Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal is a bold and moody dark gray paint color with the utmost touch of richness and grandeur. This dark gray color can definitely make a dramatic and enchanting statement in any corner of your home. I would also love to call it a significant ‘bronze’ paint color that can add an earthy and organic statement in a home. However, dealing with BM Kendall Charcoal may not be very easy! There are various undertones to deal with – when it comes to the application of this paint color. Moreover, this guide will help you determine if Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore is truly the best option for your home or not!

In this color review, I will be disclosing everything you need to know about Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal. We’re going to discuss the undertones, Light Reflectance Values (LRVs), where and how to use this warm white color in your home, color comparisons, FAQs, and much more! We will also discuss how this color behaves in various lighting conditions. And yes, I am going to showcase some real-time images as well! Excited much? Let’s get started!

What Color is Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore?

Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore is my all-time favorite gray paint color with a deep touch of sophistication and timelessness. This moody, handsome, and dramatic gray paint color has a deep greige undertone that can make it feel earthy and warm. Yes, I personally love the look of this dark, warm gray paint color on the kitchen cabinets, built-in shelves, front door, and also the featured walls of your home. Although, this paint color is so beautiful and moody – I’d recommend that you only use it in the warm-toned color palettes. Yes, this paint color has the potential to counteract with some cooler-toned paint colors. So, not very versatile and easy to pair with!

There have also been certain times that I have suggested using this bold and moody, bronze Benjamin Moore paint color for my various E-Design and Color Consultation clients. They’ve absolutely loved the overall look and feel of this paint color (Just like I do). However, you simply can’t use this paint color everywhere! This moody color must be used in a larger room that receives considerable incoming natural light. Without these preconditions, you may not feel the best of BM Kendall Charcoal.

I’d recommend that you try this ready-to-order swatch in different rooms with different lighting conditions to determine how Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal will truly feel in your home.

Click here to get a peel & stick sample of Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal

Is Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal a Warm or Cool Gray?

In my books, Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal is definitely a warm gray paint color. Even though the warmth of this paint color isn’t quite dominant – it will still showcase a wink of it. With the ample incoming ‘warm’ natural light, this charcoal gray paint color has the potential to showcase a greige and bronze base. On the other hand, in a low-light room or a space that receives cold incoming natural light, BM Kendall Charcoal can come off as a neutral gray paint color.

For instance, try placing a swatch of BM Kendall Charcoal against BM Dragons’ Breath and BM Charcoal Slate and you’ll observe that this paint color has a touch of warmth to it. It’s not overly ‘brown’ as BM Dragon’s Breath nor it is as neutral as BM Charcoal Slate. Moreover, this color is the closest to being earthy and organic as well!

Is Kendall Charcoal Good for Kitchen Cabinets?

Definitely, yes! I’d recommend that you choose BM Kendall Charcoal as an accent on the lower kitchen cabinets or only on the island table. Painting all the kitchen cabinets in BM Kendall Charcoal can be quite dominating and bold for your space. So, choose it only if your room receives ample incoming natural light. Moreover, pair the Kendall Charcoal cabinets with sleek brass hardware for a modern and contemporary look.

Is Kendall Charcoal Too Dark for Exterior?

BM Kendall Charcoal isn’t too dark and saturated when used on the exteriors. On the other hand, it’s not too light as well! So, if you’re looking for a slightly medium to dark-toned charcoal gray color with deep warm undertones – BM Kendall Charcoal can play well. For instance, try placing a swatch of SW Tricorn Black against BM Kendall Charcoal and you’ll observe that this color is way lighter than a true black paint color.

What is a Shade Lighter Than BM Kendall Charcoal?

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray is a shade lighter than BM Kendall Charcoal. This is another medium to dark-toned warm gray paint color that can boldly make a statement on the kitchen cabinets, exteriors, and built-in shelves.

What are the Undertones of Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal?

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal is a deep, moody, and dark gray paint color with a considerable ‘green’ undertone. Every gray has an undertone that can lean into purple, blue, green or beige. In this case, BM Kendall Charcoal is a dark-toned, warm gray paint color with just a touch of minor ‘green’ undertone. Although, don’t expect the green undertone to play a dominant role! All in all, this color has a perfect balance of green and brown-beige undertone to make it feel slightly earthy and organic. Avoid pairing this color with medium or light-toned gray colors that have a blue, violet, and periwinkle undertones.

However, Kendall Charcoal Benjamin Moore can tend to appear slightly different under different lighting conditions – but not majorly dominant though. In general, you can use this color in any compass direction but you must know how it will end up looking. In a room with little natural light, this color will look very close to being an off-black paint color. On the other hand, this color is bound to look organic and warm when used in a room with ample natural light. Let’s discuss how this color behaves in different lighting conditions –

In the north-facing rooms, BM Kendall Charcoal can look like a neutral charcoal gray paint color that doesn’t lean into the ‘warm’ end of the scale.
In the south-facing rooms, the Kendall Charcoal paint color will show its true undertones. Especially in a well-lit, south-facing room, BM Kendall Charcoal is bound to showcase the ‘bronze’ and warmth that it has. Definitely one of the best compass directions to showcase the beautiful undertones of Kendall Charcoal.
In the east-facing rooms, BM Kendall Charcoal will look neutral all day long. Just allow ample incoming natural light to enter at all times.
In the west-facing rooms, Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore will appear neutral in the morning hours and quite warm and earthy-glow in the afternoon and early evening hours.

BM Kendall Charcoal LRV

Light Reflectance Value or LRV is an important aspect to consider when choosing the best neutral paint color for your home. This value determines how light or dark the paint color is – on a scale of 0-100. Hence, the darker the paint color, the lower the LRV is!

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 14.61 – hence, falling on the medium to darker range of the scale. Yet, not as dark as a black paint color! This paint color definitely falls into the dark, charcoal gray LRV paint color range. This LRV is good enough to make a moody and dramatic appeal in a room.

How To Use BM Kendall Charcoal Paint?

Kendall Charcoal BM is a bold and moody, dark warm gray paint color that can be used in a particular space as well as an accent on the cabinets, vanity, doors, trims, featured walls, and more. This color can be used on all the walls of a particular room, interior doors, the kitchen cabinets, mudroom and foyer cabinets, exterior walls, bathroom vanity, wainscotting, and much more. Especially for interior design styles like Modern Organic, transitional, Cottagecore, Modern Farmhouse, American Southwest, Mid-Century Modern, and Bohemian – this dark gray color by Benjamin Moore will work beautifully. You can also choose to color-drench your space and use this paint color on all the walls, trims, and ceiling.

Here’s a well-curated pre-made color palette that I have created for BM Kendall Charcoal on Etsy! It enlists all the exact colors that pair with Kendall Charcoal color including how and where to use them in your whole house color palette. I have included 5 color palettes (with Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal and complementary hues) along with how to use each of those paint colors in various areas of your home. You’ll also get the detailed MATERIAL and FABRIC palette with each of BM Kendall Charcoal color palettes! Another bonus is PAINT PLANNER and a detailed guide on paint sheens for various areas of your home.

Here’s where you can download the palette – Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal

Where To Use BM Kendall Charcoal Paint in Your Home?

You can use Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore in various areas of your home. You can either use this color as an accent or a base in a specific space or even on the doors, trim, and built-in shelves. Moreover, this color is a classic choice for cabinets, vanity, interior doors, ceilings, and featured walls as well. Here’s where you can use this BM Kendall Charcoal paint color –

Interior Doors
Exterior Doors
Exterior Walls
Exterior Trims and Shutters
Bedroom Walls
Bathroom Vanity
Laundry Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinets
Built-in Shelves
Wainscotting
Home Office Walls
Theatre

What Colors Go With BM Kendall Charcoal?

Colors that go with Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal are shades of warm white, neutral whites, sage greens, soft blues, stormy blues, green-grays, light warm grays, medium greiges, black, rust, and mustard. Yes! This paint color is considerably easier to pair with other color categories.

Here’s a list of Benjamin Moore blue colors that go with BM Kendall Charcoal –

Benjamin Moore Smoke
Benjamin Moore Iceberg

Now, here’s a list of Benjamin Moore green colors that go with BM Kendall Charcoal –

You must have a look at this list of Benjamin Moore warm gray and black colors that go with BM Kendall Charcoal –

You must have a look at this list of Benjamin Moore rust and mustard colors that go with BM Kendall Charcoal –

Benjamin Moore Copper Mountain
Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow

And lastly, here’s a list of Benjamin Moore white and off-white colors that go with BM Kendall Charcoal –

What Trim Colors Go With BM Kendall Charcoal?

Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore must be used with a fresh and clean white trim for a sense of visual contrast. You can even choose bright warm white paint colors for the trims, moldings, and ceilings with this paint color. I’d recommend that you avoid cool-toned white colors that may have a blue, green, or gray undertone. You can even color-drench your room in BM Kendall Charcoal and paint all the surfaces in this color. In a different sheen of course, for instance, choose Eggshell for the walls, semi-gloss for the trims, and matte or flat for the ceiling! Here’s a list of Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr paint colors that can work as the ceiling and trim colors with BM Kendall Charcoal.

Sherwin Williams Pure White

I’d personally recommend SW Pure White trims, moldings, and ceilings to go with BM Kendall Charcoal walls. Especially if you’re looking for a calm, clean, and seamless approach, this trim color is definitely to go! Pure White ceiling and Kendall Charcoal walls will make a sophisticated contrast and can be used to make your home feel timeless.

Benjamin Moore White Dove

Benjamin Moore White Dove is a classic choice for the trims, moldings, and ceiling with BM Kendall Charcoal walls. Especially if you have a warm-toned color palette in your home – this color on the ceilings is bound to work effortlessly.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

BM Chantilly Lace is another clean and bright white paint that works wonderfully with Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal paint color. In the case of contemporary, modern farmhouse, Scandinavian, and modern design styles – this trim color will never disappoint you and also create a visual contrast!

Behr Ultra Pure White

Lightest and cleanest of them all, Behr Ultra Pure White is a clean and bright white paint that makes the ceilings appear higher and your dull corners brighter. A must-recommend for BM Kendall Charcoal paint color!

Where To Use Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal in Your Homes?

As mentioned earlier, Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore can make a classic choice for any corner of your home. As far as you use the color as a base or an accent, it should be good to go! Well, if you’re excited to have a look at some inspirations of how this color has been used creatively, here’s a list to follow!

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal Bedroom

@mayflower_farm

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal can make a bold and moody statement on the accent wall of a bedroom. Whether or not you have the wall panelling, this color will also add a modern and contemporary look. You must pair this color with satin brass on the lighting fixtures and hardware for a luxe appeal.

BM Kendall Charcoal Kitchen Cabinets

@scenic_in_seattle

I personally love the look of BM Kendall Charcoal on the kitchen cabinets. This gray paint color can notably showcase the warmth and come off as a ‘bronze’ color. You can best pair this paint color with hardwood stains such as walnut and white oak. Moreover, in a smaller kitchen, you must use this color only as an accent on the island or lower cabinets.

BM Kendall Charcoal Exteriors

@sheljury

Are you looking for dark and bold exterior walls? Well, BM Kendall Charcoal can make a great appeal! You can choose to pair this color with stark black window frames and entryway doors. Choose a clean white or a soft white trim for a sense of visual contrast.

BM Kendall Charcoal Mudroom

@elements_studio_nj

Especially in the foyer entryway and mudroom, you can choose to paint the cabinets in BM Kendall Charcoal. This color will create an inviting and moody appeal while making your home feel updated and modern. Pair with warm whites or lighter greige paint colors on the adjacent walls for the best appeal.

BM Kendall Charcoal Living Room

@karagriderdesign

In the living room, you must choose to accentuate a wall in BM Kendall Charcoal or even your built-in shelves and cabinets. Especially for a bold and moody living room look, this color is quite ideal. You can even choose to color-drench the space in BM Kendall Charcoal!

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal Equivalent Colors

Comparing colors is always helpful since you get the idea of the true undertones of a paint color. After all, that’s how we know how a paint color is lighter/darker or warmer/cooler than the others!

Here, some closely similar paint colors are Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain, Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron, and Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze.

Let’s see how they differ!

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal vs Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray is slightly lighter than BM Kendall Charcoal with an LRV of 23.33. In my books, it definitely falls on the medium end of the scale and is not as bold and moody as the former color. Moreover, this paint color can look quite warm and cozy under all lighting conditions.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal vs Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain

Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain is a dark, bold, and moody soft black color with a touch of warm brown undertones. This color has an LRV of 10.96 – hence, falling on the darker range of the scale. Yes, this paint color is considerably darker than BM Kendall Charcoal.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal vs Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron

Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron is definitely a softer black color with a neutral base to it! Yes, it’s not a warm paint color and can rather be used for both warm as well as cool-toned color palettes. With an LRV of 8.17 – this is definitely darker than BM Kendall Charcoal.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal vs Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze

Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze is a quite a few shades darker than BM Kendall Charcoal. SW Urbane Bronze is definitely a rich and moody, earthy and organic bronze paint color with a bit more depth and warmth. It has an LRV of 8! Just like BM Kendall Charcoal, even SW Urbane Bronze has a hidden green undertone.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal Takeaway

Is Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal one of your favorite moody dark gray paint colors? Well, are you excited to incorporate this color into your home? It’s definitely one of the best moody and organic gray paint colors to have in your home as an accent on the featured walls and cabinets. So, without any delay, paint that fresh coat of this beautiful gray color and let your home feel moody and rich again!

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