Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- What Is Blue Dragon 810 Paint, Exactly?
- Why Designers Love Blue Dragon 810
- Undertones, Lighting, and How Blue Dragon 810 Behaves
- Where Blue Dragon 810 Shines: Room-by-Room Ideas
- Product Lines and Finishes for Blue Dragon 810
- How to Sample Blue Dragon 810 the Smart Way
- Coordinating Colors and Styling Ideas
- How to Paint with Blue Dragon 810 Like a Pro
- Real-World Experiences with Blue Dragon 810
- Conclusion: Is Blue Dragon 810 Right for You?
If you’ve ever scrolled through paint colors and thought, “All these whites look the same,” Blue Dragon 810 is your sign to click away from beige and into something bolder. This Benjamin Moore blue is rich, calm, and just punchy enough to make a room feel designed on purpose, not painted in a hurry.
Blue Dragon 810 is a medium, cool blue with a hint of violet that designers often compare to a breezy coastal sky. With a light reflectance value (LRV) in the mid-20s, it’s saturated enough to make a statement but not so dark that it closes in a space. In other words: drama, but make it livable.
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes Blue Dragon 810 special, how it behaves in different lighting, where to use it, which finishes to choose, and how to test it like a pro before you commit. At the end, you’ll also find real-life style “stories” to help you picture this color in your own home.
What Is Blue Dragon 810 Paint, Exactly?
Blue Dragon 810 is a classic Benjamin Moore paint color in the brand’s long-standing color lineup. It belongs to the blue family, but it’s not baby blue, navy, or teal. Think of it as a sophisticated medium blue with a touch of gray and violet tucked underneath.
Color analysis tools list Blue Dragon 810 with an approximate HEX value around #6B8DB3 and an RGB mix of roughly 107, 141, and 179. That tells us a couple of things:
- It’s a cool color: Higher blue and green values give it a cool, calm vibe rather than a warm, beachy turquoise.
- It’s mid-tone: With lightness around the mid-50% range, it reads as a medium color, not super light or super dark.
- It has depth: The relatively low LRV (mid-20s) means it absorbs more light than off-whites or pastels, adding richness and dimension to walls or cabinetry.
In real rooms, Blue Dragon 810 can read as anything from a soft denim blue to a slightly more saturated coastal blue, depending on the light and surrounding finishes. It’s a chameleon in the best possible way.
Why Designers Love Blue Dragon 810
If you follow interior design blogs or retailer inspiration galleries, Blue Dragon 810 shows up quietly, but often. It’s the kind of color you notice because the room looks great, and only then do you realize how much the wall color is doing for the space.
1. It Works in Both Traditional and Modern Spaces
Because Blue Dragon 810 sits in that middle zone between bright and moody, it pairs nicely with classic millwork and sleek, modern furniture. Retailers often describe it as a classic shade that complements both traditional and contemporary décor.
- Traditional: Paneled walls, crown molding, and Blue Dragon on the wainscoting create an updated heritage look.
- Modern: Pair it with clean-lined furniture, black metal, and light oak for a fresh, gallery-like space.
2. It’s Boldbut Not Overwhelming
There’s always a risk with blue that your room will look like a nursery or a navy cave. Blue Dragon 810 dodges both. Its medium depth and slight gray undertone keep it grounded, while the blue saturation ensures the color still feels intentional and lively.
Use it on all four walls for a cozy, enveloping effect, or choose a single accent wall if you’re commitment-shy. Either way, it reads like a designer choice, not a paint accident.
3. It Plays Beautifully with White Trim
If you love crisp white trim (and who doesn’t?), Blue Dragon 810 is a dream pairing. The contrast between a fresh white and this cool medium blue instantly adds architecture to otherwise plain walls. That “blue and white” combo also nods to classic Greek island and coastal imagery without feeling theme-y.
Undertones, Lighting, and How Blue Dragon 810 Behaves
Before you bring any color into your home, it helps to understand how it might shift throughout the day. Blue Dragon 810 has a few quirks that work in your favor if you plan for them.
Cool Undertones with a Hint of Violet
On paper, Blue Dragon is a primarily blue color with a subtle violet influence. That little drop of violet keeps it from going too icy or clinical, and instead gives it a slightly romantic, sophisticated edge.
In north-facing rooms (which already lean cool), it can look like a moody, slate-leaning blue. In south-facing rooms with warm sunlight, it softens and shows a bit more of its violet-blue charm.
What the LRV Means for Your Space
With an LRV around the mid-20s, Blue Dragon 810 is considered a darker mid-tone. It won’t brighten a dark hallway the way an off-white would, but it will make a light-filled room feel cocooning and pulled together.
- In bright rooms: Expect a vibrant, polished lookstill cozy, but clearly blue.
- In dim rooms: The color deepens and can approach a smoky, blue-gray mood.
- At night: Under warm artificial light, Blue Dragon may lean slightly warmer and more violet.
Because of that depth, this color is fantastic if you want a space that feels intimate or dramatic: bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, libraries, and accent walls.
Where Blue Dragon 810 Shines: Room-by-Room Ideas
Living Rooms and Family Spaces
In a living room, Blue Dragon 810 can be the backdrop that ties together mismatched furniture and décor. Pair it with:
- Warm caramel or cognac leather sofas.
- Natural fiber rugs (jute, sisal, or wool).
- Black metal or dark wood coffee tables to ground the scheme.
Because the color is cool, layering warm textureswood, leather, woven basketskeeps the room from feeling cold. It’s a great way to create a balanced “modern cozy” vibe.
Bedrooms and Retreat Spaces
Blue is a classic choice for bedrooms because it’s associated with calm, sleep, and relaxation. Blue Dragon 810 ups the sophistication level compared with lighter pastels. Try it:
- On all four walls with soft white bedding and natural wood furniture.
- On a headboard wall only, paired with light greige on the other walls.
- With terracotta, rust, or cognac accents (pillows, throws) for a chic contrast.
Metallic finishes like brushed brass or aged gold lamps look striking against this blue and keep the room from feeling too cold or monochrome.
Kitchens, Cabinets, and Built-Ins
One of the most popular ways to use a saturated blue like this is on cabinetry. Blue Dragon 810 looks especially sharp on lower cabinets or a kitchen island, while upper cabinets and walls stay light.
Benjamin Moore’s durable waterborne alkyd productsoften used for doors, trim, and cabinetrycan be tinted to Blue Dragon 810, giving you a smooth, furniture-like finish that stands up to daily wear. That’s ideal if you’re painting high-touch surfaces like pantry doors, mudroom built-ins, or a bathroom vanity.
Try these cabinet pairings:
- Blue Dragon lower cabinets + white uppers + warm wood floors for a modern coastal look.
- Blue Dragon island + off-white perimeter cabinets + mixed metal hardware for a custom kitchen feel.
- Blue Dragon built-ins around a fireplace paired with neutral walls for a living room focal point.
Exteriors and Front Doors
Because this color is available in both interior and exterior formulas, it can also work outdoors. On exteriors, it tends to read a bit lighter and more cheerful due to strong natural light.
- Front door: Blue Dragon 810 against white or light gray siding gives that “designer front porch” look instantly.
- Shutters: Try it as a shutter or trim color with a soft white body color for a classic, timeless exterior.
- Outdoor furniture: If you’re brave and handy, you can even color-match it for a durable spray paint and refresh metal furniture or planters.
Product Lines and Finishes for Blue Dragon 810
Blue Dragon 810 isn’t just a color chip; it’s available across multiple Benjamin Moore paint lines, so you can use it in almost any situation in your home.
Common Interior Options
- ben® Interior: A more budget-friendly premium interior paint with low VOC and good hidinggreat for bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.
- REGAL® Select Interior: A step up in durability and washability, popular for busy households.
- AURA® Interior: High-end, super-hiding paint ideal when you’re covering a strong previous color or want maximum richness.
- ADVANCE® Interior Alkyd: A waterborne alkyd for doors, trim, and cabinets that cures to a hard, furniture-like finish.
Bath, Spa, and Exterior Formulas
- AURA Bath & Spa: Designed for steamy bathrooms where you want color and a matte, spa-like finish.
- Exterior AURA or REGAL lines: These let you take Blue Dragon outside for siding, trim, or doors, with weather-resistant finishes.
Availability can vary by retailer and region, but in general you’ll find Blue Dragon 810 offered as everything from small sample cans to full-gallon interior and exterior paints.
How to Sample Blue Dragon 810 the Smart Way
With a mid-tone color like Blue Dragon, sampling is not optionalit’s the difference between “perfect” and “why does this look different than Instagram?” Fortunately, you have several options.
1. Color Chips and Half-Pint Samples
Most paint stores that carry Benjamin Moore can provide free or low-cost paper color chips of Blue Dragon 810. Many also sell half-pint sample cans so you can roll the actual paint onto your walls.
Tips for using sample cans:
- Paint at least two coats over a primed white area about 18″ x 18″.
- Test it on more than one wallthe color will shift on different orientations.
- Look at it in morning light, midday sun, and at night with your typical lamps on.
2. Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples
If you don’t want to deal with rollers and cleanup, peel-and-stick paint samples are a game changer. Several sampling services produce large adhesive sheets coated with real Benjamin Moore paint, including Blue Dragon 810. You simply peel, stick, and move them around your space.
Why these are helpful:
- They use actual paint, so the color is more accurate than a printed card.
- They’re removable and won’t damage your existing walls.
- You can try the sample behind art, near cabinetry, or next to tile and countertops.
3. Spray Paint and Specialty Matching
Some U.S. color-matching companies can custom-mix Blue Dragon 810 into spray paint, touch-up bottles, and specialty coatings. This is handy if you want to paint a metal bed frame, a light fixture, or small furniture to coordinate with your walls.
Spray versions often use durable acrylic enamel suitable for interior or exterior use and generally cover around 20 square feet per coat, depending on application. Always check the technical data sheet and follow the manufacturer’s prep and safety instructions.
Coordinating Colors and Styling Ideas
So you love Blue Dragon 810. Now, what are you going to put next to it? Because it’s a cool medium blue with some gray softness, it plays well with a lot of colors.
Best Whites and Neutrals
- Crisp whites: Clean whites on trim and ceilings make Blue Dragon look fresh and architectural.
- Soft off-whites: Warm, creamy whites help balance the coolness of the blue and make a space feel cozy.
- Greige or light taupe: Great for adjoining rooms if you want Blue Dragon in one space and a neutral in the next.
Accent Colors That Love Blue Dragon
- Warm wood tones: Oak, walnut, and even rustic pine keep the palette grounded.
- Mustard, camel, or cognac: Perfect for leather, throw pillows, or art with earthy tones.
- Soft blush or terracotta: Adds warmth and a subtle contrast without clashing.
- Charcoal or black: Use sparingly in hardware, picture frames, or light fixtures for a modern edge.
If you want to get more technical, color-palette tools show that Blue Dragon 810 works well with lighter tints of itself (for tone-on-tone schemes) and with warm neutrals on the opposite side of the color wheel family. But honestly, if it looks good with your sofa and floors, you’re already winning.
How to Paint with Blue Dragon 810 Like a Pro
The color choice is only half the story. The other half is how you apply it. Here’s a quick roadmap to getting a smooth, durable finish.
1. Prep the Surface
- Clean walls with a mild detergent to remove dust, oils, and residue.
- Patch holes and sand any rough spots.
- If you’re painting over a dark or glossy color, use a high-quality primer first.
Good prep is especially important with mid-tone colors, because any imperfections will be more visible than they would under flat white.
2. Choose the Right Sheen
- Matte/Eggshell: Great for most walls; hides minor imperfections and gives a soft, elegant look.
- Satin: Good for higher-traffic areas or kids’ rooms where washability matters.
- Semigloss/Gloss: Best for trim, doors, and cabinetry where you want a hard, wipe-clean surface and a bit of shine.
3. Plan for Two (or More) Coats
Even with high-hiding premium paint, assume at least two coats for even coverage, especially if you’re covering a contrasting color. Follow the recommended recoat times on the can; rushing this step can cause peeling or uneven sheen.
4. Don’t Forget the Lighting
After painting, swap harsh cool-white bulbs for warm or neutral white (2700K–3500K) if the room feels too chilly. Dimmable lamps and layered lighting can completely change how Blue Dragon 810 reads at night.
Real-World Experiences with Blue Dragon 810
Paint colors are easier to understand when you see how people actually use them. Here are some lived-in, practical “stories” inspired by real-world applications of Blue Dragon 810 in homes and design features.
The Living Room That Finally Felt Finished
Picture a living room with pale walls, a tan sectional, and a big TVperfectly fine, but a little bland. Switching the main wall behind the sofa to Blue Dragon 810 transformed the space almost overnight. The tan sofa suddenly looked intentional, the wood coffee table popped, and black frames filled with family photos felt like part of a curated gallery wall instead of random décor.
One of the biggest surprises in setups like this is how the color behaves throughout the day. In morning light, it reads soft and almost playful, like a denim shirt. By evening, in lamp light, it deepens into a cozy, intimate blue that makes movie night feel extra inviting. Friends notice the room feels different, even if they can’t immediately pinpoint that it’s “just” the paint.
A Kitchen Island Glow-Up
Another popular move is using Blue Dragon 810 on a kitchen island. In a white-cabinet, quartz-countertop kitchen, the island can easily disappear into the sea of neutral surfaces. Painting it Blue Dragon instantly creates a focal point that grounds the room.
Homeowners who choose this route often report that the color behaves like a neutral in daily life. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it does quietly tie together bar stools, pendant lights, and even the view out the window. Paired with warm brass or brushed nickel hardware, it walks the line between classic and current.
Using a durable cabinet-grade formula in this color means it stands up to the usual island abuse: backpacks, grocery bags, and kids’ sneakers. A satin or semigloss sheen keeps it wipeable without turning it into a mirror.
The Bedroom Retreat You Actually Want to Go to Bed In
Blue Dragon 810 also shines in bedrooms where people want a retreat without going full “dark cave.” Painting all four walls in this blue can feel like being wrapped in a soft, cozy blanketespecially when paired with light bedding and natural wood tones.
For one couple, switching from a cool gray to Blue Dragon was the difference between “it feels like the builder just picked a color” and “this looks like a boutique hotel.” They added simple linen curtains, white bedding, and a wood headboard, and suddenly the room felt finished. They also noticed that the color looked particularly beautiful at night when bedside lamps were on, giving the blue a slightly velvety quality.
Built-Ins and Home Offices
If you’re working from home, staring at a plain white wall all day can be a little soul-sucking. Painting office built-ins or the wall behind your desk in Blue Dragon 810 can shift the whole mood. The color is professional enough for video calls (it doesn’t reflect harshly on your face like bright white) and interesting enough that people will ask about it.
Pair it with warm wood shelving, a simple black office chair, and a couple of plants, and you have a backdrop that makes you look pulled together even if you’re wearing sweatpants below the camera line.
What People Tend to Say After Living with Blue Dragon 810
Across different spaces, a few patterns emerge when people live with this color for a while:
- They often feel calmer in the space, especially in bedrooms and living rooms.
- They appreciate that it’s not trendy navy or baby blue, but something more nuanced.
- They like how it changes with the light, instead of looking flat all day.
- They notice guests commenting on the room more often, which is always satisfying after a paint project.
In short, Blue Dragon 810 tends to age well in a home. It’s memorable without being loud, stylish without being fussy, and flexible enough to adapt if you change your furniture or décor down the line.
Conclusion: Is Blue Dragon 810 Right for You?
If you’re craving color but nervous about going too bold, Blue Dragon 810 paint offers a smart middle path. It’s saturated enough to be interesting, calm enough for everyday living, and versatile enough to work on walls, cabinets, and even exteriors.
Test it with samples, look at it in your own light, and pair it with trim and furnishings you love. With a little planning, Blue Dragon 810 can be the color that makes your home feel less generic and more “you”without requiring you to repaint every six months when trends change.
