Paint Colour Review: Balboa Mist by Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist is a popular grey by Benjamin Moore. It is a beautiful pale grey with slight violet undertones, often described as more of a light greige. Balboa Mist is a great warm neutral paint colour that you will want to consider adding to your interior colour palette.
One of the reasons why Balboa Mist is so popular is its versatility. You can pair it with a variety of different colours, and use it in various interior design styles, from classic to coastal, and contemporary to farmhouse. Balboa Mist exudes a sense of warmth and tranquility making it a popular choice for those seeking a soft and inviting backdrop for their living spaces.
Could Balboa Mist be the right colour for you? Keep reading to find out.
Balboa Mist’s LRV
LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) is helpful in determining how much light is absorbed or reflected by a paint colour. It is measured on a scale from 0% to 100%, 0% being black and absorbing all light, and 100% being white and reflecting all light. The higher the LRV, the lighter and brighter the paint colour.
Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67, which means it reflects a fair amount of light. It’s not as bright as a white, but it’s not too dark either. It rather sits in the middle of the range making it a great choice for rooms where you want to create a bright and airy atmosphere without going pure white.
Balboa Mist in different lighting conditions
Lighting greatly impacts how a paint colour is perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and evening. So, how does Balboa Mist react under different lighting conditions?
In a very well-lit room, Balboa Mist can almost look like an off-white with a touch of warmth. Under a warm light (south-facing rooms or west-facing rooms in the afternoon), it will take the appearance of a warm grey, while in a darker room, or a room with a cool blue light (north-facing rooms), it will lean more on the darker greige side without being cold.
Photo via Home Bunch
Where can I use Balboa Mist?
Balboa Mist can be used throughout the house with great success. It's particularly well-suited for main living areas like the living room, dining room, or even bedrooms where you want to create a serene and inviting atmosphere. It also works wonderfully as a backdrop for artwork and furnishings in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Balboa Mist looks best paired with warm wood tones for your furniture and flooring, and a bright white on your trims and ceilings for contrast. You can use it on your walls as well as on your kitchen cabinets for a warm, inviting, and contemporary look. Add white stone countertops and backsplash, and brass accents to create a kitchen space that will wow your guests.
What colour is best for trims?
When using Balboa Mist on your walls, you want to look for a bright white for your trims and ceilings to create contrast and bring out all the beautiful tones of Balboa Mist. Some bright whites you can consider are Benjamin Moore's Simply White or Chantilly Lace for a crisp contrast. You can also consider Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for a slightly softer contrast. These shades of white complement Balboa Mist beautifully without overwhelming its subtle warmth.
What coordinating colours can I choose?
Balboa Mist pairs well with a variety of colours, thanks to its neutral and versatile nature. Some options to consider are:
lighter or darker warm neutrals: Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan, Revere Pewter, Cummulus Cloud, Beachcomber…
many grey-blue shades like Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray, Seattle Gray, Amsterdam…
green-grey hues such as Benjamin Moore’s Sea Salt, Annapolis Green, Heather Gray…
navy blues: Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy, Blue Note, and Hudson Bay.
warm grays like Benjamin Moore’s Metropolis, Chelsea Gray, Kendall Charcoal…
warm whites or off-whites: Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, Cotton Balls, White Down, White Dove and Cloud White.
Overall, Balboa Mist by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful, warm, and inviting colour choice that adds cosiness and serenity to any space. Its versatility and neutral tones make it a great option to consider for your interior decorating projects.
Are you convinced about Balboa Mist yet?
If you find choosing colour for your home stressful and overwhelming, I provide a Custom Interior Colour Palette service. I would love to make this process easier for you and help you create your dream home.
Thank you for reading and happy decorating,
Manon xx