Blue Ground → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Farrow & Ball Blue Ground (No.210), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Blue Ground
If you love Farrow & Ball Blue Ground 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Blue Ground (No.210) is a medium-dark blue with historic blue-gray undertones. A historic blue-gray named for the blue ground used in gilding. More blue than Pigeon, lighter than De Nimes. Refined and versatile. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 35) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Blue Ground 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 good news: there is a strong Valspar match for Blue Ground. Coastal Dusk (VR091B) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Blue Ground
Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Blue Ground | Coastal Dusk | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 35 |
| Hex | #A9B9B9 | #ACB8BA |
| Undertone | Historic Blue-Gray | Muted Coastal Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Blue Ground has historic blue-gray undertones. A historic blue-gray named for the blue ground used in gilding. More blue than Pigeon, lighter than De Nimes. Refined and versatile.
Coastal Dusk has muted coastal blue undertones. A muted, mid-tone blue-gray with coastal character. More depth than Beach House, less dark than a navy. The color of the coast at twilight, when the blue deepens and the gray settles in.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Blue Ground in Your Room
In bright rooms, the blue is soft and present. In dim rooms, a sophisticated cool gray. Under warm light, the blue calms.
Coastal Dusk in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is soft and coastal. In dim rooms, the gray takes over. Under warm light, it softens into a sophisticated neutral. A versatile blue-gray with real character.
LRV and Brightness
Blue Ground has an LRV of 35, while Coastal Dusk has an LRV of 35. 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 Blue Ground
Farrow & Ball recommends Blue Ground for: bedroom, living room, bathroom, hallway, dining room. With an LRV of 35, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Coastal Dusk is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, office, accent wall. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Coastal Dusk in the same rooms you planned for Blue Ground.
Blue Ground in Other Brands
Looking for Blue Ground equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Blue Ground (No.210) is Coastal Dusk (VR091B) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option. Very close match. 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. Blue Ground is a Farrow & Ball color with historic blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 35. Coastal Dusk is a Valspar color with muted coastal blue undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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 2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
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.