Palladian Blue → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue (HC-144), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Palladian Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue 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.
Palladian Blue (HC-144) is a medium green with soft green-blue undertones. A light, spa-like blue-green that reads as calming and fresh. More green than blue in most light, with a sophisticated muted quality. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 56.12) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Palladian Blue 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 Gentle Wave (VR085C) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Gentle Wave captures similar soft blue-green territory. Both create a spa-like atmosphere. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Palladian Blue
Gentle Wave captures similar soft blue-green territory. Both create a spa-like atmosphere.
| Palladian Blue | Gentle Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 56.12 | 65 |
| Hex | #BDD2C7 | #CED7D6 |
| Undertone | Soft Green-Blue | Soft Blue-Gray |
| Family | Green | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Palladian Blue has soft green-blue undertones. A light, spa-like blue-green that reads as calming and fresh. More green than blue in most light, with a sophisticated muted quality.
Gentle Wave has soft blue-gray undertones. A soft, airy blue-gray with a coastal quality. Like looking at the ocean on a calm day. Lighter and bluer than Beach House, less green than Sea Salt. A popular bathroom and bedroom color.
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. Palladian Blue's soft green-blue quality may read differently than Gentle Wave's soft blue-gray 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
Palladian Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the green is dominant. In cooler or dimmer rooms, the blue comes forward. A true chameleon that always feels serene.
Gentle Wave in Your Room
The blue is gentle and always present. In cool north-facing rooms, it reads as a definite blue-gray. In warm south-facing rooms, it softens into a cool neutral. Always calming.
LRV and Brightness
Palladian Blue has an LRV of 56.12, while Gentle Wave has an LRV of 65. That means Gentle Wave reflects more light. If you switch from Palladian Blue to Gentle Wave, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Palladian Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Palladian Blue for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, sunroom. With an LRV of 56.12, 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.
Gentle Wave is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Gentle Wave in the same rooms you planned for Palladian Blue.
Palladian Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Palladian Blue equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Palladian Blue (HC-144) is Gentle Wave (VR085C) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Gentle Wave captures similar soft blue-green territory. Both create a spa-like atmosphere. 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. Palladian Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with soft green-blue undertones and an LRV of 56.12. Gentle Wave is a Valspar color with soft blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 65. With a Delta E of 4.8, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.8, 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.