Dulux Ink Well: Review, Colour Pairings and Room Ideas

Dulux Ink Well is one of those paint colours that looks deceptively simple on a colour card and then completely transforms a room. It's a deep, muted navy with a subtle blue-green edge, dark enough to feel dramatic but soft enough to live with every day.

As an interior designer, I often suggest deep blues to clients who want a room to feel cosy, calm and a little more sophisticated. In this guide I'll explain exactly what colour Dulux Ink Well is, how it behaves in different light, the colours that go with it, how it compares to similar navies such as Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, and the rooms where it works best.

What Colour Is Dulux Ink Well?

Dulux Ink Well is a dark, muted navy blue. Its Dulux colour code is 89BG 09/087. In Dulux's coding system, "BG" indicates a blue-green hue, which is why Ink Well can show a hint of teal in some lights. The "09" refers to its light reflectance, so it's a deep colour, and the "087" refers to its saturation, so it's muted rather than vivid.

LRV, or light reflectance value, measures how much light a colour reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white). At around 9, Ink Well is firmly a dark colour, so it will absorb light rather than bounce it around the room. HEX values are approximate and screens vary, so always test a real sample.

How Dulux Ink Well Looks in Different Light

Like all deep blues, Ink Well changes with the light.

• North facing rooms: cool, indirect light brings out its grey and blue-green side, so it can look moody and inky, almost charcoal in the evening. Warm lamps and natural wood stop it feeling cold.
• South facing rooms: warmer light makes it read as a richer, truer navy during the day.
• East facing rooms: brighter and bluer in the morning, deeper and more muted in the afternoon.
• West facing rooms: muted during the day, then warmer and richer as the evening sun comes in.
• At night: under warm bulbs, it becomes a cosy, enveloping backdrop.

Paint a large sample, or paint a sample board and move it around the room, and look at it at different times of day before committing.

Colours That Go With Dulux Ink Well

Deep navy is wonderful with warm, earthy accents. Terracotta cushions or a rust velvet chair against Ink Well walls is a classic, balanced pairing. My guide to terracotta colour explains how to balance warm and cool shades.

For trim and ceilings, choose a warm white or soft cream rather than a brilliant white, which can look stark against such a deep colour. Alternatively, colour drench the walls, woodwork and ceiling in Ink Well for a modern, cocooning look.

Dulux Ink Well vs Similar Navy Paints

If you're comparing deep blues, these are the colours Ink Well is most often compared with. Values are approximate and published by colour matching sites rather than by the brands themselves.

Ink Well is often suggested as a more affordable alternative to Hague Blue, because the two are very close side by side. If you love Hague Blue but want a slightly lighter, softer version, Ink Well is worth sampling.

Where to Use Dulux Ink Well

Living room

Ink Well makes a living room feel calm and intimate, especially in the evening. Pair it with a cream or caramel sofa, natural wood, brass lamps and a large rug. In a small living room, colour drenching walls, skirting and ceiling makes the room feel bigger and more enveloping. See my small living room ideas for more.

Bedroom

Deep blue behind a bed feels restful and grown-up. Use Ink Well on the wall behind the headboard, then layer bedding in white, stone and rust or blush.

Kitchen

Ink Well looks smart on kitchen cabinets, especially with brass handles, marble or quartz worktops and oak shelves. Use a durable eggshell or satinwood finish.

Home office and study

Deep navy creates a focused, calm workspace and a smart backdrop for video calls. Pair it with warm wood and good task lighting. My home office design ideas cover lighting and layout in detail.

Gaming room

Navy is one of the best gaming room colours because it reduces glare and makes screens feel immersive. See my gaming room colour ideas.

Hallway and stairs

Ink Well below a dado rail with a warm white above makes a strong, practical first impression and hides scuffs well.

Front door and exterior details

Deep navy is a classic front door colour, especially with brass door furniture. Paint stockists list Ink Well in exterior products, but always check that the product you buy is designed for exterior use.

5 Dulux Ink Well Colour Schemes to Copy

Classic navy and cream

Ink Well walls, warm cream woodwork and ceiling, an oak floor and brass lighting. Timeless, crisp and suitable for almost any room.

Navy and terracotta

Ink Well walls with a rust velvet sofa, terracotta cushions and earthenware. The warm accents balance the cool navy beautifully and make the room feel welcoming.

Navy and blush

Ink Well behind the bed with blush linen bedding, pale wood and soft gold accents. Calm, romantic and modern.

Tonal blues

Ink Well on the walls with lighter blue-grey textiles, white bedding and natural linen. A restful, layered look for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Colour drenched study

Ink Well on walls, shelving, woodwork and ceiling, with a leather chair, warm wood desk and a brass lamp. Cosy, enveloping and perfect for a small study or snug.

Which Dulux Finish Should You Choose?

Paint stockists list Ink Well across a range of Dulux finishes, mainly in the Dulux Trade colour-matched range. As a guide:

• Matt emulsion: the most elegant finish for walls, with a soft, velvety depth.
• Durable matt: better for busy rooms, hallways and children's rooms, where walls need wiping.
• Eggshell or satinwood: for woodwork, furniture and kitchen cabinets.
• Exterior finishes: for front doors and outdoor details.

Availability can vary by product and retailer, so check before you buy.

Dulux Ink Well in Period and Modern Homes

In period homes, deep navy feels completely at home. It suits Victorian and Edwardian features such as cornicing, panelling, picture rails and fireplaces. Painting below a dado rail or on panelling in Ink Well, with a warm white above, is a classic look that highlights original details. In a Georgian or Victorian sitting room, Ink Well with antique wood, brass and patterned rugs feels rich and traditional.

In modern homes, Ink Well brings depth to rooms that can otherwise feel flat and boxy. Use it to create a feature wall behind a bed or sofa, on kitchen cabinets, or colour drenched in a small study. Pair it with pale oak, matt black, natural linen and contemporary lighting for a crisp, modern look.

How to Sample Ink Well Properly

1. Paint two coats on a large sample board or lining paper, at least A3 size.
2. Move it around the room, including into corners and next to windows.
3. Look at it in the morning, afternoon and evening, and under your own lamps.
4. Hold it next to your flooring, sofa, woodwork and curtains.
5. Compare it side by side with any alternatives, such as Hague Blue, rather than one at a time.

Tips for Painting With a Dark Colour Like Ink Well

1. Use a tinted undercoat or primer so you need fewer top coats.
2. Plan for two to three coats for an even finish.
3. Keep a wet edge and paint one wall at a time to avoid lap marks.
4. Buy enough paint in one batch so the colour is consistent.
5. Use good brushes and rollers. Dark colours show every mark.
6. Check in different light before you finish, as missed patches are easier to spot in daylight.

Is Dulux Ink Well Right for You?

Choose Ink Well if you want a deep, calming navy that feels sophisticated and slightly softer than pure navy, and you're happy to embrace a darker, cosier room. If you want a brighter blue, look at a more saturated shade; if you want something lighter and softer, try a grey-blue such as Faded Indigo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour is Dulux Ink Well?

Dulux Ink Well is a deep, muted navy blue with a slight blue-green undertone. Its colour code is 89BG 09/087.

Is Dulux Ink Well similar to Hague Blue?

Yes. Dulux Ink Well and Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue look very similar. Hague Blue is slightly darker, while Ink Well is a touch lighter and softer.

Is Dulux Ink Well navy or teal?

It reads mainly as navy, but its blue-green undertone means it can look slightly teal in cool or bright daylight.

What colours go with Dulux Ink Well?

Warm whites, cream, stone, blush pink, terracotta, mustard, sage and natural wood, brass and leather all pair well with Dulux Ink Well.

Is Dulux Ink Well good for a small room?

Yes. Deep colours like Ink Well can make a small room feel cosy and intentional, especially when the walls, woodwork and ceiling are painted the same colour.

What is the LRV of Dulux Ink Well?

Colour matching sites list Dulux Ink Well with an LRV of around 9, which means it is a dark colour that absorbs most light.

Bring Depth and Calm With Ink Well

Dulux Ink Well is a beautifully balanced navy: deep, calm and endlessly versatile. Test it in your own light, pair it with warm neutrals and natural materials, and it will give any room a sense of quiet sophistication.

If you'd like help choosing the right navy or building a scheme around it, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me. For more colour inspiration, see the best green paint colours and my guide to choosing the perfect colour palette.