a clear teal pull. It sits confidently in the mid-to-deep range, not quite a navy and not quite a true teal, but somewhere between the two. On a well-lit wall it reads as a full, saturated ocean blue. In low light or a north-facing room it can shift noticeably darker and lean more toward a stormy slate-blue.
Bellbottom Blues Undertones
The color carries green undertones that push it toward teal rather than a straight cool blue. Those green notes are subtle in bright light but become more visible when the color is placed next to pure blues or warm whites. It does not read purple or violet in any typical lighting condition.
Where Bellbottom Blues Works Best
Because its LRV is under 16, Bellbottom Blues absorbs a fair amount of light. It works best in rooms that already get decent natural light, or in spaces where a cocooning, moody quality is exactly what you want. A well-windowed living room, a dining room, or a bedroom accent wall are all solid fits. Use it in a small windowless bathroom only if you intend the drama. It is rated for interior use only.
Where to put Bellbottom Blues
On all four walls in a living room with good south or west light, Bellbottom Blues holds its teal-blue richness through the day. Pull in warm-toned textiles, like mustard, rust, or camel, to keep the room from feeling cold.
Dining rooms suit deep colors well because candlelight and warmer artificial light push back against the darkness and add warmth. Bellbottom Blues in a dining room with warm bulbs and a wood table reads grounded and inviting rather than cold.
In a bedroom it creates a calm, enveloping feeling. Use a warm white on the ceiling to lift the room and keep it from feeling like a cave, especially if the space is small or has limited windows.
A home office with this color on the walls feels focused and settled. It is not a buzzy or distracting color, and the depth can make a spare, functional space feel more considered.
In a bathroom with natural light and white fixtures, Bellbottom Blues can be striking. In a windowless powder room it will read very dark, so add strong overhead or vanity lighting and keep the trim and fixtures bright.
What to Pair With Bellbottom Blues
No Benjamin Moore coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color at this time. In general, Bellbottom Blues pairs well with warm off-whites and creamy whites on trim, natural wood tones, brass and unlacquered bronze hardware, and soft terracotta or clay accents that play against its cool teal base.
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Colors that clash with Bellbottom Blues
Pairing Bellbottom Blues with a cool blue-gray trim can flatten the whole wall and remove the teal contrast that makes the color interesting.
Under LED bulbs with a color temperature above 4000K, Bellbottom Blues can look stark and slightly harsh, losing the depth that makes it appealing.
Cool silver finishes compete with the blue-green in Bellbottom Blues rather than complementing it, and the combination can feel clinical.
Common questions
Bellbottom Blues has a Benjamin Moore code of CSP-655, a hex value of #386B8C, and a precise LRV of 15.48. That LRV puts it firmly in the deep range, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects.
It sits between the two. The base is clearly blue, but green undertones give it a teal quality that becomes more visible in bright natural light. Most people read it first as blue and notice the teal as they live with it.
It can, because its LRV is low and it absorbs light. In a small room without good natural light, it will feel enclosed. If that is the mood you want, go for it. If you want the color without the darkness, consider using it on one accent wall only and keeping the remaining walls in a much lighter tone.
An eggshell finish is the standard choice for living areas and bedrooms. It gives the color a slight glow without being too reflective. In a bathroom or kitchen, a satin finish adds durability and is easier to clean. Flat or matte finishes will make the color look even deeper and more matte, which can be intentional in a moody dining room or bedroom.
No. According to our product data, Bellbottom Blues CSP-655 is rated for interior use only.