Benjamin Moore Ballet White Vs Swiss Coffee: What’s the Difference?

With so many gorgeous off-whites and neutrals to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the perfect shade for your home. Two of Benjamin Moore’s most popular are Ballet White OC-9 and Swiss Coffee OC-45. But what really sets these beautiful, muted paint colors apart?

In this guide, we’ll analyze Ballet White and Swiss Coffee in depth, comparing undertones, finishes, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room uses. Read on to determine if Ballet White or Swiss Coffee is the best soft neutral for your interior design.

Key Differences Between Ballet White and Swiss Coffee

Before diving into details, here is an overview of the main differences between Ballet White and Swiss Coffee:

Undertones – Ballet White has faint cool, Swiss Coffee has warm brown
Light Reflectance – Ballet White has an LRV of 71.97, Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 81.91
Look – Ballet White is brighter and crisper, Swiss Coffee is richer and darker
Use – Ballet White suits bright modern spaces, Swiss Coffee better for cozy traditional rooms
Rooms – Ballet White recommended for kitchens, baths; Swiss Coffee ideal for bedrooms, living rooms

Now let’s explore Ballet White and Swiss Coffee Benjamin Moore paint colors more closely.

Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9

With its clean, bright white appearance, Ballet White OC-9 immediately livens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Ballet White paint color:

LRV: 71.97
Undertones: Very subtle cool
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and baths
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Ballet White is a gorgeous true white with the faintest whisper of blue-green. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains close to a perfect white.

With a 71.97 light reflectance value, Ballet White maximizes brightness. This makes it ideal for any space needing ample illumination. The barely perceptible coolness prevents it from feeling sterile.

Ballet White’s clean, optimistic color immediately awakens rooms with its renewed look. This versatile neutral coordinates as well with cool accents as warm ones. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Horizon
Benjamin Moore October Mist
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Boston Brick

Use Ballet White to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

A beloved neutral, Swiss Coffee OC-45 is the epitome of a soft, welcoming brown. This versatile beige provides a comforting, gentle backdrop.

Here are some key details about Swiss Coffee:

LRV: 81.91
Undertones: Warm brown beige
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl
Rooms: Whole home, especially living areas
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns

Swiss Coffee is a milk chocolate brown with warm yellow-beige undertones. In certain lights it can shift between cocoa and sandy tan. This adaptability allows use across styles.

With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee provides enough brightness for cozy spaces without seeming dark or dreary. The noticeable warmth gives it a welcoming vibe.

This refined neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, terra cotta, and fabrics. Especially popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Essex Green
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Use Swiss Coffee to create comfortable, livable spaces with character and charm. This cozy backdrop helps rooms feel intimate and relaxed. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Living rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Dining rooms

Comparing Ballet White and Swiss Coffee

Now that we’ve looked at Ballet White and Swiss Coffee individually, let’s directly compare the two Benjamin Moore paint colors:

Light Reflectance

With LRVs of 71.97 and 81.91 respectively, Ballet White reflects significantly more light than the much darker Swiss Coffee. However, both work well in their typical applications.

Undertones

Here is where the main difference lies. Ballet White has the faintest whisper of cool blue-green. Swiss Coffee has distinct warm brown undertones.

Ballet White’s barely perceptible coolness gives it a clean, bright look. Swiss Coffee’s noticeable warmth provides a welcoming, enveloping feel.

Uses

Thanks to its far higher reflectance, Ballet White works well throughout homes for a cohesive look. Its tone remains flexible across styles.

Swiss Coffee’s enveloping warmth makes it ideal for cozy living areas where an inviting vibe is preferred. Its richness suits smaller, intimate spaces.

Aesthetic

Ballet White’s subtle coolness gives it an airy, modern vibe beautifully suited to contemporary styles.

Swiss Coffee’s clear brown warmth has an organic, traditional aesthetic perfect for cozy farmhouse or cottage decor.

Ballet White vs Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of some key differences between Ballet White and Swiss Coffee:

Paint Color	Ballet White OC-9	Swiss Coffee OC-45
LRV	71.97	81.91
Undertones	Hint of cool blue-green	Brown beige
Use	Kitchens, baths, trim	Bedrooms, living rooms
Aesthetic	Modern, contemporary	Traditional, farmhouse
Sheen	All sheens	Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl

Real Room Photos – Ballet White vs Swiss Coffee

To better visualize the differences between Ballet White and Swiss Coffee, let’s look at real room photos showcasing the Benjamin Moore paint colors:

Ballet White

With its clean, bright white appearance, Ballet White OC-9 immediately livens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Ballet White paint color:

LRV: 71.97
Undertones: Very subtle cool
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and baths
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Ballet White is a gorgeous true white with the faintest whisper of blue-green. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains close to a perfect white.

Benjamin Moore Horizon
Benjamin Moore October Mist
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Boston Brick

Use Ballet White to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

Swiss Coffee

A beloved neutral, Swiss Coffee OC-45 is the epitome of a soft, welcoming brown. This versatile beige provides a comforting, gentle backdrop.

Here are some key details about Swiss Coffee:

LRV: 81.91
Undertones: Warm brown beige
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl
Rooms: Whole home, especially living areas
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns

Swiss Coffee is a milk chocolate brown with warm yellow-beige undertones. In certain lights it can shift between cocoa and sandy tan. This adaptability allows use across styles.

With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee provides enough brightness for cozy spaces without seeming dark or dreary. The noticeable warmth gives it a welcoming vibe.

This refined neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, terra cotta, and fabrics. Especially popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Essex Green
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Use Swiss Coffee to create comfortable, livable spaces with character and charm. This cozy backdrop helps rooms feel intimate and relaxed. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Living rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Dining rooms

In the photos, Ballet White appears significantly brighter and crisper than the darker, richer Swiss Coffee. But lighting affects their look – they can seem more similar in some conditions.

Should I Choose Ballet White or Swiss Coffee?

So how do you decide between Ballet White vs Swiss Coffee for your home? Here are a few tips:

Choose Ballet White if you want:

A true bright white with hardly any undertones
Lots of light reflection for kitchens and baths
A clean, modern minimalist look
An airy feel throughout home

Choose Swiss Coffee if you want:

A darker beige-brown with yellow undertones
A cozy enveloping look for bedrooms and living rooms
To soften and warm up bright whites
An earthy, organic vibe

It’s best to get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times of day and in various lighting. This will give you the clearest sense of which hue you prefer in your unique environment.

While quite different, both Ballet White and Swiss Coffee are beautiful classic Benjamin Moore paint colors. Choose the one that best matches your goals and style vision for your space.

Ideal Room Combinations

Here are some rooms that are particularly well-suited to Ballet White and Swiss Coffee:

Ballet White OC-9

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Hallways
Laundry rooms
Closets

Swiss Coffee OC-45

Living rooms
Bedrooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Libraries
Entryways

With their refined hues, Ballet White and Swiss Coffee work beautifully throughout homes. But the above applications tend to perfectly complement each shade’s individual strengths and characteristics.