When it comes to choosing the perfect paint color for your home, the decision often boils down to subtle differences between seemingly similar shades. Two popular choices for neutral, timeless paint are Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and Swiss Coffee. Both are soft, warm whites that can work beautifully in many different spaces, but understanding the distinctions between them can help you make the right choice for your design. In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences of White Dove vs Swiss Coffee, so you can determine which hue will elevate your space.
What is White Dove?
White Dove by Benjamin Moore (OC-17) is a versatile, soft white with a creamy undertone. It’s part of the Off-White collection and is known for being both warm and bright. This color offers a clean, sophisticated look without feeling too sterile, making it a popular choice for walls, trim, and cabinets.
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What is Swiss Coffee?
Swiss Coffee, also from Benjamin Moore (OC-45), is another soft, warm white. It has a bit more depth than White Dove due to its slight beige undertones. This gives it a cozier and more grounded feel, making it ideal for rooms where you want a warmer atmosphere. Like White Dove, Swiss Coffee is highly versatile and pairs well with a variety of accent colors.
White Dove vs Swiss Coffee: Key Differences
While White Dove and Swiss Coffee are both off-whites with warm undertones, there are some key differences between the two that can affect the feel and appearance of your room.
Undertones: Cream vs. Beige
The biggest difference between White Dove and Swiss Coffee is their undertones. White Dove has a creamy undertone that leans slightly towards yellow, making it a little brighter. This gives White Dove a fresh and airy appearance, especially in spaces with ample natural light.
Swiss Coffee, on the other hand, has a stronger beige undertone, which can make it feel warmer and more grounded. In spaces with limited natural light, Swiss Coffee’s deeper undertone can help the room feel cozier.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Another important factor to consider when comparing White Dove vs Swiss Coffee is the Light Reflectance Value (LRV). LRV measures how much light a paint color reflects; the higher the LRV, the more light the paint reflects, making a room feel brighter.
White Dove has an LRV of 85.38, while Swiss Coffee’s LRV is slightly lower at 83.93. While this may seem like a small difference, White Dove’s higher LRV means it will reflect more light and can make a room feel larger and more open.
Warmth and Mood
Both White Dove and Swiss Coffee are warm whites, but Swiss Coffee’s beige undertone makes it feel noticeably warmer than White Dove. If you’re aiming for a cozier, more intimate space, Swiss Coffee might be the better choice.
White Dove, with its creamier undertone and higher LRV, will feel fresher and brighter. It works well in spaces where you want a light and airy feel, like kitchens, living rooms, or bathrooms.
Where to Use White Dove
White Dove’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of spaces in your home. Its soft warmth and brightness make it ideal for areas where you want a clean, fresh look.
Walls and Trim
White Dove works beautifully on walls and trim. Its brightness brings an airy, open feeling to living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, while its warmth prevents it from feeling too stark. On trim, White Dove provides a subtle contrast to darker wall colors without clashing or feeling too harsh.
Cabinets and Doors
For cabinets and doors, White Dove can create a crisp, classic look. In a kitchen, for example, White Dove cabinetry can brighten the space and complement a wide range of countertop and backsplash options.
Ideal Lighting for White Dove
White Dove works best in rooms with a lot of natural light. Its higher LRV will reflect that light and make the room feel open and spacious. However, it also works well in rooms with moderate light, where its warmth keeps it from looking too cold or sterile.
Where to Use Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee’s slightly deeper, warmer tone makes it a good choice for spaces where you want a more intimate, cozy feel. It’s a versatile neutral that can create a welcoming atmosphere.
Living Rooms and Bedrooms
Swiss Coffee is an excellent option for living rooms and bedrooms. Its warm beige undertone can make these spaces feel comfortable and inviting, without being overwhelming. It pairs well with both light and dark furniture, making it easy to create a balanced look.
Open Floor Plans
In open floor plans, Swiss Coffee can be used to create a cohesive, warm backdrop that ties the space together. Its soft, neutral tone helps create flow between rooms without feeling too monotonous.
Ideal Lighting for Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee works well in spaces with both natural and artificial light. Its slightly lower LRV means it won’t feel as bright as White Dove, but its beige undertone gives it a grounded warmth that works in a variety of lighting conditions.
White Dove vs Swiss Coffee: Which One is Right for You?
When deciding between White Dove vs Swiss Coffee, consider the atmosphere you want to create, the lighting in your space, and how the color will interact with your furniture and decor.
If You Want Bright and Airy
If you want a space that feels light, bright, and open, White Dove is likely the better choice. Its higher LRV and creamy undertone will reflect more light, making your room feel larger and fresher.
If You Want Warm and Cozy
For a space that feels warm, cozy, and grounded, Swiss Coffee’s beige undertone can help create that inviting atmosphere. Its slightly deeper tone adds warmth to rooms with less natural light, making them feel more comfortable and intimate.
How to Test White Dove and Swiss Coffee in Your Space
Before making a final decision, it’s a good idea to test both colors in your space. Paint samples of White Dove and Swiss Coffee on different walls and observe how the colors look at different times of the day. This will help you see how the undertones and light reflectance interact with the lighting in your room.
Use Large Samples
When testing paint colors, use large samples on multiple walls. This will give you a better sense of how the color will look across the room and in different lighting conditions.
Test in Natural and Artificial Light
Be sure to observe the colors in both natural light and artificial light. This will help you see how the colors change throughout the day and how they’ll look in the evening when you rely on indoor lighting.
White Dove vs Swiss Coffee: Conclusion
In the debate of White Dove vs Swiss Coffee, there’s no definitive answer as to which is better—it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and the atmosphere you want to create. White Dove’s creamy undertone and higher LRV make it a great choice for bright, airy spaces, while Swiss Coffee’s beige undertone and warmth can create a cozier, more grounded feel. Both colors are versatile neutrals that work well in a variety of spaces, so it’s worth testing each one to see which fits your home best. Click here for more information.
What is the difference between White Dove and Swiss Coffee?
The main difference between White Dove and Swiss Coffee is their undertones. White Dove has a creamy, slightly yellow undertone, while Swiss Coffee has a beige undertone, making it warmer.
Which color is brighter, White Dove or Swiss Coffee?
White Dove is slightly brighter than Swiss Coffee, with a higher Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 85.38 compared to Swiss Coffee’s 83.93.
Can I use White Dove or Swiss Coffee in a room with low natural light?
Yes, both White Dove and Swiss Coffee can work in rooms with low natural light. White Dove will make the room feel brighter, while Swiss Coffee will add warmth and coziness.
Is White Dove or Swiss Coffee better for a kitchen?
Both colors work well in kitchens. White Dove is ideal for creating a bright, airy kitchen, while Swiss Coffee offers a warmer, cozier feel.
How can I choose between White Dove and Swiss Coffee for my home?
Consider the atmosphere you want to create. If you want a bright and open space, go for White Dove. If you prefer a warmer, more intimate feel, Swiss Coffee might be the better choice.
