Van Deusen Blue BM HC-156

Van Deusen Blue LRV and undertone

Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) has an LRV of 11.97, placing it in the dark range. Its color family is blue, and its calculated undertone is cool blue. Light reflectance value measures how much visible light a painted surface reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white. At 11.97, this color reflects relatively little light, so it can create substantially more visual depth than a mid-tone or light blue. Room brightness, window direction, and artificial lighting will influence its final appearance.

Van Deusen Blue can look darker in rooms with limited daylight. North-facing light often emphasizes cooler qualities, while stronger southern light can reveal more of the painted surface without changing its underlying LRV. Use a sample board to compare it with flooring, cabinetry, and trim. White trim creates a stronger contrast against a dark wall, while darker woodwork produces a less pronounced boundary. Consider how the wall color looks in both daylight and evening lighting before deciding.

Van Deusen Blue in other brands

The nearest listed cross-brand match is Behr Midnight Blue (N480-7), with an LRV of 9.0 and ΔE 5.3. PPG Cavalry (PPG1041-7) has an LRV of 7.0 and ΔE 5.5. Both are similar rather than especially close matches. PPG Azalea Leaf (PPG1149-6), with an LRV of 13.0 and ΔE 8.5, is more distant in measured color difference. ΔE values below 1 indicate near-identical colors, 1 to 2 indicate very close matches, 2 to 4 indicate close but visible differences, and values above 4 mean the colors are only similar.

Sherwin-Williams Cyberspace (SW 7076) has an LRV of 6.0 and ΔE 9.4. Its lower LRV indicates less reflected light than Van Deusen Blue. Compare physical samples rather than relying on screen images, since displays cannot reliably reproduce painted finishes.

Lighter and darker Benjamin Moore alternatives

Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue (HC-155) has an LRV of 10.31, making it slightly darker by reflectance than Van Deusen Blue, despite its close measured color difference. Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain (2134-30), with an LRV of 10.96, is also darker by LRV. These small differences may be difficult to judge without samples under consistent lighting.

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154) has an LRV of 8.36, so it reflects less light and provides a darker alternative. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (2124-10), at 8.17, is darker still by reflectance. These lower-LRV options may suit spaces where a deeper wall color is needed. Test a sample across several lighting conditions, and select a suitable sheen for the surface and its cleaning requirements.

Before you buy, compare a physical sample with the swatch on Benjamin Moore’s page for Van Deusen Blue.