Wythe Blue vs Black Magic
Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore) and Black Magic (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Wythe Blue belongs to the blue-green family and Black Magic to the grey family. The 45-point LRV gap — 48 for Wythe Blue vs 3 for Black Magic — means Wythe Blue will open up a space more effectively. Where Wythe Blue leans green, Black Magic reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 55.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Wythe Blue vs Black Magic in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Seeing Wythe Blue and Black Magic in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Wythe Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Black Magic.
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. Wythe Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Wythe Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Wythe Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Wythe Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Black Magic.
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. Wythe Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Wythe Blue vs Black Magic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Wythe Blue on one side and Black Magic 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 Wythe Blue comparisons
See how Wythe Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
