New York State of Mind
What New York State of Mind Actually Looks Like
New York State of Mind is a deep, rich navy blue. It sits in that range where blue and slate converge, giving it a serious, grounded presence. With an LRV just above 10, it absorbs a lot of light and reads as a true dark color on the wall. In bright rooms with strong natural light it shows its cleaner blue character. In low light or north-facing rooms it can pull quite dark, almost closer to a charcoal blue.
New York State of Mind Undertones
The color has a cool, slightly steely quality rather than a warm or purple-leaning navy. It does not lean green or teal. What you get is a composed, urban blue that stays relatively true across most light conditions, though reduced light will pull it toward a deeper, more neutral dark tone.
Where New York State of Mind Works Best
This color works well anywhere you want a bold, enveloping effect. It is a strong choice for an accent wall, a home office, a library, or a dining room where drama is welcome. It also performs well on exterior shutters or front doors where a confident dark navy reads cleanly from the street. Because of its low LRV, use it in spaces that get reasonable ambient light or supplement with good artificial lighting so the room does not feel like a cave.
Where to put New York State of Mind
A deep navy like this wraps a workspace in a focused, contained feeling. Keep the ceiling light and add a warm desk lamp so the darkness works for concentration rather than against your energy.
In a dining room with candlelight or warm overhead fixtures, this color turns richly atmospheric. Pair it with a warm wood table and light upholstery to keep the balance from tipping too cool.
On exterior trim or a front door it reads as a clean, sharp navy that holds up well against both white and warm-toned siding. It is a classic choice that avoids feeling trendy.
Used on all four walls in a bedroom it creates a cocooning, restful effect. Lean into light bedding and adequate lamps, because with an LRV this low the room will feel dim if you do not plan the lighting carefully.
What to Pair With New York State of Mind
No specific coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color at this time. As a general guide, New York State of Mind pairs well with crisp whites, warm creamy whites, soft off-whites with a warm tint, natural wood tones, and warm brass or matte black hardware. Lighter neutrals give it room to breathe while reinforcing its cool-toned depth.
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Colors that clash with New York State of Mind
Strong warm yellows and oranges fight with this color's cool, steely blue character. The contrast becomes jarring rather than energetic.
Pairing this with a blue-gray or icy cool gray in the next room can make the whole space feel cold and flat, with no visual relief.
In a poorly lit room this color will absorb what little light there is and the space will feel oppressively dark rather than dramatically moody.
Common questions
The Benjamin Moore color code is 805. The LRV is 10.51, which confirms this is a genuinely dark color that will absorb significant light. Hex and RGB values render in the color swatch on this page.
It can, but go in with clear eyes. A small room painted in this color will feel intimate and enclosed, which some people love in a powder room or cozy reading nook. If you want the space to feel open and airy, this is not the right choice. Commit fully, paint all four walls including the ceiling if you want the enveloping effect, and make sure your lighting is strong enough to keep it from feeling gloomy.
For walls, an eggshell finish is the most versatile choice. It gives the color some depth without the harsh reflections of a satin or semi-gloss finish. On cabinetry or trim where you want this color, a satin or semi-gloss will hold up better to cleaning. Flat or matte finishes are an option if you want maximum color saturation and a velvety look, though they are harder to keep clean.
Yes, New York State of Mind 805 is available in both Benjamin Moore interior and exterior formulas.