Iron Ore Sherwin Williams Paint Review + Examples Of Where To Use It
Black paint colors are definitely a bold choice but when chosen correctly a bold black can skyrocket the style of your space and transform a room in a major way. Sure, making that choice can feel scary, especially when the color you're considering isn't a safe and common neutral paint color, like white, gray, or beige.
So before you pick up that paint brush, let's talk about the unique characteristics and applications of one of the most popular black paint colors, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore and see if it fits the bill for your home.
In This Post:
What Color Is Iron Ore Sherwin Williams?
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a deep and rich charcoal gray paint color in the black family that has a slightly softer appearance compared to a deeper black like Tricorn Black. This soft black paint color works well in a variety of home decor styles and is popular for painted fireplaces, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, and interior and exterior doors and trim to add depth and character. SW Iron Ore is a classic color that can withstand changing trends and still remain relevant for years.
Is SW Iron Ore warm or cool?
Iron Ore paint color is perfectly balanced, appearing neither too warm nor too cool.
What is the LRV of Iron Ore Paint?
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a scale from 0-100 that measures how we perceive lightness or darkness of a color and helps determine how we perceive it in a space. An LRV of 0 represents the darkest possible shade on the scale; to the viewer's eye, it would appear as a solid, deep black.
Iron Ore paint has an LRV of 6, which means that it is a very dark color. Compared to other colors, Iron Ore Sherwin Williams reflects very little light. This makes it a great choice for creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere or a striking contrast when used with other colors in a space.
What are Iron Ore paint color's undertones?
Iron Ore Sherwin Williams black paint has subtle undertones that people can see as green... or navy ....or brown ... or even absent. Perception of undertones can vary depending on lighting conditions and surrounding colors.
I highly recommend you test Sherwin Williams Iron Ore in the intended space before you make a final decision as the lighting and surrounding elements can affect how the color appears.
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Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Vs Other Dark Paint Colors
Let's look at how SW 7069 Iron Ore compares to some of the other popular moody dark paint colors.
Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore
SW Iron Ore is a softer black than Tricorn Black SW 6258, which is Sherwin Williams' truest black with no undertones. Iron Ore SW is one full shade lighter than Tricorn and has a changeable undertone which can flash unexpectedly in various lighting conditions. SW Tricorn Black has no surprises, and if you want up straight up black, it's faithful to the job.
Peppercorn vs Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams Peppercorn 7674 is actually in the "almost black" category. It's lighter than Iron Ore, and like Tricorn Black, has no visible undertones. Unlike Tricorn, it's a true gray, rather than a true black. Iron Ore can look black in some situations; Peppercorn never will. Like other dark paints, Iron Ore and Peppercorn love to cozy up next to a white paint like Sherwin Williams Pure White for a truly amazing contrast.
Urbane Bronze vs Iron Ore
Urbane Bronze SW 7048 is warmer than neutral Iron Ore and is a great choice if you want a touch of drama but the idea of full on black is overwhelming. Urbane Bronze lives on the dark side of the greige family and will look more brown. Iron Ore's green undertone keep it from being full on black as well, but it's still headed further down that road than Urbane Bronze.
Iron Ore Sherwin Williams Coordinating Colors
Iron Ore Sherwin-Williams is a bold and dramatic color, so it's important to ensure that it complements the other elements in the room. Consider the existing furniture, flooring and decor to ensure a cohesive look.
For a visually appealing Sherwin Williams Iron Ore color palette, here's some options to consider:
- Neutrals: Iron Ore black paint lives happily with neutral colors in the white, gray and greige families. These light and neutral tones can provide a contrast to the dark and bold Iron Ore, created a balanced and elegant look.
- Muted greens: quiet and light green shades, particularly those with warm undertones, can complement Iron Ore beautifully by creating a natural and earthy ambiance.
- Metallics: don't overlook metals; they can add a touch of glamour and sophistication to your space. Pair Iron Ore with satin brass, brushed gold, champagne bronze, or copper or for an eclectic look, try mixed metals.
Photos Of Homes With Iron Ore Color Palette
Iron Ore cabinets
The bold tones of black cabinets can be utilized in just about any room to great effect. Especially in the kitchen, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore cabinets paired with white is both trendy and classic. Like your favorite "little black dress" that goes with anything, Iron Ore SW 7069 is an enduring, sophisticated and elegant choice.
Iron Ore accent walls
In the world of accent walls, Iron Ore's warmth and versatility really shine because its rich color complements a wide variety of furniture, decor, and accessories.
There is nothing like a dramatic black accent wall to immediately draw attention and add visual interest to a space. Plus if you feel reluctant to commit an entire room to a strong, bold paint color, an accent wall is easier to imagine since just one wall won't overdo it.
This stunning board and batten accent wall is painted with SW Iron Ore and totally pulls the great room together (notice how the four speakers artfully blend into the wall). Blending function with aesthetics is also seen below as the big screen TV seems to disappear into the fireplace surround.
Whether you're thinking of a fireplace makeover or a simple shiplap mini-project in a tiny nook, Iron Ore Sherwin Williams paint provides a stylish and modern solution. One big advantage of using black paint: it hides wall imperfections and flaws.
Iron Ore doors
Iron Ore's deep, rich hue can look great on both interior and exterior doors. In a living room, it can be used on interior doors to create a modern focal point when complemented with soft neutrals like cream and beige. On the exterior, this Sherwin Williams Iron Ore front door creates a striking first impression and a touch of drama.
Note the undertone difference in these examples. The interior doors lean into that soft green undertone, while I see a hint of navy blue on the exterior doors, do you?
Iron Ore walls
Choosing to go all in and paint all the walls Iron Ore is an interesting design choice that can look fantastic. A backdrop of Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore paired with white and neutral furniture and accents can bring your room to life in a striking contrast. Iron Ore can also add drama to greenery and wall art.
The key to Iron Ore Sherwin Williams as a wall color is balance. Plenty of white neutrals paired with Iron Ore bring light and spaciousness and give the rooms stylish contemporary vibes, instead of feeling dark or dreary. Painting the ceilings white adds even more clean contrast and a chic edge.
To keep your black painted walls clean and finger-print free, choose a satin finish instead of flat. Flat black isn’t wipeable nor as durable as satin.
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