Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a sophisticated warm white, and one of my favorite Benjamin Moore white colors! Warm, welcoming, and yet still light and bright, this color is popular with interior designers.
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.
What color paint did you use on ceilings?
I have “decorator white” in my north facing kitchen on upper cabinets and walls with “in the garden” on an island and lower cabinets. Decorator white is also in our front hallway. Our living room and dining room are off these areas. Would Swiss Coffee complement the colour palette in the kitchen and hallway? It was suggested we paint the living room and dining room decorator white but it shows too blue or grey. Our living room has lots of light from a south facing large window.
I would – I think you’ll love the added warmth.
I am trying to find a color to paint my hallway. the rest of the large space is Swiss coffee. I have paired Swiss coffee with wallpaper from Serena and lily that is white with geometric shapes in a gold tone. my chairs and ottomans are a caramel leather from west elm. I have tried baby turtle, lush and coriander seed. I am looking for a dark tan for the hall. it is small with doors in a nice bright white trim. can you suggest a color?
Hi, I am thinking of using Swiss coffee 75 percent on my basement walls and SW Greenblack on my wet bar cabinetry. Thoughts on this color combo? I had originally intended to use Simply White on the walls, but they are reading too gray in the basement lighting.
I haven’t tested SW Greenblack – I’d try the two side by side using samplize.
I have kitchen cabinets in BM White Dove and soft white and taupe grey countertops and a white farmer sink. My kitchen is open into the living room and both rooms get cool light as they faces northeast. Would Swiss coffee work in this entire area on my walls? Also have honey oak wood trim and floors with more orange in them. Thank you!
Hi Anne,
I think Swiss Coffee sounds like a great fit for you. You might find my guide to paint samples helpful! My best advice is to buy some paint samples and test the colors you’re considering next to your ceiling paint, trim paint and cabinetry, and study it throughout the day in different lighting situations. Check out my guide to paint samples here!
Good luck, and have a beautiful week!
Julie