Benjamin Moore Wind's Breath Vs Ballet White: 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 Wind’s Breath OC-24 and Ballet White OC-9. At first glance they appear nearly identical, but there are some key contrasts between the two off-whites.

In this article, we’ll thoroughly compare Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White. 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 the right fit for your space.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Wind’s Breath and Ballet White

Before diving into greater detail, here is an overview of the main distinctions between Wind’s Breath and Ballet White:

Undertones – Wind’s Breath is a true neutral, Ballet White has a cool undertone
Light Reflectance – Wind’s Breath has an LRV of 69.59, Ballet White has an LRV of 71.97
Use – Wind’s Breath illuminates dark spaces, Ballet White for bright rooms
Rooms – Wind’s Breath excels in any room, Ballet White for well-lit areas
Availability – Ballet White comes in fewer finishes

Now let’s explore Wind’s Breath and Ballet White more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath OC-24

With an exceptional light reflectance value of 69.59, Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath lives up to its name. This gorgeous bright white paint color excels at opening up dark spaces.

Here are some details about Wind’s Breath:

LRV: 69.59
Undertones: True neutral
Finish: Flat, eggshell, pearl
Best Spaces: Walls, trim, cabinets in low light rooms
Popular Combinations: All colors

Wind’s Breath is a true neutral white, meaning it does not have any discernable undertones. This clean white has a perfectly balanced temperature, allowing it to complement any color scheme and decor style.

The outstanding 69.59 light reflectance value gives Wind’s Breath unparalleled brightness. This makes it an ideal choice for illuminating darker spaces that need increased light reflection.

With its well-balanced brightness and versatility, Wind’s Breath works beautifully throughout the entire home. Some popular applications include:

Dark hallways, basements, and bathrooms needing illumination
Kitchen cabinets, walls, and ceilings
High contrast trim and moldings
Any room needing a brightening effect

Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9

With its barely-there cool undertone, Ballet White OC-9 by Benjamin Moore provides a gorgeous clean backdrop in any home. This bright white paint color keeps spaces feeling open and airy.

Here are some details about Ballet White:

LRV: 71.97
Undertones: Hint of cool
Finish: Flat, eggshell
Rooms: Kitchens, baths, open concept living areas
Pairs Well With: Grays, blues, greens

While still versatile, Ballet White has a noticeable cool undertone described as “three drops of black paint in a gallon of white”. This gives the white a clean, almost icy appearance when lighting is optimal. However, it prevents dinginess and yellowing.

The 71.97 light reflectance value provides sufficient illumination for most well-lit rooms. Because of its slightly cool cast, Ballet White excels alongside equally cool color schemes.

This crisp white looks gorgeous in any space desiring a clean backdrop. But its cool essence makes it ideally suited to brighter rooms like:

Sunlit living rooms and kitchens
Bright bedrooms and bathrooms
Laundry rooms and mudrooms

Comparing Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White

Now that we’ve examined Wind’s Breath and Ballet White individually, let’s compare them directly:

Light Reflectance

Wind’s Breath has an exceptional LRV of 69.59 compared to Ballet White’s 71.97. This means Wind’s Breath will reflect more light and combat darkness better.

However, most average rooms could work with either bright white. Only very dim, sunken spaces require Wind’s Breath’s superior illumination.

Undertones

Here’s where the main difference lies. Wind’s Breath is a true neutral white, whereas Ballet White has a subtle cool undertone.

Wind’s Breath’s perfect balance allows greater versatility. Ballet White’s coolness gives it an airy, bright feel.

Rooms

Thanks to its stellar light reflectance, Wind’s Breath excels in any dark space needing maximum illumination. Think dim bathrooms, basements, and hallways.

Ballet White’s slight coolness makes it ideal for naturally well-lit rooms like sunny kitchens and bedrooms.

Availability

Ballet White only comes in flat and eggshell finishes. Wind’s Breath offers flat, eggshell, and pearl sheens. So Wind’s Breath provides more finish options.

Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Wind’s Breath and Ballet White compare:

Paint Color	Wind’s Breath OC-24	Ballet White OC-9
LRV	69.59	71.97
Undertones	True neutral	Hint of cool
Use	Dark rooms	Bright rooms
Sheens	3 sheens	2 sheens
Style	Versatile for all	Modern, contemporary

Real Life Photos – Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White

Let’s look at real life spaces painted in Wind’s Breath and Ballet White to better see how they compare in actual environments.

Wind’s Breath OC-24

Real Room Photos Benjamin Moore Wind's Breath — Image Credit:@ the.noble.home

Ballet White OC-9

The real life photos showcase how Wind’s Breath generally reads as a brighter, crisper white compared to the slightly cooler Ballet White. However, depending on lighting they can appear quite similar.

Should I Choose Wind’s Breath or Ballet White?

So how do you decide between Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White for your space? Here are a few factors to help guide your decision:

Consider Wind’s Breath OC-24 if you want:

A true neutral white with no undertones
To brightly illuminate dark, windowless spaces
Maximum light reflection and brightness
A versatile paint color suitable for whole home

Consider Ballet White OC-9 if you want:

A white with subtle cool undertones
A bright but not stark white
A paint color suited to airy modern spaces
Added illumination without excessive brightness

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

While Wind’s Breath has exceptional illumination power, classic Ballet White offers beautiful crispness. Choose the one that best matches your goals and home’s needs.

Best Rooms for Wind’s Breath and Ballet White

Though they both work well throughout homes, here are some spaces ideally suited to Wind’s Breath and Ballet White:

Wind’s Breath OC-24

With its superior brightness, Wind’s Breath excels in darker, minimally lit rooms. Use it in:

Bathrooms with no natural light
Dark hallways, basements, and stairwells
Bedrooms and offices with low light
Kitchens with poor lighting

Ballet White OC-9

This bright white with a kiss of coolness excels in sunnier, well-lit rooms. Perfect Ballet White spaces include:

Airy living rooms with ample windows
Bright bedrooms and nurseries
Kitchens drenched in natural light
Laundry rooms and mudrooms

Use Wind’s Breath to combat darkness. Let Ballet White enhance light-filled rooms with its subtle cool essence.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Wind’s Breath and Ballet White create peaceful backdrops. Paired with other colors and materials, you can design gorgeous spaces:

Wind’s Breath OC-24 Ideas

Bright white open shelves against charcoal accent wall
Glossy white cabinetry in a dim outdated kitchen
Crisp white wainscoting against navy blue feature wall
High contrast white trim on black window frames

Ballet White OC-9 Ideas

White open shelving and trim against light gray walls
Bright white wainscoting against sage green dining room walls
Minimalist white kitchen with marble countertops
White shiplap accent wall in a sunroom

Color Pairings for Both

Crisp navy blues, grays, light greens
Bold black accents and furniture
Warm wood flooring and finishes
Vibrant accent colors like yellow, red or teal

Keep the backdrop neutral white to let accent colors truly sing. Easily change accents seasonally for fresh looks.

Wind’s Breath vs Ballet White – Which is Best For You?

So what’s better for your home – Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath or Ballet White? The right choice comes down to your goals:

Pick Wind’s Breath OC-24 if you want:

Maximum light reflection to combat darkness
A true neutral white with zero undertones
A bright, adaptable paint color for whole home use
Clean, crisp brightness without sterility

Choose Ballet White OC-9 if you want:

A white with subtle cool undertones
A bright but not stark white
A paint color suited to lighter modern spaces
Added illumination without excessive brightness

Get large in-home paint samples before deciding. While classic Ballet White shines in contemporary homes, Wind’s Breath’s unbeatable light reflectance gives it an advantage anywhere illumination is critical.

Select the Benjamin Moore white that best enhances your home’s existing lighting and design style. Either will serve as a gorgeous base.