Benjamin Moore Cloud White Vs White Dove: What's the Difference?

When selecting the perfect crisp, clean white paint color, subtle differences between shades can be hard to spot. Two popular classic whites from Benjamin Moore are Cloud White OC-130 and White Dove OC-17. At first glance they may look nearly identical, but there are some key contrasts between the two to note.

In this article, we’ll thoroughly compare Cloud White vs White Dove. We’ll analyze undertones, light reflectance levels, real life photos, best rooms to use, and more. Read on to determine which Benjamin Moore white is right for your space.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Cloud White and White Dove

Before diving into greater detail, here is an overview of the main distinctions between Cloud White and White Dove:

Undertones – Cloud White has a slight warm undertone, White Dove is a true neutral
Light Reflectance – Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05, White Dove has an LRV of 83.16
Use – Cloud White for whole home use, White Dove for living spaces
Rooms – Cloud White excels in darker spaces, White Dove brightens any room
Availability – Cloud White comes in 4 sheens

Now let’s explore Cloud White and White Dove more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130

With its noticeable warmth, Cloud White OC-130 by Benjamin Moore provides a gorgeous soft white backdrop. This welcoming paint color brightens without sacrificing character.

Here are some key details about Cloud White:

LRV: 85.05
Undertones: Subtle warm
Finish: Flat, eggshell, pearl, semi-gloss
Rooms: Any room, especially darker spaces
Pairs Well With: Grays, blues, greens

Cloud White has a subtle greige undertone that warms up this bright white. While crisp and clean, the barely perceptible warmth prevents it from feeling clinical or stark.

The exceptional 85.05 light reflectance value allows Cloud White to truly excel at illuminating darker spaces that need increased brightness. This makes it an ideal choice for windowless rooms or those with minimal natural light.

With its well-balanced combination of brightness and subtle warmth, Cloud White works beautifully throughout the entire home. Some ideal applications include:

Dark hallways and basements needing illumination
Bathrooms and kitchens
Bedrooms and living spaces
Trim, cabinets, and ceilings
High contrast pops against bold colors

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

As Benjamin Moore’s most popular white paint color, White Dove OC-17 works beautifully across styles from modern to farmhouse. This versatile all-purpose neutral brightens up any space.

Here are some key details about beloved White Dove:

LRV: 83.16
Undertones: True neutral
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Suitable for any room
Pairs Well With: All color schemes

With its perfectly balanced undertone, White Dove reads as a true white that complements any design aesthetic. The 83.16 light reflectance provides sufficient brightness without starkness.

As a true neutral, White Dove goes with absolutely any color scheme. Its versatility makes it foolproof for every room in homes of all styles. Popular uses include:

Living rooms and bedrooms
Kitchen cabinets and bathrooms
Doors, trim, molding, and ceilings
Dining rooms and entryways
Offices and laundry rooms

Comparing Cloud White vs White Dove

Now that we’ve looked at Cloud White and White Dove individually, let’s compare them directly:

Light Reflectance

Cloud White has an exceptional LRV of 85.05 compared to White Dove’s 83.16. This means Cloud White will reflect more light and combat darkness better.

However, most average or lightly colored rooms could work with either bright white. Only very dim spaces require Cloud White’s superior illumination.

Undertones

Here is where the main difference lies. Cloud White has subtle warm greige undertones. White Dove is a clean true neutral white.

The slight greige warmth gives Cloud White more character without sacrificing brightness. White Dove’s neutrality provides wider appeal.

Rooms

Thanks to its outstanding light reflectance, Cloud White excels in any dark, windowless space needing maximum illumination.

White Dove’s versatile neutrality allows it to provide a brightening effect in any room of the house.

Availability

Cloud White comes in 4 finishes – flat, eggshell, pearl, and semi-gloss. White Dove offers the full range from matte to high gloss.

Cloud White vs White Dove Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Cloud White and White Dove compare:

Paint Color	Cloud White OC-130	White Dove OC-17
LRV	85.05	83.16
Undertones	Subtle warm greige	True neutral
Use	Dark rooms, whole home	All rooms
Sheens	4 sheens	All sheens
Style	Traditional, contemporary	Versatile for any style

Real Life Photos – Cloud White vs White Dove

Let’s look at real life spaces painted in Cloud White and White Dove to better evaluate how they compare in actual settings.

Cloud White OC-130

White Dove OC-17

The real life photos showcase the subtle differences between the two whites. Cloud White generally reads as slightly warmer, with more greige coming through. White Dove appears cooler and crisper.

However, depending on lighting, the two can look quite similar in some spaces. See how they compare in real scenarios.

Should I Choose Cloud White or White Dove?

So which Benjamin Moore white is the better choice for your space – Cloud White or White Dove? Here are a few factors to help guide your decision:

Consider Cloud White OC-130 if you want:

A white with very subtle warm greige undertones
To brightly illuminate low light spaces
A versatile neutral suitable for whole home use
A clean but not clinical backdrop

Consider White Dove OC-17 if you want:

A true neutral white with zero undertones
Benjamin Moore’s most popular versatile white
A foolproof white that works in any room
A timeless white for trim, ceilings, and doors

Always get paint samples before deciding. View large swatches of both whites on your walls in different lighting at different times. This will give you the best sense of which white you prefer before committing to a full paint job.

While Cloud White has illumination power, classic White Dove offers beautiful versatility. Choose the one that best matches your goals.

Best Rooms for Cloud White and White Dove

Though they both work well throughout homes, here are some spaces ideally suited to Cloud White and White Dove:

Cloud White OC-130

With its superior brightness, Cloud White excels in rooms with minimal natural light. Use it in:

Dark hallways, basements, and bathrooms
Bedrooms, offices and dens
Kitchens with low light
Laundry rooms, garages
High contrast trim and doors

White Dove OC-17

This flexible neutral brightens up any space beautifully. Ideal White Dove rooms:

Living rooms, bedrooms, and nurseries
Kitchens and bathrooms
Dining rooms and entryways
Offices, media rooms
Molding, doors, ceilings

Both function well as all-over home whites. But the above are optimal applications based on their specific strengths.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Cloud White and White Dove create peaceful backdrops for any room. Paired with other colors and materials, you can design gorgeous spaces:

Cloud White OC-130 Ideas

Bright white shiplap accent wall in a dim hallway
Crisp white kitchen cabinets against a deep blue island
White wainscoting and molding against light green walls
High gloss white trim framing navy blue doors

White Dove OC-17 Ideas

Cozy living room with warm white brick fireplace
Farmhouse kitchen with classic white shaker cabinets
Vivid teal accent wall against clean white backdrop
Glossy white paneled doors in an airy entryway

Color Pairings for Both

Navy blues, grays, greens, light browns
Bold black and white graphic art
Bright accent colors like yellow, red, and orange
Natural wood tone furniture

Keep the backdrop neutral white to make accent colors pop. Switch up accents seasonally for a fresh look.

Cloud White vs White Dove – Which is Best for You?

So what’s better for your home – Benjamin Moore Cloud White or White Dove? The right choice depends on your goals:

Pick Cloud White OC-130 if you want:

A bright white with the subtlest greige warmth
To illuminate low natural light spaces
An adaptable neutral suitable for whole home
Enough character to avoid starkness

Choose White Dove OC-17 if you want:

A true neutral white with zero undertones
Benjamin Moore’s beloved versatile white
A foolproof white suitable for any room
A timeless white for doors, trim, and ceilings

Get large paint samples before deciding. Cloud White’s light enhancing powers give it an advantage where illumination is critical. But classic White Dove works beautifully in most average spaces.

Choose the white that best suits your lighting needs and interior design vision. Either Benjamin Moore white will provide a gorgeous, adaptable base.