Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore
If you’re drawn to rich, moody interiors, Kendall Charcoal is one of those popular paint colors that never goes out of style. This deep dark grey paint has subtle warmth that keeps it from feeling cold, making it a beautiful alternative to a true black or dark slate grey.
Whether you’re looking for bold accent wall colors or a dramatic cabinet shade, Kendall Charcoal pairs effortlessly with crisp Benjamin Moore White tones for a high-contrast, designer-approved look that feels both modern and timeless.
A designer friend of mine once said that no room is finished unless it has a touch of black. Black creates a timeless and sophisticated look. Adding a touch of Kendall Charcoal will accomplish this.
This color is one of my favorites. Let’s dive into what exactly makes this color so gorgeous!
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What are the undertones of Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal?
Kendall Charcoal is a dark slate charcoal, not a black. It has slight green undertones that make the color lean a little warm.
Even though it leans warm, it is more of a neutral. The green really just keeps the charcoal color from pulling too cool. The only time you might see a slight hint of green is in a really bright south-facing room, but even then, I don’t think you will notice it.
What is Kendall Charcoal’s LRV?
In case you don’t know anything about LRV, I have a whole post devoted to it. But long story short is a scale measuring the amount of light a paint color reflects.
Zero is the darkest black, and 100 is the brightest white. Kendall Charcoal sits at 14.61, making it a pretty dark color.
How to know if a paint color is right for you?
The best way to judge if a color is good for you then you will want to put a swatch on the wall and look at it over a few days. Look at it in different lights and decide if you really like it.
You can do this by getting a sample from the paint store and using a brush to put it up on the walls, but then you are left with a can that you can’t do anything with. Those samples are used with poor-quality paint and aren’t meant for use on your walls permanently.
I recommend going with Samplize. They are a company that will send you a 12X12 peel-and-stick swatch of a paint color that you can stick to the wall. When you are done, just peel it off and throw it away.
It’s easy and much less messy!
Whole Home Paint Palette for Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
What is the best trim color to go with Kendall Charcoal?
There are several that go well with Kendall Charcoal. Personally, I like Chantilly Lace. It’s a crisp white that will make Kendall Charcoal pop.
Other great options are White Dove, Oxford White, and Pure White
What are the best coordinating colors?
The coordinating colors for Kendall Charcoal list are endless. It looks fabulous with warm whites, light greiges, and taupe colors. These are great neutrals that pair with it, but it also looks great with more bold colors.
You can pair it with purple/grays and yellows, even light blues. This color is a great neutral, and you will find that it goes with almost anything.
Getting samples and putting them on the wall, looking at it over several days in different lights, will give you a lot of insight if the colors go well together.
What are some similar colors?
I love putting colors side by side to see how the different undertones show up next to one another. This should help you see which ones you might like the best.
Kendall Charcoal vs. Chelsea Gray
Chelsea Gray is much lighter than Kendall Charcoal. Its LRV is 23.33. Much higher than Kendall Charcoal’s 14.61.
They are similar in undertones, both having green, but Chelsea Gray throws a touch of violet in there, making it a little different.
Kendall Charcoal vs. Peppercorn
Sherwin Williams Peppercorn is definitely darker, but only by a few points on the LRV scale. It sits at 10.
It’s also incredibly popular and a great choice to give a good look at. It’s a great balance between warm and cool, making it a perfect neutral. Kendall Charcoal is definitely warmer
Kendall Charcoal vs. Grizzle Gray
Sherwin Williams Girzzle Gray is a cool gray with blue undertones, and when you put these two colors side by side you can really see the difference in the undertones! Kendall Charcoal looks almost brown next to Grizzle Gray.
They have very similar LRV’s, so not much of a difference there.
Kendall Charcoal vs. Amhurst Gray
Amhust Gray is definitely lighter, sitting at 18.8. Still dark but definitely lighter than Kendall Charcoal, which has an LRV of 14.61.
They both have subtle green undertones, but Amhust Gray has a touch of yellow as well.
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Kendall Charcoal vs. Urbane Bronze
Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze is definitely darker, with an LRV of 8. Much lighter than Kendall Charcoal’s 14.61.
While both of these colors are warm, both have green undertones; they are very different. Urbane Bronze is more of a warm charcoal brown than a slate charcoal, like Kendall Charcoal.
Kendall Charcoal vs. Storm Warning
Sherwin Williams Storm Warning is probably the closest to Kendall Charcoal, but from the Sherwin Williams paint line. They have the same LRV’s, making them the same in light/dark.
They both have a touch of green, but Storm Warning also has a touch of violet. It’s so slight though I don’t think you can see it in most settings.
Does Kendall Charcoal look blue?
No, it does not. It has green undertones, keeping it from leaning cool like a blue color.
What Sherwin Williams color is closest to Kendall Charcoal?
Hands down I think it’s Sherwin Williams Storm Warning. There are a couple others that are close as well, Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray and Peppercorn. But for me Storm Warning wins.
Does Kendall Charcoal look good on the exterior of the home?
It absolutely does! When you have an exterior color the amount of natural light it gets makes the color about 10x brighter than the same color on the interior of the home.
Kendall charcoal paired with crisp white accents and natural wood tones on the exterior would be an amazing combination!
Will Kendall charcoal look good on cabinets?
Heck yes it does! Having dark cabinets in a kitchen or bath is a very striking statement and looks amazing! I would use it in the kitchen as long as you have a lot of natural light.
In a powder room, using Kendall Charcoal on cabinets will really make the smaller room stand out. I love this idea!
Kendall Charcoal in Real Homes
Let’s take a look at this color in real life.
KC on the Exterior
What a beautiful rendering of a home painted with Kendall charcoal. This paint color looks great with industrial elements like the black roof and black framed windows, while still pairing nicely with natural elements like the wood pillars and landscaping.
KC on Cabinets
This is a kitchen my heart loves. I love the natural wood with the gorgeous counters and the island being a different color than the peremiter cabinets. The island is painted with Kendall Charcoal and I love how it looks with the marble counters and silver hardware.
KC in the Bedroom
Kendall Charcoal looks great with these blush window treatments and the white bed. I also how fabulous it looks with the different wood tones.
KC in the Bathroom
This bathroom has a lot of great elements against Kendall Charcoal. The natural wood tones, the rattan in the vase, the driftwood. Then you have the white tile and black framed window. All of this shows off this paint color at it’s best.
KC on the Front Door
Here is a great example of how Kendall Charcoal looks against a crisp white. I just love it!
KC in the Dining Room
What a gorgeous dining room! This long raw wood table gives a rustic appearance, which is a juxtaposition with the charcoal walls and white wainscoting.
KC in the Living Room
This gorgeous family room is so rich and luxurious. I love the rich leather chaiar and drapes. This is a great room to curl up in and read a book!
Other Dark Paint Colors You Might Like:
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
- Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
- Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
- Sherwin Williams Iron Ore
- Benjamin Moore Soot
- Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze
- The Best Black Paint Colors for Any Room in Your Home
As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.
