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.
Hi, I have a cream cabinets, does Swiss coffee go well with cream. Want to brighten up kitchen. Thanks Lori or what light color would you suggest?
Julie – I’m deciding between BM Navajo white, Swiss coffee and ballet white for my exterior. North facing. My concern is NW will read too yellow on a full exterior. Looking for a soft creamy southern historic vibe. Thank you xx
Hi Wesley,
I understand your concern! Navajo White is definitely the most creamy yellow undertone of those three. You’ll need to test it and see how you feel in person – sometimes that’s the only way to know for sure!
Good luck,
Julie
Thank for all the information. Monday my cabinets are going to be painted swiss coffee. Do you suggest any decorating colors to be put around that swiss coffee pairs with. I like to decorate with earth tones. Thank you.
Do you think Swiss coffee would work well with dark/black trimming, doors and window treatments? Or any suggestions for white paint colors to work well with this. Thank you!
I came across your blog looking up beadboard backsplash and found some of your posts of warm whites and creams. Your kitchen is beautiful.
I’m trying to find a “warm white” or something of a gold or bronze undertone without being yellow nor beige. Or a very light color of that, and I’ve been to about all the paint stores and having a hard time. Either it’s too yellow or too brown or perhaps even having a pink undertone. Would you have any idea what paint color formula it would contain? Can you take a dark color and have them lighten it to very pale?
Hi Kay,
Many interior designers like to lighten popular colors, using them at 75% saturation. Studio McGee does that with Swiss Coffee, actually, and I think it’s beautiful.
You might enjoy reading my post about Warm Whites for more color inspiration!
Good luck,
Julie