Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore
HC-156
Van Deusen Blue is a historical mid-deep blue with a gray undertone that keeps it settled and a little aged, in the best sense. It is lighter than Hale Navy, so cabinetry and walls painted in it still read clearly blue in modest light. Designers use it for vanities, built-ins, dining rooms, and doors when navy feels too dark and bright blue too casual.
Some brands don't share official hex codes. The digital values shown here are careful approximations. Always confirm with a physical sample.
Close matches
Sherwin-Williams: Indigo Batik SW 7602 (#3E5063) · Bunglehouse Blue SW 0048 (#47626F) · Mineral Gray SW 2740 (#515763)
Farrow & Ball: Stiffkey Blue No. 281 (#4A5B6B) · Wine Dark No. 308 (#5C6576) · Hague Blue No. 30 (#3F4D57)
Similar Benjamin Moore colors: Newburyport Blue HC-155 (#465566) · Kensington Blue CC-780 (#4B5A71) · Hudson Bay CC-810 (#3F5266)
Common questions
What is the hex code for Van Deusen Blue?
The hex code for Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue HC-156 is #485B6E. In RGB that is 72, 91, 110. Use these values to reproduce Van Deusen Blue in SketchUp, Canva, Photoshop, Figma, or rendering software for client presentations and mood boards.
What is the Farrow & Ball equivalent of Van Deusen Blue?
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Van Deusen Blue is Stiffkey Blue No. 281 (#4A5B6B). No cross-brand match is exact, because each brand mixes its own pigment formulas. Always confirm with a physical sample before specifying a substitute.
Is Van Deusen Blue warm or cool?
Van Deusen Blue is cool, with a soft gray undertone that mutes the blue toward slate. At an LRV of approximately 10, it sits just above navy territory, dark but readable. In north light it deepens and grays out; in warm afternoon light the blue lifts. That range is fairly narrow, which makes it dependable for cabinetry. It pairs well with warm whites and aged brass, which counter its coolness.
Why does Van Deusen Blue look different on screen than on the wall?
Screens emit light while paint reflects it, so a hex code cannot capture how lighting, sheen, and surrounding colors shift paint in a real room. Treat #485B6E as accurate for digital design work, and use physical samples for final approval.
What LRV does Van Deusen Blue have?
Van Deusen Blue has a Light Reflectance Value of approximately 10, meaning it reflects about 10% of visible light. That low value makes it a dramatic, light-absorbing choice that works well with strong natural light or as an accent.
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