Looking for the perfect deep gray paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Benjamin Moore French Beret and if it might be right for your home!
Deep and moody paint colors have been having a moment for a while. These shades can feel trendy and modern, yet very cozy.
Deep neutrals bring a bold sophistication to a space, while still providing a fresh, neutral backdrop. Dark neutrals are a great way to add some drama without going too far.
Dark neutral paint colors are versatile. They pair beautifully with so many colors, finishes, and decor styles, making them easy to use in almost any space. They bring depth, sophistication, and a sense of calm all at once.
Today, we’re talking about Benjamin Moore French Beret. This deep, moody gray that borders on black / blue is dark enough to make a statement while still feeling serene and stylish. Let’s take a closer look!

Benjamin Moore French Beret, 1610
French Beret is a deep, moody gray. It's almost black with a hint of blue, ideal for creating a dark, dramatic look.
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Beret
Color Family
French Beret is in the neutral family.
Light Reflectance Value
9
Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.
With an LRV of 9, French Beret is quite a dark paint color. It won’t brighten a room, but instead, it creates an intimate, moody atmosphere.
RGB Colors
R: 76 G: 79 B: 82
RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!
Hex Code
#4C4F52

Undertones
French Beret has slight cool blue undertones.
However, the coolness is slight. French Beret is really neutral enough to pair well with warm or cool accents.
Remember, warm lighting (such as in south-facing rooms) will make it feel warmer, and cool-toned lighting (such as in north-facing rooms) will bring out those blue tones!
It's very important to swatch colors on your wall to make sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
Best uses
I like to use dark paint colors like French Beret for:
- Furniture
- Walls of a room you want to feel cozier, such as a bedroom, living room, or den (you can even paint the trim and moldings for a more sophisticated feel)
- Creating a focal point, such as a fireplace
- Built-ins
- Interior or exterior doors
- Home exterior
- Shutters
- Accent wall
Similar Colors
- Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
- Behr Night Club
- Sherwin Williams Cyberspace
- Benjamin Moore Midnight Blue
- Behr Cracked Pepper
- Sherwin Williams Big Dipper
- Benjamin Moore Westcott Navy
Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Beret
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Coordinating Colors
French Beret is neutral enough to work with almost any color scheme.
Layer it with neutrals (whites or grays), earth tones (blues or greens), or muted warm shades (peaches, oranges, golden yellows).
Soft, crisp whites:
- Simply White
- Mountain Peak White
- Cloud White
- Cotton Balls
- Snowfall White
Pale peaches:
- Arizona Peach
- Amelia Blush
- Orange Sorbet
- Mystical Powers
- Butterfly Kisses
Soft green-grays:
- Aganthus Green
- Salisbury Green
- Saybrook Sage
- Antique Jade
- Prescott Green
Trim Colors
French Beret is really neutral enough to pair with either bright or soft whites for trim.
For a crisper look, pair French Beret with a bright white.
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
For a bit of a softer look, pair French Beret with a warm white.
French Beret color palette
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Click here to get a peel and stick sample of French Beret
FAQS
Here are some common frequently asked questions about French Beret.
What color is Benjamin Moore French Beret?
French Beret is a deep, moody gray. It's almost black with a hint of blue, ideal for creating a dark, dramatic look.
Is Benjamin Moore French Beret navy?
French Beret is a deep, moody gray, and while it does have blue undertones, it is not a navy paint color. Rather, it borders on black.
You'll see more of its blue undertones in cool lighting, such as north-facing rooms or interior rooms. Give it a swatch and see what you think!
What's the difference: BM Hale Navy vs French Beret?
Hale Navy is a navy and a true blue paint color, whereas French Beret is a deep, moody gray that's almost black. French Beret has a slight blue undertone.
Hale Navy (LRV 8) is very slightly darker than French Beret (LRV 9); however, this difference will be hard to notice. Both are very dark paint colors.
Lastly, Hale Navy is a bit more saturated and French Beret a bit more muted.
Hale Navy is an extremely popular paint color, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right choice for your home. Swatch both, review them in different lighting, and see which you prefer!
What's the difference: BM French Beret vs SW Cyberspace?
French Beret and Cyberspace are similar deep, dark colors. However, French Beret is more gray and Cyberspace is more black. Both have hints of blue, but Cyberspace is a bit bluer than French Beret.
While both are dark, Cyberspace is darker than French Beret. Cyberspace is also more saturated, and French Beret is more muted.
If you’re torn between the two, try swatching them side by side to see which one feels right in your space.
What color trim with Ben Moore French Beret?
French Beret is neutral to pair with either bright or soft whites for trim.
For a crisper look, pair French Beret with BM Simply White, SW Extra White, or Behr Ultra Pure White.
For a bit of a softer look, pair French Beret with BM White Dove, SW Alabaster, or Behr Cameo White.
What's the difference: BM French Beret vs Wrought Iron?
French Beret and Wrought Iron share a lot of similarities.
French Beret is a deep gray and slightly lighter. Wrought Iron is a dark black and slightly darker.
Swatching both colors will help you see the difference and decide which one suits your style best.
Still unsure which paint color is right for your space?
Choosing paint doesn’t have to be stressful! My free Paint Color Planning Quick Start Guide walks you through the exact steps to confidently choose the perfect color — without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless swatch testing.
👉 Click here to download the free guide!
DIYing Your Paint Job? Start Here.
Choosing a paint color is only half the equation — the tools you use matter just as much. I’ve rounded up the painting supplies we rely on for clean lines, smooth finishes, and less frustration overall.

My Paint Color Formula course walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!

Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.




