Night Shade
What Night Shade Actually Looks Like
Night Shade 2116-10 sits at the very dark end of the brown spectrum, close enough to black that it reads as near-black in most interior conditions. Up close and in direct light, you can see that it carries warmth rather than the cool neutrality of a true black. It is rich and enveloping without any of the harshness that comes from a flat, cool dark.
Night Shade Undertones
The RGB values tell the story clearly: there is more red than green or blue in this color, which gives it a warm, faintly red-brown character beneath its deep exterior. In low or dim light the warmth largely disappears and the color reads almost black. In strong natural light or incandescent light the brown undertone becomes more visible, keeping it from feeling stark.
Where Night Shade Works Best
Night Shade works well anywhere you want strong contrast or a cocooning effect. Accent walls, built-ins, cabinetry, front doors, and moody dining rooms are all natural fits. Because its LRV is very low, it absorbs light significantly, so it is best used with intention in spaces where darkness is a design goal rather than a side effect. Small, poorly lit rooms will feel cave-like, which can be deliberate or a problem depending on the goal.
Where to put Night Shade
A dining room is one of the best places for a color this dark. Dining rooms are used most in the evening under artificial light, and Night Shade will feel intentional and intimate rather than gloomy. Warm-toned lighting amplifies the brown undertone and keeps the space from feeling cold.
On all four walls of a home office it creates a focused, distraction-free environment. Pair it with a well-lit task area and natural wood furniture so the room does not feel oppressive during long work sessions.
Night Shade makes a strong, grounded front door color. Its warmth separates it from flat black doors, and it coordinates naturally with brick, stone, and warm-toned trim.
On kitchen or bathroom cabinetry Night Shade reads as a sophisticated dark neutral. Light countertops and hardware in brass or bronze will contrast sharply and let the cabinet color anchor the room.
What to Pair With Night Shade
No specific Benjamin Moore coordinating colors were provided for Night Shade in our database. As a general pairing strategy, this deep warm brown-black pairs well with soft warm whites, aged brass or bronze hardware, natural wood tones, and warm terra-cotta or ochre accents that pick up on its red-brown warmth.
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Colors that clash with Night Shade
Night Shade's warm red-brown undertone will look muddy or mismatched next to cool gray or blue-gray surfaces. The contrast in undertone temperature is unflattering on both colors.
With an LRV this low, Night Shade absorbs almost all available light. In a windowless closet, powder room, or hallway with no natural light, the effect can feel oppressive rather than dramatic.
A bright, bluish white trim will pull the eye toward the undertone clash between cool white and warm dark brown, making both colors look slightly off.
Common questions
Night Shade 2116-10 has an LRV of 6.07, which is very close to absolute black at zero. It reflects very little light, so rooms painted in this color will feel noticeably darker. Plan your lighting accordingly.
The Benjamin Moore code is 2116-10 and the hex is #443A36. You can bring either to any Benjamin Moore retailer to have it mixed.
Yes, Night Shade is available in both interior and exterior finishes. For walls, a matte or eggshell finish will deepen the color further. For cabinetry, trim, or doors, a semi-gloss or satin adds durability and creates a slight sheen that can make the warm undertone more visible.
In a north-facing room with cool, indirect light, it will read almost black with very little warmth showing. In a south-facing room with warm sunlight, the red-brown undertone becomes more apparent and the color reads as a very dark warm brown rather than a near-black.