Read all about Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart, plus see 17 real homes that use it!
Are you looking for a striking, navy-inspired paint color? Maybe a shade that’s a bit dark and daring?
If you love saturated, moody colors such as navy, I’ve got good news for you: Cheating Heart is all you’ll love and more. This rich dark gray is eye-catching no matter where you use it – and you won’t be unfaithful to your beloved navy blue by choosing this deep gray-based shade!
Welcome to my post series featuring popular paint colors. My hope with these posts is to give you the information you need so that you can confidently pick a new paint shade that you’ll love to see every day in your home.
In this series, I’ve covered lots of neutrals. Whites, off-whites, grays, beiges, and greiges have long enjoyed the spotlight. Today, I’m taking a brief break from those lighter colors to highlight a lovely shade that’s moodier and infinitely chic.
BM Cheating Heart is a stunning color that will add sophistication anywhere you use it!
What color is Cheating Heart?
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart (#1617) is a beautiful and versatile color that strikes an ideal balance between a true black, blue, and gray.
This shade proves that it’s a must-have! But don’t just take my word for it…see for yourself!
Ben Moore Cheating Heart Video Sneak Peek
FAQs about BM Cheating Heart
Is Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart warm or cool?
Cheating Heart is undoubtedly a cold color. It will lend a cool elegance to the room rather than warming it up.
What Sherwin Williams color is similar to Cheating Heart?
You can’t find colors that are identical across brands because even minute differences in the color mixing process can produce noticeable differences. That said, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a similar shade.
Be careful and test it before committing to it because it can lean a little green rather than blue.
Where should I use BM Cheating Heart?
Because it’s such a dark color, I recommend using this shade in moderation. If you use it in a large space, it will look balanced and modern, while in small spaces it can tend to feel cramped.
That said, it will add sophisticated elegance and plenty of eye-catching visual interest anywhere you use it. Consider using this versatile shade for any area in your home, including:
Cabinets
Built-ins
Floating shelves
Accent walls
Window Frames
Ceilings
Dining room
Entryway
Bathroom
Bedroom
Laundry room
Cheating Heart is an excellent choice for Victorian, modern, Mid-Century Modern, contemporary, and craftsman homes, as well as for modern, contemporary, farmhouse, transitional, traditional, and Scandinavian-style decor.
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart Undertones
There are a couple of important must-know terms when talking about paint shades: “mass tone,” which is the main color you see when looking at paint (blue, white, brown, etc.), and “undertones” are those subtle differences that pop through to give variation between hues.
What are Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart’s undertones?
Cheating Heart is a very deep gray with navy undertones. Those navy blue-leaning undertones make this shade a very interesting one. The muted navy tones aren’t as strong as what you’ll find in Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy or Sherwin Williams Cyberspace, but they will make themselves known in various light exposures.
NOTE: Thanks to continuously shifting natural light exposures and the influence of surrounding colors, NO paint colors will look the same at different times of the day or in two varying locations.
Use paint samples (I personally like this type) to see for yourself EXACTLY how your lighting (both artificial lighting and natural) and decor will impact the appearance of your paint. With paint samples, you won’t be saying, “why does that look green?” after you spend $$ on a gallon of paint, or more!
If undertones make your head ache, you’re not alone! Grab your no-cost copy of “5 Biggest Paint Choice Mistakes” Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
How Different Types of Lighting Affect BM Cheating Heart
Here’s your science lesson for the day: As the sun moves across the sky throughout the day, the tone of the light changes based on the angle at which the sun’s rays come through our atmosphere.
Cheating Heart has a little bit of a shape-shifting quality because it can look completely different depending on what kind of light conditions are present.
For example, in bright natural light, you’ll clearly see those dark blue tones come through. In contrast, in lower natural light, this shade will appear dark blue-gray, and in little or no natural light, it will look nearly black with a graphite hue.
Here’s a general idea of how you can expect Cheating Heart to appear based on different types of natural lighting:
- North-facing light – northern light is cool and blue-tinted, so Cheating Heart will lean toward black. Depending on how much lighting there is, you may see some of the blue tones.
- South-facing light – warm southern light will draw out the blue tones and make Cheating Heart read as dark blue-gray.
- East-facing light – here, you’ll find warm yellow light in the morning and shadowy, passive light in the afternoon. Cheating Heart will look bluer in the morning and more passively deep gray in the afternoon.
- West-facing light – expect passive light in the morning and very warm light in the evening. Cheating Heart will again shift throughout the day, reading deep gray in the morning and more blue-gray in the afternoon/evening.
Great Coordinating Colors for Cheating Heart
Since BM Cheating Heart is a shapeshifter, it can be a little particular about the colors it likes to pair with. Generally speaking, it does well with light grays (especially ones with purple undertones), some greiges, some blue-gray blends, and more.
Are you looking for some specific ideas of shades to pair with it? Check out these shades that create a wonderful palette when paired with Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart:
- Chantilly Lace
- Oxford White
- Baby’s Breath
- Gray Huskie
- Simply White
- Caliente
- Aganthus Green
- Ancient Oak
- Graytint
- White Dove
- Brunswick Beige
- Pebble Rock
- Butte Rock
- Royal Silk
- Revere Pewter
- Sea Haze
- Hale Navy
- White Violet
- Oyster
- Mt. Rainier Gray
LRV of Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart (#1617)
What the heck is an LRV? Don’t worry, (as Lady Gaga told Liza Minnelli), “I got you!”
LRV is an abbreviation for “light reflectance value.” It’s merely an objective way of measuring how much light is reflected (rather than absorbed) by a particular shade.
LRV ranges from 0 – 100. A shade with an LRV of 0 is straight-up pure black. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an LRV of 100 is the brightest white that exists.
The LRV of BM Cheating Heart = 6.89
An LRV in this range makes Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart a very DARK shade. Since it’s so dark, it will work best in a room that has great lighting to help show off its depth and individuality. Without good lighting, it will likely read almost black.
LRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! This no-cost guide will help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Cheating Heart Compared to Other Colors
I’m going to compare this shade with some similar moody paint colors so you can see the nuances that you might not otherwise be able to see. Ready?
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart vs. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
First, let’s compare Cheating Heart to another popular moody color from Benjamin Moore: Wrought Iron. With an LRV of 6.16, it’s just a smidge darker than Cheating Heart.
Although they’re both navy blue-inspired dark neutrals, Cheating Heart leans into its blue undertones just a hair more than Wrought Iron does, giving Wrought Iron the appearance of being soft black.
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart vs. Iron Ore
Iron Ore is another beautiful deep gray. Compared side-by-side with Cheating Heart, Iron Ore from Sherwin Williams reads as soft graphite black with both green and blue undertones. Its LRV of 6 will make it appear noticeably darker than Cheating Heart.
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart vs. Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
BM Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 14.61, which means that it reads significantly lighter than Cheating Heart does. That doesn’t mean it’s a light gray – far from it!
Beyond the brightness differences, Kendall Charcoal has gray-green undertones in contrast to the navy blue undertones found in Cheating Heart.
More Colors to Consider
I know from experience just how challenging it is to choose new paint colors! If you aren’t positive that you’re ready to make that commitment to Cheating Heart yet, check out these other popular and moody shades.
- Peppercorn (Sherwin Williams) – a true, deep, dark, gray
- Pewter Green (Sherwin Williams) – a dark, cool-leaning muted green
- Naval (Sherwin Williams) – a deep, rich shade of navy blue
- Hale Navy (Benjamin Moore) – another very popular shade of dark blue
- Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams)– a lightened up, unassuming gray you’ll love
- Urbane Bronze (Sherwin Williams) – dark, moody gray and Sherwin Williams “2021 Color of the Year”
- Tricorn Black (Sherwin Williams) – a neutral and rich black paint color
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Get a zero-cost copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
17 Real Life Homes Using Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
All of the information above is undeniably important and necessary to know when deciding whether Cheating Heart is the right paint shade for you. However, many people find that data like that isn’t enough. Instead, they need to see how it looks in real life.
With that in mind, I found 17 real homes, rooms, and other spaces that use BM Cheating Heart for you to check out!
Cheating Heart Paint in Living Rooms
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
1. A New Take on Wainscotting
Studio McGee demonstrates how you can use Cheating Heart in a large way that won’t make you feel like you’re inside of a mausoleum. By coordinating whites, creams, and earthy tones, this shade almost seems to fade into the background.
Kitchens Painted BM Cheating Heart
For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).
1. Tuxedo Style is Always Stylish
Right off the bat, here’s a beautiful kitchen with dark and dreamy kitchen cabinets painted Ben Moore Cheating Heart.
The dark shade is perfectly balanced by lots of crisp, bright white in the tile, walls, ceiling, counters and lighting for a beautiful, always stylish tuxedo look.
2. Bold, but Not Too Bold Kitchen Cabinets
One approach in the kitchen is to do what Emily Abell did in this incredible kitchen…paint all the cabinets in Cheating Heart.
Do you see the hint of navy peeking through? Unfortunately, this approach wouldn’t work in a small or very dark kitchen. (Photo credit: @sweetrootsphotography)
3. Classic Navy and White
@zdegree1 took the opposite approach of creating accents while still incorporating Cheating Heart’s bold sophistication in a mostly white kitchen. Stunning!
5. Fun Color Choice for Kitchen Islands
Living with Landyn painted the island in Cheating Heart – I love how navy it looks where the natural lighting hits it directly!
Cheating Heart Dining Rooms
6. A Color with Depth
Bold, moody colors are terrific in formal, elegant settings. This formal dining room from Joni Spear Interior Design and Anne Matheis Photography via Houzz pops with white trim and gold accents.
7. Works Well with Brown Tones
Blues and browns go together like peas and carrots. The bright natural light and light brick in this dining room from Studio Gaspo draw out the blue undertones in this deeply saturated gray.
Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart in Bedrooms
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
8. A Moody Bedroom Paint
Rebecca Avery created a bold bedroom retreat using Cheating Heart as an accent wall color, made even more punchy with the textured “plus” of shiplap…but just on the wall behind the bed.
You know what they say about too much of a good thing! Her restraint pays off in dividends here, does it not? The darker hue is balanced beautifully by the neighboring off-white walls, and the bright white trim and bedding.
9. Leans Gray in the Natural Light
Laura Engen shows Cheating Heart’s versatility. In this room, the low lighting keeps the blue undertones in the background so that it appears deeply gray.
Look how the items on the shelves seem to pop against the dark wall!
Bathrooms Painted Cheating Heart
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
10. Non-Traditional Take on Shiplap
Dominique Delaney created a dreamy, modern chic bathroom by taking the different approach of painting shiplap dark. Love! (Photo by Laura Sumrak; Builder Plattner Custom Builders)
11. Fun Paired with Patterns
Check out the difference between where the light hits the paint and where it doesn’t. CBC Builds (Photo credit: Sarah used Cheating Heart as an accent color for the trim details, as well as on the bathroom cabinetry. It works so well with the patterned floor to pull together this chic bathroom.
See the navy tones in the vanity while the upper cabinets look almost black? That’s versatility!
Ben Moore’s Cheating Heart Mudrooms & Laundry Rooms
12. Striking as a Furniture Paint
Love! Not only do I long for a shoe and coat bench like this one in my home, but look how gorgeous it is! @jensinejadams made smart use of wood to make it even better.
13. Clean Look for a Mudroom
Maddyn Homes shows off Cheating Heart in a gorgeous mudroom/hallway area. Thanks to the depth in this color, all you really need are some fun accent pieces to complete the look.
Other Homes Using BM Cheating Heart
14. Adds Dimension to a Space
@styled.by.kristy shows off before and after images of the same area, and the transformation is simple but stunning.
15. Fabulous Cheating Heart Built-Ins
If you want to create an executive or masculine office vibe like Remington Avenue did, Cheating Heart is an ideal choice. It’s hard to believe the paint color outshines that fabulous wood desk – but it almost does!
16. Perfect Dark Hue
@lalawright created a home theater that anyone (including me) will drool over. Cheating Heart is the perfect color choice to create a room in which to hunker down for a movie – or marathon.
17. Focus-Friendly Office Space
Cheating Heart showing what a usable color it can be here on all four walls in a focus-friendly office space. A dark room can often help maintain attention more so than bright, cheerier tones.
Cheating Heart demonstrates how even a dark shade can give a room a fresh look without creating an off-putting cave-like atmosphere.
That’s all, folks! Do you now have visions of adding this endlessly sophisticated shade to your home? I hope so because it’s an impactful shade that can create beautiful results!
Don’t forget to use a paint sample and check it out thoroughly before you commit to anything, though. Once again, the type I personally use and recommend are these non-mess, re-positionable, re-usable, peel and stick variety…
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
Ready to show those boring, bland walls who’s the boss at home? This no-cost guide will help you sidestep mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
Leave a Reply