Blue Note vs Blackened Black
Blue Note (Benjamin Moore) and Blackened Black (Jotun) come from different manufacturers. Blue Note reads as blue-grey, while Blackened Black reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 9 vs 7 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Blue Note leans blue, Blackened Black reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 7.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Blue Note vs Blackened Black in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Blue Note and Blackened Black are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Blackened Black brings more warmth to the space, while Blue Note keeps things cooler and crisper.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Blue Note reads more restrained here, while Blackened Black adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Blue Note reads more restrained here, while Blackened Black adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Blue Note reads more restrained here, while Blackened Black adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Blue Note reads more restrained here, while Blackened Black adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Blue Note vs Blackened Black Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Blue Note on one side and Blackened Black on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Blue Note comparisons
See how Blue Note stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 9, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 9, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 9, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 9, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 9, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 9, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 9 and 8, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 9, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 9), opening up a space where Blue Note encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 9, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.