Black Bean vs Darkroom
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. With LRVs of 4 and 5, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Black Bean's warm character against Darkroom's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 6.6, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Black Bean vs Darkroom in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Black Bean and Darkroom 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.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The temperature contrast between Black Bean and Darkroom is what sets these apart most in this context.
Front Door
Front doors are seen in isolation against the rest of the facade, which makes them a high-stakes surface where even subtle differences matter. Darkroom reads more restrained here, while Black Bean adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Black Bean vs Darkroom Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black Bean on one side and Darkroom 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.