Understanding Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore: A Complete Comparison Guide to Color Selection 

Tricorn Black and Iron Ore Sherwin-Williams are two such colors that have been on people’s radar ever since their launch.

So I went down to a nearby store and bought both paint shades to do my own Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore comparison. 

I really wanted to elevate my study room, but was really confused about which shade of black to use between these two.

Being an interior designer, I know the role colors play in shaping up your home.

So I spent hours holding up the paint chips to compare which shade would complement the rest of the room. 

Then I decided to create this ultimate Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore comparison guide for you to help you understand which shade will be best for your home.

It contains everything you should know – color specifics, undertones, and a room-by-room explanation as well.

Through this guide, you’ll be able to make informed decisions that suits your space and meet your expectations as well.

About Tricorn Black sherwin-williams

Tricorn Black SW 6258 claims to be a really rich, deep, perfect black.

So when I first saw the color on a paint chip, I thought it looked just like any other shade of black. 

But when I swatched it on my study room wall, I wasn’t exactly expecting for it to come out as a jet black, glossy finish.

So I was thoroughly impressed by it. But as soon as the color settled, it left a deep, blue undertone with a matte finish. 

The best part was also that since there are big windows in my study room, the light was able to reflect almost completely.

With an LRV of 3 which is such an incredibly low LRV, it practically absorbs all kinds of light that hits it. 

Technical Specifications Table:

Feature	Tricorn Black SW 6258
LRV	3
Hex Code	#2C2C2C
RGB Values	R:44, G:44, B:44
Undertones	Deep blue
Color Family	Purple-Blue (appears neutral)
Light Response	Consistent, minimal change
Best Use	High-contrast, dramatic spaces

With a deep, rich intensity of black, Tricorn Black can be used in the interiors of your home for accent walls, doors, and kitchen cabinets.

This kind of shade is extremely timeless and can last longer, while completely tying up the whole room together.

Overall, it’s a perfect choice if you are confident with bold looks and have access to plenty of natural light to balance its insane depth.

About Iron Ore sherwin-williams

Iron Ore, on the other hand, is a slightly lighter version of the black shade with gray-green undertones.

You can call it a softer version of the black color. 

While checking on the paint chip, it did give off a very subtle hint of green, so when I swatched it on my study room wall, I knew that this color would look really good as a normal wall color too.

The LRV of Iron Ore Sherwin-Williams is 6, so when the natural light hits the color, subtle shades of olive green are created, with at least 70% light getting reflected on the wall. 

Imagine it like this – In the morning light, the sample looked a little charcoal-ish; but by evening, it became a softer version, more like an ‘everyday, wearable black’.

Technical Specifications Table:

Feature	Iron Ore SW 7069
LRV	6
Hex Code	#3F3F41
RGB Values	R:63, G:63, B:65
Undertones	Green and brown
Color Family	Green-Yellow (appears gray-black)
Light Response	Shifts noticeably with lighting
Best Use	Versatile, sophisticated spaces

If you want to include black in your bedroom walls without making them look as if they have been possessed by a cult, Gothic Lord, go with Iron Ore SW 7069.

The soft black with a hint of gray-green tones will complement the rooms really well. 

To conclude, Iron Ore Sherwin Williams provides an intimate feel to a bedroom, without making it look too intimidating.

It is ideal for creating contrast without overwhelming the smaller spaces.

Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore: A Detailed Comparison

If I had to choose between Tricorn Black and Iron Ore SW for my clients, I would go for Iron Ore – simply for the fact that it’s more palatable for people to understand.

Tricorn Black can be used if you want to add some dramatic flair to your rooms. 

It’s like: Tricorn Black is perfect if you want to make a fearless statement, and Iron Ore is great to add a hint of sophistication.

LRV – Which is darker?  

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. It is a scale used to check how much light a surface, like paint, reflects.

Ranging from 0 – 100, 0 being the ultimate black and absorbing all light, and 100 being the ultimate white and reflecting all light.

Tricorn Black has an LRV of just 3, while Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, making Tricorn a truer, deeper black, and Iron Ore a softer, slightly lighter charcoal black. 

Hidden Tones and their attributes

Paint color undertone is the secondary color that lies beneath the main color and mostly comes out when light (natural and artificial) hits it, resulting in the hue it shows, and influencing the overall mood, surroundings, and look of it.

Tricorn Black has an undertone of a deep blue, whereas Iron Ore is a softer, dark charcoal black with a subtle green undertone that makes it less harsh.

Visuals: Bold Statement vs Soft Inclusion

With respect to color, we not only need to see where it is used, but also the overall finish it gets after drying up. 

Being the absolute black, Tricorn Black commands attention wherever it is used.

It has an almost timeless, sophisticated aesthetic to it – think of it like the huge ballrooms in old castles. 

On the other hand, Iron Ore can help you soften the harshness of black and complement the room it is used in. 

Light Effect

Tricorn Black remains consistently dark regardless of light source.

When bright, natural light falls upon this color, it showcases a rich, dark, and dramatic shade of black, with a very subtle hue of deep blue – almost the color of the ocean at dawn.

Iron Ore can appear as a soft, deep charcoal.

When bright, natural light falls upon this color, it can show a very subtle hint of green, whereas on artificial light, almost a tiny hint of brown can be seen.

Design Styles that Complement the Colors 

Tricorn Black complements modern homes and farmhouse style homes with crisp whites for a high-contrast look, soft neutrals like beige for a cozy, cottage feel, and moody hues like deep greens for an uber-luxurious feel.

You can combine Iron ore with natural elements like wood and plants to create a lived-in, cozy feel.

You can choose the elements you like depending on what type of mood or vibe you are going for.

Both colors work great together and solo as well.

Best Way to Implement the Colors

Tricorn Black can be best implemented in modern homes, especially for accent walls in larger spaces, front doors, and even garage doors.

The absolute black will create drama and sophistication.

Iron Ore can be best used in traditional homes, for it can give a regal look, without the harshness of Tricorn.

Use it on trim walls for an added layer of elegance without giving it a cave-like darkness.

Tricorn black vs Iron ore – A Room By Room Comparison

Now that we have an understanding of how the two colors work, let us do a deep dive into them.

In this section, we’re going to do a Tricorn Black Vs Iron Ore Sherwin Williams room by room comparison.

This way, you can understand how Tricorn Black and Iron Ore blend in or how you can make them work together.

Living Room

Tricorn Black: In a living space with big walls, Tricorn Black gives a very museum-gallery-like feel.

It made the other elements pop out like anything.

However, in smaller spaces, it can make them look a bit harsher.

This shade is more suitable on a single accent wall behind the sofa or the fireplace, because this color creates a bold, focal point in the room. 

Iron Ore: Iron Ore is my go-to for living spaces because it’s more acceptable to people.

You can use it for smaller spaces, making them look intimate without harshness.

It looks particularly beautiful on old bookshelves, lending them a dramatic charm, or even on entertainment centres, adding a touch of sophistication, without being too bold.

Personal Recommendation: For such spaces, I would go for Iron Ore.

It offers drama and sophistication while being family-friendly.

However, if you have huge ceilings and walls, accompanied by tall windows, my suggestion will be Tricorn Black. 

Kitchen

Tricorn Black: Tricorn Black stands out as the perfect black for your kitchen cabinets and walls, as it can bring out the sleekness and modernity in your kitchen.

Due to its low LRV of 3, it absorbs almost all of the natural light, ensuring its neutral appearance stays the same throughout the day.

Because of this versatility, Tricorn Black is the ideal match for your kitchen.

Iron Ore: If you want a shade of black in your kitchen, but without it being ‘too black’, then Iron Ore is your go-to color.

Since it has a softer look to it, with its gray-green undertones, it looks easier on the eyes and will also complement your kitchen cabinets and appliances.

Personal Recommendation: If you want to use a shade of black that gives your kitchen a modern, sophisticated look while adding its own charm and personality, opt for Tricorn Black.

However, if you want a toned-down version of the same color, but that also gives off a very ‘cozy, cottage’ vibe, I would suggest Iron Ore. 

Bedroom 

According to Feng-Shui, Black encapsulates majesty, power, strength, and elegance while displaying positive energy.

Black, if used in the correct spaces, can actually bring about calmness and a certain amount of stability in your energy as well. In this part, I will mention how these two black shades can elevate your bedroom.

Tricorn Black: Feng-Shui experts say that you require an absolute shade of black to accentuate your room.

For this, I will recommend Tricorn Black.

Since it is considered “the most black”, I suggest using it on an accent wall to balance the other elements in your bedroom.

It will not only give a very sophisticated and royal look, but will also help in creating a contrast.

Iron Ore: For an extremely intimate and personal space like the bedroom, Iron Ore would be a slightly more suitable choice.

Since it gives off a very soft black look after drying, it will tie the whole appearance of the bedroom together. 

Personal Recommendation: If you want to go for a bold, high-class look, go with Tricorn Black.

Use it mostly for your master bedroom, or if you want to use it in other rooms, use it on the doors and trims.

But if you want to use Black in your kids’ bedroom (I did for my daughter, as she wanted that), I would suggest a softer black like Iron Ore.

Bathroom

Tricorn Black: Because of its absolute black properties, Tricorn Black can be used on the bathroom walls.

Its deep blue undertone will provide a beautiful contrast to neutral-toned elements in your bathroom.

Bonus points if you have a few sources of natural light, then it will completely accentuate the whole look.

Iron Ore: If you prefer a stylish yet spa-like feel to your bathroom, go with Iron Ore.

Due to its softer finish with gray-green hues, this color will give off an elegant appearance to your bathroom without making it too dramatic or harsh on the eyes.

Personal Recommendation: If you want to add a layer of flair and charisma to your bathroom, go for Tricorn Black.

But if you want a more subtler version of the same stick with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore.

Front Door and Interior Doors

Tricorn Black: Due to its LRV of 3, Tricorn Black does not change its color.

Rather, when light reflects, a deep, blue undertone can be seen.

This shade will give an ethereal, almost-royal kind of appearance on the front door.

Iron Ore: This color is perfect to use as a trim color on white doors.

The contrast will create a beautiful balance between the two colors on the front door and also on the other interior doors.

Personal Recommendation: If you prefer to just upgrade your interior doors without making them look harsher, I would recommend going with Iron Ore.

However, if you want to attract attention and flair to the Interior doors and front door, go with Tricorn Black.

Exteriors and Other Miscellaneous Rooms 

Tricorn Black: Tricorn Black on the exterior rooms adds a bold, contrasting look to doors, shutters, and trims.

You can use this color on the garage door, trims of other rooms, and front and back doors.

Iron Ore: With the LRV of 6, Iron Ore will work beautifully on the full-body exterior doors of your home as it brings softness and depth. This color adds on to the subtlety and texture of the room. 

Personal Recommendation: If you prefer to add style, substance, with a touch of luxury, go with Iron Ore SW for the exteriors.

But if you want to go out loud and feel a bit bolder, I would suggest Tricorn Black.

Tricorn Black Vs Other Black Shades

If you are anything like my partner, then you will also feel this – for them, ‘It’s all Black, babe. Shade, tone, etc., doesn’t matter.”

Now, how to explain to this person that you can’t pair an absolute black shade with a slightly lighter shade of black in the same room!

Anyways, if you are also confused as to how Tricorn Black fares against other Black shades available on the market, fret not.

I will provide you with a basic comparison between Tricorn Black vs other shades of Black, like Caviar, Urbane Bronze, etc.

Tricorn Black vs Black Magic

Although Black Magic (SW 6991) and Tricorn Black have the same LRV of 3, Black Magic is a warmer black with a brown-purple undertone.

On the other hand, Tricorn Black is an absolute black with a deep blue undertone. 

Due to its warmer undertones, Black Magic has a more inviting, softer feel to it.

A color like Black Magic can be best used for wall accents, trims, and even on doors.

Tricorn Black vs Caviar

Caviar (SW 6990) also has the same LRV of 3, just like Tricorn Black.

But unlike Tricorn Black, it lies on the warmer side of black with almost no undertones – making it an absolute, warm black. 

Due to it being a striking, dark color, it is advisable to use Caviar on the interiors of your homes, because it radiates elegance and luxury. 

Tricorn Black vs Peppercorn

Peppercorn (SW 7674) is a dark gray neutral black tone.

It belongs to the purple hue in the color wheel, and with an LRV of 10, you can see a very subtle hint of purple as an after-effect when the light reflects on it.

Because of the faint purple hue, its best use will be for exterior doors and wall trims.

Its dark gray tone can add a dramatic touch to any home design, without it looking harsher.

Tricorn Black vs Urbane Bronze

Urbane Bronze (SW 7048) is a warm gray-charcoal color with brown-green undertones.

With the LRV of 8 and a deep, earthy tone, this color will suit the best on the exteriors – namely the Front Door and even interiors, as it can provide a very high-end feel to the room, without making it harsh on the eyes.

Unlike Tricorn Black, which can mostly be paired with an equally absolute white color, Urbane Bronze can be paired with neutral, warm colors to create a richer contrast.

Tricorn Black vs Benjamin Moore Onyx

As compared to Tricorn Black Sherwin Williams, which has an LRV of 3 with deep blue undertones, BM Onyx (2133-10) is a neutral deep black color, has an LRV of 5, and with little to no undertones, per se.

Since it’s not overtly cool or warm, it can be used on accent walls with contrasting elements to bring out the rich, saturated look to the entire room.

Color	LRV	Undertone	How it feels	Key Uses	Difference from Tricorn Black
Black Magic (SW 6991)	3	Warm brown-purple	Softer, more inviting	Accent walls, trim doors	Warmer and softer as compared to the starker TB
Caviar (SW 6990)	3	Warm with almost no visible undertone	Rich and bold	Interiors where you want a luxe feel	Absolute warm black, while TB is a cool black.
Peppercorn (SW 7674)	10	Dark gray color with a subtle purple undertone	Moody but soft	Trim doors, Exterior walls	Much lighter, more gray; visible purple cast under light
Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)	8	warm gray-charcoal color with brown-green undertones	Earthy, yet high-end look	Front Door, exteriors, warm interior spaces	Warmer and earthier; pairs well with neutrals as compared to TB
Benjamin Moore Onyx (2133-10)	5	Neutral black	Rich, deep black without a specific temperature bias	Accent walls with contrast	Slightly lighter, more neutral; lacks TB’s blue undertone

Which one to choose among Tricorn Black and Iron Ore?

Choosing between different shades of black, such as Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore Sherwin Williams, can feel a bit overwhelming but you can make it work.

This can either break the entire harmony of the room, or it can tie it all together like a beautiful painting.

There is a reason why Color Theory exists. Even the color black behaves differently according to the light, element size, and surrounding tones.

For example, I almost made the mistake of putting Tricorn Black on all of the walls in my less than 200 sq ft bedroom without swatching it.

Had I gone ahead, it would have looked less ‘fairy tale-esque cottage vibe’ and more ‘haunted-villa aesthetic’.

When to choose Tricorn Black

I would recommend using Tricorn Black Sherwin-Williams 7069 when you want to highlight high ceilings or use it as an accent wall in your living room.

Being the absolute black with a deep blue hint, it will help create a beautiful, dramatic, and contrasting look in these rooms.

Where I would definitely avoid using Tricorn Black is in small spaces like the Powder Room, storage rooms, and spaces less than 200 sq ft, because the color will completely throw off the entire look and look extremely disjointed.

When to choose Iron Ore

If you want to use black in your bedroom, go with Iron Ore.

This color is suitable due to its deep, sophisticated charcoal finish as compared to Tricorn’s true black.

It can add a layer of drama and class in modern and traditional spaces equally.

I would not go for Iron Ore Sherwin Williams 6258 in spaces where you want to showcase bright, warm colors, as Iron Ore can give off a slightly off-balanced and an overwhelming look to the room. 

Conclusion

I have given you all the main details regarding Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore in this blog.

We have covered from what the colors are, how they will look in each room, their basic differences, and also given a brief comparison between Tricorn Black and other black shades.

Choosing the correct shade of black is not just about color; it’s also about how the color will complement with its surrounding elements.

There are a plethora of questions to answer before selecting the correct shade of a color – will it look harsher on the eyes? Can I use it on my bedroom walls? Will it make the room look bigger or smaller? 

Ultimately, this guide can help you understand and decide which Black you want to use for your homes. 

FAQs on Tricorn Black vs Iron Ore