The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
NYU Colors
Color evokes emotion, which is why it’s such a powerful component of how our audience experiences our brand. Our color palette brings the power and vibrancy of NYU’s urban locations and community to life. NYU Violet: NYU Violet is our principal brand color. It should be used in every communication and design. Violet is a distinctive color that has long been associated with the nonconformist who pushes boundaries to leave their mark on the world. Ultra Violet: An electrified version of NYU Violet, this color adds excitement to our communications. Ultra Violet should be used thoughtfully and sparingly to add impact or interest, emphasize important information, increase contrast, or create rhythm within your design. Black: A bold color, black strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and edginess when used alongside NYU Violet.
Questions and Custom Accent Palettes
NYU Marketing Communications (MarComm) offers in-house creative services across the University. Fill out the MarComm Service Request Form for help creating a custom accent palette for your unit or initiative.
MarComm Service Request Form
Color Values
Primary Colors
NYU Violet
PMS: 2597 C
CMYK: C80 M99 Y0 K0
RGB: R87 G6 B140
HEX: #57068c
Ultra Violet
PMS: 266 C
CMYK: Refer to note
RGB: R137 G0 B225
HEX: #8900e1 Note: Cannot achieve Ultra Violet in print with CMYK; use formula for Medium Violet 2.
Black
PMS: Black 6 C
CMYK: C0 M0 Y0 K100
RGB: R0 G0 B0
HEX: #000000
Secondary Colors
Deep Violet
PMS: 2685 C
CMYK: C92 M100 Y23 K28
RGB: R51 G6 B98
HEX: #330662
Medium Violet 1
CMYK: C69 M96 Y0 K0
RGB: R112 G43 B157
HEX: #702b9d
Medium Violet 2
CMYK: C60 M75 Y0 K0
RGB: R123 G90 B166
HEX: #7b5aa6
Light Violet 1
CMYK: C34 M54 Y0 K0
RGB: R171 G130 B197
HEX: #ab82c5
Light Violet 2
CMYK: C5 M9 Y0 K0
RGB: R238 G230 B243
HEX: #eee6f3
Neutral Colors
Dark Gray
CMYK: C68 M61 Y60 K47
RGB: R64 G64 B64
HEX: #404040
Medium Gray 1
CMYK: C58 M49 Y49 K16
RGB: R109 G109 B109
HEX: #6d6d6d
Medium Gray 2
CMYK: C28 M22 Y23 K0
RGB: R184 G184 B184
HEX: #b8b8b8
Medium Gray 3
CMYK: C15 M11 Y12 K0
RGB: R214 G214 B214
HEX: #d6d6d6
Light Gray
CMYK: C4 M2 Y2 K0
RGB: R242 G242 B242
HEX: #f2f2f2
White
CMYK: C0 M0 Y0 K0
RGB: R255 G255 B255
HEX: #ffffff
Accent Colors
Accent colors can be used for emphasis and contrast within your design. They can highlight important elements of your communication such as infographics, pull quotes, or even a single word in a title.
This selection of colors gives you the option to add variety to your content while working alongside NYU’s primary palette. Accent colors are not required, but if you want to use one, choose only one and use it sparingly.
Custom Accent Palettes
Fill out the MarComm Service Request Form for help creating a custom accent palette for your unit or initiative.
Teal
CMYK: C82 M16 Y54 K01
RGB: R000 G156 B139
HEX: #009b8a
Magenta
CMYK: C06 M100 Y19 K00
RGB: R224 G015 B120
HEX: #fb0f78
Blue
CMYK: C62 M13 Y11 K00
RGB: R89 G178 B21209
HEX: #59B2D1
Yellow
CMYK: C07 M00 Y81 K00
RGB: R244 G236 B081
HEX: #f4ec51
Using Color
Palette Ratios
The color palettes here are suggestions of how to flex the NYU colors to best suit the tone of your communication. Not every color in each palette has to be used, but NYU Violet should be present in every version of the palette to further emphasize the NYU brand. Our visual tone ranges from contemporary to traditional and bold to subtle. We created a visual tone spectrum with these tones representing the four quadrants. You can use this tone spectrum to help you convey a visual tone that complements your verbal tone. For more detailed descriptions, refer to the Visual Tone Spectrum web page. These breakdowns are not exact percentages, but they provide an idea of relative use. For example, a traditional and subtle design could incorporate more NYU Violet than a contemporary and subtle design, and a contemporary and bold design could incorporate more black than a contemporary and subtle design. Note: With the exception of headlines, you should set typography primarily in black or dark gray. In digital applications, body text should be set to #333333 or #404040 to reduce the eye strain caused by very high contrast.
Accessibility Note:
Reserve shades of violet and neutrals for background colors and decorative graphic elements. According to the World Wide Web Consortium, if icons are required to understand content, then they must have a contrast ratio of at least 3-to-1. Check your contrast levels with the WebAIM Contrast Checker.
Custom Accent Palettes
Fill out the MarComm Service Request Form for help creating a custom accent palette for your unit or initiative.
Understanding Purple Paint Colors
Purple is a balance of the calming effects of blue and the passionate energy of red. This balance makes it a versatile color that can both stimulate creativity and provide a sense of calm and luxury.
Purple is generally a bold, luxe color and is associated with creativity, luxury, and relaxation.
Shades of purple can range in undertone from warm red-based purple to cooler blue-based purple.
Balancing the intensity of purple shades is crucial to achieve a soothing and calming effect in your space.
If you are worried about purple being too intense for your space, consider doing the following things to help to tone it down.
Choose Soft and Muted Shades
Opt for softer shades like lavender, lilac, and mauve. These muted tones have a gentle and calming presence, creating a serene atmosphere in any room.
Combine with Neutral Colors
Balance intense purple shades with neutral colors such as white, gray, or beige. Neutral tones provide a calming backdrop and prevent the space from feeling overwhelming.
Use Accents and Accessories
Incorporate purple through accessories like throw pillows, curtains, or artwork. These accents add pops of color without dominating the entire room.
Soft Lighting
Choose warm white or soft yellow lighting instead of harsh white light. Soft lighting helps to soften the intensity of bold colors and creates a cozy ambiance, making the room feel more inviting and relaxing.
Limit the Amount of Intense Purple
If you prefer a bold purple, consider painting only one wall in the room. This creates a focal point without overwhelming the entire space. The other walls can be in neutral tones.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Purple Paint Colors
No matter what color you want to paint your room, you need to consider the lighting, size of the space, and existing decor and furnishings before committing to a specific color.
Lighting
Natural light really influences how purple hues are perceived within a bedroom. Rooms with lots of natural light enhance feel lighter and brighter overall, and the wall color tends to be more washed out. A bright room can handle a darker wall color.
In rooms with less light, darker colors look darker and medium-toned colors can look darker, too.
It’s very important to swatch colors on your wall to be sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Room size
Room size really impacts how a color looks on the walls!
Lighter Purples for Small Bedrooms
In smaller bedrooms, lighter purples, such as pastel lavender or muted mauve, can work wonders. These shades reflect light, making the room feel more spacious and less cramped.
Lighter purples create an illusion of openness, making small bedrooms appear larger than they actually are.
Pair these shades with white or light-colored furniture to amplify the effect, creating an airy and inviting atmosphere.
Deeper Purples for Larger Bedrooms
For larger bedrooms, you have the luxury of experimenting with deeper purples like royal purple or eggplant. These rich hues add a sense of opulence and intimacy to the space.
Deep purples create a cozy atmosphere, making larger bedrooms feel more intimate and comfortable.
Balance these deep purples with bright lighting and strategically placed mirrors to prevent the room from feeling overly cave-like.
Existing furnishings
When working with purple tones, it’s essential to harmonize them with existing decor and furnishings.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors like soft yellows, muted greens, or even shades of gray can complement purple beautifully.
For instance, pairing soft yellow accents with lavender walls can create a delightful and refreshing ambiance.
Bring in these complementary colors through throw pillows, curtains, or artwork to strike a perfect balance in the room.
Materials and Textures
Consider materials and textures that add depth and contrast to the purple tones. For instance, light-colored wooden furniture can provide a natural, earthy contrast against deep purples, balancing the overall look.
Incorporate textures like woven rugs, plush carpets, or velvety upholstery to add interest.
These textures not only complement the color scheme but also create a visually appealing and comfortable environment.
The Best Purple Paint Colors for Bedrooms
Here is a curated list of all of the best purple paint colors to use in your bedroom design, broken down by shade!
Light Purple Paint Colors
Prefer a lighter shade? Here are the best light purple colors to use in your bedroom!
Charming Pink (SW 6309) – Sherwin Williams
This shade is a mix of pink and purple, without as much blue as some of the other shades. It’s a great choice for a light pink that still has a good amount of color to it!
French Lilac (1403) – Benjamin Moore
If you want a light, bright lilac – this is a great option. This is super purple, with slight gray undertones to keep it from being too neon.
Wet Concrete (2114-40) – Benjamin Moore
This shade has a a good amount of brown and gray to it. It’s very muted and slightly muddy – but can be great if you want a purple paint color that feels neutral in certain lighting.
Sandlot Gray (2107-50) – Benjamin Moore
This purple-beige shade also feels neutral, with heavy lilac undertones. It’s a nice mauve-y pink without being overwhelming with the color.
Mauve Desert (2113-50) – Benjamin Moore
This is a really, really pretty shade of purple paint. It has a lot of gray and a bit of pink to it, and can act like a chameleon in different lightings.
Spangle (SW-6834) – Sherwin Williams
This shade is a more traditional lilac and can feel a touch baby-nursery – but it might be perfect if you want a light, bright, purple wall.
Easter Ribbon (1381) – Benjamin Moore
This is another lilac, with a bit more pigment and color depth to it. It’s a great light to mid-toned bright purple!
Dark Purple Paint Colors
Looking for a dark and moody paint color? Here are the best dark purple paint colors for bedrooms!
Black Swan (SW 6279) – Sherwin Williams
This shade is super dramatic. It’s almost a black paint color, with deep plum undertones.
Brinjal (222) – Farrow and Ball
This is another dark paint color – though not quite as dark. It has a good amount of red to it, giving it a really luxe, velvety aesthetic.
Bottle of Bordeaux (1357) – Benjamin Moore
This is a grape-inspired shade of mid to dark purple with lots of red undertones.
Passion Plum (2073-30) – Benjamin Moore
This shade of plum has a bit more blue to it than red and can feel cool toned in certain lighting.
Kalamata (AF 630) – Benjamin Moore
This is a great muted mid toned purple with lots of gray and a touch of brown to it.
Amazon Soil (2115-30) – Benjamin Moore
This shade is a bit like a brown with purple undertones, making it a good option if you want purple walls that don’t feel quite too purple!
Blackberry (7577) – Sherwin Williams
This is a deep, rich, velvety shade of plum that is just gorgeous on walls in a larger sized bedroom.
Smoked Oyster (2109-40) – Benjamin Moore
This shade is more of a mauve, with heavy gray and brown undertones. A great option for a muted purple that won’t overwhelm your space!
