7 ways to decorate with Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore's best-selling dark blue shade

Timeless interiors are proving ever popular, but when creating this style of home, many people lean towards light, airy neutrals that stand the test of time. And while this color scheme works wonders, darker tones still err on the timeless side while adding depth and personality to a space.

One such color is Benjamin Moore's best-selling paint Hale Navy, a classic deep blue that makes a statement in homes of varying styles. In recent years, we've seen dark blue proving a popular color trend in kitchens, but this moody hue is here to stay, and not just in the kitchen. 

Decorating with blue, especially darker shades such as Hale Navy, can feel intimidating, but there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into your space, whether you opt for subtle hints or a color-drenched space. To find out the best ways to add Hale Navy to your home in 2024, we asked the experts how they introduce this deep tone into their designs.

What color is Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore?

'Hale Navy is our classic navy blue that gives a sense of balance, stability and reassurance' says Hannah Yeo, Senior Manager of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore. 'This gorgeous hue has been one of our top-sellers for decades, and there’s a good reason for it. It effortlessly brings a sleek sophistication.' 

The depth and classic nature of this tone makes it a popular choice with interior designers. 'Perfect for an upscale coastal home, Hale Navy is a color that feels distinguished and sophisticated' adds Kathy Kuo, CEO of Kathy Kuo Home. 'Inspired by the natural beauty of the sea, this versatile blue pairs well with warm neutrals like sand, beige, taupe, and even peach.'

Kathy Kuo

Kathy Kuo is a celebrated interior designer and international guru within the home and lifestyle space. She has 20+ years of experience in the design industry. 

The versatility of this shade is another reason Hale Navy proves popular in a multitude of spaces. 'Hale Navy is a great color that speaks to many different architectural styles' says Mollie Ranize, founder of Dmar Interiors. 'It's timeless and stunning and plays differently depending on the lighting. It's also very liveable despite being so saturated.'

How to decorate with Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

Blending seamlessly in homes of varying interior design aesthetics and complimenting plenty of architectural styles, Hale Navy can be used in almost any design. Mixed with different colors, textures and patterns, you can create a space that feels unique and in keeping with your personal style.

A truly versatile color, Hannah Yeo says 'from a mood-setting entryway to practical kitchen cabinets to an accent wall by the fireplace, Hale Navy works in any room.' It also pairs well with an abundance of colors, textures and furniture styles. A fun way to add contrast is to introduce furniture and decorative items with natural tones and textures.

'Furniture and decor made from woven materials like cane, rattan, and jute are likely to naturally have a warm neutral color and pair beautifully with Hale Navy, both in terms of a coastal style, as well as a colorway contrast,' says Kathy Kuo.

From adding subtle navy details in the kitchens to painting built-in bedroom wardrobes and even taking the color outside, here are a few fun ways too add Hale Navy to your home.

1. Add Hale Navy accents in the kitchen

If a color-drenched kitchen isn't really your style, introducing subtle hints of color is an effective compromise. A feature wall is the usual go-to, but a more creative idea is painting a border around cabinetry, showcased beautifully in this wooden kitchen.

'We selected Hale Navy for the two-toned cabinets because it was dramatic, masculine, and paired beautifully with the custom walnut cabinetry,' says Tama Bell, Founder and Senior Designer at Tama Bell Design. The end result is a timeless kitchen that embraces a moodier palette while still feel bright and modern.

Tama Bell

Tama was drawn to design at an early age, recognizing how the spaces we spend time in matter to our overall wellbeing. Tama Bell Design was founded on that mission to create sanctuary spaces that are beautiful but also make people feel good. 

2. Paint bedroom built-ins with Hale Navy

Though you might typically think of painting the walls in a bedroom, adding color through cabinetry works just as well, creating cohesion and an elevated finish. In this space, wardrobes placed on either side of the crib have been painted in Hale Navy with the addition of a playful bedroom wallpaper in a complimentary palette.

'We were able to use it on all of the built-ins in the nursery of this 1915 Craftsman home in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles and it will age nicely as the little boy grows up,' says Mollie Ranize. The classic nature of the color makes it transitional from a nursery to an adult bedroom, perfect if you don't want to keep redoing full makeovers.

Mollie Ranize

Mollie Ranize is the founder of Dmar Interiors, a nationally recognized design firm based in sunny Southern California. She has been known for her 3T Method for 20+ years: designing Tasteful, Tailored and Timeless interiors.  

3. Paint from floor to ceiling

Leaning fully into deep shades can add a dramatic yet cozy feel to a space, and painting ceilings and wainscoting in the same color as the walls offers an elevated, modernized finish. 

'We selected Benjamin Moore Hale Navy for this moody media room' says Ushi Schick, of Ushi Schick Interiors. 'By using the navy color on the walls, trim and ceiling we took a more traditional color and elevated it to feel fresh and modern."

4. Add interest to a home bar

Whether your home bar is part of a kitchen, a separate room, or incorporated into an open plan area, sticking to neutrals could cause it to become lost in the space. Adding a hint of Hale Navy on lower cabinetry helps to add depth and interest without compromising on the brightness or existing color scheme of the room.

'In selecting a color scheme for the cabinetry, we opted for a rich navy hue, providing a sense of depth and contrast against the natural warmth of white oak shelves and the sleek, modern finish of a Caesarstone countertop' says Kriste Michelini, of Kriste Michelini Interiors. 

'This choice introduces a subtly masculine touch to the bar area. Reflecting our client's family's affinity for the water, we infused a harmonious palette of blue shades, seamlessly integrating these tones throughout their home.'

5. Take it outside

Benjamin Moore's colors can be bought for outside as well as indoors. Hale Navy is a statement color without being too overpowering, so why not paint a garage, porch, or exterior walls of your home to increase your curb appeal?

'Consider taking this hue on the outside of your home, too. This stunning yet understated color is a great option for a front door and/or shutters,' says Hannah Yeo. 'With dark and moody colors growing their popularity in the exterior world, Hale Navy is no exception.'

6. Pair Hale Navy with light neutrals

Blue and white is a classic pairing in interior design, so opting for a light neutral shade, or a warmer hue, to offset Hale Navy makes for a chic combination. 'Pair it with Decorator’s White OC-149 for a timeless look, Grant Beige HC-83 for a rich, neutral color scheme, and Dusty Trail 1157 for a delicate balance of warmth,' says Hannah Yeo.

To elevate the overall scheme, introduce gold or brass hardware – in this kitchen, the faucet, chair, and range cooker knobs are finished in gold, complimenting the navy paint beautifully and creating a cohesive finish to the space.

7. Go bold with contrasting colors

Alternatively, pairing Hale Navy with another bright, contrasting color certainly makes a statement, perfect if you're creating a maximalist space. There are plenty of fun colors to experiment with, but for a space that still feels sophisticated, consider colors in the same family or that clearly complement dark blue. 

'This grounding hue also works well with bold accents such as Rust 2175-30, Marblehead Gold HC-11 and Beau Green 2054-20,' explains Hannah Yeo. Green offers a moodier atmosphere, while gold and rust offer a more playful finish.

Hale Navy's timeless appeal and ability to pair with a wide range of colors and finishes ensures it's a shade that will stand the test of time. Ideal for adding an air of sophistication and personality to a space, it's clear that the enduring popularity of Hale Navy is not fading, and interior designers continue to reach for it in a multitude of homes. The versatility of the color allows you to introduce it into schemes of varying styles, so grab a paintbrush and have fun with it. You really can't go wrong with a splash of Hale Navy.