Felted Blue reads as crisp and architectural — strong in modern spaces, with natural fixed elements (chrome, stone, glass), or as a quiet anchor. At LRV 23 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. #78868A · 430-5DB
Felted Blue
23%LRV Value
Felted Blue Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Felted Blue (430-5DB)? It's a deep cool gray — hex #78868A, LRV 23. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Felted Blue is PPG Western Sky Blue — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Academy Gray and RAL Squirrel Grey also close. With an LRV of 23, Felted Blue 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, Felted Blue 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, Felted Blue 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 Felted Blue in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Felted Blue
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Felted Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Felted Blue
#78868A
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8590AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Felted Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Felted Blue 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Felted Blue.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Felted Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Felted Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Felted Blue are Western Sky Blue by PPG (a near-identical match), Academy Gray by Valspar (a near-identical match), Squirrel Grey by RAL (a near-identical 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 Felted Blue'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 Felted Blue?
Felted Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 22.9, 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 Felted Blue
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 Felted Blue depends on the room. Here's how to choose.