Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

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Welcome, color lovers! Today, I’m diving into one of the softest, dreamiest off-whites out there: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45. This color isn’t just a favorite on Pinterest boards or interior design shows—it’s a tried-and-true classic I recommend time and again as a paint color consultant.

Whether you’re refreshing a room or overhauling your entire home, Swiss Coffee is a top-tier contender if you’re looking for something warm, bright, and ever-so-inviting.

What Color is Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee?

Imagine a dollop of heavy cream with just a whisper of beige. That’s Swiss Coffee. It lives in the off-white family, but it’s warmer and cozier than stark gallery white.

Key Characteristics:

• LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 83.93
• Undertones: Warm, with a subtle yellow-beige cast
• Finish: Available in any sheen (I personally love it in an eggshell or satin for walls)

Swiss Coffee doesn’t scream for attention. Instead, it glows. It’s understated, timeless, and a perfect backdrop for both traditional and modern spaces.

An essential white with just the right amount of warmth.

Benjamin Moore

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PAINT COLORS

Is Swiss Coffee Warm or Cool?

Warm. 100%. It leans heavily into its creamy, golden undertones. It won’t look yellow on your walls (unless your lighting is super warm), but it’s definitely not crisp or icy.

If your space feels chilly or uninviting, this color can be your secret weapon to warm it right up without going full beige.

If you’re wondering what undertones may appear when using Swiss Coffee in your home, grab a paint sample and test it in your space. It’s the best way to get an accurate representation of how the paint color will look.sampling paint colors

Swiss Coffee in Different Lighting

Lighting can dramatically shift how any paint color looks, and Swiss Coffee is no exception.

In North-facing rooms:

• Light will be cooler, so Swiss Coffee may appear a bit more muted (but still warm).

In South-facing rooms:

• This is Swiss Coffee’s moment to shine. It glows beautifully, taking on a creamy, sun-kissed hue.

In artificial light:

• Under incandescent lighting, you might see more of its beige side.
• LED lighting can sometimes mute the warmth slightly.

Always, always test before you commit. (Psst… I’m a big fan of Samplize peel-and-stick samples for this.)

Where to Use

This is where things get fun. Swiss Coffee is crazy versatile. I’ve used it in just about every room, and it always delivers a soft, fresh look.

Best Spaces for Swiss Coffee:

• Living rooms: Cozy yet bright—ideal for gathering spaces
• Bedrooms: Think serene and warm without being boring
• Kitchens: Especially stunning with wood or brass accents
• Bathrooms: Pairs beautifully with marble or warm-toned tiles
• Ceilings and trim: Yep, even those. It gives a soft, uniform glow when used on trim with a slightly different sheen
• It’s also a great paint color option for dark floors.

DOES IT WORK FOR THE EXTERIOR?

I believe Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee is a solid choice for exterior paint, but it’s essential to understand how it behaves in sunlight. Light colors can appear washed out and brighter when exposed to direct light, often losing their warmth. If you’re aware of this, you’ll likely be happy, as it resembles a white paint color.

Let me explain.

Paint Colors in direct sunlight tend to appear lighter and sometimes even wash out. This is because most light paint colors don’t have enough depth to them to hold up to the sunlight.

In the case of white paint colors such as Swiss Coffee, they often look brighter and you can’t always see the warmth the color has.

If you are aware of all this, then I think you will be happy with it looking like a white paint color.

But as always, test your paint colors with samples before you decide on a color!

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What Colors Pair Well with Swiss Coffee?

Swiss Coffee is a team player. It plays well with:

Neutrals & Earthy Tones:

• BM Revere Pewter
• BM Edgecomb Gray
• BM Grant Beige

Bold & Moody Shades:

• BM Hale Navy (yes, please!)
• BM Knoxville Gray
• BM Chelsea Gray

Soft Accent Colors:

• Muted sage or olive greens
• Dusty rose or clay tones
• Soft powder blues

Mixing creamy whites with rich, earthy tones or soft colors gives your space a designer feel with minimal effort.

• Nightfall
• Mt. Rainier Gray
• Nickel
• Senora Gray
• Edgecomb Gray
• Revere Pewter
• Manchester Tan

FAQs About Swiss Coffee

Is Swiss Coffee too yellow?

Not usually! It does have a warm undertone, but it won’t look banana-yellow unless your lighting is super warm or you’re placing it near a bluer-white trim.

Can I use Swiss Coffee with white trim?

Absolutely. Just be careful with the white you choose. Stick to a warm white (like BM White Dove) rather than a cool or bright white (like Chantilly Lace).

READ MORE: THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FOR TRIM.

Is Swiss Coffee good for cabinets?

Yes—especially in kitchens aiming for a cozy, classic vibe. It pairs beautifully with brass hardware or natural wood.

Will Swiss Coffee look dingy?

Not if you pair it right and have the right lighting. It’s soft, not dirty.

IS THERE A SHERWIN-WILLIAMS EQUIVALENT?

The closest matches are:

COLOR COMPARISONS

Reminder* The colors you view on a computer screen are not an actual representation of the paint colors themselves. To see the true color, always swatch your paint samples.

Dunn Edwards swiss coffee vs benjamin Moore swiss coffee

• Dunn Edwards Swiss has an LRV of 83, quite similar to Benjamin Moore’s Swiss LRV of 83.93
• Dunn Edwards is a more creamy color and is also warmer
• Both are off-white and can have moments of green showing up.
• Dunn Edwards has a bit more color or chroma to it

Valspar swiss coffee vs benjamin Moore swiss coffee

• Valspar Swiss has an LRV of 86.152, which is a bit higher than BM’s Swiss LRV of 83.93
• Both colors are warm whites, but Benjamin Moore OC-45 has a bit more warmth.
• Valspar is more on the neutral white side

Final Thoughts:

If you’re hunting for a warm white that isn’t boring, too yellow, or too gray, Swiss Coffee is a winner. It’s soft but not sleepy, warm but not golden, and classic enough to stand the test of time.

It’s a forever favorite of mine because it just works, with a range of styles, colors, and vibes. Whether you’re going farmhouse, modern traditional, or California casual, Swiss Coffee is a foolproof backdrop.

Paint colors are very personal. It’s not one size fits all. We are all allowed to like what we like. And if you like what you heard, then I say grab a swatch and test that baby out.

Want More Paint Wisdom?

• Sherwin Williams Best Black Paint Color
• SW City Loft Review
• The Best Green Paint Colors
• SW Shoji White
• SW Lazy Gray Color Review
• Spring Inspired Paint Colors
• Drift of Mist SW 9166 Review
• Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

Still Deciding? Try a Peel-and-Stick Sample

Don’t make the biggest painting mistakes and forget to test before you paint! Grab a Samplize peel-and-stick sample of Swiss Coffee to see how it plays in your space. No mess, no guesswork.

Click here to shop Samplize samples of Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Have you used Swiss Coffee in your home? Drop a comment below and share your experience—I love seeing how these colors come to life in real spaces!