Benjamin Moore offers hundreds of gorgeous off-white and neutral paint colors. Two of their most popular are Ballet White OC-9 and Pale Oak OC-20. Both are beautiful light taupe beige colors. But what’s the difference, and which one is right for your home?
In this article, we’ll analyze Ballet White and Pale Oak paint colors. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room applications. Read on to determine if Ballet White or Pale Oak is the best Benjamin Moore paint for your interior design needs.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Ballet White and Pale Oak
Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Ballet White and Pale Oak:
- Undertones – Ballet White has gray undertones, Pale Oak has yellow-brown
- Light Reflectance – Ballet White has an LRV of 71.97, Pale Oak has an LRV of 68.64
- Use – Ballet White works well for cool color schemes, Pale Oak suits warm palettes
- Rooms – Ballet White ideal for airy modern homes, Pale Oak suits traditional cozy spaces
Now let’s explore Ballet White and Pale Oak paint colors more closely.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9
With its pale taupe-gray appearance, Ballet White OC-9 creates a gorgeous neutral backdrop in any home. This versatile color has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Ballet White:
- LRV: 71.97
- Undertones: Cool grays
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color, especially living rooms and bedrooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens
Ballet White is a light gray-beige with subtle cool undertones. This chameleon-like paint color shifts appearances based on light exposure and surroundings.
In some lights, the soft gray comes forward presenting as a pale, ethereal gray. At other times, beige warmth is more prominent giving a taupe appearance. The overall effect is a color that straddles the line between cool and warm neutral.
With an 71.97 light reflectance value, Ballet White provides enough illumination to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The cooler gray influence prevents the color from feeling too warm or dingy.
The versatility and adaptability of Ballet White is one of its greatest strengths. This tranquil color pairs effortlessly with both cool and warm accents. Especially popular combinations include:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore October Mist
- Benjamin Moore Mountain Road
Use Ballet White to create serene, livable spaces. This lovely neutral backdrop helps rooms feel soothing and refined. It works in any area but is especially suited to:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
- Hallways
Benjamin Moore Pale Oak OC-20
Pale Oak OC-20 is a gorgeous, natural-looking light brown. This beautiful beige has broad appeal across styles from modern to traditional.
Here are some key facts about Pale Oak:
- LRV: 68.64
- Undertones: Yellow-brown
- Finish: Available in flat, eggshell, pearl
- Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns
True to its name, Pale Oak has distinct yellow-brown undertones reminiscent of natural oak wood. This gives the paint color a very inviting and warm appearance.
Despite the oak-inspired base color, Pale Oak reads as quite light and refined. With a 68.64 light reflectance value, this soft neutral helps rooms feel bright and cheerful.
The warm oak undertones pair wonderfully with organic textures and other natural materials like wood furniture and stone accents. Pale Oak helps spaces feel grounded and cozy. Use it alongside color palettes with other warm neutrals like:
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Palo Duro Canyon
- Benjamin Moore Roasted Chestnut
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
This versatile beige looks gorgeous across interior styles from rustic farmhouse to urban loft. While suitable for any room, it really excels in these spaces:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Kitchens
- Offices
Ballet White vs. Pale Oak Comparison
Now that we have looked at their individual attributes, let’s directly compare Ballet White and Pale Oak paint colors:
Light Reflectance
With an LRV of 71.97, Ballet White reflects a bit more light than Pale Oak at 68.64 LRV. However, both offer enough illumination for most spaces without feeling too dark. Pale Oak may have a slight advantage in naturally well-lit rooms.
Undertones
Here is where the main difference lies. Ballet White has subtle cool gray undertones. Pale Oak has distinct warm yellow-brown undertones reminiscent of natural oak wood.
The cool grays in Ballet White give it more versatility to work with either cool or warm color schemes. Pale Oak’s oak-like warmth suits traditional cozy spaces.
Rooms
Due to its slightly higher light reflectance and adaptability, Ballet White works well as a whole home neutral. Use it in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and halls to create a cohesive color flow.
Pale Oak’s warmth makes it best suited to cozy spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. The oak-like tones help create a welcoming atmosphere.
Paint Finish
Ballet White has better paint finish availability. It comes in every sheen from flat to high-gloss. Pale Oak only comes in flat, eggshell, and pearl finishes.
So if you want a finish like satin or semi-gloss, Ballet White offers more options.
Ballet White vs Pale Oak Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of some key differences between Ballet White and Pale Oak:
| Paint Color | Ballet White OC-9 | Pale Oak OC-20 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 71.97 | 68.64 |
| Undertones | Cool grays | Warm yellow-brown |
| Use | Whole home neutral | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Paint Finishes | All finishes | Flat, eggshell, pearl |
| Style | Contemporary, modern | Traditional, farmhouse |
Real Life Photos – Ballet White vs Pale Oak
To get a better sense of how Ballet White and Pale Oak compare, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:
Ballet White
Pale Oak
As seen in the photos, Ballet White generally reads as a cooler and lighter neutral than the warmer, more oak-toned Pale Oak. However, lighting can affect these paint colors and make them appear quite similar at times.
Should I Choose Ballet White or Pale Oak?
So how do you decide between Ballet White vs Pale Oak for your home? Here are a few tips:
Choose Ballet White if you want:
- A light taupe-gray neutral
- Subtle cool gray undertones
- A versatile whole home color
- A paint color suitable for modern homes
Choose Pale Oak if you want:
- A light brown beige neutral
- Distinct warm oak undertones
- An inviting paint color for living spaces
- A versatile neutral for traditional homes
To make the best decision, get samples of both paint colors. Paint them on large sections of wall and view at different times/lighting. This will give you the best sense of which you prefer.
You can also pair each potential paint color with the rest of your color scheme to determine which coordinates best. Both are beautiful, versatile neutrals that will suit most design aesthetics.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are some rooms that are well suited to Ballet White and Pale Oak paint colors:
Ballet White OC-9
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kids’ rooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Hallways/foyers
Pale Oak OC-20
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Bedrooms
- Offices
- Entryways
- Bathrooms
With their versatile neutrals and mid-range light reflectance, Ballet White and Pale Oak can work well in any room. However, the above applications tend to be optimal uses of their respective traits.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
On their own, Ballet White and Pale Oak create peaceful and welcoming backdrops. Pair them with other colors and materials to design truly stunning spaces.
Ballet White Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Indian River (blue-gray)
- Benjamin Moore October Mist (green)
- Benjamin Moore Beach Glass (blue)
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (neutral gray)
- Natural oak wood finishes
Pale Oak Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Feather Gray (warm gray)
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green (olive green)
- Benjamin Moore Mahogany (reddish brown)
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (dark blue)
- Aged brass accents
Ballet White vs Pale Oak: Which is Better for Your Home?
So which is the better Benjamin Moore paint color between Ballet White and Pale Oak? The answer depends on your goals and home’s needs:
Consider Ballet White if you want:
- A light neutral with subtle cool tones
- A paint color suitable for modern styles
- Good versatility to work with any color scheme
- Availability in all paint finishes
Consider Pale Oak if you want:
- A light beige brown reminiscent of oak
- A paint with warm yellow-brown undertones
- A cozy neutral suited to traditional decor
- A natural earthy feel
While Ballet White may be slightly more versatile for whole home use, Pale Oak provides gorgeous warm character in living spaces.
Get color samples and view in your environment before deciding. Either Benjamin Moore neutral you choose will provide an elegant backdrop that lasts for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still undecided between Ballet White and Pale Oak? Here are answers to some common questions:
What are the main differences between Ballet White and Pale Oak?
The main differences are their undertones and suitability for cool vs warm color schemes. Ballet White has subtle cool gray tones. Pale Oak has distinct warm yellow-brown oak tones.
Which rooms should I use Pale Oak in?
Pale Oak looks beautiful in cozy living spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Its oak undertones create a welcoming atmosphere.
What colors go well with Ballet White?
Popular colors to pair with Ballet White include grays like Revere Pewter, blues like October Mist, and beiges like Edgecomb Gray.
Is Pale Oak warm or cool?
Pale Oak is a warm paint color with yellow-brown undertones similar to natural oak wood. These warm tones give it a cozy, welcoming feel.
Can you use Ballet White on ceilings?
Yes, Ballet White is a good ceiling color. Its 71.97 LRV provides enough light reflection without feeling too dark or warm.
