With so many gorgeous off-whites and neutrals to choose from, picking that perfect shade for your home can be challenging. Two of Benjamin Moore’s most popular are Soft Chamois OC-13 and Swiss Coffee OC-45. But what really distinguishes these beautiful, muted paint colors?
In this guide, we’ll analyze Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee in depth, comparing undertones, finishes, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room uses. Read on to determine if Soft Chamois or Swiss Coffee is the best warm neutral for your interior design.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee
Before diving into details, here is an overview of the main differences between Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee:
- Undertones – Soft Chamois has beige, Swiss Coffee has brown
- Light Reflectance – Soft Chamois has an LRV of 77.4, Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 81.91
- Look – Soft Chamois is lighter and brighter, Swiss Coffee is richer and darker
- Use – Soft Chamois suits airy spaces, Swiss Coffee better for intimate rooms
- Rooms – Soft Chamois recommended for kitchens, baths; Swiss Coffee ideal for living areas
Now let’s explore Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee Benjamin Moore paint colors more closely.
Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois OC-13
With its soft beige appearance, Soft Chamois OC-13 creates a gentle, welcoming backdrop in any home. This versatile neutral has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Soft Chamois paint color:
- LRV: 77.4
- Undertones: Warm beige
- Sheen: Flat, eggshell
- Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and bathrooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns
Soft Chamois is a pale creamy beige with warm yellow undertones. In certain lights it can shift between a light sand to a soft tan. This adaptability allows it to suit any style.
With a 77.4 light reflectance value, Soft Chamois provides sufficient brightness to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The noticeable warmth gives it a cozy vibe.
This tranquil neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, brick reds, and natural fibers. Especially popular pairings include:
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Devonshire Cream
- Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain
- Benjamin Moore Mahogany
Use Soft Chamois to create welcoming, livable spaces with comfort and flexibility. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel casually elegant and unpretentious. It works in any area but really excels in these:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Entryways
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
A beloved neutral, Swiss Coffee OC-45 is the epitome of a welcoming brown paint color. This versatile beige provides a comforting, enveloping backdrop.
Here are some key details about Swiss Coffee:
- LRV: 81.91
- Undertones: Warm brown beige
- Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl
- Rooms: Whole home, especially living areas
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns
Swiss Coffee is a milk chocolate paint color with warm yellow-brown undertones. In certain lights it can shift between cocoa and sandy tan. This adaptability allows use across styles.
With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee provides enough brightness for cozy spaces without seeming too dark or dreary. The noticeable warmth gives it a welcoming vibe.
This refined neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, terra cotta, and natural fibers. Especially popular combinations include:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green
- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Use Swiss Coffee to create comfortable, livable spaces with traditional character and charm. This cozy backdrop helps rooms feel intimate and relaxed. It works in any area but really excels in these:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
Comparing Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee
Now that we’ve looked at Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee individually, let’s directly compare the two Benjamin Moore paint colors:
Light Reflectance
With LRVs of 77.4 and 81.91 respectively, Soft Chamois reflects noticeably more light than the much darker Swiss Coffee. However, both offer sufficient brightness for their typical use cases.
Undertones
Here is where the main difference lies. Soft Chamois has warm yellow-beige undertones. Swiss Coffee has distinct brown undertones reminiscent of coffee.
Soft Chamois’s yellow tint gives it a bright, cheerful look. Swiss Coffee’s bold brown warmth provides an enveloping, intimate feel.
Uses
Thanks to its far higher reflectance, Soft Chamois works well throughout homes to create a cohesive brightness.
Swiss Coffee’s enveloping warmth makes it ideal for living areas where an inviting vibe is preferred. Its cozy richness suits smaller spaces beautifully.
Aesthetic
Soft Chamois’ faint yellowness gives it a casual, approachable look perfect for family-friendly cottage styles.
Swiss Coffee’s saturated brown warmth has an organic, traditional charm ideal for cozy farmhouse or colonial spaces.
Soft Chamois vs Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of some key differences between Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee:
| Paint Color | Soft Chamois OC-13 | Swiss Coffee OC-45 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 77.4 | 81.91 |
| Undertones | Yellow beige | Brown beige |
| Use | Kitchens, baths, bedrooms | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Aesthetic | Cottage, casual | Traditional, farmhouse |
| Sheen | Flat, eggshell | Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl |
Real Room Photos – Soft Chamois vs Swiss Coffee
To better visualize the differences between Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee, let’s look at real room photos showcasing the Benjamin Moore paint colors:
Soft Chamois
With its soft beige appearance, Soft Chamois OC-13 creates a gentle, welcoming backdrop in any home. This versatile neutral has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Soft Chamois paint color:
- LRV: 77.4
- Undertones: Warm beige
- Sheen: Flat, eggshell
- Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and bathrooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns
Soft Chamois is a pale creamy beige with warm yellow undertones. In certain lights it can shift between a light sand to a soft tan. This adaptability allows it to suit any style.
With a 77.4 light reflectance value, Soft Chamois provides sufficient brightness to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The noticeable warmth gives it a cozy vibe.
This tranquil neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, brick reds, and natural fibers. Especially popular pairings include:
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Devonshire Cream
- Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain
- Benjamin Moore Mahogany
Use Soft Chamois to create welcoming, livable spaces with comfort and flexibility. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel casually elegant and unpretentious. It works in any area but really excels in these:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Entryways
Swiss Coffee
A beloved neutral, Swiss Coffee OC-45 is the epitome of a welcoming brown paint color. This versatile beige provides a comforting, enveloping backdrop.
Here are some key details about Swiss Coffee:
- LRV: 81.91
- Undertones: Warm brown beige
- Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, pearl
- Rooms: Whole home, especially living areas
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, browns
Swiss Coffee is a milk chocolate paint color with warm yellow-brown undertones. In certain lights it can shift between cocoa and sandy tan. This adaptability allows use across styles.
With a 81.91 light reflectance value, Swiss Coffee provides enough brightness for cozy spaces without seeming too dark or dreary. The noticeable warmth gives it a welcoming vibe.
This refined neutral effortlessly layers with wood tones, terra cotta, and natural fibers. Especially popular combinations include:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green
- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Use Swiss Coffee to create comfortable, livable spaces with traditional character and charm. This cozy backdrop helps rooms feel intimate and relaxed. It works in any area but really excels in these:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
In the photos, Soft Chamois appears lighter and brighter, while Swiss Coffee looks richer and darker. But lighting affects their look – they can seem more similar in some conditions.
Should I Choose Soft Chamois or Swiss Coffee?
So how do you decide between Soft Chamois vs Swiss Coffee for your home? Here are a few tips:
Choose Soft Chamois if you want:
- A light beige neutral with yellow undertones
- An airy, relaxed look for kitchens and baths
- A versatile foundational color
- A casual cottage style
Choose Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A darker brown beige with bold warmth
- An intimate, enveloping feel for living spaces
- To soften and enrich brighter neutrals
- A traditional cozy aesthetic
It’s best to get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times of day. This will give you the clearest sense of which hue you prefer in your unique environment.
While quite different, both Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee are beautiful classic Benjamin Moore paint colors. Choose the one that best matches your goals and decor.
Ideal Room Combinations
Here are some rooms that are particularly well-suited to Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee:
Soft Chamois OC-13
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Entryways
- Halls
- Offices
Swiss Coffee OC-45
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Bedrooms
- Libraries
- Den/studies
- Foyers
With their warm hues, Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee work beautifully throughout homes. But the above applications tend to perfectly complement each shade’s strengths.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
On their own, Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee create elegant backdrops. Complement them with colors and textures for beautifully designed rooms:
Soft Chamois Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Luna Pearl
- Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green
- Aged oak, leather, linen
Swiss Coffee Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore Beach Glass
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green
- Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
- Raw wood, wool, velvet
Soft Chamois vs Swiss Coffee: Which is Best for Your Home?
So which Benjamin Moore warm neutral is better, Soft Chamois or Swiss Coffee? Consider your goals and style:
Choose Soft Chamois if you want:
- A light beige with yellow undertones
- An airy, relaxed look for most spaces
- A versatile foundational neutral
- A cottage or casual feel
Choose Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A darker brown beige with bold warmth
- An intimate, enveloping feel for living areas
- Traditional farmhouse or colonial charm
- To soften and enrich white backdrops
Soft Chamois offers flexible, laidback appeal. Swiss Coffee envelops with cozy, welcoming elegance.
Test them in your lighting before finalizing a decision. Either will create a beautiful, livable backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to decide between Soft Chamois and Swiss Coffee? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Which color reflects more light, Soft Chamois or Swiss Coffee?
Soft Chamois has a significantly higher LRV of 77.4 than the darker Swiss Coffee at 81.91 light reflectance.
What undertone does Soft Chamois have?
Soft Chamois has warm yellow-beige undertones reminiscent of natural chamois leather. Its warmth is noticeable but not overpowering.
Is Swiss Coffee warm or cool?
Swiss Coffee is a warm paint color, with distinct brown-beige undertones reminiscent of coffee grounds.
Can you use Soft Chamois on ceilings?
Yes, Soft Chamois can work on ceilings thanks to its 77.4 LRV. It provides enough brightness without feeling too warm.
What sheen does Swiss Coffee come in?
Swiss Coffee is available in flat, eggshell, satin, and pearl sheens. Eggshell works well for most wall applications.
