SW Greek Villa vs BM Swiss Coffee: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect neutral paint color, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of similar shades. Two popular off-white beiges that often get compared are Sherwin Williams Greek Villa and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. But what really sets them apart?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll analyze Greek Villa vs Swiss Coffee to help you determine the right paint color for your home. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real life photos, best room usages and more.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee

Before getting into the nitty gritty details, here is an overview of the main differences between Sherwin Williams Greek Villa and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee:

Undertones – Greek Villa is a warm greige, Swiss Coffee is a cool beige
Light Reflectance – Greek Villa has an LRV of 84, Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 81.91
Use – Greek Villa suits modern and transitional styles, Swiss Coffee fits traditional decor
Rooms – Greek Villa works in bright open rooms, Swiss Coffee excels in cozy living spaces
Availability – Swiss Coffee comes in fewer finish options

Now let’s explore Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee more in-depth.

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa SW 7551

With its light greige appearance, Greek Villa SW 7551 creates an airy and uplifting backdrop in any room. This versatile neutral has wide appeal across styles.

Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Greek Villa:

LRV: 84
Undertones: Warm greige
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Whole home color, especially living rooms and bedrooms
Pairs Well With: Taupes, blues, blacks, whites

Greek Villa is a pale taupe-greige that effortlessly straddles the line between warm and cool. In different lighting, it can present as a light brown, hint of gray, or soft greige. The overall effect is a soothing and tranquil neutral.

The 84 light reflectance value keeps the color light and airy feeling, while preventing it from reading as stark white. The greige influence also keeps the shade from feeling too warm or dingy.

This adaptable neutral coordinates beautifully with both cool and warm accents. Popular Greek Villa color pairings include:

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
Sherwin Williams Naval
Sherwin Williams Pure White
Black accents

Greek Villa works in any room but really shines in these spaces:

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Kitchens
Bathrooms

Use its soft backdrop to create a refined and welcoming feel throughout your home’s interior.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

With its warm ivory appearance, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 provides a gorgeous neutral backdrop suitable for both traditional and modern spaces.

Here are some details about Swiss Coffee:

LRV: 81.91
Undertones: Yellow beige
Finish: Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices
Pairs Well With: Whites, blues, browns

Swiss Coffee is a pale creamy ivory with distinct warm yellow undertones. In certain lights it can take on an almond hue. These warm undertones give Swiss Coffee a cozy and inviting look.

Despite the warm base, Swiss Coffee reads as quite light at 81.91 LRV. This prevents it from feeling too dark or dingy. The soft light ivory shade creates a peaceful ambiance.

This versatile neutral pairs beautifully with both cool and warm accents. Popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Soft blue accents

While suitable for any room, Swiss Coffee excels in these spaces:

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Dining Rooms
Offices
Entryways

Its warm ivory tone helps create an intimate, welcoming feel.

Comparing Greek Villa vs Swiss Coffee

Now that we’ve looked at Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee separately, let’s directly compare them:

Light Reflectance

Greek Villa has an LRV of 84 compared to Swiss Coffee’s 81.91 LRV. This makes Greek Villa slightly lighter and brighter. However, both reflect reasonable light for most rooms.

Undertones

This is where the main difference lies. Greek Villa is a warm greige that adapts between warm and cool tones. Swiss Coffee is distinctly warm with yellow-beige undertones.

Use & Rooms

The greige adaptability of Greek Villa makes it work as a whole home neutral. Its brightness suits airy open concept rooms.

Swiss Coffee’s cozy warmth excels in more intimate living spaces like bedrooms, dining rooms and offices.

Availability

Greek Villa comes in all paint finishes. Swiss Coffee has fewer options, only in eggshell, satin and semi-gloss.

Greek Villa vs Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart

Paint Color	Greek Villa SW 7551	Swiss Coffee OC-45
LRV	84	81.91
Undertones	Warm greige	Yellow beige
Use	Whole home	Bedrooms, living rooms
Finishes	All	Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Style	Modern, transitional	Traditional

Real Life Photos – Greek Villa vs Swiss Coffee

To better visualize the difference between Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee, let’s look at real life photos of the paint colors:

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

While quite similar, Greek Villa generally reads as a touch lighter and cooler toned than the warm ivory Swiss Coffee. But lighting can really affect their appearance.

Should I Choose Greek Villa or Swiss Coffee?

So how do you decide between Sherwin Williams Greek Villa vs Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee? Here are a few tips:

Choose Greek Villa SW 7551 if you want:

A greige that adapts between warm and cool
Slightly higher light reflectance
A versatile whole home neutral
A color suitable for modern styles

Choose Swiss Coffee OC-45 if you want:

A warm ivory beige shade
Cozy and inviting living spaces
To accentuate traditional decor
Good contrast against dark furniture

When uncertain, get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times/lighting. This gives you the best sense of how they’ll look.

You can also visualize them alongside your existing decor. Both offer soft versatile neutrals that complement most color schemes.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are some rooms that work especially well with Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee:

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Kids’ Rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Hallways

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways
Bathrooms

With their adaptable neutrals and soft tones, Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee work in any space. But the above rooms tend to make optimal use of their unique strengths.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee create serene backdrops. Complement them with other paint colors and materials for stunning spaces:

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa Pairings

Sherwin Williams Naval (blue)
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (green)
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray (greige)
Black and white accents
Marble or quartz countertops

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Pairings

Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (greige)
Benjamin Moore Simply White (bright white)
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (dark blue)
Wood furniture

Greek Villa vs Swiss Coffee – Which is Better?

So which neutral is better – Sherwin Williams Greek Villa or Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee?

Consider Greek Villa SW 7551 if you want:

A greige that works in modern/transitional spaces
Slightly cooler and lighter tone
Whole home versatility
Availability in all paint sheens

Consider Swiss Coffee OC-45 if you want:

A warm ivory shade perfect for traditional decor
Cozy and intimate feel for living spaces
A rich beige tone that contrasts nicely with dark woods

While Greek Villa may be a bit more versatile as a whole home color, Swiss Coffee provides beautiful warm character in cozy rooms.

Get color swatches before deciding. Either neutral you choose will provide a welcoming backdrop for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still uncertain whether to choose Greek Villa or Swiss Coffee? Here are answers to some common questions:

What are the main differences between Greek Villa and Swiss Coffee?

The main differences are their undertones and suitability for cool vs warm decor. Greek Villa is a warm greige that adapts between tones. Swiss Coffee has distinct warm yellow-beige undertones.

Which rooms should I use Swiss Coffee in?

Swiss Coffee looks beautiful in cozy living spaces like bedrooms, dining rooms, offices and lounges. Its warmth creates an intimate welcoming feel.

What colors complement Greek Villa?

Cool grays, fresh blues and greens, bright whites, and black accents all complement Greek Villa nicely. Its greige tone pairs well with both warm and cool schemes.