Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect neutral paint color, subtle differences between off-whites and beiges can be hard to spot. Two popular Benjamin Moore shades that often get compared are Cloud White OC-130 and Swiss Coffee OC-45. But what really sets them apart?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll analyze Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee to help you determine the best neutral paint for your home. We’ll look at undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, and ideal room pairings.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Cloud White and Swiss Coffee

Before getting into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Benjamin Moore Cloud White and Swiss Coffee:

Undertones – Cloud White is a pure white, Swiss Coffee is a warm beige
Light Reflectance – Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05, Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 81.91
Use – Cloud White suits clean modern spaces, Swiss Coffee fits traditional decor
Rooms – Cloud White shines in bright rooms, Swiss Coffee excels in cozy living areas
Availability – Swiss Coffee comes in fewer finish options

Now let’s explore Cloud White and Swiss Coffee more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130

With its crisp bright white appearance, Cloud White OC-130 creates an airy backdrop in any space. This versatile neutral works across styles.

Here are some key details about Cloud White:

LRV: 85.05
Undertones: Pure white
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, especially living rooms and kitchens
Pairs Well With: Bold colors, black and wood accents

Cloud White is a clean, true white without any warm or cool undertones. In all lighting, it maintains its fresh white appearance.

The 85.05 light reflectance value keeps rooms feeling bright and spacious. The pure white paint reflects light evenly for an airy feel.

This versatile neutral works beautifully as a backdrop to let bold colors pop. Popular combinations include:

Deep blue accents
Cherry wood finishes
Matte black fixtures
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green

While suitable anywhere, Cloud White looks especially fresh in these rooms:

Living Rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Hallways
Laundry Rooms

Use its clean backdrop to create an open, airy feel at home. Cloud White keeps spaces feeling lightweight and spacious.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

With its warm ivory appearance, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 provides a gorgeous neutral backdrop suitable for both traditional and modern spaces.

Here are some details about Swiss Coffee:

LRV: 81.91
Undertones: Yellow beige
Finish: Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Whites, blues, browns

Swiss Coffee is a pale creamy ivory with distinct warm yellow undertones. In certain lights it can take on an almond hue. These warm undertones give Swiss Coffee a cozy and inviting look.

Despite the warm base, Swiss Coffee reads as quite light at 81.91 LRV. This prevents it from feeling too dark or dingy. The soft light ivory shade creates a peaceful ambiance.

This versatile neutral pairs beautifully with both cool and warm accents. Popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Soft blue accents

While suitable for any room, Swiss Coffee excels in these spaces:

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Entryways

Its warm ivory tone helps create an intimate, welcoming feel.

Comparing Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee

Now that we’ve looked at Cloud White and Swiss Coffee separately, let’s directly compare them:

Light Reflectance

Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05 compared to Swiss Coffee’s 81.91 LRV. This makes Cloud White noticeably lighter and brighter.

Undertones

This is where the main difference lies. Cloud White is a pure clean white without undertones. Swiss Coffee is distinctly warm with yellow-beige undertones.

Use & Rooms

The crisp brightness of Cloud White makes it work as a whole home neutral. It suits airy open concepts. Swiss Coffee’s cozy warmth excels in intimate living spaces.

Availability

Cloud White comes in all paint sheens. Swiss Coffee has fewer options, only in eggshell, satin and semi-gloss.

Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart

Paint Color	Cloud White OC-130	Swiss Coffee OC-45
LRV	85.05	81.91
Undertones	Pure white	Yellow beige
Use	Whole home	Bedrooms, living rooms
Finishes	All	Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Style	Modern, contemporary	Traditional

Real Life Photos – Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee

To better see the difference between Cloud White and Swiss Coffee, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:

Benjamin Moore Cloud White

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

While quite similar in some lighting, Cloud White generally appears much brighter and crisper than the warm ivory Swiss Coffee. But lighting can really affect their look.

Should I Choose Cloud White or Swiss Coffee?

So how do you decide between Benjamin Moore Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee? Here are a few tips:

Choose Cloud White OC-130 if you want:

A bright true white shade
Clean and airy feel
A versatile whole home neutral
A color suitable for modern styles

Choose Swiss Coffee OC-45 if you want:

A warm ivory beige shade
Cozy and inviting living spaces
To accentuate traditional decor
Good contrast against dark woods

When uncertain, get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times/lighting. This gives you the best sense of how they’ll look.

You can also visualize them alongside your existing decor. Both offer soft versatile neutrals that complement most color schemes.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are some rooms that are especially well suited to Cloud White and Swiss Coffee:

Benjamin Moore Cloud White

Living Rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Hallways
Laundry Rooms

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways

With their soft hues, Cloud White and Swiss Coffee work in any space. But the above rooms tend to make optimal use of their unique strengths.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own Cloud White and Swiss Coffee create serene backdrops. Complement them with other colors and materials for gorgeous spaces:

Cloud White OC-130 Pairings

Deep blue accents
Black and white for contrast
Cherry wood finishes
Marble counters or tile
Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green

Swiss Coffee OC-45 Pairings

Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (greige)
Benjamin Moore Simply White (bright white)
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (dark blue)
Wood furniture

Cloud White vs Swiss Coffee – Which is Better?

So which neutral is the better choice – Cloud White or Swiss Coffee?

Consider Cloud White OC-130 if you want:

A bright crisp white suitable for modern spaces
Clean and airy feel
Whole home versatility
Vibrant accent colors to pop

Consider Swiss Coffee OC-45 if you want:

A warm ivory perfect for traditional decor
Cozy and intimate living room feel
A beige tone that contrasts nicely with dark woods

While Cloud White may be more versatile as a whole home color, Swiss Coffee provides beautiful warm character to living areas.

Get color swatches before deciding. Either soft neutral you choose will provide a welcoming backdrop for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still unsure whether to go with Cloud White or Swiss Coffee? Here are answers to some common questions:

What are the main differences between Cloud White and Swiss Coffee?

The main differences are their undertones and suitability for different styles. Cloud White is a pure white without undertones. Swiss Coffee has distinct warm yellow-beige undertones.