Hague Blue Sherwin Williams: Your Ultimate Color Match Guide
You have fallen for the timeless, sophisticated allure of Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. The problem? You want the convenience, accessibility, or specific finish of Sherwin-Williams paint. This common design dilemma leads many to a frustrating search for a “Hague Blue Sherwin Williams” color, only to discover it doesn’t exist.
The truth is, paint color formulations are proprietary secrets, making an exact one-to-one match between brands nearly impossible. However, you can capture the essence and dramatic depth of Hague Blue with several outstanding Sherwin-Williams alternatives. This guide will help you navigate the nuances of deep blues to find the perfect shade for your project.
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Decoding the Allure of Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue
Before finding a replacement, it’s crucial to understand what makes Hague Blue so captivating. Hague Blue is a deep, dark blue with strong green and black undertones. This complexity is what gives it a chameleon-like quality; it can appear as a rich navy, a moody teal, or nearly black, depending on the lighting in the room.
Its Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is approximately 7, meaning it absorbs a significant amount of light, creating a cozy and dramatic atmosphere. The green undertones prevent it from feeling cold, adding a layer of warmth and timeless elegance that makes it incredibly versatile for everything from kitchen cabinets to accent walls.
The Challenge: Why a Direct Match is a Myth
Simply taking a Hague Blue sample to a store for computer color matching often yields disappointing results. The final appearance of paint is affected by its base, the specific pigments used, and the sheen—all of which differ between Farrow & Ball and Sherwin-Williams. A computer can match the surface color under one light source but cannot replicate the complex undertones that reveal themselves in different lighting conditions.
Instead of seeking an exact replica, the goal is to find a Sherwin-Williams color that evokes the same feeling and character as Hague Blue. This requires a careful comparison of undertones, depth, and how the colors behave in a real-world environment.
The Top Sherwin-Williams Equivalents for Hague Blue
After extensive comparison, several Sherwin-Williams colors stand out as excellent alternatives, each with its own subtle personality. These options capture the deep, moody, and sophisticated spirit of Hague Blue.
SW 7625 Mount Etna: The Closest Contender
Mount Etna is arguably the best Sherwin-Williams match for Hague Blue. It shares a very similar low LRV of 6, ensuring it delivers that same deep, light-absorbing quality. Critically, it possesses the same complex blend of blue with green and gray undertones.
In certain lights, Mount Etna can appear slightly greener or more teal than Hague Blue, but this nuance is often what makes it so successful. It provides the same dramatic and enveloping feel, making it an exceptional choice for studies, bedrooms, and kitchen islands. Like Hague Blue, it pairs beautifully with warm brass and crisp white trim.
SW 6230 Rainstorm: A Slightly Brighter, Bluer Option
If you love the depth of Hague Blue but desire a touch more blue, Rainstorm is an excellent choice. With an LRV of 5, it is similarly dark, but its undertones lean more toward a slate blue rather than green. This gives it a slightly cooler, more “true navy” feel in some lighting.
Rainstorm is a fantastic option for those who find Hague Blue a bit too green for their taste. It creates a bold, sophisticated statement that feels both modern and classic, working well on front doors, accent walls, and cabinetry.
SW 6244 Naval: A Classic, Confident Navy
While often suggested, SW Naval is a departure from Hague Blue’s core identity. Naval has an LRV of 4, making it even darker, and it lacks the prominent green undertones. It is a true, deep navy blue with a more primary color feel.
Choose Naval if your goal is a classic, Americana-style navy rather than the complex blue-green of Hague Blue. It is less of a direct “dupe” and more of a superb alternative for a different, albeit equally beautiful, aesthetic. It is incredibly popular for creating a grounded and stately look in dining rooms and offices.
SW 6237 Dark Night: A Moody, Inky Alternative
Dark Night is another strong contender that beautifully captures the spirit of Hague Blue. It has a low LRV of 7, identical to Hague Blue, and features deep blue tones with a subtle softness. While its green undertones are less pronounced than in Mount Etna, they are still present enough to give it a complex, inky depth.
This color is perfect for creating a cozy, cocooning effect. It is a sophisticated choice for media rooms, bedrooms, or any space where you want to foster a sense of intimacy and drama.
Comparative Analysis at a Glance
To simplify your decision, here is a direct comparison of the top alternatives. Understanding the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is key: a lower number means the color is darker and absorbs more light.
| Color Name | Sherwin-Williams Code | LRV | Key Undertones | How it Compares to Hague Blue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Etna | SW 7625 | 6 | Blue, Green, Gray | Very close match. Slightly more pronounced green/teal undertone. |
| Rainstorm | SW 6230 | 5 | Blue, Slate Gray | Slightly darker and bluer, with less green influence. |
| Naval | SW 6244 | 4 | True Navy Blue | Significantly darker and lacks the signature green undertone. A classic navy alternative. |
| Dark Night | SW 6237 | 7 | Blue, Subtle Green/Gray | Identical LRV. A very close match with slightly less green than Mount Etna. |
How to Choose Your Perfect Hague Blue Alternative
Color is subjective and highly dependent on its environment. What looks perfect on a screen can look completely different on your wall. Following a methodical selection process is essential to avoid costly mistakes.
The Golden Rule: Always Sample
Never commit to a color without testing it first. Purchase sample pots of your top two or three choices. Paint large swatches (at least 2×2 feet) on poster board or directly on your walls in different areas of the room. This allows you to see how the color changes throughout the day.
Observe the samples in the morning, afternoon, and evening, as well as with artificial light. This step is non-negotiable and is the single most important factor in choosing the right color with confidence.
Consider Your Lighting
The type and amount of light a room receives will dramatically alter how a dark blue appears. North-facing rooms receive cool, indirect light, which can amplify the blue and gray undertones. South-facing rooms get bright, warm light, which will bring out more of the green and warm undertones.
Similarly, the color temperature of your light bulbs (warm white vs. cool white) will have a significant impact. Test your samples under the exact lighting conditions they will live in.
Sheen Matters More Than You Think
The paint finish, or sheen, will change the final appearance of your chosen color. A matte finish will absorb light, making the color appear deeper and more velvety, but it is less durable. An eggshell or satin finish has a slight sheen that reflects some light, which can make the color feel a bit lighter and adds durability, making it ideal for cabinets and trim.
For a truly dramatic, light-absorbing effect similar to Farrow & Ball’s signature estate emulsion, a matte finish is closest. For high-traffic areas or surfaces like kitchen cabinets, a satin finish is the more practical choice.
Design Inspiration: Where to Use Your Hague Blue-Inspired Color
A deep, moody blue is surprisingly versatile and can elevate a wide range of spaces. This color family is perfect for creating a focal point or a sense of refined drama. From a full room makeover, where you might be considering new flooring after checking out an Empire 50 room sale, to smaller updates, this color works.
Consider using these shades on kitchen cabinets, especially on an island, paired with white or light gray perimeter cabinets. They make for a stunning and intimate home office or study, encouraging focus. In a bedroom, a dark blue accent wall behind the bed can create a restful and sophisticated retreat. These colors also work beautifully on interior doors, built-in shelving, and bathroom vanities for a powerful pop of color. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint can even help with unexplained odors, though if you find yourself asking “why do I keep smelling black pepper,” there might be other issues to explore.
Coordinating Colors and Finishes
Creating a cohesive palette around your dark blue choice is key to a professional-looking result. These deep blues are grounded and act as a sophisticated neutral, pairing well with a variety of other tones.
For trim, a crisp, clean white like SW 7757 Extra White creates a sharp, classic contrast. For a slightly softer look, a warm off-white like SW 7008 Alabaster works beautifully. When it comes to hardware and fixtures, warm metals like brass, bronze, and copper pop magnificently against the deep blue backdrop, adding a touch of luxury. Polished nickel and chrome offer a cooler, more modern contrast. Even small details, like ensuring your appliances are in working order and not flashing a Bosch dishwasher E07 error, contribute to the overall polished look of your space.
Achieving the Hague Blue Vibe with Confidence
While the exact “Hague Blue Sherwin Williams” paint does not exist, you are now equipped with the knowledge to find a fantastic alternative that captures its iconic essence. Colors like SW 7625 Mount Etna and SW 6237 Dark Night offer incredibly close approximations that deliver the same moody, sophisticated, and timeless feel.
The ultimate path to success lies not in finding a perfect formulaic match, but in understanding the character of the color you love and testing meticulously in your own space. By sampling your top choices and observing them in your home’s unique lighting, you can confidently select a deep, complex blue that will transform your room with dramatic elegance.
