Seapearl vs Swiss Coffee: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect warm neutral paint color, two Benjamin Moore favorites often top the list – Seapearl OC-19 and Swiss Coffee OC-45. At first glance they may appear similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Seapearl and Swiss Coffee in depth. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room pairings. Read on to determine if creamy Seapearl or versatile Swiss Coffee is the best warm neutral paint for your home.

Key Differences Between Seapearl and Swiss Coffee

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Seapearl and Swiss Coffee:

Undertones – Seapearl is a cream beige, Swiss Coffee is a tan beige
Light Reflectance – Seapearl has an LRV of 76.43, Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 81.91
Use – Seapearl for elegant traditional spaces, Swiss Coffee for whole home neutral
Rooms – Seapearl ideal for dining rooms, Swiss Coffee suits any room

Now let’s explore Seapearl and Swiss Coffee more closely.

Benjamin Moore Seapearl OC-19

With its warm cream-beige appearance, Seapearl OC-19 creates an elegant, welcoming backdrop. This refined off-white is beloved for its versatility.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Seapearl:

LRV: 76.43
Undertones: Creamy beige
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms
Pairings: Beiges, browns, reds

Seapearl is a light creamy beige with distinct cream undertones. In most lights it appears as a very soft, warm ivory. The creaminess gives it an elegant, tranquil vibe compared to tanner beiges.

With a 76.43 light reflectance value, Seapearl provides ample brightness for a lower-contrast neutral. The creamy warmth makes it highly versatile for upscale traditional palettes. Popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
Benjamin Moore Mahogany

Thanks to its elegant versatility, Seapearl works well in a variety of rooms. Its creamy tone creates a refined backdrop for colors to shine. Use it in:

Dining rooms
Living rooms
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Libraries

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

With its tan beige appearance, Swiss Coffee OC-45 creates a flexible neutral backdrop with broad appeal. This popular color is renowned for its adaptability.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:

LRV: 81.91
Undertones: Subtle warm tan beige
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Any room in the home
Pairings: All colors

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a light-medium beige with faint warm yellow-brown undertones. In most lights it appears as a versatile tan neutral. The subtle warmth gives it more adaptability than cooler beiges.

With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee supplies decent illumination for a beige. Its barely noticeable warmth allows it to complement diverse color schemes and styles. Popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Thanks to its flexible neutrality, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee works well throughout the home. Its tan-beige tone complements paint colors beautifully. Use it in:

Living rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Dining rooms
Offices

Comparing Seapearl vs. Swiss Coffee

Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Seapearl and Swiss Coffee:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 76.43, Seapearl reflects more light than Swiss Coffee at 81.91 LRV. Seapearl will make rooms feel a bit brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction. Seapearl has distinct creamy beige undertones, while Swiss Coffee has subtle warm tan beige undertones.

Seapearl’s creaminess provides an elegant, welcoming effect. Swiss Coffee’s subtle warmth allows versatile adaptability.

Use

Seapearl works well for refined, upscale rooms seeking soft illumination. Swiss Coffee adapts beautifully as a flexible whole home neutral.

Paint Finish

Both Seapearl and Swiss Coffee come in any sheen from flat to high gloss. They allow for beautiful finishes.

Seapearl vs. Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Seapearl and Swiss Coffee compare:

Paint Color	Seapearl OC-19	Swiss Coffee OC-45
LRV	76.43	81.91
Undertones	Creamy beige	Subtle warm tan beige
Use	Elegant traditional rooms	Versatile whole home neutral
Sheen	Any finish	Any finish
Style	Refined, welcoming	Flexible, adaptable

Real Photos: Seapearl vs Swiss Coffee

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Seapearl and Swiss Coffee:

Seapearl

Swiss Coffee

As shown, Seapearl is lighter and creamier, while Swiss Coffee is more tan-beige. But lighting affects their appearance significantly.

Should I Choose Seapearl or Swiss Coffee?

So how do you decide between Seapearl vs Swiss Coffee for your home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider Seapearl if you want:

A creamy beige with distinct cream undertones
An elegant and refined feel
A warm neutral for upscale traditional rooms
Slightly more light reflectance

Consider Swiss Coffee if you want:

A tan beige with subtle warm undertones
A flexible, versatile whole home neutral
To complement a wide range of color schemes
A warm greige suitable for any room

As with any close paint decision, get samples and test Seapearl and Swiss Coffee before deciding.

Both create beautiful, welcoming backdrops.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Seapearl and Swiss Coffee:

Seapearl OC-19

Refined living rooms
Elegant dining rooms
Luxurious bedrooms
Upscale bathrooms
Libraries

Swiss Coffee OC-45

Casual living rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Dining rooms
Offices

Seapearl fits best in upscale traditional spaces, while versatile Swiss Coffee works anywhere. Both provide warm, welcoming environments.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Seapearl and Swiss Coffee create serene backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Seapearl Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (white)
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (blue)
Benjamin Moore Essex Green (olive green)
Deep wood tones

Swiss Coffee Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green (green)
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (gray)
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (greige)

Varying undertones of accent colors and fabrics provides nice contrast against the neutral base.

Seapearl vs Swiss Coffee: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which warm neutral paint color works best in your home – Seapearl or Swiss Coffee? Consider the following:

Choose Seapearl if you want:

A creamy beige with distinct cream tones
An elegant and refined traditional feel
A sophisticated backdrop for upscale rooms

Choose Swiss Coffee if you want:

A tan beige with subtle warm undertones
A flexible and versatile whole home neutral
The ability to complement diverse color schemes
A greige suitable for any casual room

While very similar, Seapearl offers more of an elegant creaminess, while Swiss Coffee provides subtle warm versatility.

Be sure to test both paint colors before deciding! Either one makes a beautiful, welcoming neutral backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between Seapearl vs Swiss Coffee? Here are helpful answers:

Does Seapearl have gray undertones?

No, Seapearl does not contain gray. It is a creamy beige off-white with distinct cream/eggshell undertones but no grays.

What colors pair well with Swiss Coffee?

Swiss Coffee complements a wide variety of colors thanks to its subtle warmth. Great combinations include navy, black, white, gray, sage green and terracotta.

Should I use Seapearl in a dining room?

Yes, Seapearl is a beautiful dining room color! Its creamy refined tone and decent light reflectance create an elegant backdrop for dining spaces to shine.

Is Swiss Coffee suitable for a master bedroom?

Definitely! With its subtly warm and soothing tan-beige tone, Swiss Coffee works wonderfully in master bedrooms. It provides a flexible, inviting retreat.