Learn all about Benjamin Moore Salamander (2050-10)in this color review. Salamander is a gorgeous rich dark green color. It can be used as an interior or exterior paint color. It is very dark and has an LRV of 3.66.
Please note that all our photos come from Color Concierge projects in this post. Some of the photos may not be perfect, but we love the way they show our portfolio. Also, we don’t color edit the photos so that you can see what these paint colors really look like.
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What Color is Benjamin Moore Salamander?
BM Salamander is a beautiful deep green color. It’s so dark it is nearly black. It works best in a room with lots of natural or artificial light to help bring out its green hue. Salamander is a gorgeous deep green paint color that is really trending.
What are the undertones of BM Salamander?
Salamander has yellow/green undertones. These undertones help create a strong green color on the wall, despite being so dark.
Is BM Salamander warm or cool?
Salamander is a warm paint color, thanks to its yellow undertones. It’s a great option if you want a dark room but don’t want it to feel too dark or cold.
Using Benjamin Moore Salamander Interior Paint
We love to use Salamander for dark accent rooms such as offices, or as cabinets and accent walls. This color is rich, deep, and complex. Make sure that you use it in a room with lots of natural or artificial light. We like to paint the ceilings and trim white to keep the room feeling sophisticated and airy.
Salamander as with so many other greens looks fantastic with wood finishes. It can also emphasize a beautiful view out the windows. Make sure that you repeat this color somewhere in the room such as the area rug or the decor.
Should I paint a BM Salamander bedroom?
Using BM Salamander as a bedroom paint color is a lovely idea. If you want a dark, moody, calming bedroom (Article) it could work as a whole-room paint color. Just make sure you have enough light so that its green color can really shine. Otherwise, a Salamander accent wall in a bedroom would be a gorgeous application for this color.
Would BM Salamander cabinets work?
Salamander cabinets are a great idea! Deep green kitchen cabinets are really popular these days, and Salamander is a great option if you’re going for that look. They’re also a great option if you like the idea of black-and-white tuxedo kitchen cabinets (Article) but want something a little more unique. Using dark green for your lower cabinets would be really beautiful.
Can I try a BM Salamander accent wall?
A Benjamin Moore Salamander accent wall would work beautifully in a lot of spaces, such as an office or dining room. You could even paint those entire spaces with this dark color and treat the whole room as an accent. Read our guide to learn more about choosing the best accent wall paint colors (Article).
Sample BM Salamander
We always recommend that you test paint colors (article) in your home because lighting can completely change a color, both on interiors and exteriors.
In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess.
Now we have a better way to test paint, with Samplize Peel-and-Stick samples!
- Samples pre-painted with 2 coats of real paint from the manufacturer.
- Large 9” x 14” samples to see the color better in the lighting.
- Delivered overnight
- Colors are accurate
- Less expensive than painting a large poster board with sample pots
- No mess, and no toxic paint to dispose of
I use these in my color consulting practice for exact results. Discover Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples and sample Benjamin Moore Salamander (Sample) via the link below.
What are the best trim and ceiling colors to pair with Salamander?
Although we prefer creamier whites for trim and ceilings to reduce the contrast, Salamander also works well with clean white ceilings and trim. Consider Benjamin Moore White Dove (Color review article), Swiss Coffee (Color review article), Simply White (Color review article), or Chantilly Lace (Color review article).
This gorgeous bookshelf shines with wood finishes and a BM White Dove ceiling. I would love to work from home in this sophisticated office.
Can I use Salamander for Exteriors?
Salamander is GORGEOUS for exteriors! You can use it as a siding color or for accents such as shutters and front doors. In the photo below we show Salamander as a roofline, shutter, and front door color (Article). We love using dark paint colors with red brick (Article) exteriors and Salamander is no exception!
When should I avoid Salamander?
We don’t recommend Salamander in rooms with low light and dark ceilings unless you plan to have the lights on all day long.
The Best Benjamin Moore Salamander Dupes
BM Salamander vs BM Pacific Sea Teal
Benjamin Moore Pacific Sea Teal (Sample) is very similar to BM Salamander. It’s only slightly lighter, with an LRV of 5.93. But it has a stronger blue-green color and appears more like a traditional teal compared to Salamander’s dark green hue.
BM Salamander vs BM Essex Green
Benjamin Moore Essex Green (Sample) is another similar color. With an LRV of 5.64, it is just slightly darker than BM Salamander. It is also a dark green paint color but is much less muted than Salamander and looks much greener on the wall.
BM Salamander vs BM Iron Mountain
Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain (Sample) is a muted green-gray paint color. It’s lighter than Salamander, with an LRV of 10.96. And while it still has green undertones, it is more grayed out and appears more muted on the wall.
BM Salamander vs SW Cascades
Sherwin-Williams Cascades (Sample) is probably the closest BM Salamander alternative. They both have an LRV of 5.72, but Cascades has a bit more blue in it and looks more like a traditional teal than BM Salamander.
BM Salamander vs SW Rock Bottom
Sherwin-Williams Rock Bottom (Sample) is a deep, gray-green paint color. It is slightly lighter than BM Salamander, with an LRV of 7. And while it does have green undertones, it has much more gray in it and appears more muted on the wall.
Can my painter match Benjamin Moore Salamander to Sherwin Williams?
We never recommend paint matching unless you are willing to spend a lot of time going back and forth with the paint company. If you want to match, then make sure you check the paint color with a swatch from Benjamin Moore. Instead, consider SW Cascades (Sample).
Learn about the pitfalls of matching paint colors in our post, Are Paint Color Matches Accurate?
What is the easiest way to test Salamander?
You should always sample and test your paint colors. The easiest way to sample BM Salamander (and any paint color for that matter) is via SAMPLIZE.
Their peel-and-stick paint samples are easy to use and true to color.
There is no mess, and the cost is less expensive than purchasing a sample and a white poster board. Since you don’t need to dispose of the paint, it’s also environmentally friendly!
With Samplize you can easily see how different shades look on your unique wall.
Key Learning Points
Salamander is a beautiful dark green paint color! You can use it for interiors or exteriors. If you use it for interiors make sure you have tons of natural or artificial light so that you can see the beauty in the color. In a dark room, it will look black.
No matter what, don’t forget to test your paint colors. It’s a standard best practice. Whenever I test my paint colors, they are perfect, and when I don’t test they turn out wrong. Read this post to Learn how to test your paint colors like a pro!
NEVER, EVER use paint matches from a different brand than the one specified. Results are poor and there are no standards for the sheens. Even though your painter may truly believe it can be done, don’t do it. Read this post to see results from paint matching.
Online Color Consulting
If you still need help with paint colors, check out our Online Color Consulting packages or an In-Person Color Consultation in the Denver Metro area.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Michelle Marceny, founder, owner, and Principal Color Designer at The Color Concierge. I believe a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space. The Color Concierge was born out of my drive to help clients fall back in love with their homes. My clients trust me to help them find the perfect paint color for their home – whether it’s a whole-house paint color scheme or ideas for a single room.
Since The Color Concierge was founded in 2017, we have completed over 3000 color consultations, both online and in-person. I am a Certified Color Expert with 7 years of experience creating interior and exterior color palettes throughout North America.
We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, our Online Color Consultations will help you pick your paint colours. Thank you for your understanding.
One Response
Saw this. Opened. Read. And saved. A great insightful article. I will try a sample on my front door. My Cape Cod is a yellow tone- not too bright. And .. in my dinning room where I have 2 oak pieces. And finally in my kitchen. While the cabinets are birch, they have a warm glow to them. Thanks for your ‘eye’ for color, and perhaps saving us lot of $ on a total makeover/renovation.