Labrador Blue
What Labrador Blue Actually Looks Like
Labrador Blue CC-740 sits in that useful middle ground between a soft slate and a true steel blue. It is neither pale nor deeply saturated, landing at a medium depth that reads as a composed, cool-toned blue with a faint gray quality. In bright daylight it shows its blue character clearly. In lower or northern light it shifts grayer and quieter, closer to a weathered slate.
Labrador Blue Undertones
The color carries cool undertones that lean toward gray rather than green or purple. It does not have the warm violet pull that some blue-grays carry, and it avoids the aqua shift that lighter coastal blues tend toward. Think of it as a steady, cool neutral blue that stays relatively true across light conditions, though dimmer rooms will flatten it toward gray.
Where Labrador Blue Works Best
Labrador Blue works well wherever you want a color that reads as calm and grounded without disappearing into the wall. Rooms with good natural light let it show its blue character fully. In north-facing or artificially lit rooms, expect it to settle into a cooler, more neutral gray-blue. It suits both matte finishes for a soft effect and eggshell or satin finishes in higher-traffic areas where cleanability matters.
Where to put Labrador Blue
A medium-depth blue-gray like this one creates a restful atmosphere without going so dark that the room feels heavy. It works best in bedrooms with reasonable natural light. Keep bedding and textiles in warm neutrals or soft whites to keep the space from feeling cold.
In a living room with south or west-facing light, Labrador Blue shows its full blue quality and holds up well as a main wall color. In a darker living room, lean on warm accent pieces in wood, leather, or brass to prevent the gray undertones from taking over.
The composed, cool quality of this color makes it a solid choice for a home office. It is not so dark that it becomes fatiguing over long hours, and the blue-gray tone is easy to focus in. Pair the walls with a white ceiling to keep the space feeling open.
In a bathroom with warm artificial lighting, this color will read more gray than blue. In a bathroom with natural light or cool-toned LED lighting, the blue comes forward more cleanly. A satin finish is practical here and adds a slight depth to the color.
What to Pair With Labrador Blue
No specific coordinating colors are listed in our database for CC-740, but the color pairs naturally with crisp whites that have cool or neutral bases, warm natural wood tones that counterbalance its coolness, and soft off-whites with a slight gray tint. Avoid pairing it with warm yellow-based whites, which will make the blue read colder by contrast.
Colors that clash with Labrador Blue
Heavily yellow-toned wood floors or cabinetry can create a jarring contrast with Labrador Blue's cool gray-blue character, making the walls feel clinical and the wood feel brash.
Trim in a warm cream or yellow-based white will pull against the cool undertones of Labrador Blue and make the walls look unintentionally cold by contrast.
Accent colors in deep warm red or burnt orange sit on the opposite end of the temperature spectrum and tend to compete with Labrador Blue rather than complement it.
Common questions
The precise LRV is 33.1, which puts it solidly in the medium-dark range. That does not automatically rule it out for a small room, but it does mean the color will absorb a noticeable amount of light. In a small room with good natural light and light-colored trim, flooring, and furnishings, it can still work well. In a small room that is already dark, the color will feel heavier and more enclosing.
It depends on your light source. In rooms with good natural daylight, especially south or west-facing exposures, the blue character comes through clearly. In north-facing rooms or under warm incandescent lighting, the gray undertones take over and the color can look more like a cool medium gray than a true blue. Always sample it in your actual space before committing.
The color code is CC-740. It is available in both Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Ben interior paint lines, as well as exterior formulations.
Eggshell is the most versatile choice for most rooms. It gives the color a subtle softness while being cleanable. Matte works well in low-traffic spaces like bedrooms where you want the color to feel particularly calm and flat. Satin is a practical call in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture and scrubbing are factors.