Black Bean
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Black Bean remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. We've gathered 7 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#403330
LRV
3.67
Black Bean's Color Strip
Black Bean is the second shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Rockweed and Raisin. The strip spans from Rockweed at the lightest end to Black Swan at the deepest. Strip 252 puts these related shades in sequence, making it simple to find the tone that suits your room.
Black Bean in Real Rooms
Black Bean has a low LRV of 3.67 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a kitchen cabinets, front door, bathroom and misc.
2 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
Choosing Black Bean for cabinets allows you to be more adventurous with your tile and stone choices. Because the cabinetry is so well-grounded, it can balance out a heavily veined marble or a colorful geometric backsplash without the room feeling "busy."
Kitchen cabinets in Black Bean provide striking dark storage.
@bigfootcabinet
Sleek Black Bean cabinetry frames the kitchen workspace.
@bigfootcabinet
2 Front Door Photos
A front door painted Black Bean makes a confident first impression without shouting. The color's depth draws the eye and signals personality before guests even step inside. Pair with crisp white trim and warm brass hardware to complete the look.
Front entry door painted Black Bean makes a bold statement.
@atlantispressurewashandpaint
Charcoal front door in Black Bean welcomes visitors.
@archivalbungalow
2 Bathroom Photos
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Black Bean holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
Bathroom vanity in Black Bean adds sophisticated depth.
@bigfootcabinet
Dark vanity cabinetry in Black Bean grounds the bathroom.
@craftychristy
1 Misc Photo
These photos show Black Bean in spaces that don't fit neatly into a single category: transitional spaces, accent applications, and rooms where the color becomes a fine detail rather than a broad backdrop.
Wooden storage piece finished in Black Bean stands out.
@funcydeco
Coordinating Colors
Snowfall reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
At LRV 70 vs 4, Fragile Beauty is decisively the brighter choice.
Coquina reflects far more light (LRV 28 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
Trim Color
Snowfall reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 4 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 4 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 4 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
Mountain Air reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
Niebla Azul reflects far more light (LRV 53 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
At LRV 53 vs 4, Silver Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
A 12-point LRV gap (16 vs 4) makes Riverway the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 77 vs 4, Glass Bead is decisively the brighter choice.
Morning at Sea reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Bean encloses it.
With LRVs of 6 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Lighter Colors
A 11-point LRV gap (14 vs 4) makes Nutshell the marginally brighter of the two.
With LRVs of 4 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Chateau Brown reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 9-point LRV gap (13 vs 4) makes Bateau Brown the marginally brighter of the two.