Essex Green
Benjamin Moore · PM-11
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The Analysis
Essex Green is an extremely dark, saturated tone that functions almost like a neutral black. Because it has an LRV of 3.27, it absorbs almost all light, which will make your walls feel like they are receding and make the room feel much smaller and more intimate.
This is best used as a bold accent or for 'color drenching'—where you paint the walls, trim, and doors the same shade. It is too dark to be a standard wall color in a typical home unless you are intentionally aiming for a moody, high-contrast aesthetic.
LRV 3History & Origin
This is a quintessential Heritage color, frequently found in classic library or foyer designs from the 18th and 19th centuries. It feels traditional and established rather than trendy or modern.
How to Use It
Use this in rooms with high natural light to prevent them from feeling like a cave, or embrace the darkness in a den or media room. Pair it with warm, unlacquered brass hardware or light-toned white oak furniture to provide a necessary visual break from the heavy green.
The Mood
Living with a color this dark is restful and grounding, creating a sense of weight and stability in a room. It isn't energizing; instead, it provides a quiet, sophisticated backdrop that feels settled and serious.
Colour harmonies
Complementary
Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.
Analogous
Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.
Split complementary
Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.
Triadic
Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.
Tetradic (square)
Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.
Monochromatic
Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.
Add harmony palette to a room
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Brand Matches
Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.
Lighting
See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.
- Natural
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Overcast
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