Pale Oak vs Balboa Mist
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20) and Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist (OC-27).
| Benjamin Moore Pale Oak | Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | OC-20 | OC-27 |
| Hex |
#E0D7C9
|
#DCD5CA
|
| RGB | 224, 215, 201 | 220, 213, 202 |
| LRV | 69.89 | 67.37 |
| Undertone | Warm Pink-Beige | Warm Pink-Beige |
| Family | Greige | Greige |
| Best Rooms | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Open Floor Plan, Whole House | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Bathroom, Whole House |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Pale Oak has an LRV of 69.89 (light) and Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67.37 (light). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
Two of Benjamin Moore's most popular whisper-light neutrals. Pale Oak is warmer with pink-beige undertones that give it a soft blush quality. Balboa Mist is cooler with purple-gray undertones that keep it more neutral. In a nursery or master bedroom, Pale Oak's warmth creates a gentle, nurturing atmosphere. In a bathroom or office, Balboa Mist's cooler lean feels cleaner and more professional. Both are versatile whole-house colors, but Pale Oak favors warm lighting while Balboa Mist performs better in rooms with cool or mixed light.
Pale Oak Undertones
A light greige with subtle pink-beige undertones. Warmer and softer than many grays, without crossing into obviously beige territory.
Balboa Mist Undertones
A soft, warm greige similar to Pale Oak but with slightly more pink warmth. Lighter and airier than Revere Pewter.
Lighting Behavior
Pale Oak: The pink undertone is most visible in north-facing rooms or under cool light. In warm, sunny rooms it reads as a neutral warm off-white. Pairs beautifully with White Dove on trim.
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.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Pale Oak (Benjamin Moore) and Balboa Mist (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. Pale Oak has warm pink-beige undertones, while Balboa Mist has warm pink-beige undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Pale Oak is lighter with an LRV of 69.89, 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).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Balboa Mist (the darker shade, LRV 67.37) on walls and Pale Oak (the lighter shade, LRV 69.89) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.