Swiss Coffee is a wildly popular neutral paint color from both Behr and Benjamin Moore. But despite the identical name, Behr Swiss Coffee 12 and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 are not the same shade. There are noticeable differences between the two similar-sounding colors.
In this article, we’ll analyze Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee colors in depth. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room pairings. Read on to find out if you should use soft and creamy Behr Swiss Coffee or flexible and versatile Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in your home.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:
- Undertones – Behr Swiss Coffee is a cream beige, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a warm tan beige
- Light Reflectance – Behr Swiss Coffee 12 has an LRV of 84, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 has an LRV of 81.91
- Use – Behr Swiss Coffee for airy cottage-style rooms, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee for whole home neutral
- Rooms – Behr Swiss Coffee ideal for bedrooms and dining rooms, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee suits any room
Now let’s explore Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee more closely.
Behr Swiss Coffee 12
With its soft cream-beige appearance, Behr Swiss Coffee 12 creates a serene, welcoming backdrop. This popular off-white is beloved for its versatility.
Here are some key details about Behr Swiss Coffee:
- LRV: 84
- Undertones: Creamy beige
- Finish: Satin, semi-gloss, and flat finish
- Rooms: Bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms
- Pairings: Beiges, browns, blues
Behr Swiss Coffee is a pale creamy beige with distinct cream undertones. In most lights it appears as a very soft, neutral ivory. The creaminess gives it a gentle, ethereal vibe compared to tanner beiges.
With a 84 light reflectance value, Behr Swiss Coffee provides decent brightness for a lower-contrast neutral. The soft creaminess makes it highly versatile for cottage-inspired palettes. Popular pairings include:
- Behr Chelsea Gray
- Behr Silver Drop
- Behr Heathered Moss
- Behr Traditional Khaki
Thanks to its soft versatility, Behr Swiss Coffee works well in a variety of rooms. Its creamy ivory tone creates a serene backdrop for colors to shine. Use it in:
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Bathrooms
- Offices
- Living rooms and entryways
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
With its tan-beige appearance, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 creates a flexible neutral backdrop with broad appeal. This popular color is renowned for its adaptability.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:
- LRV: 81.91
- Undertones: Warm tan beige
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Any room in the home
- Pairings: All colors
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a light-medium beige with faint warm yellow-brown undertones. In most lights it appears as a versatile tan neutral. The subtle warmth gives it more adaptability than cooler beiges.
With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee supplies decent illumination for a beige. The barely noticeable warmth allows it to complement diverse color schemes and styles. Popular pairings include:
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
Thanks to its flexible neutrality, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee works well throughout the home. Its tan-beige tone complements other paint colors beautifully. Use it in:
- Living rooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
Comparing Behr vs. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:
Light Reflectance
With an LRV of 84, Behr Swiss Coffee reflects more light than Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee at 81.91 LRV. Behr Swiss Coffee will make rooms feel a bit brighter.
Undertones
This is a key distinction. Behr Swiss Coffee has distinct creamy beige undertones, while Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee has subtle warm yellow-brown undertones.
Behr’s creaminess provides an ethereal, welcoming effect. Benjamin Moore’s subtle warmth allows versatile adaptability.
Use
Behr Swiss Coffee works well for serene, cottage-inspired rooms seeking soft illumination. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee adapts beautifully as a whole home neutral.
Paint Finish
Behr Swiss Coffee comes in satin, semi-gloss and flat. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is available in any sheen from matte to high gloss.
Behr vs. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of how Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee compare:
| Paint Color | Behr Swiss Coffee 12 | Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 84 | 81.91 |
| Undertones | Creamy beige | Subtle warm tan beige |
| Use | Cottage-style rooms | Versatile whole home neutral |
| Sheen | Satin, semi-gloss, flat | All sheens |
| Style | Soft, welcoming | Flexible, adaptable |
Real Photos: Behr vs Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:
Behr Swiss Coffee
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
As shown, Behr Swiss Coffee is lighter and creamier, while Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is more tan-beige. But lighting impacts their appearance.
Should I Choose Behr or Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee?
So how do you decide between Behr vs Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee for your home? Here are some helpful tips:
Consider Behr Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A creamy ivory beige with distinct cream tones
- A soft, ethereal and serene feel
- A versatile neutral for cottage-inspired rooms
- Slightly more light reflectance
Consider Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A tan beige with subtle warm undertones
- A flexible, adaptable whole home neutral
- To complement a wide range of colors
- A versatile greige for any room
As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. The right Swiss Coffee depends on your goals, architecture and color scheme.
Both of these popular neutrals create beautiful, welcoming backdrops.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:
Behr Swiss Coffee 12
- Light and airy living rooms
- Serene bedrooms
- Relaxed dining rooms
- Cottage bathrooms
- Cozy dens
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Offices
Behr Swiss Coffee fits cottage chic, boho or farmhouse styles, while Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee works in any space.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
Behr and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee create serene backdrops. Pair them with these colors:
Behr Swiss Coffee Color Pairings
- Behr Silver Drop or Shoji White (white)
- Behr Galveston Gray (blue)
- Behr Clove Bud (green)
- Behr Traditional Khaki (beige)
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
- Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray (blue)
- Benjamin Moore October Mist (green)
- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (beige)
Varying undertones of accent colors and fabrics can provide beautiful contrast against these neutral backdrops.
Behr vs Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee: Which is Best for Your Home?
So which version of Swiss Coffee is best for your home – Behr or Benjamin Moore? Consider the following:
Choose Behr Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A creamy ivory beige with distinct cream tones
- A soft, airy cottage-style neutral
- Ethereal bedrooms and dining rooms
Choose Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A flexible tan beige for whole home use
- Subtle warm undertones to complement diverse colors
- A versatile greige suitable for any room
While very similar, Behr Swiss Coffee provides more of an elegant creaminess, while Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee offers flexible versatility.
Be sure to test both paint colors before deciding! Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, welcoming neutral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to decide between Behr vs Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee? Here are helpful answers:
Does Behr Swiss Coffee have gray undertones?
No, Behr Swiss Coffee does not have gray undertones. It is a creamy ivory beige with distinct cream/eggshell undertones but no grays.
What colors pair well with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee?
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee complements a wide variety of colors thanks to its subtle beige warmth. Great combinations include navy, black, white, gray, sage green and terracotta.
Should I use Behr Swiss Coffee in a bedroom?
Yes, Behr Swiss Coffee is a gorgeous bedroom color. Its soft creamy hue provides a serene, welcoming retreat. Add contrast with bedding and furnishings.
Can I use Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in bathrooms?
Absolutely! Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee works well in bathrooms. Its greige warmth provides a flexible, soothing backdrop for tiles and fixtures.
Does Behr Swiss Coffee brighten up a room?
Yes, with a 84 LRV Behr Swiss Coffee reflects a decent amount of light, so it can help brighten up a low-light space while still providing a soft cozy ambiance.
