Our Review of Sherwin Williams’ Naval
By: Britteny
As far as blue exterior house colors go, there are plenty of options to choose from, but Sherwin Williams’ Naval is one of our absolute favorites. We love it so much that we named it to our list of the 16 best Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors for 2023, and now we’re dedicating a full review to it.
Keep reading to learn about Naval’s technical specs, color pairing ideas, and more.
Whether you’re exploring exterior paint color options or considering other updates in an effort to elevate your home’s curb appeal, we’re here to help. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Sherwin Williams’ Naval: The Specs
With an LRV of 4, Naval by Sherwin Williams is seriously dark. This near-black navy hue has stunning purple undertones and great depth. (Learn all about LRV and why it’s important to consider when painting your house here.)
Sherwin Williams’ describes Naval as a “serene shade with a hint of opulence,” and we couldn’t agree more.
Recommended Applications for Naval
Navy paint colors are considered neutrals, which means they’re super versatile and work well in all sorts of situations. This is certainly true for Naval! We typically use Naval as a field color on a variety of cladding materials, from shingle siding to brick to HardiePlank® lap siding.
Not ready to commit to a fully blue exterior? Not a problem — Naval also works well as an accent or on shutters, like in the rendering above. There are plenty of ways to work Sherwin Williams’ Naval into your color palette!
In addition to home exteriors, Naval also looks lovely on commercial properties. In the design above, it’s used on the building’s trim and accent wall.
Naval Paint Color Pairings
Part of Naval’s appeal is that it works so well with a wide range of other colors, from greiges to off-whites and more. Naval is bold but rooted in nature, so it also looks incredible when paired with natural materials such as stone and wood.
If you want a home exterior that makes an impact, try pairing Naval with a crisp white like Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace or Simply White. As you can see in the design above, the Naval siding and trim in Simply White create a nice contrast and take the home’s exterior from bland to striking.
Naval can also be used in conjunction with more daring colors, like Benjamin Moore’s Wasabi, which we used for the front door in this rendering.
Pros & Cons of Naval
PROS:
- Naval is both striking and serene
- It’s a versatile hue that plays well with tons of other paint colors
- It can add a sense of elegance to your home
CONS:
- Naval can look too dark if your home doesn’t get much natural light
WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND SAMPLING AND TESTING PAINT COLORS BEFORE COMMITTING. FACTORS SUCH AS NATURAL LIGHTING, UNDERTONES, AND YOUR PROPERTY’S FIXED ELEMENTS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW A COLOR WILL APPEAR ON YOUR EXTERIOR. OUR FRIENDS AT SAMPLIZE OFFER EXTRA-LARGE 9 X 14.75 INCH PEEL-AND-STICK PAINT SAMPLES OF THE COLORS WE LOVE FOR EXTERIORS. ORDER YOUR ‘REAL PAINT, NO MESS’ SAMPLES FROM SAMPLIZE HERE.
Naval Alternatives
If you’re interested in a navy exterior paint color for your home but aren’t quite convinced Naval is the perfect choice, don’t worry. There are plenty of similar shades to explore. Here are a few of our favorites.
Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy
Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is another one of our go-to navy blue paint colors. With an LRV of 6.83, Hale Navy is a touch lighter than Naval but equally as versatile. It’s a timeless shade that’s straightforward, without tricky undertones.
Sherwin Williams’ Dark Night
Dark Night by Sherwin Williams has the same LRV as Naval but it’s a bit less saturated. It also has different undertones — slate versus Naval’s purple — but is another solid navy paint color that provides drama and moodiness.
Benjamin Moore’s Westcott Navy
Westcott Navy — which made our list of the best Benjamin Moore paint colors for 2023 — reads slightly more dark gray than navy, but that can change based on what colors it’s used with. It’s a classic shade with LRV of 8.01, making it slightly lighter than Naval.
The Bottom Line on Sherwin Williams’ Naval
If you’re looking for a rich, versatile navy paint color for your home’s exterior, Naval by Sherwin Williams might be the solution. Homeowners who desire a dramatic exterior with depth and sophistication won’t be disappointed with Sherwin Williams’ Naval. We hope this review has provided you with plenty of inspiration on how to incorporate Naval into your exterior color palette.
From paint colors and porches to landscape lighting and shutters, our expert designers can help you visualize all aspects of your home’s exterior and see its full potential. Get started on your exterior design project today.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Subscribe for more content like this!