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. It's neutral in temperature, making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. 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.
Bedroom walls in Soot create a cozy, intimate sanctuary.
@sarahlabrieinteriors
Soot walls in the bedroom offer restful depth and visual calm.
@our.humble.homes
Bedroom walls painted Soot envelop the space in sophisticated darkness.
@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.
Living room walls in Soot provide moody elegance and refined appeal.
@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.
Front door painted Soot makes a strong, welcoming first impression.
@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.
House exterior in Soot presents bold, contemporary curb appeal.
@shellysukstorf
Exterior walls painted Soot create dramatic architectural character.
@ourculvercasa
Soot exterior establishes sophisticated modern home presence.
@doe_janie
House painted Soot showcases deep, commanding exterior elegance.
@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.
Bathroom walls in Soot create spa-like sophistication and serenity.
@kimloftisinteriors
Soot bathroom walls deliver dramatic, luxurious design atmosphere.
@stonemilldesignbuild
Bathroom painted Soot offers bold, moody elegance.
@dabbinteriors
Bathroom vanity in Soot anchors the space with sleek style.
@laura_jill_design
Bathroom walls painted in Soot create a dramatic, spa-like atmosphere.
@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.
Kitchen cabinets painted Soot create bold, contemporary storage style.
@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.
Dining room walls in Soot create an intimate, elegant atmosphere.
@danas_interiorpainting
Soot dining room walls establish sophisticated space for entertaining.
@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.
Painted furniture in Soot adds contemporary edge to room design.
@n12.studio
Kitchen cabinets finished in Soot provide sophisticated storage and visual depth.
@kristen.mayfield
Dark Soot walls frame white trim and minimalist decor beautifully.
@maplehill_midmod
Accent wall painted Soot draws focus to architectural features and artwork.
@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.
Desk and built-in shelving glow against Soot-painted walls in this 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.
Mudroom walls in Soot offer a practical, elegant backdrop for daily activity.
@kellystevensoninteriors
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 52 vs 6, Cumulus Cloud is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 65 vs 6, Gray Cashmere is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 6, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 6 and 6, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
With LRVs of 6 and 6, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Woodcliff Lake reads slightly lighter (LRV 17 vs 6), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Silver Fox reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 6), opening up a space where Soot encloses it.
Upper West Side reflects far more light (LRV 39 vs 6), opening up a space where Soot encloses it.
At LRV 47 vs 6, Himalayan Trek is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 9 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 8 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 4-point LRV gap (10 vs 6) makes Westcott Navy the marginally brighter of the two.
Deep Space reads slightly lighter (LRV 11 vs 6), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 5-point LRV gap (11 vs 6) makes Temptation the marginally brighter of the two.
Darker Colors
With LRVs of 6 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.