Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue HC-156

Official page:Van Deusen Blue HC-156
Code:HC-156
Name:Van Deusen Blue
Brand:Benjamin Moore

What color is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue?

Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is one of those blues that feels classic without going preppy. It’s deep and slightly muted, so it reads calm on the wall - not neon, not navy-black - just a confident, lived-in blue that works with both modern and traditional homes. You'll see it look especially good next to warm wood, crisp white trim, and brass or matte black hardware.

If you love the vibe but want darker, take a look at Hudson Bay; it leans deeper and moodier. If you want the same family but lighter and airier, Andes Summit is a great step down in depth.

Van Deusen Blue for bedroom (11 photos)

Van Deusen Blue is that "instant grown-up" bedroom move - paint the wall behind the bed and the whole room suddenly feels pulled together. In these photos it looks especially good when you take it up into a tray ceiling or frame it with crisp white crown molding (so the blue feels tailored, not heavy). Notice how brass or gold-toned sconces pop against it, and how white bedding keeps everything bright and clean. It also loves warm wood - think walnut nightstands, a classic sleigh bed, or even a simple rustic plank headboard for a more casual vibe. And yes, it totally works in a kid’s room too - bold art and playful bedding look sharper and more intentional on this kind of deep blue.
Van Deusen Blue bedroom paint at night
@linabean8039
Van Deusen Blue bedroom paint
@linabean8039
Van Deusen Blue bedroom review
@brushstrokesandbigdreams
Van Deusen Blue Bedroom
@oneroomatatime
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Bedroom
@oneroomatatime
Hc-156 Bedroom
@oneroomatatime
Hc-156 Bedroom
@oneroomatatime
Hc-156 Bedroom
@newimagedecor_
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Bedroom Accent Wall
@thehappy_painterl
Hc-156 Bedroom
@invitinginteriors
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Bedroom
@invitinginteriors

Van Deusen Blue for living room (12 photos)

Van Deusen Blue is basically an inky navy that can look very deep on big walls - so if your living room doesn’t get great light, just know it may read almost charcoal at night. It’s amazing for traditional/Victorian-ish details though: paint the fireplace wall (or even the whole mantel) and suddenly the trim looks more architectural, especially with crisp white and a round brass/gilt mirror like in the photos. If you want it to feel more relaxed and lived-in (not formal-library), go eclectic/boho with a colorful rug and mixed pillows—those bright accents really wake the blue up. For a modern/industrial vibe, a geometric paneled accent wall + a black leather sofa totally works, but keep nearby walls lighter so it doesn’t feel heavy.

Tip: warm it up with natural wood (oak, walnut) and a few plants—this shade loves that contrast.

Van Deusen Blue living room interior
@georgianporgian
Van Deusen Blue living room accent wall
@georgianporgian
Van Deusen Blue living room fireplace paint
@staceynaranjo
Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@massif.studio
Hc-156 Living Room
@massif.studio
Van Deusen Blue Living Room Fireplace
@whittakerpelhankgroup
Bm Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@totbpainting
Hc-156 Living Room Paint
@kimberlywillisholt
Bm Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@kimberlywillisholt
Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@kimberlywillisholt
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@mypalletwall
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Living Room
@mypalletwall

Benjamin Moore HC-156 for bathroom (8 photos)

HC-156 is that inky, moody blue that instantly sharpens a bathroom. It looks amazing with bright white wainscoting and clean trim. Add warm brass - mirrors, sconces, pulls - and it feels classic fast. On a vanity, it reads tailored and expensive without trying too hard.
Want more personality? Pair it with blue floral or leafy wallpaper. Just know: in low light, it can look almost navy. Use warm bulbs (2700–3000K) so it doesn’t turn icy.
Benjamin Moore HC-156 bathroom color
@marble_and_mahogany
Van Deusen Blue bathroom paint review
@you_me_and_no3
Hc-156 Bathroom Vanity
@cooperinteriorsnj
Bm Van Deusen Blue Bathroom Wall
@hk_homeimprovement
Bm Van Deusen Blue Bathroom
@hk_homeimprovement
Hc-156 Bathroom Vanity
@sarahcoedesign
Bm Van Deusen Blue Bathroom Vanity
@coastalcabinetpainting
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Bathroom
@theredshutters

Benjamin Moore HC-156 on kitchen cabinets (10 photos)

Van Deusen Blue on kitchen cabinets is that deep blue that makes the whole space feel pulled together. It plays really well with crisp white backsplash tile and stainless (like in the photo with the hood), so the kitchen stays bright instead of heavy.

For countertops, you’ve got a few “can’t miss” options:

  • Warm butcher block / oak (instant cozy, perfect with open shelves and plants).
  • White quartz or marble-look quartz with soft gray veining (clean, classic, and super safe).
  • Real marble if you want drama: Calacatta, Statuario, or Arabescato look gorgeous against this blue.
  • Dark stone works too (like that deep, almost-black top in the last photo), but then keep the backsplash lighter so it doesn’t get moody-fast.

Tip: If you’re choosing hardware, go brass for warmth or matte black for a sharper look.

Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets inspiration
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Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets
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Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets paint review
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Benjamin Moore HC-156 kitchen cabinets color
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Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets color
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Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets
@oliveandoakhamilton
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue kitchen cabinets
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Hc-156 Kitchen Island
@the_refinisher
Van Deusen Blue Kitchen Cabinets
@lasservices
Van Deusen Blue Kitchen Cabinets
@blc_painting_

Van Deusen Blue for exterior (3 photos)

Van Deusen Blue is such a smart exterior pick when you want classic but not boring. It looks amazing on a front door against brick (instant curb appeal), and it also holds up beautifully on siding - especially with crisp white trim like in these photos.

Van Deusen Blue front door color
@primefinishcambs
Van Deusen Blue exterior color
@lasservices
Bm Van Deusen Blue House Exterior
@theidearoom

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue reviews (8 photos)

View the photos of real spaces painted with this blue that were not included in specific categories.Close-ups, painted furniture, storages and dressers, hallways, stairs and ceilings.

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue painted storage
@highcountryfinefinishes
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue hallway color
@benjaminmoorepty
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue dining room paint
@lisaadrienne.interiorstyling
Van Deusen Blue Barn Door
@woodenbeardfll
Bm Van Deusen Blue Painted Storage
@janet_aurora_designer
Hc-156 Painted Storage
@janet_aurora_designer
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue Dining Room
@paintingtime2029
Bm Van Deusen Blue Dining Room
@paintingtime2029

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What are Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue undertones?

Van Deusen Blue has a clear blue undertone based on its position in the color space. We identify undertones by isolating the pure hue (separating it from lightness and saturation), which avoids distortions caused by tints, tones, and shades.
This method is generally more reliable than judging undertones on a white background.

HEX value:

#485B6E

RGB code:

72, 91, 110

Is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue HC-156 cool or warm?

warm
cool
Color wheel

With a hue of 210°, this dark blue reads cool based on its HSL hue position.

HC-156 Van Deusen Blue HSL code: 210, 21%, 36%

Hue - degree on a color wheel from 0 to 360. 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue.
Saturation is expressed as a percentage. At 0%, it appears as a shade of grey, and at 100%, it is in full color.
Lightness is also a percentage value. 0% is black, and 100% is white.

How light temperature affects Van Deusen Blue

Natural Lighting. During the day, natural light shifts from about 2000 K at sunrise/sunset to 5500–6500 K at noon.

In addition, natural‑light temperature depends on its direction:

Direction of sunlightVisible temp.HueDuration
NorthCoolBluishAll day
EastWarmYellowBefore noon
WestWarmOrange‑redAfter noon
SouthWarmOrange‑yellowAll day

Artificial Lighting. When choosing bulbs, pay attention to their color‑temperature (Kelvins).
Use the slider to see how this dark blue shade looks under different lighting:

Living‑room mockup
Living‑room overlay

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Coordinating colors.
Colors that go with Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue:

Monochromatic color scheme

Monochromatic color scheme

This scheme consists of various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. While it offers a perfect combination of hues, without accent décor it may become monotonous.

Lighter shades

Darker shades

Complementary color scheme

Complementary color scheme

This color scheme is a combination of two shades that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a vibrant and dynamic visual effect. For the color Van Deusen Blue with a blue hue, complementary colors are those with a orange hue close to 30, such as Benjamin Moore Night Shade and Woodcliff Lake.

LRV of Van Deusen Blue

Van Deusen Blue has an LRV of 11.97% and refers to Medium Dark which means that this color reflects very little lightWhy LRV is important?

Light Reflectance Value scale illustration

Light Reflectance Value measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from a painted surface.
Simply put, the higher the LRV of a paint color, the brighter the room you will get.
The scale goes from 0% (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100% (pure white, reflecting all light).

Act like a pro: When choosing paint with an LRV of 11.97%, pay attention to your bulbs' brightness. Light brightness is measured in lumens. The lower the paint's LRV, the higher lumen level you need. Every square foot of room needs at least 40 lumens. That means for a 200 ft2 living room you’ll need about 8000 lumens of light – e.g., eight 1000 lm bulbs.

Color codes

We have collected almost every possible color code you could ever need. To copy the code, just click the icon to the right of it.

FormatCode
HEX#485B6ECopy color code
RGB Decimal72, 91, 110Copy color code
RGB Percent28.24%, 35.69%, 43.14%Copy color code
HSVHue: 210° Saturation: 34.55% Value: 43.14%Copy color code
HSLhsl(210, 21, 36)Copy color code
CMYKCyan: 34.55 Magenta: 17.27 Yellow: 0.0 Key: 56.86Copy color code
YIQY: 87.485 I: -17.428 Q: 1.894Copy color code
XYZX: 9.227 Y: 9.985 Z: 16.189Copy color code
CIE LabL:37.816 a:-2.169 b:-13.167Copy color code
CIE LuvL:37.816 u:-9.848 v:-17.399Copy color code
Decimal4741998Copy color code
Hunter Lab31.599, -3.177, -8.255Copy color code
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