Barren Plain → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Barren Plain (2111-60), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Barren Plain
If you love Benjamin Moore Barren Plain but need a Valspar alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Valspar, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Barren Plain (2111-60) is a medium gray with warm green-gray undertones. A light gray with subtle warm green undertones. Clean and contemporary. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 55.32) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Barren Plain and every Valspar color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Woodlawn Colonial Gray (VR083D) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Woodlawn Colonial Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 55. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Barren Plain
Woodlawn Colonial Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 55. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Barren Plain | Woodlawn Colonial Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 55.32 | 55 |
| Hex | #CDC9C1 | #CBC4B7 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Greige |
| Family | Gray | Greige |
Undertone Comparison
Barren Plain has warm green-gray undertones. A light gray with subtle warm green undertones. Clean and contemporary.
Woodlawn Colonial Gray has warm greige undertones. A balanced warm greige with earthy undertones. Valspar's answer to Revere Pewter and Agreeable Gray. Rich enough to add warmth, light enough for open floor plans. One of the most popular neutrals in the Valspar lineup.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Barren Plain's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Woodlawn Colonial Gray's warm greige character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Barren Plain in Your Room
The green is mild. In most rooms, reads as a clean, slightly warm light gray.
Woodlawn Colonial Gray in Your Room
Reads as a warm, balanced greige in most rooms. The beige warmth is consistent without being heavy. In bright light, the gray component keeps it from reading as beige. In dim rooms, the warmth provides coziness without darkness.
LRV and Brightness
Barren Plain has an LRV of 55.32, while Woodlawn Colonial Gray has an LRV of 55. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Barren Plain
Benjamin Moore recommends Barren Plain for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway. With an LRV of 55.32, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Woodlawn Colonial Gray is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, open floor plan. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Barren Plain in Other Brands
Looking for Barren Plain equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Barren Plain (2111-60) is Woodlawn Colonial Gray (VR083D) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Woodlawn Colonial Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 55. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Barren Plain is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 55.32. Woodlawn Colonial Gray is a Valspar color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 55. With a Delta E of 3.5, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.5, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.