If you’re looking for a sophisticated, warm off white color, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee might be the one for you!
Warm, welcoming, and yet still light and bright, this color is popular for a reason! Learn how this color could work in your home with all the details and specifics.
See Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in the freshly painted basement of our home, as well as our brick tudor exterior!
For years I have been integrating warm white and cream paint colors into our home, and advising readers on how to do the same. They’re warm and cozy without feeling yellow. Swiss Coffee is among my favorites for so many reasons!
We chose Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45) for our recent basement remodel because like my favorite Soft Chamois, it’s soft and creamy, but not yellow. It also has a high LRV (light reflective value) which is perfect for spaces without a lot of natural light.
In fact, we loved it so much there, that we also chose it for the exterior paint on our vintage brick tudor. We’re sharing images of both today!
Swiss Coffee is a versatile paint color that works well with or without natural light. It will make any space feel light and inviting. It’s tranquil and serene.
Unlike most websites, I have personal experience with the paint colors I highlight and actual photographs to share that are a true reflection of the color. I love to share my own original photography and snapshots from people I have worked directly with.
In this case, I’ve also included a few photos from Studio McGee, because it felt relevant. It’s one of their favorite warm white colors and we all draw so much inspiration from them!
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Because I love sharing our home, DIY projects and choices with you, I know how difficult paint decisions can be.
Yes, choosing a “white paint color” seems easy at first, until you go to your local paint store and realize there are hundreds, if not thousands of options.
While Swiss Coffee is certainly not a true, authentic white color, it is a warm, creamy beige tone that we love in our home. I hope you enjoy these photos and examples of how the paint truly feels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swiss Coffee is a paint color with a little touch of yellow and ever-so-slightly green undertones.
Yes, it can! In fact, Benjamin Moore suggests pairing Swiss Coffee Paint Color with Mt. Rainier Gray 2129-60 and Nickel 2119-50.
Swiss coffee paint color is a warm, creamy color that can actually be classified as more of a beige.
Swiss Coffee 81.91 LRV
LRV, (Light Reflectance Value) is a scale used by design professionals. Basically, 0 = the darkest black and 100 is a true white paint color.
Swiss Coffee paint color has an LRV of 81.91, which is considered high.
Swiss Coffee has a high LRV (light reflective value) which is the percentage of light it reflects. It reflects nearly 82% of light, making spaces appear lighter and brighter.
Undertones
The undertones in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee are more of a golden yellow tone. This can read differently in different light, so be sure to test a swatch on your walls.
When contrasted against a truer white trim, the yellow undertone can be more pronounced, so be aware of this when you’re sampling.
Trim Color to Pair With It
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee works well with Benjamin Moore White Dove and Benjamin Moore Cloud White as trim.
You can also try it in a tone on tone method, which is Painting Trim and Walls the Same Color. This can actually help to tone down any undertones in the paint, because the comparison of a clear white to a cream is so much stronger.
I am actually a fan of simply using an un-tinted white paint throughout many rooms of our home. It’s always a fresh, clean white that contrasts beautifully with my cream paint colors and it keeps me from overthinking my choices!
Read more about The Best Trim Paint and Painting Trim White.
Colors to Pair It With
It pairs beautifully with an array of colors including Revere Pewter, Senora Gray, Nickel, and Nightfall. You can also easily pair it with other off whites.
Where to Use this Color
- Exterior
- Traditional and Cottage style homes
- Cabinetry
- Trim
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Exterior
This is a beautiful exterior color, too. Here are a couple great examples – and we loved it so much, we painted our home that color, too!
It’s interesting to see the difference that lighting makes with this color. In some bright lighting, our house feels quite white. Other times of day, it’s very much a soft creamy color.
Tips
- For a little less color, dilute! Mix at 75%. This seems to especially be a great solution if it’s reading a touch to yellow on your walls.
- Have it made at Benjamin Moore for best results. Every paint company uses a different formula which can make a color read different. For example, having it made at Sherwin Williams could potentially make it feel too green or yellow.
- Test two coats. So often readers panic when they have applied a single coat. Unfortunately your original paint color will show and it tends to alter the color.
Hello and thanks for all your help. Our down to the studs remodel of a1906 farmhouse is now ready to paint. The windows are covered with plastic film and the white oak wide plank floors and soapstone counters are hidden behind a protective barrier. Could this be the reason all my paint swatches look darker and more yellow than anticipated? I love Swiss Coffee and Cloud White but they look really yellow. Even Dune White and White Dove show some yellow undertones. I’d like to use Swiss Coffee as my main color so you can understand my worry at this point. Need to decide in the next few days. Panic is setting in. I’d love to know your thoughts. Thank you!
By nature, a warm white will have hints of yellow. It’s what gives it warmth and makes a space feel cheerful. You can reduce the strength of Swiss Coffee or if you prefer, try Sherwin Williams Zurich White
I love the color on the stairs! Where did you get the carpet that’s on the stairs?
Hi Suzy!
Find all the details here, enjoy!
https://julieblanner.com/basement-stairs-budget/
Julie
Hi there. Thank you for all your advice. I went with swiss coffee at 75% in my remodeled kitchen and love it but now agonizing over the cabinet color. I am a “creamy white” lover whereas my designer worries about it especially in my kitchen. (very little natural light) We agreed to continue with swiss coffee at 75 % on the cabinets as well and I am curious to know your thoughts on this. I really love the BM creamy white against the swiss coffee 75% in the McGee picture. Do you think the swiss coffee 75% will be too much of the same throughout the kitchen? I thought of applying regular strength swiss coffee instead of the 75% to give it a pop. Any advice? Thank you!
Never! It will make the room appear larger yet warm
Hi, I just painted my whole house BM Swiss coffee, I have dark hardwood floors but bought white sofas and natural shades white curtains something is off, just can’t figure it out. Any ideas? Can I send a picture?
Chances are, you need to bring it to life with plants/flowers and some pretty color/pattern accents. I do not offer virtual design consultations, but Boxwood Avenue does – you’ll love her!
What is your opinion on Swiss Coffee ceilings with Natural Cream walls? I am looking for just a touch more color for the walls without going beige. Thank you!
I haven’t paired the two together to see how well they play.