See, today we talk about Benjamin Moore Chrome Green which is different from other greens. This color has richness in it which makes it subtle yet impactful.
It gives a fairytale cottage core feel to it.
When I first used this color in my own living room, it created a moody and elegant vibe and this felt natural because it has a depth in it, which makes this color a perfect choice for interiors and exteriors too.
But remember to understand the details of this color like the LRV, undertones, how it behaves in specific lighting conditions and more. This will help you to make your choice easier.
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Color Overview of Benjamin Moore Chrome Green (HC-189)
So Chrome Green (HC-189) is in Benjamin Moore’s Historical Color Collection, which is one of my favorite collections. This collection has 191 heritage hues that were unveiled back in the 1976 US Bicentennial, inspired by America’s historic landmarks and early American history.
Chrome Green used to be called Chrome Green PM-10, but they rebranded it when they organized the Historical Collection. It has an LRV of 7.13.
This is a rich ivy green, but because of its LRV, it looks almost black in some lighting, which freaks people out but….when you get the lighting right, it looks absolutely stunning. The color has a heritage quality that works beautifully in traditional homes, but I’ve also seen it look incredible in contemporary spaces.
The hex code is #0c422f and the RGB is 12, 66, 47. It tells you that what you’ve got is more green and blue than anything else, which explains the cool-toned depth.
Benjamin Moore Chrome Green: Key Differences
Here’s where Chrome Green either becomes your new favourite or you realize it’s wrong for your space. I’ve learned that understanding these technical characteristics is non-negotiable.
The thing about dark green interior paint colors like Chrome Green is they demand respect and proper planning, otherwise you’ll end up repainting it. This color belongs to the trending-but-timeless category of deep greens that designers keep coming back to, but only when the conditions are right.
You need to know what you’re working on because Chrome Green doesn’t work with poor lighting or bad planning.
LRV
The Light Reflectance Value of Chrome Green is 7.13, which is very low.
To put that in perspective, pure black is 0 and pure white is 100, this means it absorbs almost all the light that hits it.
I cannot stress this….this color WILL look black in low-light situations. Like not dark green, not forest green but straight up black.
When I used it on my living room accent wall, I had two large south-facing windows and it looked very dark in the evening. But in spaces with poor natural light, don’t go with it because you’ll only have a black wall.
The LRV is the make-or-break factor with Chrome Green. I’ve seen it look incredible in bright kitchens with white countertops and good pendant lighting. I’ve also seen it disappear into darkness in a poorly-lit hallway.
Undertones
Chrome Green has blue undertones and slight gray/black undertones that give it a cool, sophisticated depth vibe. It does NOT lean yellow, which is why it avoids the olive or mossy look that some greens have.
This is what I love most about it. A lot of greens can look much yellow or brown depending on your lighting, but Chrome Green stays true to its cool-toned character.
In north-facing rooms, the blue undertones come forward and the color looks even cool and dark. In warm artificial lighting or south-facing spaces, it softens slightly but maintains that rich green identity.
I made the mistake once of pairing it with very warm Edison bulbs thinking it would “warm up” the color. It looked muddy and confused. Cool or neutral white bulbs work better because they let the green show through instead of fighting with the undertones.
The gray and black undertone is what gives Chrome Green its “heritage” feel, like it belongs in an old library or a historic home. It’s not bright or cheerful….it’s grounded and serious and a bit moody.
Lighting Behaviour
This is where Chrome Green gets interesting, and also where many people panic after they’ve already painted.
In low light: Chrome Green can look nearly black or very deep forest green. If you have a room with minimal windows or it’s a basement space, this color will look black.
I’ve tested it in my poorly-lit laundry room to see, and….it was basically black with a hint of green.
In natural daylight: The color shows its rich green tone with that subtle blue influence coming. This is when Chrome Green looks like the paint swatch you loved. Morning light especially brings out the depth without making it too dark.
In artificial warm light: It softens up but remains deep. You won’t get a dramatic transformation, but it becomes slightly more approachable and less cave-like. I use warm white LEDs in my living room and it makes a nice balance.
Directional light makes a difference. North-facing rooms will make Chrome Green cooler and darker and sometimes in between. South-facing rooms give you depth and visibility throughout the day, which is the ideal scenario for this color.
I always tell people to get a sample and paint large swatches on different walls, then watch them for a few days at different times. Morning, afternoon, evening, overcast days, sunny days….you need to see it all before committing.
Styling and Uses
Chrome Green works best as:
Accent walls in rooms with good lighting and neutral surroundings. This is the safe way to use it without overwhelming your space. One wall in a living room with the other three in a soft white or neutral creates a beautiful focal point.
Cabinetry is where I think Chrome Green shines. Kitchen cabinets in this color paired with brass hardware and white countertops look stunning.
Libraries, offices, and dens are the natural habitat for this color. It creates a cozy, intellectual, slightly dramatic atmosphere that makes you want to look at leather-bound books.
Exterior applications like shutters, front doors, or full siding can give you the timeless visual appeal with a modern edge. I’ve seen historic homes with Chrome Green shutters and white siding that looked right.
The color pairs beautifully with bright whites like White Dove or Simply White for high contrast, warm neutrals like Revere Pewter for a layered look, and brass or gold metallics that bring out the richness. Natural wood tones, especially walnut and oak, look incredible against it.
Here’s a breakdown of Chrome Green’s key details:
| Characteristic | Details |
| Color Code | HC-189 |
| Collection | Historical Color Collection |
| Color Family | Dark Green |
| LRV | ~4.3 (extremely low) |
| Hex Code | #0c422f |
| RGB | 12, 66, 47 |
| Primary Undertones | Blue, gray/black |
| Best Lighting | South-facing, bright artificial light |
| Ideal Uses | Accent walls, cabinetry, libraries, exteriors |
| Avoid Using In | Low-light rooms, small spaces without contrast |
| Best Pairings | Crisp whites, warm neutrals, brass/gold, natural wood |
Benjamin Moore Chrome Green: Room-by-Room Comparison
Now that you know what Chrome Green IS and how it behaves, let’s talk about where it works and where it doesn’t. I’m gonna be honest here because I’ve made mistakes with dark paint colors. The reality is Chrome Green is NOT a simple paint, it’s specific, it’s demanding, and it needs the right environment to perform.
Some rooms will make this color work, others will make it worse and I’ve tested Chrome Green in multiple spaces. Let me walk you through each room type so you can avoid the failures and go to what works.
Chrome Green in Living Room
Living rooms are one of the BEST spaces for Chrome Green, assuming you have decent natural light. This is where I first used it and fell in love with the moody, sophisticated vibe it creates.
I painted one accent wall behind my sofa in Chrome Green, kept the other three walls in a soft warm white, and it transformed the space. The depth and richness it gave to the room was grounded and intentional.
The key is having contrast and light sources.
For example, I have two large windows, and I added brass floor lamps and white linen curtains to keep things from getting too dark. Plants look INCREDIBLE against Chrome Green….the contrast between deep green wall and bright green foliage is right.
I paired it with a neutral beige sofa, walnut coffee table, and mixed metallics in brass and black. Textiles in cream, rust, and muted terracotta brought warmth without fighting the cool undertones.
One mistake I made was using too many dark accent pieces. The dark green wall with dark gray curtains and black furniture made it dull.
Chrome Green in Bedroom
Bedrooms are tricky with Chrome Green.
It can go one of two ways: either you create a tranquil, cocooning retreat or you end up with a space which looks like a cave that feels oppressive when you wake up.
I tested this in a guest bedroom that has one medium-sized east-facing window. In the morning, it was beautiful, but by afternoon and evening the room felt DARK.
Too dark for comfort.
If you’re doing a bedroom, I’d recommend that Chrome Green works better as an accent rather than all four walls. Like the wall behind the bed, paired with light neutrals on the other walls. This gives you a dramatic look without making the space feel closed in.
Bedding and textiles are important. White or cream linens are mandatory to provide visual relief. I tried dark bedding thinking it would be cohesive, but it disappeared into the wall color.
Lighting is important. Like bedside lamps with warm bulbs, or a pendant light or chandelier, and light-colored lampshades to reflect light around the room.
Chrome Green in Bathroom
I’m gonna be honest…. In my opinion, Chrome Green in most bathrooms doesn’t work.
Bathrooms are small, have limited natural light, and Chrome Green will make them feel dark. Unless you have a large bathroom with a big window and white fixtures everywhere to make it work.
I’ve seen it work in powder rooms where you’re going for dramatic over practical. A small half-bath with Chrome Green walls, brass mirror and fixtures, white pedestal sink, and great lighting can be stunning. It’s unexpected and bold.
Chrome Green in Kitchen
Chrome Green kitchen cabinetry is where this color excels.
I worked on my sister’s kitchen renovation and we did lower cabinets in Chrome Green with white upper cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, and brass hardware. It looked like something out of a design magazine.
The key that worked here is balance. All Chrome Green cabinets would be overwhelming, but using it on lowers or uppers with white or light countertops and backsplash keeps things from feeling too heavy.
Chrome Green pairs beautifully with stainless steel appliances, white or marble countertops, and light-colored flooring. The contrast is what makes it work.
Lighting is important here too. Under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights over an island, and good overhead lighting help the color show its green tones instead of looking black.
Chrome Green on Exterior
Chrome Green on exteriors gives a classic, timeless look that works on both traditional and modern homes.
I’ve seen it used beautifully on shutters with white or cream siding, on front doors as a statement piece, and as full siding on historic homes with white trim.
The exterior light is much brighter than the interior, so Chrome Green shows its true color better outside.
But there is one thing to consider is the home’s style and the surrounding landscape. Chrome Green works great on Colonial, Craftsman, or farmhouse-style homes. It can look odd on an ultra-modern minimalist design.
I recommend you to pair it with bright white trim, black or brass hardware, and natural wood accents for the best results. It also looks great with brick or stone elements.
What is the Difference Between Benjamin Moore Chrome Green and Hunter Green?
People ask me this a lot because both are classic deep greens from Benjamin Moore, but they’re pretty different.
Benjamin Moore Hunter Green has an LRV of about 6.39, which is slightly higher than Chrome Green’s 7.13, but very low. The big difference is the character and undertones.
Hunter Green is a classic equestrian-inspired green that is cooler with more blue undertones. It has the traditional English vibe, very tailored and proper. It’s also dark and needs great natural light to work or it will look black.
On the other hand, Chrome Green has the blue undertones too but also carries gray/black undertones that give it more heritage, historic feel rather than the sporty look of Hunter Green.
In terms of vibrancy, Chrome Green maintains a visible green character across different lighting conditions, while Hunter Green can disappear into near-black easily.
I’ve used both, and honestly, I prefer Chrome Green for most applications because it feels more versatile and less theme-specific. Hunter Green sometimes feels too tied to a particular aesthetic, while Chrome Green can swing traditional OR contemporary depending on how you style it.
Conclusion
Benjamin Moore Chrome Green HC-189 is not a simple paint color, but I mean it in the best way.
It’s rich, it’s dramatic, it’s sophisticated, and it requires some planning and confidence to pull off. And when you get it right, it’s worth having.
The LRV of 7.13 means you NEED good lighting or it will look black. The blue and gray/black undertones give it the cool, heritage character that works in both traditional and modern spaces.
The versatility works on walls, cabinetry, and exteriors which makes it more useful than you think.
My recommendation is that don’t rush it. Get samples, test them in your space, watch how the color behaves throughout the day, and plan your lighting and surrounding colors BEFORE you commit to it.
If you have good natural light, love moody sophisticated spaces, and want something with real depth and character, Chrome Green is exactly what you’re looking for.
