When searching for the perfect neutral beige paint color, two popular options are Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. At first glance they may appear similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.
In this article, we’ll analyze Alabaster and Swiss Coffee in depth. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room pairings. Read on to determine whether the softness of Alabaster or the flexibility of Swiss Coffee makes the best neutral beige for your home.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Alabaster and Swiss Coffee
Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Alabaster and Swiss Coffee:
- Undertones – Alabaster is a cool beige, Swiss Coffee is a warm tan beige
- Light Reflectance – Alabaster SW 7008 has an LRV of 82, Swiss Coffee OC-45 has an LRV of 81.91
- Use – Alabaster for airy modern spaces, Swiss Coffee for versatile traditional rooms
- Rooms – Alabaster ideal for bedrooms, Swiss Coffee suits any room
Now let’s explore Alabaster and Swiss Coffee more closely and see how they compare.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008
With its light beige appearance, Alabaster SW 7008 creates a soft, welcoming backdrop. This popular neutral has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Alabaster:
- LRV: 82
- Undertones: Slightly cool beige
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Whole home, especially bedrooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens
Alabaster is a light beige with the subtlest hint of coolness. In most lights it appears as a true neutral beige. But occasionally its faint cool undertone comes through, giving it more refinement than warmer beiges.
With a 82 light reflectance value, Alabaster provides outstanding brightness and illumination. The barely detectable coolness prevents it from feeling too warm.
Alabaster works beautifully as an airy, whole home beige neutral. It also pairs nicely with both cool and warm accents:
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Naval
- Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Use Alabaster to make rooms feel softly illuminated and cozy. Its lightness excels in bedrooms and other intimate spaces.
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 Alabaster vs. Swiss Coffee
Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Alabaster and Swiss Coffee:
Light Reflectance
With an LRV of 82, Alabaster reflects much more light than Swiss Coffee at 81.91 LRV. Alabaster will make spaces feel significantly brighter.
Undertones
This is a key distinction. Alabaster has faint cool undertones, while Swiss Coffee has subtle warm yellow-brown undertones.
Alabaster’s coolness provides an airy, serene effect. Swiss Coffee’s subtle warmth allows flexible versatility.
Use
Alabaster works well for illuminated modern spaces seeking a soft neutral. Swiss Coffee adapts beautifully as a whole home neutral with a traditional feel.
Paint Finish
Both Alabaster and Swiss Coffee come in any sheen. They allow for beautiful soft or matte finishes.
Alabaster vs. Swiss Coffee Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of how Alabaster and Swiss Coffee compare:
| Paint Color | Alabaster SW 7008 | Swiss Coffee OC-45 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 82 | 81.91 |
| Undertones | Slightly cool beige | Subtle warm tan beige |
| Use | Airy, contemporary rooms | Versatile traditional neutral |
| Sheen | Any finish | Any finish |
| Style | Soft, serene | Flexible, adaptable |
Real Photos: Alabaster vs Swiss Coffee
To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Alabaster and Swiss Coffee:
Alabaster
Swiss Coffee
As shown, Alabaster is lighter and cooler-toned, while Swiss Coffee is darker and warmer. But lighting impacts their appearance significantly.
Should I Choose Alabaster or Swiss Coffee?
So how do you decide between Alabaster vs Swiss Coffee for your home? Here are some helpful tips:
Consider Alabaster if you want:
- A light beige with the subtlest cool undertone
- Outstanding brightness and illumination
- An airy feel for modern bedrooms and living rooms
- A serene and relaxing ambiance
Consider Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A tan beige with faint warm undertones
- A flexible, versatile whole home neutral
- To complement a wide range of color schemes
- A traditional greige for any room
As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. The right beige depends on your goals, architecture and color scheme.
Both of these popular neutrals create beautiful, welcoming backdrops.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Alabaster and Swiss Coffee:
Alabaster SW 7008
- Airy living rooms
- Bright bedrooms
- Modern dining rooms
- Contemporary bathrooms
- Nurseries
Swiss Coffee OC-45
- Living rooms
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
Alabaster fits modern and transitional spaces, while versatile Swiss Coffee works anywhere. Both inject beautiful soft light.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
Alabaster and Swiss Coffee create serene backdrops. Pair them with these colors:
Alabaster Color Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (white)
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed (blue)
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (trim)
- Light wood tones
Swiss Coffee Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
- Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray (blue)
- Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green (green)
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (gray)
Varying undertones provides nice contrast against these neutral backdrops.
Alabaster vs Swiss Coffee: Which is Best for Your Home?
So which neutral beige paint color works best in your home – Alabaster or Swiss Coffee? Consider the following:
Choose Alabaster if you want:
- A light beige with subtle cool undertones
- Outstanding illumination and brightness
- An airy backdrop for modern bedrooms and living rooms
Choose Swiss Coffee if you want:
- A tan beige with faint warm undertones
- A flexible and versatile whole home neutral
- To complement diverse color schemes
- A traditional greige suitable for any room
While very similar, Alabaster offers more illumination, while Swiss Coffee provides subtle warm versatility. Test them before deciding! Either one makes a beautiful, welcoming backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to choose between Alabaster vs Swiss Coffee? Here are helpful answers:
Does Alabaster have gray undertones?
Alabaster does not contain gray but has faint cool undertones. In certain lights it may take on a very subtle greige appearance. But overall it reads as a soft, airy beige.
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 deep red.
Should I use Alabaster in a south-facing room?
Yes, Alabaster would work well in a south-facing room with lots of sunlight. Its soft beige tone and high light reflectance prevent it from feeling too warm.
Is Swiss Coffee suitable for kitchens?
Definitely! Swiss Coffee is a versatile neutral that works wonderfully in kitchens. It provides a warm, welcoming backdrop for cabinets and countertops.
Does Alabaster brighten up a space?
Absolutely! With a 82 LRV Alabaster reflects a lot of light, making it excellent for brightening up any living space while still feeling soft and neutral.
