Black Oak
With a focus on genuinely dark tones, Black Oak (EX218) is a standout paint color in our database. It was selected for this featured gallery for its ability to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. See it applied across 8 real world scenarios and find professional pairing data below.
Hex
#554D48
LRV
7.71
Black Oak's Color Strip
Black Oak is the first shade on this 7-color strip, the lightest in this coordinated family. Strip Ex32 puts these related shades in sequence, making it simple to find the tone that suits your room.
Black Oak in Real Rooms
Black Oak has a low LRV of 7.71 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color.
1 Bathroom Photo
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Black Oak holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
The walls here show Black Oak in bright, well-lit bathroom light.
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2 Bedroom Photos
A bedroom finished in Black Oak rewards the time you spend in it. The color is deep enough to feel intentional and luxurious, but not so saturated that it becomes visually tiring over time — it strikes the perfect balance for a space meant for both deep sleep and the slow, reflective hours before it.
A bedroom painted in Black Oak — soft-spoken and easy to wake up to.
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This open bedroom shows Black Oak in honest, natural light.
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1 Dining Room Photo
In a formal dining room, Black Oak provides a sophisticated backdrop for artwork and large-scale mirrors. The color's depth helps to "absorb" the room's edges, making the flickering light of candles and the sparkle of glassware the stars of the show.
See Black Oak in a formal dining setting — composed and quietly present.
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2 Misc Photos
In laundry rooms, Black Oak adds a surprising level of "design" to a space that is often forgotten. It proves that even the most utilitarian rooms deserve a color that feels considered, intentional, and calming.
A foyer painted in Black Oak sets the tone for everything beyond it.
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Natural light reveals Black Oak's true character in this bright sun room.
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1 Kitchen Photo
Black Oak is particularly effective in kitchens with a lot of natural light. It tempers the glare from sun hitting polished surfaces, providing a matte-like visual anchor that keeps the room feeling grounded even during the brightest parts of the day.
This kitchen scene shows how Black Oak holds up under practical light.
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1 Living Room Photo
Black Oak provides a subtle architectural "lift" to a living room, especially those with high ceilings or intricate crown molding. The way shadows settle into the corners with this particular shade adds a layer of history and gravity to the space, making even a new build feel like it has stories to tell.
See how Black Oak holds up in a real living room setting.
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