Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray: What’s the Difference?

Benjamin Moore offers gorgeous light gray paint colors perfect for creating airy, welcoming backdrops. Two of their most popular are Balboa Mist OC-27 and Classic Gray OC-23. Both are beautiful, versatile grays that suit a wide range of home décor styles. But what’s the difference and how do you choose between them?

In this guide, we’ll analyze Balboa Mist and Classic Gray. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance values (LRV), aesthetics, real-life photos, and ideal room applications. Read on to determine whether Balboa Mist or Classic Gray is the best light gray paint color for your home.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Balboa Mist and Classic Gray

Before diving into specifics, here is an overview of the main differences between Balboa Mist OC-27 and Classic Gray OC-23:

Undertones – Balboa Mist has blue-gray undertones, Classic Gray has green-gray undertones
Light Reflectance – Balboa Mist has an LRV of 65.53, Classic Gray has an LRV of 73.67
Use – Balboa Mist complements modern styles, Classic Gray traditional styles
Rooms – Balboa Mist excels in open concept areas, Classic Gray cozy rooms

Now let’s explore Balboa Mist and Classic Gray more closely.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27

A bestselling gray paint color, Balboa Mist OC-27 is a gorgeous pale blue-gray that creates an airy, welcoming backdrop. This versatile color complements styles from modern to coastal.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist:

LRV: 65.53
Undertones: Blue-gray
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, open concept spaces
Color Pairings: Whites, grays, blues

Featuring soft blue-gray undertones, Balboa Mist has a relaxed yet refined appearance. Depending on lighting it can read as a clean light gray or take on a slight blue cast. This makes the color highly adaptable.

With a 65.53 light reflectance value, Balboa Mist reflects considerable light to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The pale blue-gray tone provides a tranquil, soothing feel.

Use Balboa Mist OC-27 to create a gorgeous backdrop that transitions seamlessly between traditional and contemporary styles. Its versatile pale gray works beautifully across home areas including:

Living Rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Dining Rooms
Open Concept Spaces

Some colors that complement Balboa Mist perfectly include:

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray
Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore Hygge Gray

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23

As a bestselling neutral, Classic Gray OC-23 provides a versatile and welcoming backdrop for any space. This traditional yet contemporary gray has broad appeal.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Classic Gray:

LRV: 73.67
Undertones: Green-gray
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Bedrooms, offices, living rooms
Color Pairings: Tans, yellows, blues

Featuring soft green-gray undertones, Classic Gray has an organic, inviting look. In some lights it appears a true medium gray, while in others it takes on a sage green cast. This makes the color highly versatile.

At 73.67 light reflectance, Classic Gray reflects adequate light for most comfortable rooms. It provides pleasing contrast against white trim, cabinets, and ceiling. The green-gray tone gives Classic Gray a natural, relaxed feel.

Use Classic Gray OC-23 to create a gorgeous, welcoming backdrop. Its versatility allows it to coordinate beautifully with color schemes featuring tans, greens, yellows, and blues. It looks especially pleasing in these rooms:

Bedrooms
Offices
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Entryways

Some colors that pair particularly well with Classic Gray include:

Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Golden Straw
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

Comparing Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray

Now that we’ve looked at Balboa Mist and Classic Gray individually, let’s compare them directly:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 65.53, Balboa Mist reflects considerably more light than the much deeper Classic Gray at 73.67 LRV. Balboa Mist will make rooms feel open and airy.

Undertones

The main difference lies in undertones. Balboa Mist has blue-gray undertones, while Classic Gray has green-gray undertones.

Use

The cool blue tone of Balboa Mist suits modern contemporary spaces. Classic Gray’s natural green fits well with traditional, transitional designs.

Rooms

Balboa Mist’s brightness suits open concept kitchens, baths, and living areas. Classic Gray’s cozy warmth works better in bedrooms, offices, and other intimate spaces.

Paint Finish

Benjamin Moore offers both Balboa Mist and Classic Gray in any sheen from matte to high gloss.

Pairings

Balboa Mist coordinates well with grays, blues and crisp whites. Classic Gray pairs beautifully with tans, yellows, reds, and navy blues.

Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray Comparison Chart

Here is an overview comparison between Balboa Mist OC-27 and Classic Gray OC-23:

Paint Color	Balboa Mist OC-27	Classic Gray OC-23
LRV	65.53	73.67
Undertones	Blue-gray	Green-gray
Use	Modern, contemporary	Traditional, transitional
Rooms	Open concept spaces	Cozy bedrooms and offices
Sheens	All sheens	All sheens
Pairings	Grays, blues, whites	Tans, yellows, reds, blues

Real Life Photos: Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray

To give a sense of how Balboa Mist and Classic Gray compare in actual spaces, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:

Balboa Mist OC-27

Classic Gray OC-23

In real world spaces, Balboa Mist comes across as lighter and brighter with a clean blue-gray appearance. Classic Gray looks deeper, greener, and more traditional. But lighting impacts their look. Generally Balboa Mist reads as more airy and crisp, while Classic Gray feels cozier and more relaxed.

Should I Choose Balboa Mist or Classic Gray?

So how do you decide between Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray for your home? Here are a few tips:

Consider Balboa Mist OC-27 if you want:

A crisp light gray with blue undertones
To brighten and open up the space
A backdrop suitable for modern styles
To coordinate with grays, blues and whites

Consider Classic Gray OC-23 if you want:

A traditional green-gray for cozy spaces
A relaxed and welcoming ambiance
To complement tans, yellows and reds
A charcoal gray alternative with more depth

To pick, get samples of each gray and view in your actual space. See how the undertones come across at different times of day. Also paint large sample boards to compare colors side-by-side.

While beautiful grays, Balboa Mist suits contemporary open plans and Classic Gray traditional cozy retreats. Choose the one that best fits your goals for the space.

Best Rooms for Balboa Mist and Classic Gray

Here are rooms that tend to be perfectly suited to Balboa Mist OC-27 and Classic Gray OC-23:

Balboa Mist OC-27

Living Rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Dining Rooms
Open floor plans

Classic Gray OC-23

Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms

Both grays can work in any space. But the above applications take advantage of Balboa Mist’s airy brightness and Classic Gray’s intimate warmth.

Decorating Ideas Using Balboa Mist and Classic Gray

On their own Balboa Mist and Classic Gray create simple backdrops. Use other paint colors, materials, and decor to create beautiful, complete room designs:

Balboa Mist Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (trim/ceiling)
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (accent wall)
White oak or maple cabinets
Marble, quartz, stainless steel

Classic Gray Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Simply White (trim/cabinets)
Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue (accent wall)
Aged wood flooring
Antique brass lighting

Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray: Which is Better for Your Home?

Is Balboa Mist or Classic Gray the better light gray paint color for your space? It depends on your goals and style:

Consider Balboa Mist if you want:

A crisp, airy blue-gray neutral
To brighten and modernize a space
Excellent versatility for open concept plans
A light alternative to harsh grays

Consider Classic Gray if you want:

A cozy green-gray for bedrooms
To complement traditional warm designs
A gray with more depth than very pale tones
A comfortable backdrop for conversation areas

Balboa Mist shines in airy kitchens, baths, and living spaces. Classic Gray excels in intimate bedrooms, offices, and reading nooks.

Be sure to view large in-home paint samples before deciding. Both provide gorgeous light gray versatility. Choose the one that best fulfills your goals for the space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still undecided between Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What are the main differences between Balboa Mist and Classic Gray?

The main differences are their undertones and lightness. Balboa Mist has cool blue undertones and is much lighter. Classic Gray has warm green undertones and is darker.

Does Balboa Mist have any beige in it?

No, Balboa Mist does not have discernible beige tones. Its light blue-gray appearance stays crisp and clean.

What colors go well with Classic Gray?

Classic Gray works beautifully with off-whites like Chantilly Lace, warm tones like Revere Pewter, and blues like Hale Navy. Its green undertone provides great versatility.