Natural Cream vs Edgecomb Gray: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect warm neutral paint color, two Benjamin Moore favorites are Natural Cream OC-14 and Edgecomb Gray HC-173. At first glance they appear quite similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray in depth, comparing undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and room pairings. Read on to determine whether cheery Natural Cream or flexible Edgecomb Gray is the best warm neutral paint for your home.

Key Differences Between Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray:

Undertones – Natural Cream is a creamy yellow beige, Edgecomb Gray is a greige
Light Reflectance – Natural Cream has an LRV of 64.78, Edgecomb Gray has an LRV of 63.09
Use – Natural Cream for airy cozy rooms, Edgecomb Gray for versatile style
Rooms – Natural Cream ideal for bedrooms, Edgecomb Gray perfect for living rooms

Now let’s explore Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray more closely.

Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14

With its pale cream appearance, Natural Cream OC-14 creates a cheery, welcoming backdrop. This versatile off-white has broad appeal.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Natural Cream:

LRV: 64.78
Undertones: Yellow cream beige
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, especially bedrooms
Pairings: Beiges, yellows, browns

Natural Cream is a light cream-beige with distinct warm yellow undertones. In most lights it appears as a soft, sunny neutral. The yellow cream influence gives it a bright, cheerful vibe compared to creamier beiges.

With an 64.78 light reflectance value, Natural Cream provides outstanding brightness. The noticeable yellow cream prevents it from feeling too stark or clinical.

Natural Cream works well as a cozy, luminous whole home neutral beige. It also pairs nicely with other sunny colors:

Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Sunlit Allium
Benjamin Moore Mascarpone
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Use Natural Cream to make rooms feel happily illuminated. Its warmth excels in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and more.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173

With its greige appearance, Edgecomb Gray HC-173 creates a flexible, welcoming backdrop. This adaptable gray has enormous popularity.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray:

LRV: 63.09
Undertones: Greige, warm gray
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Any room in the home
Pairings: All colors

Edgecomb Gray is a medium-tone gray with subtle tannish-gray influence. In most lights it appears as a true gray. But its faint warmth gives it more versatility than many cooler grays.

With a 63.09 light reflectance value, Edgecomb Gray offers moderate brightness for a gray. The barely noticeable greige warmth allows it to complement diverse color schemes and styles. Popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Thanks to its barely warm greige tone, Edgecomb Gray works well throughout the home. Its versatility makes it an ideal backdrop to comfortably envelope any space.

Comparing Natural Cream vs. Edgecomb Gray

Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 64.78, Natural Cream reflects a lot more light than Edgecomb Gray at 63.09 LRV. Natural Cream will make spaces feel significantly brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction between these two neutrals. Natural Cream has distinct warm yellow cream undertones, while Edgecomb Gray has vague barely warm grays.

Natural Cream’s bold yellow warmth feels cheerful and bright. Edgecomb Gray’s subtle greige allows flexible versatility.

Use

Natural Cream works well for illuminating cozy spaces seeking soft sunshine. Edgecomb Gray adapts beautifully as a whole home neutral with subtle warmth.

Paint Finish

Both Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray come in any sheen from flat to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful finishes.

Natural Cream vs. Edgecomb Gray Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray compare:

Paint Color	Natural Cream OC-14	Edgecomb Gray HC-173
LRV	64.78	63.09
Undertones	Yellow cream beige	Subtle warm greige
Use	Bright cozy rooms	Versatile whole home neutral
Sheen	Any finish	Any finish
Style	Cheery, luminous	Flexible, welcoming

Real Photos: Natural Cream vs Edgecomb Gray

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray:

Natural Cream

Edgecomb Gray

As shown, Natural Cream is noticeably lighter and warmer, while Edgecomb Gray is darker and cooler. But lighting affects their appearance significantly.

Should I Choose Natural Cream or Edgecomb Gray?

So how do you decide between Natural Cream vs Edgecomb Gray for your home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider Natural Cream if you want:

A creamy beige with distinct yellow tones
A bright, cheerful ambiance
Cozy warmth for traditional spaces

Consider Edgecomb Gray if you want:

A greige with vague barely warm undertones
A flexible whole home neutral
Subtle warmth suitable for any room

As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. Lighting really changes these warm neutrals.

Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, welcoming backdrop for any space.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray:

Natural Cream OC-14

Bright bedrooms
Cheery bathrooms
Sunny kitchens
Cozy living spaces
Traditional dining rooms

Edgecomb Gray HC-173

Casual living rooms
Entryways
Dens
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Anywhere!

While flexible enough for any space, warm Natural Cream excels in cozy rooms and Edgecomb Gray works wonderfully throughout homes.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Natural Cream and Edgecomb Gray create welcoming backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Natural Cream Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
Benjamin Moore Mascarpone (brown)
Benjamin Moore Sunlit Allium (yellow)
Natural wood tones

Edgecomb Gray Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Simply White (white)
Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green (green)
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (gray)
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (blue)

Varying tones and accents help these neutrals come alive.

Natural Cream vs Edgecomb Gray: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which warm neutral paint color works best in your home – bright Natural Cream or versatile Edgecomb Gray? Consider the following:

Choose Natural Cream if you want:

A creamy beige with cheery yellow tones
Cozy brightness perfect for bedrooms
A sunny feel for traditional homes

Choose Edgecomb Gray if you want:

A greige with barely warm gray undertones
A subtly warm whole home neutral
Flexibility to complement diverse rooms

While similar, Natural Cream generally offers more cozy brightness, while Edgecomb Gray provides subtle warm versatility. Test them before deciding! Either one makes a beautiful welcoming backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to choose between Natural Cream vs Edgecomb Gray? Here are some helpful answers:

Does Edgecomb Gray have green undertones?

No, Edgecomb Gray does not contain green. It is a greige with faint warm gray undertones. In some lighting, it may appear to have very subtle hints of green or brown.

What colors pair well with Natural Cream?

Natural Cream works beautifully with light blues, browns, yellows, white, and creams. It suits warm color schemes nicely.

Should I use Edgecomb Gray in a nursery?

Yes, Edgecomb Gray is a great nursery color! Its subtly warm greige tone provides a soothing, peaceful backdrop for baby. Add colorful accents and decor.

Is Natural Cream suitable for a bathroom?

Definitely! With its cozy yellow cream tone, Natural Cream makes a cheery backdrop for bathrooms. It feels bright and uplifting. Pair with white trim for freshness.