Our Review of Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox

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Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox is a deep, complex neutral paint color. This saturated shade is versatile and striking and made our list of the top exterior house colors of 2022. In this review of Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox, we highlight the technical specs of this shade, paint color pairing ideas, best applications, and other helpful information. 

The right paint color can make or break the look of your home’s exterior. But with so many factors affecting how various colors will look on your house —  what direction the home faces, how much natural light it receives, what material you’re painting, etc. — making a decision can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry though: Our expert virtual exterior designers are here to help you pick the best home exterior colors. 
A single-story home exterior design

Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox: The Specs

Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox has an LRV of 7, which is on the lower end of the spectrum. (Learn more about LRV and why it’s important to consider when painting your house here.) Black Fox’s low LRV score means the dark paint color absorbs more light than it reflects back. This shade has rich brown undertones that give it a warmer feel than other more traditional black paint colors.

A two-story exterior home design

Recommended Applications for Black Fox

Our designers tend to use this bold color on modern and contemporary homes, as well as commercial designs. We’ve used it on brick and other exterior siding, but it also goes well on garage doors, trim, and entryway doors. 

A limewash stone house

Black Fox Paint Color Pairings

We love the contrast Black Fox creates when paired with lighter colors, such as Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray, featured in the above home design. In this example, Black Fox is used on the trim. Other light shades that we frequently pair with Black Fox include Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl, and Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster.  

Black Fox works nicely with darker shades, too. When Black Fox is used as the main paint color, something darker like Sherwin Williams’ Caviar as a siding accent or trim color creates a modern, elegant exterior look.

A contemporary ranch home rendered in Black Fax and Balboa Mist

Pros & Cons of Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox

PROS:

  • Brown undertones are warm and elegant
  • Versatile and works well as the main paint color or as an accent
  • Modern

CONS:

  • Might be too bold for some homeowners
  • Not a ‘traditional’ black 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.

Black Fox Alternatives

If Black Fox doesn’t feel quite right for your home, consider one of these similar shades.

A one-story home painted in Sherwin Williams' Iron Ore

Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore

Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, just slightly darker than Black Fox. Iron Ore is a true charcoal color that has almost no undertones, so it works well with cool or warm accents, and it stands out against crisp white and neutral tones.

Exterior of a home rendered in Sherwin Williams' Caviar

Sherwin Williams’ Caviar

Sherwin Williams’ Caviar — another one of our top exterior house colors of 2022 — has an LRV of 3, meaning it is very, very dark. Caviar doesn’t have strong undertones, but it can come off as a bit brown depending on the materials it’s paired with.

Exterior of a home rendered in Benjamin Moore's Midsummer Night

Benjamin Moore’s Midsummer Night

Benjamin Moore’s Midsummer Night — which made our list of the best Benjamin Moore exterior paint colors for 2022 — is a dark, moody shade that still has a ton of warmth. It has an LRV of 5.8, just slightly darker than Black Fox.

Home exterior design painted in Sherwin Williams Black Fox

The Bottom Line on Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox

Using Sherwin Williams’ Black Fox on your house’s exterior — either as your main paint color or on some accent pieces — is a smart move if you want a modern, sleek look. This warm hue is a great option if you desire a dark exterior but don’t want to use a completely black paint color.

Still not sold on a black home exterior? Check out these 15 stunning black houses for inspiration.

Choosing an exterior paint color is important, but there are so many other elements to consider too when trying to up your curb appeal. But don’t sweat the details — our team of experts can help you visualize everything so you can see your home’s potential before committing to costly renovations. Don’t waste any more time stressing over paint colors, window trim options and front doors. Get started on your custom home design today.

Author

Britteny has worked as a professional writer and editor for more than a decade. She launched her career as a features writer in New York City, covering fashion, food & beverage, and hospitality. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including International Business Times, Glam, Thirsty Mag, and Cardinal & Pine and has worked with famous faces such as Kate Upton and Nigel Barker throughout her career. Britteny has been covering the exterior home design industry as a writer for brick&batten for almost two years. Britteny splits her time between New York City, her home state of Michigan, and Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize in Central America. When she’s not writing or editing, Britteny can be found at the beach or in the kitchen testing out vegan recipes.