Sherwin Williams Naval (SW 6244): A Review

Like the commanding presence of a midnight ocean, Sherwin Williams’ Naval (SW 6244) brings a deep depth and timeless refinement to any space it graces.

This superb navy blue beats ordinary dark tones, carrying rich maritime undertones that establish its classic presence on your walls.

Naval creates a sanctuary of refined luxury—a bold, welcoming atmosphere that allows both mind and space to feel enveloped in classic classiness.

Its impressive depth invites natural light to dance across its surface throughout the day, revealing subtle variations while maintaining its dignified, composed character.

More than just another blue, Naval is an experience—one that invests the timeless charm of the deep sea into your everyday environment.

It’s the perfect backdrop for both traditional and classic designs and modern spaces seeking dramatic refinement.

Understanding Sherwin Williams’ Naval (SW 6244)

Color Terminology

Undertones:

Naval has noticeable maritime undertones. It’s a deep navy with subtle indigo influences. Not a flat or one-dimensional color but a refined, complex neutral with a substantial presence

Psychology of Deep Navy Colors

Deep blues like Naval create a sense of authority and refined peace.

• Anchoring tones: Offer formality and impressive visual depth to spaces
• Maritime-inspired blues: Produce trust, serenity, and timeless grace
• Benefits: More subtle than stark blues, adds substantial presence to spaces, and creates a striking backdrop for both light furniture and metallic elements.

Naval provides the perfect balance for those seeking a considerable blue that commands attention without overwhelming.

Its subtle indigo undertones make it particularly versatile in spaces with northern or eastern exposure, where it helps maintain richness while contributing a sense of refined coolness.

Why Choose this Color?

The commanding depth of the Naval produces a sense of stability and refinement that promotes refined calm in any environment.

This enduring color carries complex undertones that shift subtly with changing light, ensuring your space feels both current and timelessly stylish.

Key Features

Sherwin Williams Naval offers exceptional depth and versatility across different lighting conditions.

It maintains its subtle indigo undertones in bright spaces while creating a rich, luxurious atmosphere in rooms with varied natural light.

Its timeless neutral quality provides a refined backdrop that complements both light-colored elements and metallic accents without appearing simply black or flat.

Adaptability

Sherwin Williams Naval demonstrates remarkable adaptability with existing elements like light-colored furniture and brass fixtures, creating striking contrasts that define spaces.

It provides enough depth to feel substantial and authoritative while maintaining a refined, enduring quality that won’t quickly date your interior design choices.

This versatile navy works equally well as an accent wall for creating focused, dramatic environments or as a bold statement when used throughout a room.

Durability

Sherwin Williams Naval, particularly in premium finishes like Duration or Emerald, delivers outstanding durability with excellent coverage in both new and repainted areas.

Its deep tone and subtle maritime undertones maintain a refined appearance throughout your home while providing a forgiving surface for everyday living.

This paint maintains color consistency even with regular cleaning when properly applied.

Texture Patterns

Sherwin Williams Naval creates a rich, velvety texture that adds subtle dimension to walls and features.

Its complex undertones produce a beautiful light play that improves moldings and adds visual interest to even simple walls.

When applied to different finishes, it can stylishly highlight details while maintaining a consistent, refined appearance throughout connected spaces.

Why Does It Work?

Sherwin Williams’ Naval works perfectly balance depth and refinement, providing dramatic character to create an atmosphere without feeling too imposing.

Its subtle indigo undertones complement light fabrics, metallic materials, and neutral elements, while its very low LRV (4) ensures rooms feel intimate and distinguished.

This versatile navy adapts beautifully to changing decor styles, maintaining its distinguished character throughout the seasons.

Room-by-Room Color Recommendations with Naval

1. Living Spaces and Dining Rooms

Naval works exceptionally well as an accent wall in living areas. It creates a dramatic focal point while maintaining a refined, refined palette.

The 4 LRV of Naval provides a powerful, anchoring feel that makes spaces appear more intimate and stylish without feeling overwhelming.

Use Naval to define different areas in larger spaces while allowing lighter furnishings and artwork to stand out against its dignified backdrop.

2. Home Offices and Libraries

Naval creates a focused, authoritative atmosphere in workspaces that promotes concentration and productivity.

Its subtle maritime undertones produce a sense of trust while creating a refined backdrop for natural wood furniture and brass accents.

Consider Naval for all walls to create a refined sanctuary that feels both enveloping and distinguished without sacrificing warmth.

3. Kitchens

Naval in satin or semi-gloss finish on lower cabinets creates a rich, timeless element that contrasts beautifully with light-colored upper cabinets or open shelving.

Naval’s deep richness improves light countertop materials and brass fixtures, making it adaptable to various kitchen styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Naval as an accent wall paired with light neutral cabinets creates a striking contrast that grounds the kitchen while maintaining a refined, cohesive feel.

4. Bedrooms and Relaxation Areas

Sherwin Williams Naval creates a cozy, refined atmosphere in bedrooms. Its subtle maritime undertones establish a sense of security while complementing crisp linens.

This versatile shade pairs beautifully with both crisp white bedding and natural textures, creating a timeless, refined retreat that feels both stylish and inviting.

Use Naval on an accent wall behind the bed to create a dramatic focal point that frames the bed as the room’s centerpiece.

Naval Color Combinations

Naval is a deep, refined navy with subtle maritime undertones. Its very low Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 4 makes it a substantial anchoring foundation that adds drama and refinement to spaces while maintaining a refined nautical quality.

Complementary Trim Colors

• Extra White (SW 7006) – A bright, clean white that creates a dramatic, classic distinction with Naval
• Icicle (SW 6238) – A cool-toned white that improves Naval’s depth while maintaining balance
• Alabaster (SW 7008) – A versatile off-white that softens Naval’s dramatic quality
• Pure White (SW 7005) – A neutral white that brightens spaces while letting Naval’s richness shine

Coordinating Wall Colors

• Icicle (SW 6238) – A light, cool white that adds brightness while complementing Naval’s depth
• Ramie (SW 6156) – A warm neutral that creates a balanced, refined palette with Naval
• Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) – A versatile greige that creates a stylish transition from Naval accent walls
• Modern Gray (SW 7632) – A medium warm gray that creates refined contrast with Naval

Accent Colors

• Roycroft Suede (SW 2842) – A warm copper tone that provides a natural complement to Naval’s coolness
• Tricorn Black (SW 6258) – A deep black that extends Naval’s dramatic qualities
• Goldfinch (SW 6905) – A muted gold that creates stylish contrast against Naval’s deep backdrop
• Quite Coral (SW 6614) – A soft coral that offers a refreshing complement to Naval’s coolness

Coordinating with Furniture and Decor

1. Wood Tones

Naval pairs beautifully with a wide range of wood tones, offering different aesthetic effects. Light oak, ash, and maple create a striking contrast against the Naval’s deep backdrop.

Medium wood tones like cherry provide complementary warmth that balances Naval’s cool undertones. For a more cohesive look, walnut and mahogany extend Naval’s refined quality and create a pleasant, refined aesthetic.

Natural, unstained wood creates a balanced contrast that highlights Naval’s depth and richness.

2. Metals

Brass, gold, and bronze hardware enhance Naval’s depth and create a warm, refined look.

Matte black fixtures create a subtle contrast that emphasizes Naval’s richness. While Naval works beautifully with warm metals, chrome, and nickel accents create tension between cool elements—opt for brushed or satin finishes for a more refined pairing.

Copper finishes provide a stylish, timeless combination that complements Naval’s distinguished character with warming contrast.

3. Decor

Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool in light, neutral tones create textural interest against Naval walls while providing necessary brightness.

Glass, ceramic, and stone elements add refined classiness and prevent Naval from feeling too heavy in spaces with limited natural light.

Introducing natural elements with varied textures—like rattan, jute, or wool—reinforces the balanced refinement inherent in this versatile navy while adding tactile interest.

Hale Navy: Perfect Alternative to Naval

Naval (Sherwin Williams SW 6244)

• A deep navy with subtle maritime undertones
• Very low LRV (Light Reflectance Value) that creates intimate, dramatic spaces
• Works well in traditional, coastal, or contemporary interiors
• Best for spaces where you want substantial, refined depth

Hale Navy (Benjamin Moore HC-154)

• A versatile navy with slight gray undertones
• Low-medium LRV (around 8.3) that creates a balanced, adaptable backdrop
• It contains warm undertones that create a more approachable atmosphere
• Popular for creating neutral, refined environments that work with many design styles

Key Differences:

• Naval has more noticeable maritime undertones, while Hale Navy has gray undertones
• Naval appears notably darker in most lighting conditions
• Naval creates more drama and formality, while the Hale Navy is more versatile and approachable
• They serve similar roles in design – both as navy neutrals with slightly different character and undertones

Final Thoughts

Naval (SW 6244) beats trends, signifying the perfect balance between depth and complexity that makes it a perennial favorite among designers and homeowners seeking refined, refined spaces.

Its subtle complexness allows it to adapt effortlessly to changing styles and seasonal accents, ensuring longevity in your design choices.

If arriving at your walls in evening light or creating a canvas for contrasting elements, Naval delivers a timeless quality that both grounds and enriches a space.

In choosing this excellent shade, you’re not simply selecting a color—you’re welcoming a design philosophy that values timeless classiness, refined complexity, and lasting beauty in the spaces we call home.