Farrow & Ball Hague Blue: DUPES, coordinating colors, & Sarah’s full review

Did you know 80 percent of Americans don’t know where the Hague is?hague blue dupe

Just kidding, I made that up. But considering 64 percent of Americans can’t find North Korea on a map, can I be that far off?

The beautiful Hague. Photo by Albert Pego

But we’re not here to ridicule Americans’ geography skills. (Though that’s certainly an amusing pastime.)

No, we’re here to learn everything humanly possible about the paint color Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball’s homage to the blue-green woodwork found in historic Dutch buildings.

(P.S. The Hague is a city in the Netherlands—but you knew that.)

Table of Contents

What Color is Farrow & Ball Hague Blue?

Hague Blue is a very dark, blackened blue-green. This is a bold, sophisticated jewel tone that will appear navy, ultramarine, or deep teal, depending on lighting.

In this Arts & Crafts home in London, designer Ben Pentreath selected Hague Blue for the cabinetry. The kitchen’s arched walls and curved windows are new but designed to pay homage to Edwin Lutyens’ architecture from the 1930s. Photo by Paul Massey

(If you like English interiors, I highly recommend Ben Pentreath’s latest book. He’s so generous in listing his sources for paint colors, furnishings, and art.)

How Dark Are We Talking?

Hague Blue is dark, with a single-digit LRV (more on that later).

In fact, Hague Blue is DARKER than nearly every Farrow & Ball blue color, including:

1. Stiffkey Blue
2. Pitch Blue
3. Inchyra Blue
4. De Nimes
5. Drawing Room Blue
6. Dinnerware

Hague Blue is LIGHTER than two Farrow & Ball blues: Railings and Titmouse Blue (formerly known as Scotch Blue).

How Designers Use Farrow & Ball Hague Blue

Is this the image that launched a thousand Hague Blue fanatics?

I still have the hard copy of this photo, carefully torn from the June 2013 issue of House Beautiful.

More than a decade later, this library, created by Nashville antiques dealer Jeannette Whitson, holds up.

Notable details: the tented ceiling in Jasper fabric, the tufted U-shaped sectional dressed in Schumacher silk velvet, the throw pillows in Peter Dunham Ikat and antique textiles, and of course, the Hague Blue-painted millwork, walls, and trim.

Whitson even drenched the interior shutters in Hague Blue:

“Because the library is small, it lent itself to a rich jewel-box treatment,” she said.

(Color drenching is also a great move in a kitchen — check out how designer Bradley Odom did the same thing with Farrow & Ball Green Smoke here.)

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Kitchen Cabinets

Hague Blue is a forever favorite for kitchen cabinets. Below, famed maximalist Miles Redd used high-gloss Hague Blue in this butler’s pantry:

This pantry is one of many, many rooms in a Greek Revival manse nestled in New York’s Hudson Valley. Designed by renowned classicist architect Gil Schafer, the home hit the market in 2020 for $7.5 million.

(Schafer has authored some of my favorite books on timeless American interior design and architecture, including Home At Last, A Place to Call Home, and The Great American House.)

Here’s the exterior of the Hudson Valley Greek Revival, just so we know what we’re dealing with:

And below is another photo of the Hague Blue butler’s pantry from the real estate listing. Notice how someone “styled” the shot with a few roses and a dishcloth. Oof. Those Hague Blue cabinets still steal the show, though:

Below, beautiful Hague Blue cabinets in a pantry designed by Michael Maher. The mahogany countertop is trimmed with brass and fitted with a copper sink, and the wallcovering is by Galbraith and Paul. The adjacent study is painted Farrow & Ball Lichen; you can see a sliver of it to the left.

Photo by Paul Raeside

Below, designer Robin Henry chose high-gloss Hague Blue for the cabinets of this Westchester County kitchen. The brass countertops, backsplash, and brick herringbone floor set this space apart.

Photo by Eric Piasecki

Below, in this classic Park Avenue Six designed by Katie Lydon, I love how smart and timeless the Hague Blue cabinets look with the white quartz countertops and polished nickel hardware and hood. The backsplash tile is by Studium.

In this Atlanta butler’s pantry, below, Anna Booth chose Hague Blue for the walls and cabinetry, pairing it with brass shelving fabricated by Palmer Industries. (Insider tip: Palmer is a great resource for custom metal shelving and sink legs.)

Designer Sarah Ettleman used Hague Blue in this Maine kitchen remodel, below.

But notice how much lighter Hague Blue appears in these photos versus the other images we’ve seen thus far. It’s very UN-Hague Blue, either due to lighting conditions or editing.

If this paler, dustier blue appeals to you, opt for a paint color such as Britannia Blue, Newburyport Blue, Stiffkey Blue, or Needlepoint Navy.

We associate Farrow & Ball with a traditional aesthetic, but Hague Blue is a popular choice for modern kitchens, as well.

Above, in this 1971 Joseph Eichler home in San Francisco’s South Bay, designer Jessica Davis painted the kitchen cabinets Hague Blue. The island countertop is a custom walnut slab, the counter stools are from CB2, and the Schneid pendants are from Stillfried Wien. The artwork in the background is by Laeh Glenn.

I particularly like the yellow BlueStar range:

And here’s Hague Blue in the modern kitchen of a Portland home designed by Anyeley Hallová:

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Mudrooms

Can a mudroom be glamorous? Yes, if you douse it in Hague Blue.

Here’s a beautiful example by The Design Atelier:

And here’s Hague Blue in a mudroom designed by Elizabeth Reich (styled with the same obligatory pair of Hunter boots):

Above, the wallpaper is by William Morris, the hardware is by Armac Martin, and the pendant is by Visual Comfort. The beautiful cabinetry was designed and built by Unique Kitchens and Baths.

Here’s another angle of the room:

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Living Rooms

Nothing quite says “I live in an underwater jewel box” like swathing your living room in Hague Blue.

The absurdly high ceilings in this New Orleans home don’t hurt, either:

Wrapping the walls (and ceiling) in deep, inky Hague Blue creates a cocooning effect. Bonus points if you match your sofa to the walls:

Btw, this Santa Barbara home, above, sold for nearly $20 million in 2021.

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Trim

I’m not the biggest fan of accent walls in residential design (hotels and restaurants are a different story).

However, I get that sometimes we’re not ready to commit to painting an entire room a bold color.

Rather than opting for an accent wall, though, consider using that bold color on your TRIM.

In the cozy den of this Boston-area home, below, designer Nina Farmer painted the trim and millwork glossy Hague Blue and papered the walls in one of her own printed sisal designs for Holland & Sherry:

In this Maryland powder room, below, Elizabeth Reich paired Hague Blue trim with a bevy of glamorous materials, including burnished brass walls and a custom sink fabricated from Explosion Blue quartzite.

Here’s an iPhone photo of the same bathroom. Love the (almost matching!) Chloe bag tossed casually on the floor.

In another powder room, below, designer Honey Collins painted the trim Hague Blue and paired it with Elizabeth Eakins grasscloth and everyone’s favorite rattan mirror:

Btw, don’t you love the name Honey? Very lady who lunches.

And below, here’s Hague Blue on the trim and wainscot of a dining nook, paired with Zoffany’s “Richmond Park” wallcovering, a banquette covered in Schumacher chartreuse velvet, and an acid gold ceiling, painted Sherwin-Williams Antiquity.

This look is A LOT, and not to my taste, but bear in mind that this is a hospitality space – specifically, a Victorian mansion in Texas that you can rent for weekend getaways and the like.

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Bathrooms

Below is my favorite Hague Blue bathroom – perhaps my favorite Hague Blue interior, full stop.

In this New Jersey home, designer Michael Aiduss paired a custom antique vanity and gilt mirror with tongue-and-groove walls glossed in Hague Blue. If you need any proof that Hague Blue works with black, this is it:

Speaking of black, that’s what Hague Blue evokes in this bathroom by Nicola Harding, one of my favorite designers:

Harding possesses a brilliant mastery of color and is utterly fearless in applying it to her projects. She’s particularly fond of blue and green.

For this 18th-century Georgian townhouse in Bath, above, Harding took “a dark, cold space off a half landing” and converted it into “a sumptuous family bathroom with rich tones of Hague Blue on the woodwork, which appears almost black and provides clever contrast with artworks, plants and the aquamarine underside of a generous, reclaimed bathtub.”

The bathroom walls are painted Pink Ground, the sconces are by Felix, and the vintage tub was refreshed with a coat of Deep Water Green by Paint & Paper Library. For a similar color, try Resolute Sky or New Born’s Eyes.

Farrow & Ball Hague Offices (and Bookshelves)

Hague Blue covers the walls of this office in Justin and Hailey Bieber’s former Beverly Hills home:

The Biebers sold the home (fully furnished!) in 2021 for $7.9 million. It was designed by Jaqui Seerman; you can see the whole project here.

And because y’all know how much I LOVE a listing photo versus a styled editorial photo, here’s the same space, below, from the real estate listing. Looks pretty good:

Don’t love that ceiling, though. I would’ve painted it Hague Blue.

Over in Amsterdam (only an hour from the Hague!), these bookshelves are painted Hague Blue:

And in Connecticut, Ashley Whittaker glossed this library in Hague Blue:

(Ashley Whittaker co-authored a great book on interior design with ceramist Christopher Spitzmiller, whose lamp you see in the room above.)

I loved reading about Whittaker’s design process—here’s what she said about selecting Hague Blue for the library and how she approached designing the adjacent rooms:

“The library’s rich Prussian blue was inspired by the living room’s wallpaper — you see it in the bird feathers. I then pulled that deep blue back into the living room: It turns up on the table lamp, on the garden stool, and in the painting, as well as on the subtle welt along the seat of the side chair. Even the butter­flies on the sofa’s pea-green pillows hint at that blue. You might not notice these little details, but they give both spaces a sense of harmony.”

Not too far away, in Baltimore, this study is swathed head-to-toe in Hague Blue:

Check out this virtually unrecognizable before photo of the space:

Here’s a handsome example of a Hague Blue office. Notice how good the color looks with brick-red accents:

These bookshelves, walls, and ceiling received the Hague Blue treatment, as well:

And as homey as this space feels, it’s actually the headquarters of Vital Voices, a non-profit that promotes women’s empowerment and leadership. Yes!

The space was designed by Paris-based Studio Maddox. Above, a portrait of Malala Yousafzai hangs next to the library’s impressive steel-and-glass doors, inspired by a stay at Public Hotel in New York.

Above, notice how the designer balanced the intensity of the Hague Blue walls and ceiling with pale, neutral furnishings and textiles, including Tuareg mats by Benisouk, pillows dressed in fabrics by Arjumand’s World and Simrane (two of my faves), and a rattan Gubi floor lamp.

Above, another view of the space, this time with the furniture layout shuffled a bit.

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Undertones

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue isn’t just blue — this color will appear cobalt, teal, deep navy, or bluish-black depending on the time of day, lighting conditions, and surrounding colors in your space.

Notice how navy Hague Blue appears in this kitchen designed by Reena Ravi:

And here, Hague Blue resembles Yves Klein blue (likely thanks to an over-zealous photo editor):

And below, Hague Blue looks very blueberry!

And while this South Carolina kitchen is fetching – I see you, Atelier Vime pendant – if you love these sapphire cabinets, I suggest sampling Admiral Blue, Honorable Blue, and Drawing Room Blue. These paint colors are more dependably cobalt than Hague Blue.

Because look how teal Hague Blue appears in this historic Boston-area home:

Hague Blue; design by Cecilia Casagrande; photo by Jared Kuzia

And Hague Blue appears quite teal on these kitchen cabinets, below. The Calacatta Viola marble, sourced from Artistic Tile, pairs nicely with the deep jewel tone:

Hague Blue; design and photo by Kate Arends Peters

Hague Blue’s teal undertones are also evident on the island in this kitchen, below. The perimeter cabinets are painted Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue.

Hague Blue with Palladian Blue; design by Alexandra Loew; photo by Roger Davies

Hague Blue with Palladian Blue; design by Alexandra Loew; photo by Roger Davies

Complex paint colors can (and will) shift depending on how much natural or artificial light your room receives, the type of exposure (north, south, east, or west), and the surrounding finishes and textiles.

That’s why thou shalt sample paint colors before thou buyest paint.

How to Sample Hague Blue

And that brings me to my favorite way to test any paint color: with peel-and-stick samples.

I’ve been using this resource for years, and they’ve been a game changer — their large samples are made with two coats of real paint.

I also love that they deliver overnight. ‘Cause honey, sometimes we find ourselves in a paint EMERGENCY.

And at $6 each, peel-and-stick samples cost less than a three-ounce sample pot of Farrow & Ball paint. The advantage of the swatch is that there’s no mess. You can move it from wall to wall and examine the color in different lighting conditions — a must before committing to a hue.

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Coordinating Colors

Hague Blue is highly versatile and looks lovely paired with a range of colors.

If you prefer a cooler palette, use Hague Blue with paint colors such as Wevet, Strong White, Parma Gray, Borrowed Light, Lulworth Blue, and Cook’s Blue.

If your taste leans warmer, pair Hague Blue with paint colors such as Pointing, Slipper Satin, Wimborne White, Pink Ground, Joa’s White, and London Stone.

Save this image to Pinterest so you can easily remember these combinations and ideas:

PAINT COLORS: Wevet, All White, Strong White, Parma Gray, Slipper Satin, Pointing, Borrowed Light, and Lulworth Blue

HARDWARE SOURCES: Brass cup pulls, polished nickel knobs, light bronze drawer pull, and dark bronze knobs

Even More Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Color Schemes

Need even more ideas? Try these color combinations with Hague Blue:

• In your kitchen: Hague Blue on cabinets and trim, and, for a warmer scheme, Slipper Satin on walls and Pointing on the ceiling, or, for a cooler scheme, Wevet on walls and All White on the ceiling
• In your bathroom: Pale Powder on walls, Wimborne White on trim, and Hague Blue on the vanity
• In your entry or mudroom: Hague Blue on built-ins or wainscot and trim, Strong White on walls, and Borrowed Light on the ceiling Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore
• In your bedroom: Borrowed Light on walls, Lulworth Blue on trim, Pointing on ceiling, and Hague Blue on a furniture piece, such as the bed frame or an accent chair Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore
• In your dining room: Hague Blue on wall paneling, doors, and trim, Pink Ground on walls, and Wimborne White on the ceiling Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore
• In your office: Hague Blue on walls, Parma Gray on trim, and Cook’s Blue or Railings on a furniture piece Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore
• In your laundry or utility room: Dimity on walls, Pointing on the ceiling, and Hague Blue on cabinetry Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore

Save these images to Pinterest so you can remember these ideas. First, Hague Blue with cooler colors:

And Hague Blue with warmer colors: Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue color match, Hague Blue color dupe, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore

Sarah’s Ready-to-Go Kitchen Scheme with Farrow & Ball Hague Blue

I created this kitchen scheme to illustrate how you could use Hague Blue on your cabinets and balance its cool depth with contrasting finishes. Save this image to Pinterest so you can easily remember these ideas:

LINKS TO ALL SOURCES: Sconce | Pendant | Zellige Tile | Counter Stool | Faucet | Cabinet Hardware | Countertop | Runner | Flooring | Hague Blue | All White

Using Hague Blue with Other Paint Brands

If you’re using Hague Blue with colors from a different paint brand (because sometimes we can’t afford to spend $140-per-gallon in every room), try one of these combinations:

• Hague Blue with Sherwin-Williams Dew Drop, Cotton, and Pure White
• Hague Blue with Benjamin Moore Tissue Pink, Cloud White, and Palladian Blue
• Hague Blue with Behr Urban Raincoat, Confident White, and Palais White
• Hague Blue with PPG Delicate White, Swirling Smoke, and Witchcraft

Using White and Other Pale Finishes with Hague Blue

Want to offset Hague Blue’s inky depths? Balance it with plenty of white, like Elizabeth Cooper did here:

Hague Blue walls; Soane drapery and shade fabric; Matouk bedding. Photo by Read McKendree

Or add pale floors, white walls, and creamy countertops, as seen in this Ontario, Canada farmhouse kitchen:

Hague Blue cabinets; design by Jack Creasy; photo by Virginia Macdonald

The countertops are honed Lincoln Calacatta marble and the wide-plank American white oak flooring is from Gaylord. The faucet and hardware are unlacquered brass, a living finish that will patina over time. The warmth of the brass helps balance Hague Blue’s coolness:

Hague Blue cabinets; design by Jack Creasy; photo by Virginia Macdonald

This built-in piece mimics a freestanding hutch and conceals a coffee bar:

Hague Blue; design by Jack Creasy; photo by Virginia Macdonald

You can also brighten any space painted a dark color by adding reflective finishes, particularly mirrors, which bounce light around the room.

Notice how the deep Hague Blue walls in this home gym are balanced by the crisp white trim and mirrors:

Walls are Hague Blue; design by Sunny Circle Studio

And if you love Hague Blue but dark walls aren’t your thing, use it on a furniture piece. In the breakfast room of this 1915 New Jersey Colonial home, Michael Maher painted a set of antique Swedish chairs Hague Blue, adding a striking dash of color to an otherwise largely neutral interior:

Walls are painted Old White and chairs are Hague Blue; pine mantel by Chesneys; rugs from Double Knot; design by Michael Maher; photo by Paul Raeside

Using Dark Finishes with Hague Blue

While lighter finishes can offset Hague Blue beautifully, you can also embrace its depth by pairing it with other rich, dark tones to create a moody, dramatic atmosphere.

In a kitchen, this might translate to using soapstone, Belgian bluestone, or deep gray granite for countertops, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, and a dark-stained wood floor. Recall the dark countertops and floor we saw in the butler’s pantry designed by Miles Redd:

Hague Blue; design by Miles Redd; photo by William Waldron

In a media room, you could follow Marie Flanigan’s lead by painting everything Hague Blue and choosing tone-on-tone furnishings:

Hague Blue walls and ceiling; design by Marie Flanigan; photo by Julie Soefer

I often work with clients who want to keep their home’s existing dark wood paneling but struggle to find coordinating colors. Deep, jewel tones make dark wood sing.

In this 17th-century English country home, below, Nicola Harding embraced the dining room’s original oak paneling by painting the ceiling Hague Blue and adding wine-colored mohair drapery and a vivid green tablecloth:

The ceiling is Hague Blue, the chairs are by Howe, and the rise-and-fall pendant is by Soane.
Design by Nicola Harding; photo by Paul Massey

Look how well Hague Blue works on the walls and ceiling in this butler’s pantry, below, creating a moody, liminal space between the kitchen and dining room. The countertops are the only pale finish here, and help tie the palette to the much brighter space beyond:

Design by Lauren Lowe; photo by David Christensen

And Now, Let Us Discuss LRV

What’s LRV? If you’re acronym-averse, don’t panic.

LRV stands for light reflectance value. LRV is the AMOUNT (percentage) of light a paint color reflects.

The perimeter cabinets are painted Pale Powder and the island is Hague Blue.
Design by Natasha James; photo by Michael Sinclair

The LRV spectrum ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being pure white (reflecting all light), and 0 being pure black (absorbing all light and heat).

If a paint color has an LRV above 50, it REFLECTS more light than it absorbs. If a color has an LRV below 50, it ABSORBS more light than it reflects.

A Hague Blue-painted front door in Los Angeles. Even with its low LRV, Hague Blue will appear
lighter in an exterior application, particularly in full sun. Design by Elizabeth Dinkel; photo by Karyn Millet

Bear in mind, though, that no paint color has an LRV of 100 or 0.

The highest LRV you’ll find in consumer paint is around 92 (see: Chantilly Lace, High Reflective White, and All White); the lowest averages out around 4 (see: Tricorn Black, Black, and Pitch Black).

For any super nerds out there (my hand is raised), scientists at Purdue recently developed a white paint that reflects 98 percent of light; you can read about that here.

But heed this, friends: high LRV does not necessarily equal WHITER paint.

Warm, creamy paint colors can have very high light reflectance values. (See: Cheviot; Wimborne White.)

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue LRV

The LRV of Farrow & Ball Hague Blue is 7. farrow ball hague blue match

That means that while saturated, Hague Blue is a very dark color, and absorbs more than 90 percent of light.

That’s why pairing a dark color with a higher sheen is so effective. Satin and gloss finishes reflect more light, enhancing the depth of colors with a low LRV.

(Note: Farrow & Ball paint colors are complex, thanks to the high number of pigments in their formulations—more on this at the end of the post. As a result, Hague Blue can sometimes appear darker, with an LRV of 4, or slightly lighter, with an LRV closer to 7.)

In a space flooded with natural light, Hague Blue will still appear dark, but it will be saturated—more teal than blackened blue.

This effect is especially striking on the glossy woodwork in this grand Connecticut country house, below, designed by A-listers Ferguson and Shamamian:

However, in a room that receives little to no light, Hague Blue can appear nearly black. Witness this Hague Blue-painted bar in San Francisco designed by Nicole Hollis:

Of course, the murk here is intentional; notice how Hollis kept the countertop and flooring dark to minimize the contrast.

But this kind of drama isn’t for everyone. If you test a sample of Hague Blue and it feels too DARK, try Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue and Stiffkey Blue.

If you find Hague Blue too LIGHT and want to go even more intense, your next stop is Farrow & Ball Railings.

Here’s a chart I made comparing the LRVs of the 20 best-selling Farrow & Ball blue paint colors. Save this to Pinterest for easy future reference:

Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams, Hague Blue Benjamin Moore match, Hague Blue Sherwin-Williams match, Hague Blue coordinating colors

PAINT COLORS SHOWN ABOVE:

Top row, left to right: Cabbage White, Pale Powder, Borrowed Light, Skylight, and Teresa’s Green
Second row: Blue Ground, Parma Gray, Green Blue, Light Blue, and Lulworth Blue
Third row: Dix Blue, Kittiwake, Oval Room Blue, Stone Blue, and Selvedge
Bottom row: De Nimes, Inchyra Blue, Stiffkey Blue, Hague Blue, and Railings

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Matches and Dupes

Before we dive into DUPES, bear in mind that rarely do we unearth exact matches for Farrow & Ball colors from more accessible brands, such as Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore. farrow ball hague blue match

True, Sherwin-Williams makes a near-perfect match to Farrow & Ball French Gray, but several popular Farrow & Ball colors are notoriously tricky to match. (Fortunately, Farrow & Ball Green Smoke and Pigeon aren’t.)

So if you love Hague Blue, and can stomach the $140-per-gallon price tag, I encourage you to purchase the real thing.

Sherwin-Williams, Behr, PPG, and Benjamin Moore offer colors similar to Hague Blue, but they aren’t perfect equivalents.

But if you’d rather not break the bank, then read on, fellow paint obsessive, for the closest dupes, matches, and alternatives to Farrow & Ball Hague Blue. Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams

Save this image to Pinterest so you remember these colors when you’re heading to the paint store:

Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue coordinating colors

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Matched to Sherwin-Williams

We’ll start with Sherwin-Williams because it offers the closest matches to ye olde Hague Blue—though, again, disclaimer, these aren’t exact replicas.Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, alternative, Hague Blue matched to Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams makes several alternatives to Hague Blue. farrow ball hague blue match

You can find the closest match to Hague Blue here.

This color’s undertones closely mimic Hague Blue’s signature teal tint.

Sherwin-Williams Dark Night; design by Park & Oak

With its low LRV (4), Sherwin-Williams Dark Night can appear darker than Hague Blue, depending on lighting and context.

Dark Night is a lovely choice for an exterior: farrow ball hague blue match

Sherwin-Williams Dark Night; design by Hedgewood Homes

Dark Night is also beautifully unexpected on the porch and swing of this Arkansas cabin, below, designed by Chase Smallwood:

Sherwin-Williams Dark Night; photo by Rett Peek

And look how lush Dark Night appears against the warmth of the wood trim and dresser in this rural Massachusetts home, below:

Sherwin-Williams Dark Night; design by Marissa

This paint color by Sherwin-Williams is another close alternative to Hague Blue.

The LRV of Sherwin-Williams Gale Force is 6, making its value (relative lightness to darkness) a near twin of Hague Bue. farrow ball hague blue match

However, with Gale Force, you sacrifice a touch of Hague Blue’s teal undertones.

Sherwin-Williams Gale Force; design by Alyssa Rosenheck

We used Gale Force in this game room, below, at the Wave Hotel in Florida. I was a designer on this fun project when I worked at Blue Lantern Studios. farrow ball hague blue match

Sherwin-Williams Gale Force; design by Blue Lantern Studios; art consulting by Amy Parry Projects

I love how Gale Force looks in this kitchen, below, in a project by Jill White.

The thick walnut countertops work beautifully with the rich blue. farrow ball hague blue match, hague blue equivalent

Sherwin-Williams Gale Force; photo by Rett Peek

And let this serve as another reminder that blue pairs beautifully with black. Notice how well the hammered metal pendants complement the Gale Force walls and cabinetry.

I love how the designer kept everything else dark, too, including the walnut countertops, flooring, blackened steel shelf brackets, and plumbing fixtures. Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue equivalent

Sherwin-Williams Gale Force; photo by Rett Peek

And here’s a third Sherwin-Williams paint color that evokes the same idea as Hague Blue.

This color has the same LRV (7) as Hague Blue. However, as with Gale Force, you lose some of Hague Blue’s green undertones.

Here’s Sea Serpent covering the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry in an Atlanta kitchen by The Design Atelier:

Sherwin-Williams Sea Serpent; photo by Emily Followill

Sherwin-Williams Sea Serpent; photo by Emily Followill

One more Sherwin-Williams paint color worth mentioning is this one because it’s a more vibrant take on Hague Blue.

Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy is noticeably more saturated than Hague Blue, but a good option when you want to amplify the Farrow & Ball color’s signature teal undertones.

Here’s Seaworthy on millwork and trim:

Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy; design by Sunny Circle Studio

This room illustrates how similar Seaworthy is to Hague Blue:

Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy; design by Nina Magon; photo by Julie Soefer

Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy; design by Nina Magon; photo by Julie Soefer

Sherwin-Williams Seaworthy; design by Nina Magon; photo by Julie Soefer

If you’re shopping for Houston real estate, this home is currently on the market for $3.7 million.

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Matched to Benjamin Moore

Even with 3,500 options, Benjamin Moore doesn’t make a Hague Blue doppelganger.

The good news is that Benjamin Moore’s closest matches to Hague Blue, while not exact replicas, are beautiful options.Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore

Let’s start with this color, a bestseller in its own right.Hague Blue dupe, Hague Blue match, Hague Blue equivalent, Hague Blue matched to Benjamin Moore

The name here — Gentleman’s Gray — is a misnomer, unless the gentleman in question happens to be color-blind.

Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray; photo by Olivia T.M. Brock

Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray; photo by Olivia T.M. Brock

For a side door at her Charleston home, above, Olivia T.M. Brock selected Gentleman’s Gray, pairing it with a beautiful brass mail slot from Wilmette Hardware. You can find a similar, more affordable mail slot here.

Here’s the completed door, with the mail slot installed:

Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray; photo by Olivia T.M. Brock

Benjamin Moore Washington Blue has the same LRV as Hague Blue, but is more vibrant. And Washington Blue’s green undertone is noticeably more subtle than Hague Blue’s.

Washington Blue; design by Megan Pettipoole

Washington Blue is part of this color collection, one of my favorites to pull from.

Lastly, this Benjamin Moore color is an amplified version of Hague Blue.

Twilight with White Dove; photo via Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore Twilight shares Hague Blue’s bold teal undertones, but in Twilight, they are consistent, especially in abundant natural light.

This is most noticeable in the first image, below. You can see the teal in Twilight, particularly in contrast to designer Bachman Brown Clem‘s navy suit:

Benjamin Moore Twilight; photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Benjamin Moore Twilight; design by Bachman Brown Clem; photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Benjamin Moore Twilight; design by Bachman Brown Clem; photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Matched to Behr and PPG

The closest Behr match to Farrow & Ball Hague Blue is here. farrow ball hague blue match

Similar to Sea Serpent, Behr Undersea is lighter and less saturated than Hague Blue.

Behr Undersea; design by What BB Built

The closest PPG match to Farrow & Ball Hague Blue is here. This color is similar to Sherwin-Williams Gale Force.

Can You Color Match Hague Blue?

Yes and no. farrow ball hague blue match

Here’s why: Standard paint companies typically use between 3 to 6 pigments in their paint formulations, depending on the type of color and its intended use. Pigments provide opacity, coverage, and hue.

Premium brands like Farrow & Ball, on the other hand, use 12 pigments, focusing on adding more intensity and complexity to their colors. The higher pigment count affects the paint’s depth, light absorption, and finish.

So, while Farrow & Ball stands out for its high number of pigments – and proportionally higher price tag – brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, and PPG focus on ease of application, performance, and a more palatable price point.

That said, just like you can knock off an Eames chair, you can knock off a paint color — even if purists shudder at the thought.

I’ve had wildly variable success with color matching — so much depends on the person using the spectrophotometer, the paint brand, and the color itself.

That’s why I think you’re better off selecting a close dupe, such as this Sherwin-Williams color, than attempting color matching.

But if you want to color-match Hague Blue, order a peel-and-stick sample, bring it to the paint store, and ask them to match it.

Purchase a quart of your color match, and paint a swatch at home. Then compare it to the peel-and-stick sample of Hague Blue.

I always recommend testing a quart sample before buying gallons of your match and being unpleasantly surprised. farrow ball hague blue match

In Conclusion, Dear Reader

(a) Farrow & Ball Hague Blue is a beautiful, dark, saturated blue with teal undertones

(b) Hague Blue is highly versatile; consider using it in any room in the house (review those ideas here)

(c) while other paint brands, particularly Sherwin-Williams, make colors that evoke Hague Blue, no one sells an exact dupe

(d) promise me you’ll sample colors before you commit. farrow ball hague blue match

I’m Sarah, an interior designer, architectural color consultant, and writer with a passion for paint. Explore my consultation packages or learn more about me.

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