The 12 Best Purple Paint Colors
The Most Popular Purple Paint Colors (Benjamin Moore)
I’m not going to lie and say purple (also known as violet or lavender) is the most popular paint color – it’s not. In fact, when doing my Online Color Consulting, it’s one of the colors I’m asked about the least.
Why?
Purple has a bad rap for being either too feminine, punchy, royal, or Barney. However, today’s purples are much different from the Barney-inspired hues of yesteryear and are some of the most beautiful paint colors on the market!
Now, are you ready, Betty? (I was going to say Barney, but it didn’t rhyme)
By the way, I rely 100% on my E-design client’s photos and BM’s images for my blog posts, so there aren’t many in here; however, the info is spot on!
1. BENJAMIN MOORE DREAMY CLOUD 2117-70
Soft and subtle, Dreamy Cloud is close to being off-white while still having enough body to hold the perfect hint of violet. Whereas many of today’s most popular purple paint colors have quite a bit of gray or brown, Dreamy Cloud has only been moderately neutralized, so while it will look purple, it’s held back by neutral undertones. It’s on the cooler end of things and winks a bit towards dusky lavender without being overly colorful.
Dreamy Cloud will hold itself well in a south-facing room. It can also work in a north-facing room, but it will appear a bit cool (not as in Justin Beiber cool, but as in FRIGGIN’ COLD!).
The LRV of Dreamy Cloud is 76, meaning it will reflect quite a bit of light into a room. In an intensely lit room with direct sunlight, it will fade out but regain its color once the sun shifts.
Never heard of LRV? Don’t pick a paint color before reading about it HERE!
2. BENJAMIN MOORE FRENCH LILAC 1403
Not for the faint of heart! Unlike Dreamy Cloud, which is more subtle, French Lilac commits to purple, without being obnoxious or overly day glow.
French Lilac is slightly warmer and a bit more colorful than Dreamy Cloud. It sits in the light end of things but is close to the light-medium depths.
The LRV of French Lilac is 56, which surprises me as it seems a bit lighter than this, likely thanks to its degree of color/reduced gray.
3. BENJAMIN MOORE ABALONE 2108-60
Abalone is my favorite of the light purples because it’s so subtle. In fact, compared to the above colors, it will look gray, and it is; it’s just gray with a strong, warm purple undertone. Abalone is a great way to nod toward purple without committing 100% (or even 50% – it’s just a wee nod).
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With an LRV of 62, Abalone sits between the two previous purple colors, and that LRV ALSO happens to be my magic number.
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Abalone and Barren Plain
4. BENJAMIN MOORE WET CONCRETE 2114-40
I love Wet Concrete, which sits slightly towards the warm purple-pink end of things compared to cooler purples. It’s also a definite ‘earth-toned’ purple with its neutral base, and isn’t as colorful as a typical purple paint color.
Wet Concrete’s LRV is 27.0, which means it’s solidly in the medium depths. Some more muted, less colorful shades can fall a bit flat at this depth. However, thanks to the degree of color in Wet Concrete, you can see how beautiful it is even in a darker space.
5. BENJAMIN MOORE SANDLOT GRAY 2107-50
Sandlot Gray isn’t a color you’d typically go to when thinking about the best purple paint colors.
Why?
There are a few reasons…
1. Sandlot Gray has a lot more warmth than some other popular purples, making it more of a purple-pink.
2. It also has a decent warm brown backdrop, which mutes it, making it more earth-toned – winking at the wild world of taupe while holding a bit more color.
If you’re sensitive to pink and have a south-facing room or one with warm western afternoon sunshine, sample carefully to make sure Sandlot Gray does what you want it to – look purple. And while it should, some find it a touch too pink-taupe.
Via Benjamin Moore
The LRV of Sandlot Gray is 44, a nice depth for a reasonably well-lit room. If it were more muted, you might find it not bright or colorful enough for a dark room; however, its degree of color holds it up nicely in the average space.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Sandlot Gray…
6. BENJAMIN MOORE MAUVE DESERT 2113-50
Mauve Desert is a lovely saturated purple with just enough purple to commit without feeling like you’re 100% in. Compare Mauve Desert with Sandlot Gray to see how much more purple this color is and how NEUTRAL Sandlot Gray looks in comparison!
The LRV of Mauve Desert is 38.0. This means it has a reasonable depth, but being more colorful/less neutral, it holds up very well in various lighting situations – not too punchy purple or overly muted.
7. BENJAMIN MOORE SMOKED OYSTER 2109-40
Smoked Oyster is a solid, medium-toned, earthy purple with a gorgeous gray base. It says purple without being punchy.
The LRV of Smoked Oyster is 21, putting it in the low end of the medium depths. Compare Smoked Oyster to the previously mentioned Wet Concrete and Cinnamon Slate (coming up shortly), and notice how Smoked Oyster looks smoky with its warm gray-brown base.
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8. BENJAMIN MOORE KALAMATA AF 630
Kalamata is a stunning purple and one of the most committed of the bunch! And while it’s obviously purple, it’s not too punchy or overwhelming. It sits snug between warm and cold (leaning slightly more to the warm side), meaning it would work well in a north or south-facing room as long as there’s enough exterior or interior light.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Kalamata…
The LRV of Kalamata is 11 – BOOM – she’s a skookum one! If you’re feeling brave and want a purple that makes a statement, consider Kalamata for your front door – inside or outside, or a feature wall.
9. BENJAMIN MOORE PASSION PLUM 2073-30
Oh, I do love Passion Plum! With an LRV of 12, Passion Plum will add serious drama to any room in your home, but is particularly lovely for a bedroom! This luscious purple sneaks slightly towards the warm end of things and is perfect if you’re passionate about purple!
10. BENJAMIN MOORE CINNAMON SLATE 2113-40
While I’ve never seen purple cinnamon, Cinnamon Slate is one gorgeous paint color.
Chosen as the Color of the Year for 2025, Cinnamon Slate is a beautiful, earth-toned approach to purple, giving a more grounded look compared to some of the more saturated colors on this page.
If you want a purple with depth and color, Cinnamon Slate is hands down, one of the best purple paint colors on the market.
Get your Peel & Stick sample of Cinnamon Slate HERE!
And two more for fun, this time from Sherwin Williams…
11. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BLACK SWAN SW 6279
Black Swan is a wicked dark purple (almost purple-black) that adds drama and glamour to ANY room. Just check out this eclectic living room below!
Black Swan has an LRV of 4, so there’s no messing around with this one – it’s bordering on black!
12. SHERWIN WILLIAMS MINK 6004
Mink is different from most of the colors on this page, as it leans heavily on a neutral foundation.
However, for those who don’t love too much purple, it can be the PERFECT color.
In the above image, Mink is on the top right.
13. BENJAMIN MOORE SILHOUETTE
If you’re looking for a wink of purple with a gorgeously grounded warm base, look no further than Silhouette.
Silhouette is a beautiful, dark paint color that’s a blend of purple, brown, and gray.
Benjamin Moore Silhouette: FULL Paint Color Review
Are these colors stronger than you had in mind, but still have a passion for purple? Check out these color reviews instead.
READ MORE
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Originally written in 2017, updated in 2025
Best color that ticks every box is driftscape tan. BM Words can’t describe how warm and sexy this colour is. Love it. Should post this color up.
Kylie – what are your thoughts about BM Slip? Thinking about using that in my daughter’s room. We have medium walnut floors.
Loved this article! My newest fave purple is BM Cinnamon Slate; it’s a real chameleon!
I noticed you used the word “skookum”; I live in the Yukon and have never heard it in use anywhere south. Is it a common word where you’re from?
Thanks!
Lise May
Well, isn’t that funny – my Mom is from the Yukon, Whitehorse to be exact. That must be where I got it from! And I can’t even count the number of times I’ve said it and people are like ‘what the heck is skookum?’ and I’m like ‘who doesn’t know what skoookum is?’.
That made me smile 🙂
And yes, isn’t Cinnamon Slate GORGEOUS, it is one that I refer to often when I have clients who love purple!
Hope you’re enjoying your snow 🙂
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
Which gray-purple paint with warm undertones do you recommend from Sherwin Williams?
Thanks!
Shital
Hi! Thanks so much for this article! I’m wanting to makeover my toddlers 10x12ft south-facing room with a lilac/lavender accent wall that will complement the adjacent walls and rest of the house in SW-Agreeable Grey. She loves purple but it cant be washed out/dingy or too punchy (RIP Barney)????.
Thank you!
Thank you! I wanted a touch of purple in my bedroom and decided to paint it Sandlot Gray. It looks lovely! I have oak colored woodwork (a bit on the orange side). Could you suggest an accent color for Sandlot Gray? I enjoy reading your site.
Hi Jen, i LOVE Sandlot Gray, great choice! I love the idea of a nice dark charcoal like BM Overcoat or the warmer, more taupe Asphalt. 🙂
I am trying to repaint my dining room which has a basic white wainscoting, a dark teal rug and gray furniture. Hoping a nice subtle purple with a gray undertone will do the trick. I’m really liking the Smoked Oyster and Abalone colors. The room is open concept with my living room which is Manchester Tan. I hope I choose well. Wish I could pay you to figure it out for me but it’s only paint right? 😉 Thanks for always giving great information and photos of great design.
I just love purple. Thank you. I’m wondering how these color compare to SW Minute Mauve or SW Grayish. I’m looking for a SW gray paint color for my bedroom with subtle purple undertones.
Hi Susan! Well, it depends on how subtle you WANT. Most people find Minute Mauve to be too strong and Grayish to be toooooo violet when they’re wanting a gray with a SUBTLE violet undertone. The more common approach would be along the lines of SW Alpaca or Light French Gray as they definitely have subtle violet undertones :).