Midnight Sun reads as crisp and architectural — strong in modern spaces, with natural fixed elements (chrome, stone, glass), or as a quiet anchor. At LRV 10 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it if you want a cozy, warm room — cool neutrals can feel sterile under warm bulbs or in low light.
Ref. #4E5A6D · DET580
Midnight Sun
10%LRV Value
Midnight Sun Technical Profile
What color is Dunn-Edwards Midnight Sun (DET580)? It's a dark cool neutral — hex #4E5A6D, LRV 10. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Midnight Sun is Benjamin Moore Kensington Blue — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Motor City Blue and PPG America'S Cup Navy also close. With an LRV of 10, Midnight Sun creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Midnight Sun pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. As a deeper neutral, Midnight Sun reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Midnight Sun in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Midnight Sun
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Kensington Blue
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Motor City Blue
Valspar
Nearly identical
America'S Cup Navy
PPG
Very similar
Harbour (marquee)
Behr
Very similar
Stiffkey Blue
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Authentic Navy
Kilz
Very similar
Into the Stratosphere
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Mineral Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Midnight Sun
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Midnight Sun
#4E5A6D
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#655F8F
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Midnight Sun
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Midnight Sun Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Midnight Sun.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Midnight Sun — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Midnight Sun from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Midnight Sun are Kensington Blue by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Motor City Blue by Valspar (a near-identical match), America'S Cup Navy by PPG (a very close match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Midnight Sun's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Midnight Sun?
Midnight Sun has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 10.0, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Midnight Sun
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Midnight Sun depends on the room. Here's how to choose.