Benjamin Moore offers hundreds of gorgeous off-white paint colors. Two of their most popular are Natural Cream OC-14 and Creamy White OC-7. Both are beautiful light beige colors. But what’s the difference, and which one is right for your home?
In this article, we’ll analyze Natural Cream and Creamy White paint colors. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room applications. Read on to determine if Natural Cream or Creamy White is the best Benjamin Moore off-white paint for your interior design needs.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Natural Cream and Creamy White
Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Natural Cream and Creamy White:
- Undertones – Natural Cream has yellow undertones, Creamy White has beige undertones
- Light Reflectance – Natural Cream has an LRV of 64.78, Creamy White has an LRV of 70.95
- Use – Natural Cream works well for warm color schemes, Creamy White suits beige palettes
- Rooms – Natural Cream ideal for traditional homes, Creamy White suits eclectic spaces
Now let’s explore Natural Cream and Creamy White paint colors more closely.
Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14
With its pale cream appearance, Natural Cream OC-14 creates a gorgeous neutral backdrop in any home. This versatile color has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Natural Cream:
- LRV: 64.78
- Undertones: Yellow creams
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color, especially living rooms and bedrooms
- Pairings: Beiges, browns, reds
Natural Cream is a light cream beige with distinct warm yellow undertones. This chameleon-like paint color shifts appearances based on light exposure and surroundings.
In some lights, the pale creaminess comes forward presenting as a soft, welcoming cream. At other times, subtle beige warmth is more prominent giving a light ivory appearance. The overall effect is a color that provides light warmth.
With an 64.78 light reflectance value, Natural Cream provides enough illumination to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The yellow cream influence gives the color a cheery, sunny feel.
The versatility and adaptability of Natural Cream is one of its greatest strengths. This cozy color pairs effortlessly with both warm and slightly cool accents. Especially popular combinations include:
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Benjamin Moore October Mist
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Use Natural Cream to create cheerful, livable spaces. This lovely neutral backdrop helps rooms feel uplifting and refined. It works in any area but is especially suited to:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Dining rooms
Benjamin Moore Creamy White OC-7
Creamy White OC-7 is a gorgeous, soft-looking light beige. This beautiful off-white has broad appeal across styles from modern to bohemian.
Here are some key facts about Creamy White:
- LRV: 70.95
- Undertones: Beige creams
- Finish: Available in all finishes
- Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms
- Pairings: Beiges, browns, blues
True to its name, Creamy White has distinct cream-beige undertones. This gives the paint color a very soft and welcoming appearance.
Despite the cream-inspired base color, Creamy White reads as quite light and airy. With an 70.95 light reflectance value, this gentle neutral helps rooms feel open and serene.
The beige cream undertones pair wonderfully with organic textures and natural materials like wood furniture and woven accents. Creamy White helps spaces feel soothing and calm. Use it alongside color palettes with other cream-beige neutrals like:
- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
This versatile off-white looks gorgeous across interior styles from modern farmhouse to bohemian. While suitable for any room, it really excels in these spaces:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Dining rooms
Natural Cream vs. Creamy White Comparison
Now that we have looked at their individual attributes, let’s directly compare Natural Cream and Creamy White paint colors:
Light Reflectance
With an LRV of 64.78, Natural Cream reflects a bit more light than Creamy White at 70.95 LRV. However, both offer enough illumination for most spaces without feeling too dark.
Undertones
Here is where the main difference lies. Natural Cream has distinct warm yellow undertones. Creamy White has cream-beige undertones.
The yellowness in Natural Cream gives it a cheerful, sunny feel. Creamy White’s soft beige tones feel more soothing and serene.
Rooms
Due to its slightly higher light reflectance and adaptability, Natural Cream works well as a whole home neutral. Use it in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and halls to create a cohesive color flow.
Creamy White’s softness makes it best suited to bedrooms, dining rooms, and bathrooms. The cream-beige tones help create a calm atmosphere.
Paint Finish
Both Natural Cream and Creamy White come in every sheen from flat to high-gloss. They provide beautiful soft off-white finishes.
Natural Cream vs Creamy White Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of some key differences between Natural Cream and Creamy White:
| Paint Color | Natural Cream OC-14 | Creamy White OC-7 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 64.78 | 70.95 |
| Undertones | Yellow creams | Beige creams |
| Use | Whole home neutral | Bedrooms, dining rooms |
| Paint Finishes | All finishes | All finishes |
| Style | Traditional, cottage | Boho, eclectic |
Real Life Photos – Natural Cream vs Creamy White
To get a better sense of how Natural Cream and Creamy White compare, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:
Natural Cream
Creamy White
As seen in the photos, Natural Cream generally reads as a brighter and more yellow-toned neutral than the softer, more cream-beige Creamy White. However, lighting can affect these paint colors and make them appear somewhat similar at times.
Should I Choose Natural Cream or Creamy White?
So how do you decide between Natural Cream vs Creamy White for your home? Here are a few tips:
Choose Natural Cream if you want:
- A light beige with distinct yellow tones
- A cheerful sunny neutral
- A versatile whole home color
- A paint color suitable for traditional homes
Choose Creamy White if you want:
- A soft cream-beige neutral
- Subtle beige undertones
- A calm and soothing paint color
- A versatile neutral for eclectic spaces
To make the best decision, get samples of both paint colors. Paint them on large sections of wall and view at different times/lighting. This will give you the best sense of which you prefer.
You can also pair each potential paint color with the rest of your color scheme to determine which coordinates best. Both are beautiful, versatile off-whites that will suit most design aesthetics.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are some rooms that are well suited to Natural Cream and Creamy White paint colors:
Natural Cream OC-14
- Living rooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Kids’ rooms
- Hallways/foyers
Creamy White OC-7
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Bathrooms
- Offices
- Kitchens
With their soft neutrals and mid-range light reflectance, Natural Cream and Creamy White can work well in any room. However, the above applications tend to be optimal uses of their respective traits.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
On their own, Natural Cream and Creamy White create peaceful and welcoming backdrops. Pair them with other colors and materials to design truly stunning spaces.
Natural Cream Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Simply White (white)
- Benjamin Moore Hawaiian Surf (blue)
- Benjamin Moore Mascarpone (brown)
- Rich wood tones
Creamy White Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (gray)
- Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick (red)
- Benjamin Moore Oxford White (trim)
- Natural linen and jute
Natural Cream vs Creamy White: Which is Better for Your Home?
So which is the better Benjamin Moore paint color between Natural Cream and Creamy White? The answer depends on your goals and home’s needs:
Consider Natural Cream if you want:
- An off-white with cheery yellow tones
- A sunny paint color suitable for traditional styles
- Good versatility to work with warm color schemes
- Available in all paint finishes
Consider Creamy White if you want:
- A soft beige cream off-white
- Subtle beige undertones
- A soothing neutral suited to eclectic decor
- A natural creamy feel
While Natural Cream may be slightly more versatile for whole home use, Creamy White provides beautiful soft character in bedrooms and dining rooms.
Get color samples and view in your environment before deciding. Either Benjamin Moore off-white you choose will provide an elegant backdrop that lasts for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still undecided between Natural Cream and Creamy White? Here are answers to some common questions:
What are the main differences between Natural Cream and Creamy White?
The main differences are their undertones. Natural Cream has warm yellow tones while Creamy White has subtle beige tones. Natural Cream is a bit brighter.
Which rooms should I use Creamy White in?
Creamy White looks beautiful in bedrooms, dining rooms, offices and other areas where you want a soft, serene feel. Its cream-beige tones are very soothing.
What colors go well with Natural Cream?
Popular colors to pair with Natural Cream include light blues, browns, white and cream. It works well with warm color schemes.
Is Creamy White warm or cool?
Creamy White is a warm paint color, but its beige undertone make it feel more softly neutral than a bold yellow cream. It provides subtle cozy warmth.
Can you use Natural Cream on ceilings?
Yes, Natural Cream is a good ceiling color. Its 64.78 LRV provides enough light reflection without feeling too dark or dingy.
