Double Espresso
BNC-21 · #3E3335 · LRV 4 — warm red tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Double Espresso4
- 2Oyster Catch9
What Color Is Double Espresso, Really?
Double Espresso reads as a warm red tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Behr BNC-21 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Double Espresso
Double Espresso earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Near-blacks like this are best as contrast — doors, trim, cabinets, window frames.
How Lighting Changes Double Espresso
At LRV 4, Double Espresso is about as dark as paint gets — it reads near-black on a wall and reveals its character only in direct daylight or under warm bulbs. Its red undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Double Espresso are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Behr BNC-21 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Black BeanSW 6006 · Sherwin-Williams | 3.1 | 4 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Tulsa Twilight2070-10 · Benjamin Moore | 2.7 | 5 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Nevermore8004-48G · Valspar | 3.4 | 3 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Jumping JavaHGSW 3081 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 3.1 | 4 | Color page → |
| Magnolia Home | MomentsJG-150 · Magnolia Home | 4.2 | 4 | Color page → |
| C2 Paint | AngusBD49 · C2 Paint | 4.0 | 4 | Color page → |
Similar Behr Colors
The nearest shades to Double Espresso within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #3E3335 in HSL space. Pair Double Espresso with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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