Calmv vs Classic Gray: What’s the Difference?

When creating a soothing, elegant color scheme, it’s hard to go wrong pairing a light clean white with a cooler classic gray. Two options that work beautifully together from Benjamin Moore’s palette are Calm OC-22 and Classic Gray OC-23. But what exactly sets these tranquil hues apart?

In this article, we’ll analyze Calm and Classic Gray in depth. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real life photos, and best room usages. Read on to determine which Benjamin Moore color is right for your home.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Calm and Classic Gray

Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Calm and Classic Gray:

Color Family – Calm is a bright clean white, Classic Gray is a cooler gray
Undertones – Calm has subtle cool undertones, Classic Gray has blue undertones
Light Reflectance – Calm has an LRV of 75.83, Classic Gray has an LRV of 73.67
Use – Calm illuminates spaces, Classic Gray provides contrast
Rooms – Calm for walls and trim, Classic Gray for accent walls

Now let’s explore Calm and Classic Gray more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Calm OC-22

With an exceptional light reflectance value of 75.83, Benjamin Moore Calm OC-22 lives up to its soothing name. This gorgeous bright white paint color excels at opening up any space.

Here are some key facts about Calm:

LRV: 75.83
Undertones: Subtly cool
Finish: Flat, eggshell, pearl
Best Spaces: Walls, trim, cabinets in dark rooms
Popular Combinations: Grays, blues, greens

Calm is often described as one of the “whitest whites” Benjamin Moore offers. It has the slightest cool undertone that prevents starkness or dinginess. The result is a perfectly balanced, clean bright white.

The outstanding 75.83 light reflectance value allows Calm to excel at reflecting light. This makes it an ideal choice for illuminating any darker space needing increased brightness.

With its well-balanced brightness and barely cool essence, Calm works beautifully as:

Ceilings, crown molding, and trim
Kitchen cabinets and open shelving
Bathroom walls, wainscoting, and tile
High contrast pops against bold colors

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23

With its cooler blue-gray tone, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23 creates a gorgeous moody backdrop in any home. This popular neutral gray has widespread appeal.

Here are some details about Classic Gray:

LRV: 73.67
Undertones: Cool blue
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Crisp whites, soft blues

Classic Gray shifts in appearance based on lighting. In bright rooms it appears as a clean medium gray. In dim lighting, subtle blue undertones come forward for added depth.

The 73.67 light reflectance value provides enough illumination without making the gray feel dark or dreary. Classic Gray nicely brightens a room while still feeling refined.

With its cool essence and versatility, Classic Gray suits modern, transitional, and traditional spaces alike. Use it anywhere you want a relaxing gray backdrop. Ideal rooms include:

Living room accent walls
Bedroom and office feature walls
Dining room and study walls

Comparing Calm vs Classic Gray

Now that we’ve examined Calm and Classic Gray independently, let’s compare them directly:

Color Family

Calm is a clean, extra bright white that reflects a lot of light. Classic Gray is a cooler-toned gray that absorbs more light.

Undertones

Calm has the subtlest hint of coolness, while Classic Gray has distinctive bluer undertones.

The faint coolness of Calm adds brightness without starkness. The blue in Classic Gray creates a relaxing, moody vibe.

Light Reflectance

Calm has an exceptionally high LRV of 75.83 compared to Classic Gray’s lower 73.67 LRV.

This means Calm will make spaces feel bright and airy, whereas Classic Gray provides refined contrast.

Rooms

Calm excels on ceilings, trim, cabinets, and in any dark space needing illumination. Classic Gray shines as an accent wall color in sophisticated living areas.

Paint Finish

Both Calm and Classic Gray come in Benjamin Moore’s full line of paint sheens from matte to high gloss.

Calm vs Classic Gray Comparison Chart

Here is a quick overview comparing some key traits of Calm and Classic Gray:

Paint Color	Calm OC-22	Classic Gray OC-23
Color Family	White	Gray
LRV	75.83	73.67
Undertones	Subtly cool	Cool blue
Use	Illumination	Contrast
Sheens	All sheens	All sheens

Real Life Photos – Calm vs Classic Gray

Let’s look at real life photos of spaces painted in Calm and Classic Gray to better see how they compare:

Calm OC-22

Classic Gray OC-23

The photos demonstrate how the exceptionally bright Calm contrasts beautifully with the cooler, sophisticated gray tone of Classic Gray. Their opposing undertones and light reflectance values create visual interest.

Should I Choose Calm or Classic Gray?

So how do you decide whether to use Calm or Classic Gray in your home? Here are some factors to consider:

Choose Calm OC-22 if you want:

A super bright clean white with cool undertones
To illuminate and open up darker dreary spaces
A light reflective neutral for ceilings, trim, and cabinets
A cohesive backdrop for bold wall colors

Choose Classic Gray OC-23 if you want:

A cooler-toned gray with hints of blue
A relaxed and refined accent wall color
To create an elegant, sophisticated contrast
A calming backdrop for living spaces

As always, test out paint swatches before fully committing. View large samples on walls in different lighting to determine which you prefer.

While Calm illuminates and brightens, Classic Gray provides moody refinement. Use both together to create a soothing, cohesive color scheme.

Best Rooms for Calm and Classic Gray

While Calm and Classic Gray complement each other beautifully, here are ideal individual rooms that highlight their strengths:

Calm OC-22

Thanks to its unparalleled brightness, Calm excels in any room with minimal natural light. Perfect spaces include:

Dark hallways, basements, laundry rooms
Bedrooms, offices, and dens with low light
Windowless bathrooms needing illumination
Kitchen cabinets, shelving, appliances

Classic Gray OC-23

With its cooler relaxed vibe, Classic Gray shines as an accent in sophisticated living spaces. Ideal rooms include:

Living room accent walls
Master bedroom feature walls
Den and home office statement walls
Dining room and study walls

Use Calm’s stellar light reflectance in dark utilitarian spaces. Let Classic Gray provide refined elegance in key living areas.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Calm and Classic Gray create a sophisticated light and dark duo. Complement them with other colors and materials for gorgeous spaces:

Calm OC-22 Ideas

Bright white open shelving and trim against a navy accent wall
Clean white wainscoting against charcoal dining room walls
Crisp white kitchen cabinets with a gray-blue island
White appliance and tile “pop” against charcoal lower cabinets

Classic Gray OC-23 Ideas

Cool gray accent wall against pristine white living room
Bedroom feature wall with crisp white trim details
Dark gray lower cabinets topped with bright white uppers
Gray dining room walls and wainscoting against white chair rails

Pair Both With:

Crisp whites and soft blues
Warm wood flooring and finishes
Navy blue, teal, light blue
Black and white graphic prints

Together, Calm and Classic Gray create a peaceful, refined color scheme with sophisticated contrast. Adjust sheens to highlight dimension.

Calm vs Classic Gray – Which is Better for Your Home?

So which Benjamin Moore color should you choose for your space – bright Calm or moody Classic Gray? Keep these tips in mind:

Pick Calm OC-22 if you want:

A super clean white with faint cool undertones
To make dark, dreary spaces feel bright and airy
A light reflective neutral for ceilings, trim, and cabinets
A soothing backdrop for bold wall colors

Choose Classic Gray OC-23 if you want:

A cooler-toned gray accent wall color
To create an elegant, refined contrast
A calming paint color for bedrooms and living areas
A timeless gray that suits any style

Get large in-home samples before deciding. Together, Calm and Classic Gray create the perfect soothing, yet stylish color scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between Calm and Classic Gray? Here are some commonly asked questions:

Is Calm considered warm, cool, or neutral?

Calm OC-22 is considered slightly cool due to its subtle hints of blue, though it still reads as a very true clean white. The coolness is barely detectable.