Cabernet
2116-30 · #6B5A64 · LRV 13 — warm magenta tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Nocturne Shade5
- 2Cabernet13
- 3Gothic Purple24
- 4Hazy Lilac29
What Color Is Cabernet, Really?
Cabernet reads as a warm magenta tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore 2116-30 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Cabernet
Cabernet works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Purples range from restful (bedrooms) to dramatic (powder rooms) depending on depth.
How Lighting Changes Cabernet
With an LRV of 13, Cabernet is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its magenta 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. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Cabernet 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 Benjamin Moore 2116-30 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 | Expressive PlumSW 6271 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.6 | 12 | Color page → |
| Behr | Urban LegendN100-6 · Behr | 1.9 | 11 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Berry Brown50RR 11/049 · Glidden | 3.7 | 11 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Tender Hearted446-6DB · Dutch Boy | 3.5 | 12 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Expressive PlumHGSW 3402 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 2.6 | 12 | Color page → |
| Diamond Vogel | Vivid Vision1227 · Diamond Vogel | 4.4 | 11 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Cabernet within Benjamin Moore'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 #6B5A64 in HSL space. Pair Cabernet with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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