Benjamin Moore’s Onyx: A Color Review

Onyx 2133-10 is a beautiful deep black paint color made by Benjamin Moore. This rich black can make any room look incredible and classy. Using Onyx on your walls, furniture, or doors creates a bold look that stands out.

Many people choose this color for accent walls or to paint things like window frames. It works well with almost any other color.

Pairing it with light colors creates a cool contrast. Using it with other dark colors makes a room feel cozy and stylish.

Benjamin Moore makes high-quality paint, so Onyx goes on smoothly and lasts a long time. It won’t chip or fade easily. If you want to make a space look modern and refined, Onyx 2133-10 is a great choice.

Why Choose Benjamin Moore’s Onyx?

This bold, refined color creates spaces that feel dramatic and refined. It works anywhere you want to impact, from accent walls to doors.

Onyx pairs beautifully with modern and traditional décor, making it a versatile choice for your home.

1. Dramatic Depth

• Onyx 2133-10 is a rich, true black with subtle blue undertones.
• It creates a striking backdrop that feels like a luxurious statement.
• The color perfectly balances boldness and refinement, making spaces feel stylish and polished.

2. Ideal for Any Space

• Dining rooms change into grand entertaining areas
• Living areas become more refined and defined
• Kitchens gain a modern, high-end quality
• Entryways make powerful first impressions

3. Versatile Companion

• Light furniture creates a beautiful contrast against it
• Metallic accents look stunning and vibrant
• Wood tones appear more distinctive and structured
• Colors like white, gray, and red pop dramatically

4. Emotional Benefits

• Creates visual depth in bland spaces
• Helps rooms feel intentional and designed
• Promotes a sense of drama and luxury
• Makes large spaces feel more intimate and defined

5. Lighting Effects

• Morning light brings out its deep richness
• The afternoon sun enhances its velvety texture
• Evening lamps create a cozy, enveloping atmosphere
• This adaptability makes it perfect for creating different moods throughout the day

Benjamin Moore’s Onyx (2133-10) in Interior Design

Benjamin Moore’s Onyx (2133-10) is a deep, rich charcoal black that adds complexity and drama to any space.

Its versatile nature makes it ideal for modern and traditional settings, offering a bold yet calming presence. Onyx is perfect for creating a striking contrast or a grand backdrop in interiors.

Texture Partners that Will Go Well Onyx

Onyx is a deep, rich black color that creates a bold statement in interior spaces. When pairing textures with this dramatic hue, it’s important to consider options that improve its depth and complexity.

Here are some complementary texture partners for Onyx (2133-10):

1. Polished metal surfaces – Chrome, stainless steel, or brushed nickel add reflective contrast that brightens spaces and prevents the black from feeling too heavy.

2. Natural stone textures – Marble (especially with white veining), slate, or granite create refined, organic contrast against the solid black.

3. Rich wood grains – walnut, mahogany, or oak in medium to light tones—warm up the coolness of Onyx.

4. Matte and gloss variations – Using the same Onyx color in different sheens creates subtle texture through light reflection differences.

5. Velvet or suede textiles – These add tactile softness and depth that complement the boldness of black.

6. Glass elements – Clear, frosted, or textured glass lightens the visual weight of Onyx.

7. Concrete finishes – Industrial textures provide an interesting contrast to the refinement of deep black.

8. Woven textures – rattan, sisal, or jute—bring natural warmth and textural interest that balance the intensity of Onyx.

Perfect Places to Use Onyx

• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Home offices
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Dining rooms
• Hallways and transitional spaces
• Nurseries
• Meditation or yoga spaces

Today’s Home Design with Onyx

Onyx by Benjamin Moore is a bold, refined charcoal black that adds depth and drama to any interior. Its rich, dark hue serves as a striking contrast, creating a sophisticated backdrop for both contemporary and traditional spaces.

Onyx pairs beautifully with lighter accents, metallic finishes, and rich wood tones, offering a versatile foundation for a variety of design schemes.

This striking color changes under different lighting, creating an atmosphere that evolves from day to night. Onyx makes a powerful statement in any room, whether used for accent walls or as an all-over hue.

Onyx (2133-10) Profile By Benjamin Moore

1. Color Values

RGB Value: 53, 56, 57. 

HEX Code: #353839

Onyx 2133-10 is a refined, deep black paint color in Benjamin Moore’s collection. This rich, saturated hue creates a dramatic impact when applied to walls, cabinetry, or as an accent.

Unlike flat blacks, Onyx has subtle undertones that give it depth and dimension, preventing it from appearing too stark or flat.

In various lighting conditions, Onyx reveals its complexity – in natural daylight, it maintains its true black character, while artificial lighting might highlight its subtle undertones.

2. What Does These Numbers Mean

The RGB values show how Benjamin Moore’s Onyx 2133-10 gets its special look:

• The extremely low red, green, and blue values (approximately 53, 56, 57) create this color’s deep, dramatic black appearance
• The slightly higher blue value compared to red and green gives it that subtle cool undertone
• The balanced, minimal RGB components create true depth rather than flatness
• The limited light reflection (around 3-4% LRV) contributes to its rich, absorbing quality.

3. Digital Uses

Benjamin Moore’s Onyx 2133-10 is a refined backdrop for modern website designs, lending depth and polish to luxury brand platforms and creative portfolios alike.

This versatile deep black enhances digital branding for fashion houses and firms, conveying a sense of refinement and contemporary style.

Professional photographers favor Onyx for digital content requiring dramatic contrast, as it creates striking visuals that immediately capture viewers’ attention.

E-commerce platforms utilize this rich hue to showcase high-end products against a bold and timeless backdrop. Graphic designers incorporate Onyx into digital illustrations and print materials to evoke feelings of luxury, refinement, and modern minimalism.

4. Quick Tips

Benjamin Moore’s Onyx 2133-10 creates a stunning partnership with crisp whites and metallic accents for a modern, worldly atmosphere.

Consider applying this bold black in well-lit spaces where natural light balances its depth and prevents rooms from feeling closed-in or dark.

Use Onyx as an accent wall detail to create dramatic focal points that add character and definition to neutral spaces.

For a high-contrast look, pair this shade with bright whites on trim and ceilings, allowing the color to make a powerful statement.

Observe how this versatile black adapts throughout the day, displaying more depth and dimension in natural daylight and becoming more enveloping and intimate in the evening light.

Onyx provides the perfect backdrop for colorful art pieces and sleek furnishings, creating a gallery-like setting that showcases other elements with dramatic grace.

Color Description

Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

• LVR: 4.99
• Onyx 2133-10 is a deep, rich black paint color
• It has an extremely low Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of approximately 2-4%
• It creates dramatic, refined spaces when used as an accent or feature wall
• It can make a space feel smaller and more intimate due to its light-absorbing qualities
• Works well in spaces that receive ample natural light

Undertones

Onyx 2133-10 presents a complex depth beyond simple black, revealing subtle undertones that emerge under various lighting conditions.

This refined hue carries faint blue-green undertones that provide a cool, slightly maritime quality rather than a flat, neutral darkness.

When bathed in natural daylight, these understated blue-green notes become more perceptible, giving the color a jewel-like richness reminiscent of its namesake stone.

Under artificial lighting, particularly warm-toned bulbs, the color may appear softer and less severe than expected.

These undertones prevent Onyx from feeling harsh or overly stark, allowing it to create dramatic spaces that still maintain an element of nuance and hospitality.

The color’s undertones complement brushed metals, light woods, and cream textiles, helping to reveal its multidimensional character.

Using Benjamin Moore’s Onyx (2133-10) for Your Home

The Living Room

1. Helps with sleep
2. Morning light friendly
3. Good for reading nooks

The Dining Area

1. A clean, fresh look
2. Works with white items
3. It makes spaces feel bigger
4. Easy to keep fresh

The Bedroom

1. A clean, classy look
2. Works with white gray items
3. It makes spaces feel bigger
4. Easy to keep luxury

Color Pairings for Benjamin Moore’s Onyx (2133-10)

Decor Tips for Benjamin Moore Onyx 2133-10

Practical Tips for Painting with Onyx 2133-10

Preparing Your Space

• Proper preparation is essential for achieving the best results when painting with Benjamin Moore’s Onyx 2133-10. Begin by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces with a mild detergent or wall cleaner to remove any dirt, oils, or residue that could affect adhesion.

• Address any wall imperfections by filling holes with a packing compound and repairing cracks with caulk. Sand all repairs until smooth to ensure a flawless finish that enhances Onyx’s rich depth.

• A quality primer is recommended before applying Onyx 2133-10, especially for surfaces that are lighter in color. A dark or slightly tinted primer helps achieve better coverage and enhances the intensity of the black tones.

• Before committing to the entire space, test Onyx by painting 2′ x 2′ samples on different walls throughout the room. This deep charcoal black shade can appear softer in certain lights or more intense in others, making sample testing important to understand how it will look in your specific lighting conditions.

Application Tips

• Use premium synthetic brushes for trim and a ¾” nap roller for walls, applying in “W” patterns to ensure even coverage of this deep, rich shade.
• Apply two complete coats for consistent coverage, as Onyx’s dark tones require proper buildup for full-color depth.
• Depending on humidity levels, allow 2-4 hours of drying time between coats to prevent streaking and ensure proper adhesion.
• Paint in natural daylight whenever possible to accurately assess Onyx’s striking tone and ensure a flawless finish throughout your space.

Finishing Touches

• Inspect walls with a bright light held at an angle to catch any missed spots.
• Touch up as needed after the paint has fully dried.
• Wait at least 2 weeks before washing newly painted surfaces.
• Store leftover paint in a sealed container for future touch-ups.
• Label the can with the room name for easy reference later.

Similar Benjamin Moore’s Colors

Gray Owl OC-52

1. Versatile Neutral: Gray Owl OC-52 is a soft, light gray with subtle green undertones. It is a versatile choice for any room and complements a wide range of decor styles.

2. Perfect for Natural Light: This color enhances spaces with natural light, creating a calm and serene atmosphere while offering a refined, airy feel.

Black Jack 2133-20

1. Bold and Dramatic: Black Jack 2133-20 is a deep, rich black with subtle warm undertones, perfect for creating a bold and refined atmosphere in any space.

2. Versatile Accent: This color works beautifully as an accent or feature wall, offering high contrast against lighter tones and adding depth to modern and traditional designs.

Summing It Up

Benjamin Moore’s Onyx 2133-10 stands as one of the most versatile and refined black paint colors on the market.

Its deep, rich tone with subtle blue-green undertones offers designers and homeowners a powerful tool for creating dramatic, refined spaces.

While demanding in its application, requiring careful preparation and multiple coats, Onyx rewards these efforts with a timeless grace that transforms any space.

Whether used as an accent wall to create depth, on cabinetry for a bold statement, or as trim for architectural definition, Onyx delivers a refined darkness that feels intentional rather than severe.

Its ability to harmoniously pair with light neutrals and other dark tones makes it extraordinarily adaptable to various design aesthetics, from modern minimalist to traditional luxury.

For those willing to assume the boldness of black, Onyx 2133-10 represents not simply an absence of color but rather a presence of refined depth that can anchor and promote any interior space.