Our Review of Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore

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When it comes to exterior paint colors, navy blue is one of our favorites. It’s on-trend and timeless, plus it’s bold, perfect for making a statement. If a deep navy is the manifestation of your exterior design dreams, Benjamin Moore’s Polo Blue should be on your radar. It’s a rich, moody hue that transcends style. Keep reading to learn more about its technical specs, suggested paint color pairings, recommended applications, and more.

Looking for an exterior paint color to elevate your home’s curb appeal? We’re here to help you realize your vision. Learn all about our virtual exterior design services.  

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modern home with dark navy blue paint and cultured stone

Benjamin Moore’s Polo Blue: The specs

Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore is a dark navy paint color. With an LRV of 5.67, it can read near-black. (Not sure what LRV means? We break down everything you need to know, including why it’s important to consider LRV when selecting a paint color for your home, here.)

If your home gets a lot of sun exposure, Polo Blue will appear as more of a true (yet still dark) navy. On the other hand, if your home is more often in the shade and/or has a northern exposure, this hue might read more black.

modern home with dark navy siding with wood and black accents

Recommended applications for Polo Blue

As such a striking shade, Polo Blue makes a statement as the main exterior paint color. However, the hue is also compelling as an accent. Because navy exteriors are on-trend and versatile, we’ve used Polo Blue on a variety of home styles — from contemporary to traditional. 

For the design above, our designers used Polo Blue on the siding with black and wood accents for contrast, creating an edgy, modern aesthetic.

charming white house with wood garage doors, cultured stone, and a navy entryway

We used Sherwin Williams’ Shell White on the stucco, siding, and eaves of this home. For the stucco area surrounding the front door, we used Polo Blue, providing depth to the façade. We also love how our designers painted the window trim with Polo Blue, subtly tying the palette together.

modern house with navy siding, wood paneling, and a mustard yellow front door

Polo Blue paint color pairings 

If a daring color palette speaks to your design goals, Polo Blue’s depth bodes well for bold companion colors. Above, we used Benjamin Moore’s Mustard Seed on the front door. Against the navy siding, the earthy golden entrance adds both a burst of warmth and a clear focal point.

house with dark navy blue siding and white trim with black doors

Next, our designers created the crisp exterior above by pairing the dark navy siding with white trim, rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster. The white trim makes the blue siding pop for a sophisticated, classic coastal Craftsman effect.

dark navy blue farmhouse with wood trim

Pros & cons of Polo Blue

PROS:

  • It’s a beautifully bold hue, perfect for making a statement
  • Its depth and richness set it apart from other navy paint colors
  • It’s an on-trend shade that looks great on any style of home

CONS:

  • Since it is such a deep navy, it can read as black depending on the lighting (not necessarily a bad thing, but might not be what you’re going for)
  • This navy is moody and rich, so if you’re looking for a brighter, more nautical blue, this might not be your color
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.

Polo Blue alternatives

If you’ve already narrowed down the wide range of blue house exterior colors to navy options, you’ve made great progress. But it’s always a good idea to compare a hue you’re considering to a handful of other similar options. (And use Samplize samples to get the full effect!) We suggest looking at the following hues as points of reference to Polo Blue.

traditional house with navy siding and white trim

Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy

Looking for a deep navy that’s just a little bit lighter? With an LRV of 6.83, the ever-popular Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is a straightforward, dark navy blue that veers away from the black undertones of other dark blues.

A home rendering featuring Benjamin Moore's Wescott Navy

Benjamin Moore’s Westcott Navy

Westcott Navy by Benjamin Moore is an even lighter alternative, with an LRV of 9.87. It’s less rich and a little more subdued, yet still has hints of black.

ranch-style home with navy siding and wood accents

Sherwin Williams’ Naval

Naval by Sherwin Williams is a dramatic, bold navy with an LRV of 4. This near-black blue paint color is a more saturated navy alternative, with complex purple undertones.

modern house with dark navy siding and wood accents

The bottom line on Benjamin Moore’s Polo Blue

If a deep, dramatic, near-black navy exterior is what you’ve been dreaming of, Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore might be your perfect match. Whether you want to use it to make a statement on your contemporary home or elevate the curb appeal of your modern farmhouse, this navy is a stunning contender.

Choosing a paint color for your exterior is a big commitment. Not only is painting a huge undertaking, it’s also a big expense. Before moving forward and making a costly design decision, partner with our expert designers to help you visualize what particular paint colors will look like on your home. We’ll help you pick the perfect paint color and visualize any other updates you have in mind, from shutters to decks. Get started on your exterior design project today.

Author

brick&batten Contributor

Mackenzie has been writing for brick&batten for three years, and most of her exterior design knowledge comes from renovating her own home. She purchased a log home that was stuck in the '90s and the previous owners were unable to keep up with exterior maintenance. From reimagining the landscaping and hardscaping to revamping the porch and logs, Mackenzie and her family approached the entire project DIY-style. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family of six on their farm, which includes cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. She has been writing for 12 years and has explored a variety of materials from food writing to lifestyle pieces and, of course, virtual exterior design.