Updated on Jun 23, 2025
19 Minute Read

Ancient Oak 940 Paint Color by Benjamin Moore

Step Back into Nature's Warmth

When I first painted a wall with Benjamin Moore’s 940 Ancient Oak, I was looking for a color that could warm up my living room without overpowering it. The hue had a subtle richness that bonded instantly with everything around it—from furniture to art pieces. I learned it was named after the timeless strength and enduring nature of ancient oak trees, which matched the strong yet welcoming vibe I wanted.

Initially, I thought the color might be too dark, but it turned out to be perfectly balanced, adding just the right amount of depth to my space. The warmth of 940 Ancient Oak creates a cozy atmosphere, making my living room a perfect retreat after a long day. This shade fits well with both modern and traditional decor, making my design choices quite flexible.

Choosing a paint color can feel like a big commitment, but using 940 Ancient Oak has confirmed that the right shade can truly make a room feel like home. It’s like I’ve added a new layer of comfort and style to my house without having to change much else.

Whether it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon or a dinner party with friends, this color keeps on enhancing our experiences in the living space.

Ancient Oak 940 Paint Color by Benjamin Moore
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What Color Is Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore?

Ancient Oak by Benjamin Moore is a warm, inviting color with deep taupe undertones that lend a sense of coziness and comfort to any room. This versatile shade works well in a variety of lighting conditions, making it an excellent choice for spaces both large and small.

The neutrality of Ancient Oak allows it to fit seamlessly into various interior styles, particularly rustic, modern farmhouse, and traditional designs. In a rustic setting, it complements natural elements such as exposed wood beams and stone accents.

For a modern farmhouse look, pairing it with crisp white trims and pastel accents creates a fresh, welcoming aesthetic. In traditional spaces, Ancient Oak provides a rich backdrop for classic furnishings and detailed moldings, enhancing the room’s overall warmth.

When it comes to materials and textures, Ancient Oak pairs beautifully with natural wood, leather, and linen. Furniture pieces in dark wood or distressed leather look particularly striking against this color, while linen curtains or throw cushions can soften the overall feel of the room.

Additionally, metallic accents in bronze or copper can add a touch of luxury to the earthy tone of Ancient Oak, creating a balanced and coherent space.

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Is Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore Warm or Cool color?

Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore is a deep, rich brown paint color that brings warmth and a cozy feel to any room. This color is versatile, working well in a range of settings such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

It pairs beautifully with both light colors, like creams and beiges, and bold hues, like navy or rich reds, allowing for flexibility in decorating schemes. Ancient Oak 940 adds a sense of stability and warmth to spaces, making them feel inviting and comfortable.

It is particularly effective in rooms with natural light, where the sun enhances its earthy tones, yet it maintains its depth and appeal in artificial lighting too. This makes it a great choice for creating a welcoming atmosphere in homes, supporting various decor styles from rustic to more modern looks. Overall, Ancient Oak 940 helps create a cozy, homey environment, appealing to those looking to add a touch of warmth to their interiors.

Undertones of Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore

Ancient Oak is a unique paint color produced by Benjamin Moore that fits beautifully in various interior spaces. This color’s complexity originates from its diverse undertones, including pale yellow, light purple, light blue, pale pink, mint, lilac, and grey. Each of these undertones plays a crucial role in how the color is perceived and how it influences the atmosphere in a room.

Undertones can subtly change the main color, depending on the light and surrounding elements. For instance, in bright, natural light, the pale yellow undertone might make Ancient Oak look warmer and more welcoming, while the grey undertone could give it a more muted, neutral look in artificial lighting. This duality allows the color to be versatile and adaptive to various styles and spaces.

When applied to interior walls, the undertones of Ancient Oak can make the space feel grounded yet vibrant. For example, the light purple and lilac undertones might bring a slight sense of freshness and creativity, ideal for a studio or a creative space. In contrast, the mint undertone can add a hint of nature and freshness, perfect for a bathroom or a restful bedroom.

Overall, the richness of Ancient Oak, supplemented by its various undertones, ensures it can adapt to different settings and moods, making it a great choice for anyone looking to refresh their interiors without opting for an overly bold color. This adaptability is why many people choose nuanced colors like Ancient Oak for their home.

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What is the Masstone of the Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore?

Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore has a masstone of light gray, with a shade code of #D5D5D5. This light gray color is versatile and subtle, making it ideal for use in various areas of a home. Because of its soft and light nature, it can make small spaces appear larger and more open.

This shade provides a neutral backdrop that works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, allowing other decor elements like furniture and art to stand out. Light gray is also calming, which helps in creating a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for places where you want to unwind.

Moreover, this color matches effortlessly with a wide range of other colors and materials, making it a practical choice for people looking to have a flexible color scheme that can adapt to different styles and tastes. This adaptability and ease of use make it a go-to color for many homeowners.

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How Does Lighting Affect Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore?

Lighting plays a crucial role in how we perceive colors in our surroundings. Different types and qualities of light can significantly influence the appearance of paint on walls, such as the color Ancient Oak by Benjamin Moore. Understanding these effects can help you choose the best lighting and room orientation for this shade.

In artificial light, such as from light bulbs, the perception of Ancient Oak can vary widely depending on the light’s color temperature. Cooler bulbs (with a higher Kelvin rating) may bring out more of the gray undertones in the paint, giving it a slightly more muted appearance.

Warmer light, like from incandescent bulbs, enhances the warmer, richer tones, making the walls feel more cozy and welcoming.

In natural light, the color reacts differently throughout the day. Morning light tends to be cooler, potentially highlighting more muted, grayish aspects of Ancient Oak.

As the day progresses, sunlight becomes warmer, which can make the color appear richer and more vibrant.

Room orientation also affects how Ancient Oak is perceived:

  • North-facing rooms – These rooms receive indirect light, which may produce a cooler, more consistent light, emphasizing the gray tones in Ancient Oak, making it appear more subdued.
  • South-facing rooms – These rooms benefit from abundant light for most of the day, which can make Ancient Oak look warmer and more dynamic. The paint color may seem lively and inviting due to the bright, warm light.
  • East-facing rooms – In these rooms, the color will get bright morning light, which can make Ancient Oak look soft and warm in the mornings, but potentially cooler and more shadowed as the day turns into evening.
  • 4. West-facing rooms – These rooms get the evening light, which could make Ancient Oak glow warmly in the late afternoon, creating a pleasant, cozy feeling as the day winds down.

By considering these lighting effects, you can determine where Ancient Oak would best suit your home, ensuring that its beauty is maximized throughout the day and under different lighting conditions.

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What is the LRV of Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore?

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value, which measures how much light a paint color reflects or absorbs. This number is usually given on a scale from zero to one hundred, where zero means that the color absorbs all the light (like pure black) and one hundred represents total reflection (like pure white).

LRV is important because it helps you understand how light or dark a color will look once it’s on your wall.

A high LRV means the color will look lighter and can make a room feel more open and bright, while a low LRV will make the color appear darker and can give a room a cozier feel.

The specific LRV of 72.61 for this paint means that it reflects a good amount of light, making it a fairly light color

For this reason, it’s a great choice for a room that you want to appear more spacious and well-lit. This particular shade will help in making spaces look bigger and brighter without being overpowering.

It’s a versatile choice, working well in both well-lit and darker rooms, by enhancing natural light or brightening spaces that don’t get much light.

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Coordinating Colors of Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore

Coordinating colors are shades that complement each other and create a balanced, cohesive look when used together in a space. For instance, when decorating with a base color like Ancient Oak, choosing the right coordinating colors can enhance the aesthetic and set the desired mood in the room. Colors like OC-17 – White Dove, 1648 – Slate Blue, HC-172 – Revere Pewter, and 968 – Dune White by Benjamin Moore are perfect examples of coordinating colors that work well with Ancient Oak.

White Dove is a soft and clean white that offers a fresh contrast to the deeper tones of Ancient Oak, making it ideal for trim or cabinetry to brighten spaces subtly. Slate Blue, a quiet and refined blue-gray, brings a hint of calmness and is excellent for creating a focal point without overwhelming the senses.

On the other hand, Revere Pewter is a light gray with warm undertones that provides a seamless transition between the stronger character of Ancient Oak and the softer presence of other accents. Finally, Dune White, with its slightly warmer tone compared to White Dove, offers a gentle harmony, perfect for creating a cohesive flow in rooms with varying light levels and styles. Paired together, these colors complement Ancient Oak beautifully, allowing for a variety of design options.

You can see recommended paint colors below:

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What are the Trim colors of Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore?

Trim colors are essentially the shades used for the detailing work in various painting projects including door frames, window frames, and moldings. These colors are crucial as they help in highlighting or complementing the main wall color, creating a beautiful contrast that can enhance the overall look and feel of a room. For example, the trim colors can frame the walls in such a way that they subtly enhance the features of a space without overpowering the main color theme.

For a rich hue like Ancient Oak by Benjamin Moore, a wise choice in trim colors could be OC-9 – Ballet White or OC-121 – Mountain Peak White. Ballet White is a soft, creamy color that effortlessly soothes the intensity of darker shades, providing a gentle break in colors that is neither too stark nor overly subdued, thereby supporting a harmonious design.

On the other hand, Mountain Peak White offers a crisper contrast, which can wonderfully highlight the trim, making the spaces seem cleaner and more defined. This color is also excellent for bringing out the rich tones of a color like Ancient Oak, enhancing the room’s aesthetics.

You can see recommended paint colors below:

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Colors Similar to Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore

Using colors that are visually similar to each other in a space can create a subtle yet effective impact on the overall aesthetics and mood of any room. When shades like White Swan, Pebble Rock, Albany White, and Light Breeze are used in conjunction with a color such as Ancient Oak, they harmonize effortlessly due to their underlying similarities.

These colors have complementary undertones that blend smoothly, making the space feel cohesive. This kind of a palette can soften the transitions between different surfaces and furnishings, aiding in achieving a unified look without sharp contrasts, which can sometimes give a choppy or disjointed feel to an environment.

The color White Swan is a clean, gentle white with just a hint of warmth, making it versatile for pairing with richer, deeper tones. Pebble Rock presents itself as a subdued, grayish-beige that carries an air of understated elegance, blending seamlessly with darker hues. Albany White punches up the warmth slightly more, introducing a cozy, creamy texture to the surroundings.

Lastly, Light Breeze is a very soft, muted blue, providing a breath of fresh air and a light, airy quality to any space it adorns. These colors are particularly useful for creating a layered look without straying too far from a chosen color scheme, ensuring that the environment remains visually harmonious and inviting.

You can see recommended paint colors below:

  • 927 White Swan
  • 945 Pebble Rock
  • 944 Albany White
  • 512 Light Breeze
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Colors that Go With Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore

Choosing the right colors to complement Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore, such as Timothy Straw, Spring Morning, Dark Celery, Turning Leaf, Willow Green, and Chantilly Lace, is essential for creating a harmonious and visually appealing space. These colors work well together because they balance tone and mood, thereby enhancing the overall aesthetic of a room.

For instance, darker tones like Dark Celery can create a striking contrast, making the lighter tones pop and give the space a balanced feel. Paired colors help in setting a desired atmosphere, whether one aims for a cozy, vibrant, or calm environment.

Timothy Straw is a warm, inviting shade that mimics the sun-kissed color of dried straw. It adds warmth and brightness to spaces, making them feel more welcoming. Spring Morning is a pale, soothing green that imparts a fresh and airy quality, reminiscent of a soft, early day in spring. Dark Celery is a bold, deep green that provides depth and richness, ideal for feature walls or accents. Turning Leaf is a vibrant, autumn-inspired orange that injects energy and enthusiasm into any space.

Willow Green is a subtle, deeper green that offers elegance without overshadowing other design elements. Chantilly Lace is a crisp, clean white, excellent for brightening up spaces and offering a contrast to deeper tones. Together, these colors enhance the natural beauty of Ancient Oak and allow for design flexibility in any room.

You can see recommended paint colors below:

  • 2149-40 Timothy Straw
  • 263 Spring Morning
  • 2146-10 Dark Celery
  • 384 Turning Leaf
  • 2150-10 Willow Green
  • OC-65 Chantilly Lace
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How to Use Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore In Your Home?

Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore is a warm, rich brown paint color that adds a cozy feeling to any room in your house. It’s perfect for creating a welcoming atmosphere in living areas, where family and friends gather.

You can use it on the walls to add depth and warmth or on furniture pieces for a classic look. This color pairs well with lighter creams or soft blues, which can lighten the room while keeping the cozy vibe. It’s also great for a study or library, where it can help create a calm, focused space.

In bedrooms, Ancient Oak can be used on an accent wall behind the bed to frame the sleeping area and give it a cozy, grounded feel. Moreover, because it’s a neutral color, it’s easy to match with various decor styles and other colors. Whether your home has a modern, rustic, or traditional look, Ancient Oak can fit right in.

Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore vs White Swan 927 by Benjamin Moore

The primary color Ancient Oak is a rich, dark brown that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room. It has a warm undertone that makes it ideal for spaces meant to feel snug and relaxing. In contrast, White Swan is a soft, creamy white.

It serves as a bright, neutral backdrop that can either complement the deeper tones of Ancient Oak or stand on its own for a clean and simple look. When these two colors are used together, they offer a pleasing balance.

Ancient Oak provides depth and warmth, while White Swan introduces light and openness, making a room feel more airy and spacious. Each color has its distinct role, yet they harmonize well together, perfect for those looking to combine warmth with brightness.

You can see recommended paint color below:

  • 927 White Swan
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Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore vs Pebble Rock 945 by Benjamin Moore

Ancient Oak and Pebble Rock are two distinct shades by Benjamin Moore, each offering its unique ambiance for interior spaces. Ancient Oak is a deep, warm taupe that provides a cozy, inviting feel to rooms. It has a rich earthiness that works well in spaces where you want a sense of calm and comfort, like living rooms or bedrooms.

Pebble Rock, on the other hand, is a lighter grey-brown, offering a more neutral backdrop. It’s versatile and subtle, making it easier to match with a wide range of decor styles and colors. This color is excellent for areas where you want a clean and open feel, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

While both colors share a natural, earth-toned base, Ancient Oak is darker and warmer, making it feel more enclosed and snug. Pebble Rock is lighter and tends to make spaces feel larger and more airy. Each color suits different needs and tastes, influencing the atmosphere of a room through their individual tones.

You can see recommended paint color below:

  • 945 Pebble Rock
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Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore vs Light Breeze 512 by Benjamin Moore

Ancient Oak and Light Breeze are two distinct colors by Benjamin Moore that offer different vibes and visual impacts. Ancient Oak is a deep, rich brown with a timeless and warm feel, ideal for creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in any room. It’s the type of color that works well in traditional settings, lending a sense of stability and groundedness.

On the other hand, Light Breeze is much lighter, featuring a delicate, airy cream shade that feels fresh and clean. This color is perfect for making small spaces appear larger and brighter, and it pairs beautifully with a wide range of decor styles. It’s particularly effective in achieving a relaxed and light environment, enhancing natural light in a space.

In comparison, while Ancient Oak adds depth and warmth, Light Breeze introduces lightness and a sense of openness. These colors could work well together, with Light Breeze lifting the density of Ancient Oak, suitable for those looking to combine comfort with a feel of expansiveness.

You can see recommended paint color below:

  • 512 Light Breeze
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Ancient Oak 940 by Benjamin Moore vs Albany White 944 by Benjamin Moore

Ancient Oak and Albany White by Benjamin Moore are two distinct yet complementary colors. Ancient Oak is a deep, rich brown with undertones that suggest a natural and earthy vibe. This color can provide a strong, warm foundation in a room, making it cozy and welcoming. It is perfect for areas where a sense of groundedness is desired, like living rooms or studies.

On the other hand, Albany White is a soft, creamy white. It is much lighter and can help brighten up a space significantly. Albany White works well as a neutral backdrop, allowing other colors in the decor to stand out. It brings a light, airy feel to any room, which can be particularly beneficial in smaller or darker spaces.

Together, these colors can create a balanced and harmonious look. Ancient Oak’s depth pairs well with the lightness of Albany White, allowing for a pleasing contrast that can enhance the overall aesthetic of a home.

You can see recommended paint color below:

  • 944 Albany White
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In concluding my thoughts on 940 Ancient Oak by Benjamin Moore, I can confidently say that this paint color has truly impressed me. After trying it out in my own home, I noticed that 940 Ancient Oak has a unique ability to make rooms feel warm and inviting. It’s a kind of brown that isn’t too dark or too light, which makes it perfect for a living room or even a bedroom. This color also looks good with different styles of furniture, whether your things are modern or more traditional.

Even my friends and family who visited found the color very appealing; they said it made my house feel cozy. What’s more, I found that it covered the walls smoothly and the color stayed true even after it dried.

If you’re looking for a new paint color for your room, I think 940 Ancient Oak could be a great choice. It’s not just another shade of brown; it has a rich depth that adds a pleasant, comfortable touch to any room. No wonder Benjamin Moore is known for their quality paints—this color really shows it!

I’m happy with my decision to use this paint, and I think many others will be too.

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