Paint Colour Review: Navajo White by Benjamin Moore

Navajo White OC-95 by Benjamin Moore is a classic, versatile off-white paint colour that brings warmth and softness to any space. Known for its creamy undertones, this timeless neutral is a favourite for creating an inviting and cosy atmosphere. Whether you're refreshing your living room or adding a soothing touch to a bedroom, Navajo White's ability to adapt to various lighting conditions makes it an ideal choice for your interior.

Today, we explore this off-white’s undertones, its LRV (Light Reflectance Value), how it looks in different lighting conditions, trim colours to pair it with, and coordinating colours to elevate your space.

Is Navajo White the right colour for you? Let’s find out together…

Navajo White’s undertones

Navajo White is a beautiful off-white/cream paint colour with a neutral base and yellow undertones. It is a great paint colour to consider if you want to add some warmth to your space and are not afraid of the yellow tones.

Navajo White’s LRV

LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) helps determine how much light is absorbed or reflected by a paint colour. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, 0 being absolute black and absorbing all light, and 100 being pure white and reflecting all light. The higher the LRV, the lighter and brighter the paint colour. The LRV of a paint colour is an important factor to consider, especially if you're concerned about brightness or creating a specific ambience. Colours with higher LRVs tend to make a room feel brighter and more spacious, while colours with lower LRVs can create a more intimate or cosy atmosphere.

Navajo White has an LRV of 78.26, meaning it’s definitely not a bright white. Its yellow undertones put it in the off-white or cream range. Its LRV is high enough to brighten up a dark space, but it also has enough colour to create depth and contrast.

How does Navajo White look in different exposures?

Lighting greatly impacts how a paint colour is perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and the evening, which is why it’s essential to use samples before fully committing to a paint colour so you can see how colours look at various times of the day and you can decide if a paint colour is the right one for your space.

Navajo White looks beautiful in both cool and warm light. In a north-facing room or afternoon eastern light, it is an ideal colour to balance out the cool light and add warmth and softness to the space. In a south-facing room or afternoon western light, it will look much warmer leaning into its yellow undertones; however, its neutral base helps balance out those undertones to avoid making it look too creamy.

What about trim colour?

I wouldn’t recommend using Navajo White as a trim or cabinet colour as its yellow undertones can be tricky to pair with. It is best used on interior walls. If you are looking for a white paint colour for your trims, pair it with a warm bright white with slight yellow undertones like White Dove OC-17 or Simply White OC-117. This will create a soft contrast, reveal the beautiful tones of Navajo White, and add to the overall warmth of the space. You can also consider Pure White SW 7005 by Sherwin Williams.

What colours look best with Navajo White?

Navajo White is quite versatile. It pairs well with warm greys, greiges, and beiges such as Bennington Gray HC-82 or Brunswick Beige 1061, greens with a hint of yellow undertones like Raintree Green 1496, teal hues such as Stained Glass CSP-685, and warm whites.

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Navajo White is a beautiful warm creamy off-white, perfect to create a cosy, inviting, and bright interior.

Still not sure if it’s the right shade for your home? No need to worry! If you find choosing the right colour for your home stressful and overwhelming, I also provide a Custom Interior Colour Palette service. I would love to make this process easier for you and help you create an interior that reflects your personality and where you feel at peace. If you need more information about my services or simply want to get in touch with me, click here.

Thank you for reading and happy decorating!  

Manon xx