ColorplanBenjamin Moore Softened Violet (1420) is a deep purple with a cool blue undertone and an LRV of 25. For trim, try Polar White (2069-70).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Purple |
| LRV | 24.7 (dark; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #8085B4 |
| RGB | 128, 133, 180 |
| HSL | 234°, 26%, 60% |
About Softened Violet
Softened Violet (1420) is a deep, medium-strength purple from Benjamin Moore that leans blue. With an LRV of 25, Softened Violet absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
North-facing light makes Softened Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it. It's a good fit for dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. Next to California Lilac (2068-40), it's warmer and more muted.
How Softened Violet changes with the light
Softened Violet has a cool undertone. North light will push it cooler and grayer, while south and west light warm it up. If your room faces north, look at it next to a warm white trim.
North-facing rooms
Softened Violet has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
Softened Violet will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows Softened Violet close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Softened Violet looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See Softened Violet in real homes
Photos people have shared of Softened Violet in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Softened Violet equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Closest available · ΔE 12.9
Also close: Ash Violet (ΔE 13.4)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Closest available · ΔE 10.6
Also close: Pitch Blue (ΔE 11.3)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 11.8
Also close: Cool December (ΔE 14.5)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Softened Violet questions
What undertone does Softened Violet have?
Softened Violet has a cool blue undertone, so it reads as a cool color. North-facing light makes Softened Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it.
Is Softened Violet a light or dark color?
Softened Violet has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 24.7 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a deep color. With an LRV of 25, Softened Violet absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
What is the closest match to Softened Violet in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Bracing Blue SW 6242 (closest available, ΔE 12.9); Farrow & Ball: Cook's Blue No.237 (closest available, ΔE 10.6); Behr: Jean Jacket Blue S510-4 (closest available, ΔE 11.8). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Softened Violet?
Try Polar White (2069-70) on trim and Mirage White (2116-70) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Softened Violet's undertone.
Where does Softened Violet work best?
Softened Violet works well in dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. With an LRV of 25, Softened Violet absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
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