Narragansett vs. Newburg Green: the one difference that actually matters
You know that moment at the paint store when two colors are sitting there like identical twins and you’re thinking, “Cool, I’ll just pick the one with the prettier name”? Yeah. That’s exactly how Narragansett Green (HC-157) and Newburg Green (HC-158) get you.
Because on the little chip, they’re both “dark teal-ish, moody, expensive looking.” On an actual wall? They have wildly different personalities.
Here’s the real difference in plain English:
- Narragansett Green is a shape shifter. It warms up in strong daylight and cools down (sometimes way down) under lamps.
- Newburg Green is the steady friend. What you see at noon is basically what you get at 8 p.m.
And that difference changes everything when you paint a whole room and then have to live in it like a normal person.
The “on paper” stuff (quickly, because I know you’re not here for math)
Both colors are very dark. Like “this room is now wearing a velvet blazer” dark.
- Narragansett Green HC-157: LRV 9.14
- Newburg Green HC-158: LRV 10.58
LRV is just how much light a color reflects (lower = darker = more light absorbing). The gap between them isn’t huge, but in real life it can mean the difference between “moody jewel box” and “why does my wall look like wet pavement at night.”
Also: both are blue based teals, not true greens. So if you’re hoping for a leafy botanical green… I’m going to gently redirect you before you spend $80 a gallon and a weekend crying into painter’s tape.
Why they look the same at the store and totally different at home
Narragansett Green (HC-157): the dramatic one
In bright, warm natural light (especially south facing), the HC-157 color profile can lean warmer and greener—almost like a deep forest-y teal. It’s gorgeous when it’s gorgeous.
But under certain artificial lights, it can go cooler and smokier, and yes, sometimes it flirts with charcoal/gray. Not always. But enough that you should know what you’re signing up for.
I personally think that movement is the whole charm… as long as you’re not the type who wants your walls to look identical 24/7. (If you are: keep reading.)
Newburg Green (HC-158): the reliable one
Newburg is more saturated and holds onto its color better. It’s the paint equivalent of showing up on time and answering texts.
It still changes a bit (all paint does), but it’s far less likely to pull a full personality swap once the sun sets and you turn on your lamps.
Light + room direction: the cheat sheet you actually need
If you only read one section, let it be this one.
- North facing rooms (cool, grayish light):
Both will look cooler. Narragansett will lean more teal/cool and can feel moodier fast. Newburg stays more “true” to itself. - South facing rooms (bright, warm light):
This is where Narragansett can look incredible—richer, warmer, more green leaning. Newburg stays bold teal and doesn’t warm up as much. - Warm bulbs (2700K-3000K):
Narragansett is more likely to go smoky/charcoal in corners or at night. Newburg usually holds color better. - Cool/daylight bulbs (5000K+):
Both can look more charcoal-ish and serious. Narragansett is the bigger offender here.
One unsolicited opinion from me: if your house is full of random mismatched bulbs (been there), fix that before you blame the paint. Paint is innocent until proven guilty.
Which one should you pick? (Match the paint to your personality, honestly)
Pick Narragansett Green if…
- You love a moody, “gallery backdrop” vibe
- Your room gets good natural light (south facing windows, skylights, big openings)
- You like colors that shift and evolve during the day (it’s a feature, not a bug)
- You have built ins, wainscoting, or details you want to look deep and expensive
Narragansett is for people who love ambience. It’s like lighting a candle and pretending your life is more put together than it is. (My favorite genre of home decor.)
Pick Newburg Green if…
- You want your walls to be consistent from morning to night
- You’re painting a smaller room or a space that doesn’t get much light
- You’re doing a home office (especially if you’re on video calls)
- You want a dark color that’s a little more forgiving and predictable
Newburg is the safer bet if you’re nervous about going dark in small spaces. It still has drama—just less chaos.
My “where I’d use it” breakdown
- Home office: Newburg. Cameras + changing daylight + shape shifting paint = you wondering why your wall looks different every meeting.
- Bathroom with little/no window: Newburg. Narragansett can go flat/gray in a cave bathroom, and nobody wants “spa vibes” that feel like a parking garage.
- Kitchen cabinets: Either, honestly. Narragansett is stunning if you want that extra moody depth. Newburg is great if you want it to read clearly all day.
- Front door: Both work. Narragansett gives you that “ooh it changes with the sun” moment. Newburg gives you consistent curb appeal.
Trim + hardware (so it doesn’t all feel cold)
Because both colors are blue leaning, they can read chilly if you pair them with icy whites and cool metals everywhere.
What I like:
- Warm whites / creamy trims help both colors feel richer and less stern.
- Brass, aged gold, warm toned hardware is basically a cheat code with dark teals.
- Matte black also looks great, especially if your style is more modern.
If you go full bright white + chrome + saturated teal, it can start feeling a little… clinical. Like a very stylish dentist office.
Sample it like you mean it (because dark paint lies)
If you take nothing else away: don’t choose either of these off a chip. Dark colors are notorious for looking different on walls, and they also photograph lighter than they are in real life.
Here’s my no regrets sampling method:
- Get actual paint samples (not just chips)
- Paint them on white poster board (at least 12″x12″)
(Poster board, because painting your wall with 47 squares is a personal hell I don’t wish on you.) - Move the boards around the room
- Look at them morning, midday, late afternoon, and night with lamps on
- Live with them 3-5 days—especially for Narragansett, because that one reveals its moods over time
If Narragansett goes gray in the spots you care about most (like the wall you stare at from the couch), you have two options: change bulbs or pick Newburg. No shame either way.
Tiny naming PSA so you don’t accidentally order the wrong thing
Benjamin Moore has some duplicate names floating around:
- Narragansett Green HC-157 is also Navy Masterpiece 1652
- Newburg Green HC-158 is also New Providence Navy 1651
When ordering, use the HC number. Especially with custom tinted paint, because returning it is basically a fantasy.
One last practical note: these dark colors take more paint (because of course they do)
Plan for more coats than you think, and strongly consider a tinted primer. Dark teals are thirsty little beasts.
Also, coverage is often closer to 250-300 sq ft per gallon (not the optimistic number on the can). In my experience, Newburg tends to cover a touch easier, and Narragansett is more likely to demand an extra coat to look really velvety and even.
So… which one is “better”?
Neither. They just behave differently.
- If you want a moody color that moves with the light, pick Narragansett Green.
- If you want a dark teal that stays consistent and predictable, pick Newburg Green.
And if you’re still torn? Sample both, tape them up, and let your room tell you the truth. Paint chips are flirty little liars. Your actual walls will be brutally honest.