Our Review of Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore

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Beloved by brick&batten designers, Raccoon Fur is an eye-catching and versatile hue with striking attributes. Benjamin Moore describes Raccoon Fur as a “slightly lighter black with an alluring hint of inky violet.” It’s a mysterious hue with tons of character. We love that it can easily play off different accent colors to achieve moody and traditional aesthetics. We’ve even named Raccoon Fur one of the 15 best black and dark gray paint colors for exteriors.

Keep reading to learn more about Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur, its LRV, our recommended color pairings, and more.

Our paint visualizer is perfect if you want to see an exterior paint color like Raccoon Fur on your home. We’ve also got you covered if you need help visualizing other aspects of your exterior! From fences to dormer windows to siding, we’re here to help you design your dream home! Learn about our virtual exterior design services.

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Virtual rendering of a modern rancher home painted in Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur.

Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur: The specs

Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore is undoubtedly dark with an LRV of 8.28. However, when light hits Raccoon Fur, it shifts quite a bit. (Curious about LRV? Learn more here, including why LRV is so important to keep in mind when choosing the perfect paint color for your home.)

Raccoon Fur will lean more toward a dark gray in shaded or densely wooded environments. Conversely, in bright and sunny locations, it can read as a hazy deep slate. We call it a chameleon color because of its color shift from day to night, or sun to shade. This color shift is actually one reason Raccoon Fur is so versatile in application (more on that below).

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.

Farmhouse with stone skirting, white trim, black windows, and an arched portico.

Recommended applications for Raccoon Fur

In application, Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore is pretty impressive. Dark paint colors aren’t always this versatile! From contemporary homes to lakeside cabins, this black-blue shade has the ability to look amazing on every home style. Stone accents and copper details are popular in designs with Raccoon Fur. Stained wood on columns, porch ceilings, or front doors provide warmth to cooler façades featuring the hue.

The design above shows Raccoon Fur paired with Seapearl by Benjamin Moore on the trim. Seapearl’s hint of gray undertones is a perfect match for the sometimes gray-ish hue of Raccoon Fur. Stone skirting adds textural interest and a nice contrast next to the near-black central color. Lastly, a chunky arched portico in white serves as the focal point on the entrance, drawing the eye to the wood front door.

Virtual rendering of a modern bakehouse painted in Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur, with black windows and wood cladding.

Raccoon Fur color pairings

We love waterfront homes, but we really love moody waterfront homes. There’s just something about the dark features blending in with the surroundings in a way that highlights the location’s natural beauty.

The home above is designed with Raccoon Fur as the primary shade. Black by Benjamin Moore on the trim creates a subtle monochromatic contrast, and black windows contribute to the cohesive look. The wood details turn this home into a rustic retreat, adding a warm touch for an inviting feel.

Cape Cod style home with white trim and windows, wood columns, a paver walkway, and black doors.

Moody isn’t the only style Raccoon Fur can lean into. When paired with a soft or crisp white accent color, it can be the star of a classic and timeless color palette.

Take the design above for example. The Cape Cod home has a sharp contrast between the central and accent color, highlighting the angles, dormers, and steeply pitched roofs. The black doors and light fixtures tie in with the deep black shingles. Additionally, a wood stained garage door, along with timber columns, call attention to the multiple entrances of the home, and as always, lends warmth where needed.

White contemporary home with dark gray trim and black windows.

If it’s a bit too bold but you enjoy a bit of drama in your design, try using Raccoon Fur as an accent color. It looks great on shutters, trim, and entryways, as demonstrated above. The primary hue on the home, White Duck by Sherwin Williams, is a soft and creamy off-white that our designers often pair with blacks, browns, and blues.

Side view of a black painted home with black windows, a modern stained wood pergola, and lounge area.

Pros and cons of Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur

PROS:

  • Makes a statement
  • Can be used as a central or accent color
  • Can be moody or timeless, depending on the accent color
  • Looks great on many home styles

CONS:

  • May be too bold (dark) for some

Raccoon Fur alternatives

What’s life without choices? Raccoon Fur is a wonderful exterior paint color, but we’re sharing two alternatives below that might pique your interest as well. While similar to Raccoon Fur, these shades each have their own distinct personalities and differences.

Side view of a bungalow with a stone and paver walkway, copper planters, and rain chains.

Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty vs. Raccoon Fur

This shade is so popular with our designers, we named it our top exterior paint color of 2022.

Leaning more toward a true black, Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore is a rich shade with some added warmth. Its LRV is almost half of Raccoon Fur at 5.32. It pairs well with browns, such as dark or light stained wood, and even Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams for a sophisticated contrast. Copper, as shown in the design above, also looks great with Black Beauty.

Multi-level home with black windows, copper gutters, and stained wood lintels.

Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain vs. Raccoon Fur

Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore is a slightly lighter paint color than Raccoon Fur with an LRV of 10.96. This saturated gray would be a lighter option while maintaining blue and purple undertones, as well as a hint of brown.

The rendering above shows that Iron Mountain can be paired with many of the same building materials as Raccoon Fur. Iron Mountain has a bit more flexibility in that it can also be combined with brown stone, widening its application possibilities. Our designers have had great success applying it to many different home styles and as a central or accent color.

Virtual rendering of a traditional style home painted in Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur with white trim, metal awnings, and black windows.

The bottom line on Raccoon Fur

As you can see, there are many reasons to consider Raccoon Fur for your home’s exterior. Its ability to be applied to a variety of home styles and textures effortlessly showcases its versatility. We’ve had gorgeous results when using it for dramatic and classic color palettes alike, meaning it can serve different personalities well.

Furthermore, it has lovely undertones of blue and violet, that in the right environments, keep it from appearing too dense of a black. If you’re looking for curb appeal that stands out and makes bold statement, Raccoon Fur would be a fantastic choice for your home’s exterior.

Are you interested in seeing Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore on your own home? Your answers to our short questionnaire are all our designers need to start creating a custom design for your home exterior. We’ll also provide a shoppable resource list so getting started is as easy as clicking a few links. Get started here.

Author

Originally from Tennessee, Ami currently lives in South Carolina, which has been home since leaving the military in 2016. Interior and exterior design has always intrigued Ami, especially the styles and characteristics seen in other countries as an avid traveler and photographer. She lives for the renewal of older or historic homes that maintain their character, and regularly creates her own mood boards and virtual designs for inspiration or to help others with their spaces. Having always had a passion for design and following their work for years prior, Ami was excited to be brought onto brick&batten’s team of writers. Her writing endeavors actually started in an academic/scientific setting, then in a regulatory aspect. Writing about paint colors, emerging or current trends in exterior design, and so much more revolving around something she’s always enjoyed was a fun and welcomed change!