Popular Paint Colors for 2022
If you’re a fan of the current black color trend in design but don’t want to go all out with black, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a fantastic choice. I’ve used it time and time again in multiple settings and the results never disappoint! I love this color, it’s one of my favorites from Sherwin Williams!
Whether it’s on the outside of your home, on cabinets, doors, or feature walls, however trendy black may be right now, you must first determine if it is appropriate for your home.
To learn more about this popular paint color for 2022 and to feast your eyes on some inspiration where I’ve used it in my clients’ homes, keep reading!
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What Color Is Sherwin Williams Iron Ore?
It’s a rich, indulgent dark paint color with gray undertones and a lot of depth. Iron Ore also has very slight blue undertones, which gives it a dramatic look without it looking as harsh as black.
Iron Ore paint is a beautiful soft black hue. It’s perfect for a dramatic look in any space, and it’s also a great way to add a touch of sophistication to your home.
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Is Sherwin Williams Iron Ore warm or cool?
It’s neither too cool nor too warm, it’s a soft black with the appearance of dark charcoal or gray.
The LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of Iron Ore is 6 which is very low, meaning it absorbs light rather than reflecting it making it deep and rich!
When viewed in brighter, more direct light, Iron Ore SW 7069 will appear to be a delicate shade of dark gray or even a touch of blue. It may lean nearly black in low-light settings or north-facing rooms, but it will never truly become black since it maintains its gray character in every lighting scenario.
I’ve gathered examples of these scenarios throughout this post, so you’ll get a better sense of what this means.
Where to use Sherwin Williams Iron Ore?
One of the great things about Iron Ore is that it is so versatile! Kitchens, fireplaces, accent walls, and custom shelves are just a few ways I’ve used this fabulous color.
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore in the Kitchen
If you want to add a touch of drama to your kitchen, then consider painting your center island in Sherwin Williams Iron Ore to contrast with white or stained cabinetry.
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Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Wet Bar and Wine Cellar
Talk about drama! Iron Ore on these wine cellar walls, and wet bar cabinetry creates a cohesive look. Brick accents and quartz waterfall bar balance out the dark tones in Iron Ore.
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Cabinets
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore TV Wall Niche
A perfect mix of warm textures with the rustic wood beams and fireplace stone balance this basement family room beautifully with Iron Ore paint in the TV niche. It’s a great choice for TV walls, as it won’t reflect the light from the screen and will help create a more immersive viewing experience. When the TV is off, it blends in and becomes part of the room’s color palette.
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Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Accent Wall and Ceiling
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Home Theater
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Get your peel & stick (real paint) sample of Iron Ore – HERE!
What is one shade lighter than Iron Ore?
Looking for a slightly less intense dark grey color but aren’t sure if you can commit to something like Iron Ore? Try SW’s Peppercorn.
SW’s Peppercorn, SW 7674 has an LRV of 10, which is slightly lighter than Iron Ore. With grey undertones, this hue may be a suitable alternative if Iron Ore is a tad too dark for you. Peppercorn is more like a dark gray color that barely appears black, unlike the Iron Ore that frequently looks Black!
Get your peel & stick (real) paint sample of Peppercorn – HERE!
What is one shade darker than Iron Ore?
Iron Ore is one shade lighter than SW’s Tricorn Black. Tricorn black, SW 6258 has an LRV of 3. It is one of the safest choices you can make when painting with black. Because it has no obvious undertones, it is a genuine black and a neutral paint color.
Get your peel & stick (real) paint sample of Tricorn Black – HERE!
Is Iron Ore too dark for exteriors?
It’s easy to go overboard with a stark, true black for your home’s outside. For home exteriors, slightly milder (but still wonderfully dark) hues like SW’s Iron Ore are quite popular. Their intensity is softened by lighter tints that lend a more natural appearance, which is preferable for house exteriors.
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What are your thoughts on Iron Ore? Have you used it in your home? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other paint color reviews for more inspiration.
10 Responses
I love your work! Thank you for sharing this blog. Your pictures on Houzz have been a huge inspiration for our basement project.
Thank you, Sarah! I am so happy to hear that!
Love this Blog! We are updating a traditional kitchen – small details. We will be painting our island Iron Ore. Would pewter hardware work with this? (We have stained knotty alder cabinets). Trying to get away from the oil rubbed bronze.
Hi Kim! Yes absolutely, pewter will be beautiful with Iron ore and a nice contrast!
Great article Carla! I am going to paint my kitchen cabinets, fireplace and built in shelves in Iron Ore but I am unsure what finish to use. Shiny or dull, what type of paint would you recommend? I am so stuck! Many thanks in advance.
Thank you so much, Suki! I recommend a semi-gloss or eggshell sheen; this will not only look best be make them easier to wipe off. In more modern kitchens, a high gloss looks pretty sharp, too! Be sure to check with your paint store for the best products to use. I prefer Benjamin Moore Advance.
Beautiful! What’s the light paint color in the kitchen? It goes great with the Iron Ore!
Hi Ashley – Dd you mean the kitchen with the Iron Ore Island or one of the wet bars?
Love this blog! We are in the process of doing some updates to our 90’s home! We have custom made oak cabinets and would like to keep them if possible. We will be taking out part of a counter and adding an island which will have our stove/oven and seating for four. I’m trying to decide what color to do our island in and will be replacing the backsplash and countertops with a white quartz with some light veining. Walls are currently a gray color and may change to a lighter gray or my of a white. We will also be adding new flowing throughout the area, which is all open to kitchen, dining room and living room. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Hi Juliene! Thank you so much, I am so glad you are finding my articles helpful! I’m working on new posts to add, so stay tuned! For your island, with what you have described, I think Iron Ore is a definite contender! Another idea is to do a color that will coordinate with the rest of your accent colors in your home (check out my article on Hale Navy, maybe this is a good choice for you). The important thing to remember is to contrast with your floor and counters, and tie in the veining in the counters color if you are going with a blue or dark charcoal. If the veining is bluer a blue island works, if it is warmer like a deep charcoal brown, then you will want to stay away from blue. Order samples (link in the post above for awesome Samplize samples that peel and stick)…and look at the samples with your countertops in the different lighting of day and night. I hope this is helpful!