Sherwin-Williams In the Navy SW 9178 - An Architect's Honest Review
Sherwin-Williams In the Navy SW 9178 is the navy people choose when Naval feels too polite - and it is also the navy that most often disappoints people who were expecting blue. At LRV ~4 it sits at the very bottom of the scale, and in any room without generous daylight it reads as near-black until the light shifts across the wall. I have specified it in libraries, bedrooms, and kitchen cabinetry, and the pattern holds: the colour behaves exactly as its numbers predict, and the rooms that go wrong are the ones where nobody read them.
Its defining character is a cool blue undertone. It is a clean, saturated navy with a faint slate lean rather than a purple or teal drift, which is why it looks sharp against white joinery and slightly austere against cold grey stone. It is cross-shopped constantly with Naval, Salty Dog, and Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, and the gaps between them are real but narrow enough that choosing by name alone goes wrong.
This review covers SW In the Navy's undertone, its LRV, how it behaves by orientation and artificial light, what to pair it with, the rooms and cabinetry where it earns its place, and an honest assessment of who should and should not paint with it.
In the Navy SW 9178 - The Key Facts
Collection | Sherwin-Williams SW 9178 - rated for interior and exterior use |
LRV | ~4 (very dark zone - 3.7 on Sherwin-Williams's own data, 4-5 on other databases; reads near-black in low light) |
Undertone | Cool blue - deep, saturated navy with a faint slate lean, not purple |
Character | Dramatic, traditional, library-like, enveloping |
Best trim | Pure White SW 7005 or Extra White SW 7006; Alabaster SW 7008 for a softer edge |
Best orientation | South or west-facing, or any room with strong daylight and layered warm lighting |
Main risk | Collapses to flat black in dim, north-facing rooms or under a single cool overhead light, and shows every sheen and brushwork flaw on large walls |
In the Navy Undertones - What Is Actually Going On
The undertone of In the Navy is a cool, clean blue - and the cleanliness is what separates it from many dark blues on the market. The base reads as a saturated navy pulled down toward black, with a faint slate lean that stops it drifting into purple or teal. Held beside true black the blue is unmistakable; seen alone in a dim room, it can be hard to detect at all.
That slate lean is subtle and worth understanding. It makes the colour read as formal and architectural rather than nautical, and it is why the colour sits so comfortably with crisp white joinery and aged metals. It also explains the confusion with its neighbours: In the Navy shares a hue position with Naval and differs mainly by being a touch more saturated, so the two look closer on a screen than they do on a wall.
Where the undertone becomes a decision is in how much grey you want in your navy. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy leans visibly charcoal, which gives it a softer, more muted face, while In the Navy carries less grey and more blue and so commits harder. The Naval vs Hale Navy comparison covers that grey-to-blue spectrum, and it is the clearest way to see where In the Navy sits on it.
LRV - What 4 Means in a Real Room
At LRV ~4, In the Navy sits in the very dark zone - Sherwin-Williams's own data lists 3.7, while other colour databases round it to 4 or 5. That spread is rounding rather than genuine disagreement, and it is invisible on a wall. What matters is the order of magnitude: this paint returns almost none of the light that lands on it.
In practical terms, In the Navy walls make a room's light come from somewhere else - windows, lamps, pale floors, a white ceiling. A room with strong daylight and a bright ceiling can carry the colour comfortably; a room that already struggles for light will feel smaller and more enclosed. Among the deep navies, Naval sits at roughly 4 to 4.5, Salty Dog at roughly 4.7 to 5, and Hale Navy at roughly 6.3 to 6.4. A gap of two or three points between colours this dark cannot be perceived on a wall, so saturation and grey content decide between them, not brightness. The Salty Dog vs Naval guide is the closest on-site comparison of the navies most often weighed against In the Navy.
The LRV matters most at the boundary with white. Trim at LRV 84 against a wall at LRV 4 is an 80-point contrast, close to the maximum any room can contain, and every wobble in a caulk line or cut-in becomes visible. That contrast is the whole appeal of the colour and also the reason it demands tidy workmanship.
How In the Navy Behaves in Different Light
South-Facing Rooms
South-facing rooms are where In the Navy shows its blue most reliably. Strong, warm daylight gives the pigment enough to work with, and the colour reads as deep rather than black from mid-morning to late afternoon. In the evening it settles into a richer, darker version of itself that suits dining rooms and studies. I would use a finish with some sheen here, because a very flat finish absorbs the same light the colour needs to reveal its blue.
North-Facing Rooms
North-facing rooms are where In the Navy needs the most careful thought. Cool, even daylight has little strength, and a colour at LRV 4 has almost nothing to reflect, so the walls tend toward black or toward a flat blue-grey with no depth. The blue comes back after dark under warm lamps, which is why a north-facing room in this colour works best as a space used mainly in the evening - a snug, a study, a dining room. If the room is used mainly in daytime, I would test the colour hard before committing a full wall to it.
East and West-Facing Rooms
East-facing rooms give In the Navy a clear, bright blue in the morning and a flatter, darker face after midday. For a breakfast room or an office used before lunch that rhythm is pleasant; for a living room used all day, it means the colour changes character just when people sit down to use the room. West-facing rooms are the better partner: late sun warms the surface, the blue deepens, and the colour looks its most luxurious exactly when evening rooms are in use.
Artificial Lighting
Artificial lighting decides whether In the Navy reads as blue or as black. Bulbs between 2700K and 3000K warm the surface and bring out depth, while 4000K and above turn the blue icy and expose the slate lean as a flat grey cast. Layered light matters more than usual on a wall this dark: wall lights, picture lights, and dimmable lamps at different heights break the surface up so it reads as colour rather than as a void. A single central pendant in a navy room produces the black-hole effect I see most often on site visits.
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Trim Colours and What to Pair With In the Navy
Trim - Clean Whites
The most reliable trim for In the Navy is a clean, crisp white. Pure White SW 7005 (LRV 84) is soft enough to avoid a stark cut-out effect while still giving a precise edge, and Extra White SW 7006 (LRV 86) is the sharper, cooler option where the brief is high-contrast and contemporary. Alabaster SW 7008 (LRV 82) is the warm alternative: its creaminess softens the boundary and suits traditional rooms with warm timber. All three feature on the published coordinating lists for this navy, and the choice between them is really a choice about how crisp you want the line.
Floor Materials
Warm timber floors are the strongest partner for In the Navy. Oak, walnut, and honey-toned boards supply the warm counterpoint a cool, dark blue relies on - the blue pushes the wood toward gold, and the wood stops the blue feeling cold. Pale grey stone and cool grey carpet are the combinations to avoid, because the grey flattens the slate lean and the whole room settles into one dull temperature. Very dark floors only work if there is plenty of reflected light elsewhere in the room.
Metal Finishes
Aged and unlacquered brass are the most flattering metals against In the Navy. The warmth lifts the blue and gives hardware a rich, deliberate look on cabinetry and joinery. Polished nickel and chrome give a crisper, more nautical effect and suit bathrooms well. Matte black hardware disappears into the colour, so I avoid it wherever the hardware is meant to be seen.
Accent Colours
Warm whites, camel leather, rust, and soft terracotta are the accents that make In the Navy look intentional. They sit opposite the blue on the colour wheel and give a very dark wall some energy. Cool greys and mid-blues compete with it instead of complementing it. For a full palette built around a near-identical navy, the Sherwin-Williams Naval coordinating colors guide transfers almost directly, and published coordination lists for In the Navy also point to Uncertain Gray and the even deeper Anchors Aweigh for tonal layering.
In the Navy Room by Room
Kitchens and Cabinets
Sherwin-Williams In the Navy cabinets are one of the strongest navy choices for a kitchen island and base units. The colour is deep enough to read as a considered, furniture-like finish, and its cool blue base pairs naturally with white quartz or marble, brass hardware, and warm timber. I would use it on the island and base cabinets with lighter wall units or open shelving rather than on every run, because a full wall of LRV 4 cabinetry in a kitchen without much daylight swallows the room. Sheen matters: satin or semi-gloss shows the blue, while a flat finish reads closer to black, and dark finishes show dust and fingerprints more readily, so use a durable cabinet-grade product.
Bedrooms
In the Navy in a bedroom creates an enclosed, low-stimulation atmosphere that suits rooms used mostly in the evening and at night. Painting all four walls gives the strongest cocooning effect, while a single headboard wall keeps the room lighter and more flexible. In a bedroom with good daylight it works well; in a small north-facing bedroom it can feel heavy by day. Warm 2700K bedside lighting, white or oatmeal linen, and timber furniture keep it from feeling cold.
Living Rooms
Living rooms are where In the Navy needs a clear plan. It works best in a room with generous ceiling height, good daylight, and rich materials, where the dark walls frame the furniture rather than shrink the space. In a lower-ceilinged room I would confine it to built-ins or a fireplace wall instead of every surface. A deep sofa in oatmeal or tan leather, brass lamps, and a pale rug give the colour something to push against.
Bathrooms and Powder Rooms
Bathrooms and powder rooms are the most forgiving setting for In the Navy. A small room used briefly can carry dramatic colour, and the dark walls feel intentional rather than oppressive. White sanitaryware, marble, and brass taps supply the contrast the colour needs. Use a moisture-rated bathroom finish, and keep the mirror lighting warm so the blue does not drop into grey.
Home Offices and Libraries
In the Navy is a natural choice for libraries, studies, and home offices. The enveloping depth reduces visual distraction, and painting shelving and joinery the same colour as the walls creates a continuous, tailored effect. Picture lights and a warm desk lamp keep the surfaces legible, and a timber desk gives the room its warm anchor. It is the application where I find clients are least likely to regret the commitment.
Who In the Navy Is Right For - And Who It Is Not
In the Navy is right for you if:
You want a navy with real depth and a clean blue character - In the Navy carries less grey than Hale Navy and reads as a committed, saturated colour rather than a muted one. If the brief is drama and a sense of enclosure, it delivers that more fully than the softer navies.
The room has good daylight, a pale ceiling, and warm materials - these give a colour at LRV 4 the light and contrast it cannot supply itself. Timber floors, brass fittings, and white joinery turn it from a dark wall into a composed scheme.
You are painting cabinetry, an island, or built-ins - a dark navy on furniture-scale elements reads as designed and permanent. It is far easier to balance than a full-height wall of the same colour.
You are prepared to plan the lighting - layered, warm, dimmable light is what keeps this colour blue after dark. If you will invest in wall lights, lamps, and picture lights, the colour rewards it.
In the Navy is not right for you if:
The room is small, north-facing, and used mainly in daytime - there is too little light for the colour to reveal its blue, and it will read as a black box. A lighter, greyer navy or a mid-tone blue is a safer answer for that brief.
You want a navy that looks blue in every light - at LRV 4, In the Navy shifts toward black whenever the light drops. If consistency matters more than drama, Salty Dog's brighter, more vivid blue is the better fit.
The scheme relies on cool grey stone, grey carpet, or matte black fittings - these either flatten the slate lean or vanish into the wall. The colour needs warmth and contrast around it to look deliberate.
You are not confident about finish and workmanship - a wall this dark and this contrasted with white trim exposes patchy coverage, roller marks, and uneven cut-ins. It needs proper preparation, a quality finish, and an experienced painter.
How In the Navy Compares to Similar Colours
vs Naval SW 6244 - In the Navy vs Naval is a close call: Naval sits at roughly LRV 4 to 4.5, within a point of In the Navy, so brightness is not what separates them. Naval is the slightly softer, greyer navy, while In the Navy is a touch deeper and more saturated at the same hue position; colour-difference measures rate the gap as subtle. Choose Naval for a forgiving all-round navy, and In the Navy where you want the extra depth.
vs Salty Dog SW 9177 - In the Navy vs Salty Dog comes down to saturation, not brightness. Salty Dog is a fraction lighter at roughly LRV 4.7 to 5, but the perceptible difference is saturation: it reads as a brighter, more vivid blue where In the Navy reads as darker and more restrained. That makes Salty Dog the better choice for doors and accent walls that need to read clearly as blue, and In the Navy the better choice for rooms that should feel enveloping. Sources are less consistent about how much grey Salty Dog carries, so judge it on a physical sample.
vs Hale Navy HC-154 - Hale Navy vs In the Navy is a choice between muted and committed. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is noticeably lighter at roughly LRV 6.3 to 6.4, and its charcoal lean makes it a muted, greyer navy beside In the Navy's cleaner blue. It suits rooms where you want navy's formality without the intensity, particularly smaller or dimmer spaces. In the Navy is the stronger, more saturated choice when the room has the light to support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherwin-Williams In the Navy blue or black?
In the Navy is a blue, but a very dark one. At LRV ~4 it reflects almost no light, so in dim rooms or at night it reads close to black. In strong daylight, or under warm layered lighting, the cool blue and its faint slate lean become clearly visible. A physical sample in your own room is the only reliable way to know which version you will live with.
In the Navy vs Naval - what is the difference?
SW In the Navy vs Naval is a subtle difference rather than a dramatic one. Both are cool blues at the same hue position with an LRV of roughly 4. In the Navy is a touch deeper and more saturated, while Naval is slightly softer and greyer. In most rooms the choice comes down to how much intensity you want, and the Salty Dog vs Naval guide covers how these navies compare in practice.
Is Sherwin-Williams In the Navy good for kitchen cabinets?
Yes, with the right room and the right finish. It reads as a rich, furniture-like colour on an island or base units, particularly beside white stone and brass hardware. Use a durable satin or semi-gloss cabinet finish so the blue shows, and balance it with lighter wall cabinets or open shelving. In a kitchen with little daylight, I would limit it to the island.
What are the best coordinating colors for SW In the Navy?
Clean whites are the foundation of the coordinating colors for In the Navy. Pure White and Extra White give a crisp edge, and Alabaster gives a softer, warmer one. Beyond whites, warm timber, brass, camel leather, and rust or terracotta accents provide the contrast the colour needs. The Sherwin-Williams Naval coordinating colors guide offers a full palette that transfers well.
Is Sherwin-Williams In the Navy good for a bedroom?
It works well in a bedroom with decent daylight and warm lighting. The depth creates a calm, enclosed atmosphere that suits sleeping rooms, and a single feature wall is a lower-risk way to start. In a small north-facing bedroom used mainly in daytime, the walls can feel heavy and nearly black. Warm 2700K lighting and pale linen bedding keep it comfortable.
The Verdict
Sherwin-Williams In the Navy is a commanding, saturated navy that rewards the right room and punishes the wrong one. It is not a safe choice and it does not pretend to be. With strong daylight, warm layered lighting, white joinery, and warm materials, it produces one of the most dramatic and composed dark interiors a paint can deliver.
Test it in sequence rather than in passing. First, paint two coats on a large board and tape it to the wall you intend to paint. Second, view it at 8am, 1pm, and 7pm on the same day. Third, repeat after dark with only your real bulbs on, at full brightness and then dimmed. Fourth, hold your chosen trim white and floor sample against it. If the board still reads as blue in at least two of those four checks and you are happy with it in the evening, the room can carry In the Navy; if it reads black in all of them, step up to Salty Dog or Hale Navy.
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About the Author
Beril Yilmaz is a qualified architect and interior designer based in the UK. She runs BY Design And Viz, a design platform covering paint colour reviews, interior design guidance, and residential design projects. Beril has specified In the Navy across residential projects in the UK and internationally - most often on kitchen islands, bedroom walls, and library joinery, paired with white trim, warm timber, and aged brass.
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