Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist (OC-27) and Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (OC-23).
| Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist | Benjamin Moore Classic Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | OC-27 | OC-23 |
| Hex |
#DCD5CA
|
#E4DFD6
|
| RGB | 220, 213, 202 | 228, 223, 214 |
| LRV | 67.37 | 74.78 |
| Undertone | Warm Pink-Beige | Warm Pink-Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
| Best Rooms | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Bathroom, Whole House | Whole House, Hallway, Bedroom, Living Room, Bathroom |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67.37 (light) and Classic Gray has an LRV of 74.78 (light). Classic Gray will make a room feel noticeably brighter.
The Full Comparison
Two of Benjamin Moore's lightest warm neutrals, often confused because they occupy the same whisper-light territory. Balboa Mist has very subtle purple-gray undertones that give it a sophisticated coolness. Classic Gray leans slightly warmer with pink-beige undertones. In a bathroom with cool marble, Balboa Mist harmonizes beautifully. In a bedroom where warmth is the goal, Classic Gray's pink lean creates a softer, cozier feel. Both are excellent whole-house colors when you want something lighter than Revere Pewter but warmer than a true gray.
Balboa Mist Undertones
A soft, warm greige similar to Pale Oak but with slightly more pink warmth. Lighter and airier than Revere Pewter.
Classic Gray Undertones
An extremely light gray with warm pink-beige undertones. Reads more as a warm off-white than a true gray in most situations.
Lighting Behavior
Balboa Mist: Reads as a soft, warm neutral in most lighting. The pink comes forward in north-facing rooms. In bright south light, it looks like a warm off-white.
Classic Gray: The pink can emerge in north-facing rooms. In bright, warm light it reads as a soft warm neutral. One of the lightest grays BM offers.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Balboa Mist (Benjamin Moore) and Classic Gray (Benjamin Moore) are not the same color. They're in the same family (greige), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Balboa Mist has warm pink-beige undertones, while Classic Gray has warm pink-gray undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Classic Gray is lighter with an LRV of 74.78, compared to Balboa Mist's LRV of 67.37. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
That's a popular combination. Using the darker Balboa Mist (LRV 67.37) on walls and the lighter Classic Gray (LRV 74.78) on trim creates a classic contrast that makes the trim pop.