Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black: How To Choose Between These Dark Neutrals For Your Home
In this post, I’ll explain the differences of Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black.
Dark neutrals are having a major moment in home design, adding depth, sophistication, and bold contrast to spaces.
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore and Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black are two popular choices that deliver a beautiful impact with their rich, timeless appeal.
But with their similarities, how do you choose between them? Let’s dive into the details to see which one is best suited for your project.
Comparing Iron Ore vs. Tricorn Black
Both Iron Ore and Tricorn Black are popular colors. And we actually use both in our home!
Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams
Iron Ore is a warm, almost charcoal-like dark gray.
Some people call Iron Ore a black paint color, and it can definitely look black…unless it’s used in a space with a darker true black.
For this reason, I would classify Iron Ore as a soft black.
With an LRV of 6, Iron Ore is deep and rich but slightly softer than pure black. (An LRV of 0 is pure black).
Iron Ore also has subtle warm undertones that give it a softer feel compared to cooler black colors. Sometimes these undertones can lean a bit green. This is where factors like lighting and surrounding surfaces play a part.
But you don’t need to worry about the undertones making Iron Ore look green. It’s actually these subtle undertones that give Iron Ore its cozy and more versatile look.
Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams
Tricorn Black is one of THE blackest black paint colors available.
With an LRV of 3, Tricorn Black is extremely dark, though still not technically a complete black – it would need an LRV of 0 to achieve that.
BUT it’s virtually impossible to find a darker black with an LRV of 0 that’s actually usable in a home/residence. So Tricorn Black is the #1 go-to for someone who wants a true dark black.
Tricorn Black is also unique in that it has basically no undertones. It’s about as neutral as paint colors come, and this also helps keep Tricorn Black looking like a pure, solid black.
| Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black | Iron Ore | Tricorn Black |
| LRV | 6 | 3 |
| Undertones | Subtle green | None! |
| Best For… | Cabinetry, doors, interior walls | Cabinetry, doors, exterior trim |
| Avoid Using For… | It looks great everywhere! | Interior walls, unless you’re going for a truly dark room like for a home theatre room |
Iron Ore coordinating colors
If you’re wondering what color goes with Iron Ore, the good news is that there are several great options that you can use to create a beautiful and cohesive whole house color scheme.
- Pure White: If you’re looking for a white to pair with Iron Ore, I love the softness and slight warmth of Pure White. You can use Pure White as a trim color on the interior or exterior of a house, or use Pure White as the main interior wall color and use Iron Ore as the darker accent color on doors or cabinetry.
- Agreeable Gray: This flexible warm greige enhances the charcoaliness (is that a word??) of Iron Ore. I actually really like the combination of Agreeable Gray kitchen cabinets and an Iron Ore kitchen island for a two tone design.
- Mount Etna: If you’re looking for a blue, I personally love the way Mount Etna works with Iron Ore. Just the two of these together create a great moody vibe.
- Pewter Green: This earthy green compliments the subtle green undertones in Iron Ore. You could use Pewter Green on the exterior of a house and use Iron Ore as a trim/front door color. Or create a moody powder room with Pewter Green walls and an Iron Ore vanity.
Tricorn Black coordinating colors
The beauty of Tricorn Black is that it looks good with just about EVERYTHING.
You have so many options from different when it comes to creating a whole home color palette.
Here are a few of my favorites, but again, Tricorn Black can look good with a lot of colors:
- Pure White: Surprise, surprise! Pure White is one of the all-around best white paint colors, so it’s no wonder that it would work so well with Tricorn Black for a clean, modern contrast.
- Grayish: A pretty gray with warm undertones.
- Jasper: A deep green ideal for creating moody vibes.
- Bunglehouse Blue: A beautiful blue that would make an excellent accent color.
How to decide between Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black
Both Iron Ore and Tricorn Black are beautiful dark gray and black choices, but each offers something unique. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
- Choose Iron Ore if you want a softer, slightly warmer dark neutral that feels cozy and inviting. Iron Ore is a versatile and ideal choice for the interior of your home where you’d like the depth of a dark shade without the intense boldness of true black.
- Choose Tricorn Black if you’re looking for a pure, neutral black that makes a dramatic statement. Tricorn Black is perfect for the exterior of your home, or any other place you want to create a crisp contrast and a more modern, high-impact look.
Iron Ore vs. Tricorn Black – An interior designer’s take
Both Iron Ore and Tricorn Black are great dark neutrals, each with its own personality and style.
Because of the subtle softness of Iron Ore, I would personally recommend it over Tricorn Black for interior spaces. But I do love Tricorn Black for front doors and exteriors.
We used Iron Ore in our house for the cabinetry in our home. And for the exterior of our house, we went more dramatic and selected Tricorn Black for our trim and shutters.
Whichever you choose, pairing these colors with lighter neutrals or warm accents will ensure a balanced, beautiful look for your home.
Don’t get the wrong color – remember to sample first!
You can’t tell how any paint color will look in your home just by looking at photos or even swatches. And paint is expensive, so you don’t want to waste money by getting the wrong color!
That’s why I recommend getting these peel & stick samples from Samplize.
It makes it so easy & affordable to test colors before you commit!