Sherwin Williams Inkwell: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect black paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams Inkwell and if it might be right for your home!

If you're looking for luxury and drama, boldness and perhaps even some mystery, a deep black paint color may be right for you!

It’s bold, dramatic, and can add so much depth and sophistication.

Whether you're going for a sleek, modern look or just want to make a statement, black can do it all—from soft charcoals to deep, inky blacks.

One black that’s caught my eye is SW Inkwell. It’s a rich, dark black with a hint of blue, giving it a cool, almost navy feel in the right light.

Keep reading to see why this color might be the bold addition your home needs!

Inkwell, Sherwin Williams, SW 6992

Inkwell is a deep, rich black that instantly adds drama and sophistication to any room.

It’s bold and understated. I love how it can make a space feel stylish and cozy at the same time.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Inkwell

Color Family

Inkwell is in the neutral family.

Light Reflectance Value

4

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 4, Inkwell is an extremely dark paint color.

RGB Colors

R: 49 G: 54 B: 58

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

#31363A

Undertones

Inkwell has blue undertones, so it often comes across as a blue-black. It also has a hint of gray or charcoal undertones, depending on the light.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Inkwell often appears as more of a navy blue. Its gray undertones may also make an appearance here.

In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, Inkwell will look more like a true black.

Best uses

If you want to make a bold move in your home, Inkwell is a great choice. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Trim: Pair it with white walls for a dramatic contrast that looks super sharp.
• Doors: Whether it’s an interior or exterior door, Inkwell adds a lot of character.
• Accent Walls: It’s perfect for an accent wall that catches the eye and brings some depth to a room.
• Powder Rooms: Want a dramatic, luxe feel? Inkwell is perfect for powder rooms. You can find more inspiration with these powder room paint colors.
• Living Rooms: For a sleek, monochromatic look, Inkwell does the trick.
• Cabinets: If you're updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, Inkwell adds a modern touch. Check out these top kitchen cabinet colors for more ideas.
• Furniture: Want a furniture piece to stand out? Inkwell works great for that.

It even looks amazing on the exterior of your home, giving it a bold, modern vibe.

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Black of Night
• Benjamin Moore After Midnight
• Behr Obsidian Stone
• Sherwin Williams After the Storm
• Benjamin Moore Black Ink
• Behr Carbon
• Sherwin Williams Greenblack

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Inkwell

Coordinating Colors

Since Inkwell is such a deep neutral, it pairs well with tons of colors.

Light neutrals like whites, grays, and taupes work beautifully with it.

If you want to add a pop of color, bold shades like pink, yellow, green, or blue look great.

Earthy tones, like calming blues, greens, tans, and browns, also pair perfectly with Inkwell.

Here are a few coordinating colors that work particularly well:

Cool whites:

• Snowbound
• White Sand
• Natural White
• Pure White
• White Sail

Mid-toned taupes:

• Truly Taupe
• Palisade
• Functional Gray
• Mega Greige
• Temperate Taupe

Calming blues:

• Mild Blue
• Hinting Blue
• Mildmist
• Icelandic
• Rhythmic Blue

Trim Colors

As a cool black paint color, Inkwell pairs best with bright, cool whites for trim.

Bright white trim colors:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Inkwell

FAQS

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Inkwell.

Is SW Inkwell black or blue?

Inkwell is a deep black with blue undertones. In darker rooms, it’ll look like a true black, but in spaces with lots of light, it’ll lean more towards navy blue.

Is SW Inkwell warm or cool?

SW Inkwell is a cool paint color. It’s a black with blue and gray undertones, giving it that sleek, cool vibe.

What's the difference: SW Inkwell vs Black of Night?

Inkwell and Black of Night are both dark, bold blacks, but there’s a slight difference between them.

They both have an LRV of 4, so they’re equally dark.

Inkwell has blue and gray undertones, while Black of Night has green-gray undertones. That means Inkwell might appear more navy, and Black of Night will have a slightly greenish-gray vibe.

If you’re torn between the two, I’d suggest swatching them side by side to see which one fits your space better.

Is SW Inkwell a good kitchen cabinet color?

Yes! Inkwell is a bold and beautiful choice for kitchen cabinets.

It looks amazing on lower cabinets, especially if you pair it with lighter-colored upper cabinets, or use it just on a kitchen island for a dramatic touch.

Inkwell pairs beautifully with natural wood, whites, and metallics like brass or silver.

Keep in mind that if your kitchen gets a lot of natural light, you’ll see more of its blue/gray undertones, but in darker kitchens, it’ll look more like true black.

Make sure to swatch it in your kitchen to see how it looks in your space before you commit!

Is SW Inkwell a good choice for exterior?

If you're looking to make a bold statement on your home’s exterior, Inkwell is a fantastic option.

It pairs beautifully with cool whites, taupes, browns, and natural stone or wood, making it great for trim or siding.

Just remember that if your house gets a lot of sunlight, Inkwell will show its blue and gray undertones.

If your home is shaded, it’ll look more like true black.

It’s always a good idea to swatch it outside and check it during the day and night before making your final decision.

What's the difference: SW Inkwell vs Iron Ore?

Inkwell and Iron Ore are both gorgeous dark shades, but they have a few differences.

Inkwell (LRV 4) is a little darker than Iron Ore (LRV 6).

While Inkwell has blue and gray undertones, Iron Ore is a deep charcoal with slight green undertones.

Inkwell has a cooler vibe, while Iron Ore is more neutral. Also, Inkwell is more saturated than Iron Ore.

Swatch them both to see which one fits your style better!

What's the difference: SW Inkwell vs Cyberspace?

Inkwell and Cyberspace are both dark and cool, but they’re not the same.

While Inkwell is a black with blue and gray undertones, Cyberspace is more of a charcoal black.

Inkwell (LRV 4) is a little darker and more saturated compared to Cyberspace (LRV 6).

If you’re torn, I suggest swatching both next to each other to see which one feels more like you!

Thanks for reading!