Soot
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Soot remains a staple for Benjamin Moore designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. We've gathered 36 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#373C41
LRV
6.19
Soot in Real Rooms
Soot has a low LRV of 6.19 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. Grouped in the Gray and Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a bedroom, living room, front door, house, bathroom, kitchen cabinets, dining room, misc, home office and mudroom.
3 Bedroom Photos
There's a rhythmic quality to Soot in a bedroom. It's a color that supports the circadian rhythm, mirroring the natural shadows of the evening and providing a neutral, non-stimulating canvas for the brain to decompress after a long day of digital exposure.
Benjamin Moore Soot kids' room
@sarahlabrieinteriors
Benjamin Moore Soot bedroom paint
@our.humble.homes
Benjamin Moore Soot bedroom color
@our.humble.homes
8 Living Room Photos
Soot anchors the living room with a quiet, architectural confidence. Its depth shifts subtly through the day — cooler in the crisp morning light and significantly warmer by lamplight in the evening — making it a natural fit for a space meant for both high-energy gathering and silent unwinding. To maximize the effect, layer in natural white oak, heavy linen, and soft metallics to let the color truly breathe.
Benjamin Moore Soot living room color review
@danas_interiorpainting
1 Front Door Photo
A front door in Soot changes the entire read of a facade without requiring a renovation. The color is strong enough to register from the street but refined enough not to feel like a statement for its own sake. It's the "handshake" of the home.
Benjamin Moore Soot front door color review
@peoniesandpalomas
4 House Photos
Soot on an exterior reads differently at different scales: approachable up close, commanding from the street. It works especially well on houses with good trim detail, where the contrast between wall and trim can do real visual work.
Benjamin Moore Soot House Exterior
@shellysukstorf
House Exterior
@ourculvercasa
Benjamin Moore Soot Exterior
@doe_janie
Benjamin Moore Soot Exterior
@doe_janie
5 Bathroom Photos
Soot is the perfect "clean" color for a bathroom that still wants to feel cozy. It lacks the clinical coldness of a pure white but retains a sense of hygiene and order that is essential for a space dedicated to self-care and grooming.
Benjamin Moore Soot bathroom color review
@kimloftisinteriors
Bm Soot Bathroom
@stonemilldesignbuild
2129-20 Bathroom
@dabbinteriors
Soot Bathroom Vanity
@laura_jill_design
Soot Bathroom
@joandolliedoodle
7 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
The depth of Soot on kitchen cabinets is excellent for hiding the inevitable wear and tear of a busy kitchen. It's a practical choice that doesn't sacrifice an ounce of style, providing a durable-looking finish that remains elegant for years.
Bm Soot Kitchen Cabinets
@sairaulbrook
2 Dining Room Photos
For an "all-day" dining room, Soot is surprisingly adaptable. In the morning, it feels crisp and clean for breakfast; as the sun moves, it transitions into a moodier, more reflective space that is perfect for long, lingering dinners.
Benjamin Moore 2129-20 dining room color review
@danas_interiorpainting
Benjamin Moore 2129-20 dining room paint
@danas_interiorpainting
4 Misc Photos
These examples of Soot in transitional spaces—like entryways or landings—show how the color can act as a "thread" that ties the upper and lower floors of a house together into one cohesive story.
Soot Painted Furniture
@n12.studio
Bm Soot Painted Cabinets
@kristen.mayfield
Review
@maplehill_midmod
Benjamin Moore Soot Wall Paint
@maplehill_midmod
1 Home Office Photo
The transition from "home life" to "work life" can be signaled by the color of the room. Entering a space painted in Soot provides a mental shift, telling your brain that it's time to settle in and be productive.
2129-20 Home Office
@wdesigncollective
1 Mudroom Photo
The depth of Soot is a secret weapon against the "dirty" look that many light-colored mudrooms eventually suffer from. It retains its freshness and intentionality even when it's not perfectly clean, which is essential for an active family.
2129-20 Laundry Room
@kellystevensoninteriors
