Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27 Paint Color Review

So, let’s talk about a little gem in the paint world: Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27. It’s one of those colors that people keep coming back to, like that comfy sweatshirt you’ve had for years and just can’t toss.

Designers love it, homeowners swear by it, and honestly, it’s kind of like the “safe but not boring” option when you’re stuck between gray and beige.

I first came across Balboa Mist when I was trying to calm down the chaos in my living room. (We had this wild teal accent wall, looked fun in the store, not so fun at 7 a.m. with coffee.) Balboa Mist was like hitting the reset button.

Soft, neutral, and not in-your-face. It gave the room this fresh, cozy vibe without making it feel sterile.

Alright, so what makes this color so special? Let’s break it down.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more details see my full disclosure.

What Color is Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27?

Okay, so imagine if gray and beige had a kid, yep, that’s Balboa Mist. It’s not too gray, not too beige, just this calm, balanced shade that works in almost any room.

People often call it a “greige,” which is just a fancy way of saying it lives somewhere in the middle.

When you look at it on the wall, it’s soft and airy but still has enough depth to keep it from feeling flat. Think of it as the background music in a coffee shop, it doesn’t scream for attention, but it makes everything else around it feel better.

How to Know if a Paint Color Is Right for You?

Would you like to sample Balboa Mist OC-27 paint color? I recommend using Samplize. They offer 9”x14.75”” peel-and-stick paint swatches that make testing colors super simple. Just stick it on your wall, move it around if needed, and when you’re done, peel it off and toss it. No mess, no cleanup. It’s quick, easy, and way more convenient!

Advantages of using peel and stick paint samples:

• EASY TO USE: Simply move your SAMPLIZE paint sample around the room to test under a variety of lighting conditions.
• AFFORDABLE: Budget-friendly solution and no more buying inaccurate swatches, rollers, wasted paint.
• SUPER FAST DELIVERY: Depending on your location, 1 day delivery is possible.
• ORDER FROM HOME: Save a trip to the store looking for samples.
• NO MESS: SAMPLIZE uses real paint samples with zero-mess
• NO WASTE: No leftover cans or wasted paint.

Is It a Warm Or Cool Color?

Here’s the million-dollar question: is Balboa Mist warm or cool? Honestly, it’s warm. But not in that yellowy, sunburn kind of way.

It has just enough warmth to keep your walls from feeling cold or clinical.

When you walk into a room painted in Balboa Mist, you don’t feel like you’re stepping into a hospital waiting room (thank goodness).

Instead, it feels soft and welcoming, like the walls are giving you a little hug. Cozy without being heavy, you know?

LRV of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value, which basically tells you how much light a color bounces back into the room. Higher numbers mean lighter, brighter colors; lower numbers mean darker shades that soak up more light.

Balboa Mist sits at 65.53 on the LRV scale. Translation? It’s a light color, but not stark white. It reflects plenty of light to keep your space feeling open and airy, but it still has a little bit of body to it. It’s kind of like the sweet spot between fresh and cozy.

Color Family

Technically speaking, Balboa Mist belongs to the white color family. Which might sound weird at first, like, it doesn’t look white-white, right? But in the paint world, it’s categorized that way because it’s light enough to live in that zone.

Hex Value

If you’re into the digital side of things (or maybe you just love a good hex code for design boards), Balboa Mist’s hex value is #DAD6CC.

Undertones of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Okay, undertones, the sneaky part of paint that shows up right after you’ve rolled the second coat and the sun decides to be dramatic. Balboa Mist has violet–taupe undertones.

That means it isn’t a straight gray or a straight beige; there’s a soft, whispery purple (think lavender haze, not eggplant) wrapped in a cozy, taupe blanket.

Most days it reads neutral and calm, but in certain lighting or next to some finishes, hello, pinky-beige carpet or cherry wood, it can lean a touch more violet. Not gonna lie, that’s part of its charm. It keeps the color feeling elegant and fresh instead of flat. I

f you’re paint-shy, just tape up a sample on a couple walls and watch it morning, noon, and Netflix o’clock. You’ll see the taupe warming things up while the violet keeps it sophisticated.

How Different Types of Lighting Affect Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist?

Lighting is everything. Like, the same color can look like three separate personalities depending on where your windows are playing.

• North-facing rooms: Cooler light. Balboa Mist will feel more gray and the violet undertone can show a hair more. Still soft, just a tad moodier—cozy sweater vibes.
• South-facing rooms: Warm, abundant light. Here it opens up and feels creamier, a little brighter, and the taupe steps forward. Very welcoming, very “come in and kick off your shoes.”
• East-facing rooms: Glowy mornings, cooler afternoons. Expect a warm, pretty glow at breakfast and a more neutral read by lunchtime. It’s like two looks for the price of one.
• West-facing rooms: Neutral mornings, golden late-day light. As the sun sets, those warmer rays can deepen the taupe and soften the violet. Honestly? It’s lovely.
• Artificial light:
• Warm bulbs (2700–3000K): Emphasize the taupe, downplay the violet. Cozy city.
• Neutral/cool LEDs (3500–4000K+): Pulls Balboa Mist more neutral-to-cool, where the violet hint might peek.
• Fluorescents: Can throw weird greenish casts; Balboa Mist may fight back with a slight purple whisper. Test first if you’ve got office-y fixtures.

And don’t forget surrounding finishes—pink-beige tiles, red oak floors, or even a big emerald sofa will nudge how your eye reads the undertone. Samples are your friend. Trust me: 24 hours and two walls will tell you everything.

Trim Colors to Pair With Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Trim is your frame, it can make Balboa Mist feel crisp or cloud-soft depending on what you choose.

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65): Bright, clean, modern snap. Makes Balboa Mist feel lighter and more contemporary.
• Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117): Gently warm and friendly. If your home leans cozy (warm floors, brass accents), this pairing sings.
• Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17): Soft, creamy classic. Gorgeous in traditional spaces and rooms with mixed wood tones.
• Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White (OC-149): Cooler, gallery-like trim. It plays up the subtle gray side and keeps the look polished.

Sheen tip: semi-gloss on trim for that subtle “finished” look, eggshell or matte on walls for a velvety backdrop. And yes, you can absolutely repeat the trim color on doors for a seamless, designer-y feel.

Colors Similar to Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Here’s the thing with “similar” colors: you’re shopping in the same aisle, but each swatch has its own tiny personality quirk, one leans a smidge warmer, another a touch cooler, one has a wink of green, another whispers violet (like Balboa Mist).

Why does that matter? Because your house isn’t a lab. You’ve got sunlight bouncing off brick, floors with honey undertones, maybe a cool-toned quartz countertop in the kitchen, and about twelve lamps that all claim to be “soft white.”

In that real-life mix, one near-twin might suddenly read too gray, while another wakes up the room perfectly. That’s why people test three to five “lookalikes” side by side. It’s not overkill; it’s smart.

When you test, paint (or stick) decent-sized swatches on at least two walls, one facing the window, one adjacent. Look at them in the morning, mid-day, and evening, lights on and lights off.

Balboa Mist lives in that elegant greige-with-violet-taupe lane, so its closest cousins usually sit in the light-to-mid “soft neutral” zone. If you love Balboa Mist’s calm, airy feel but want a hair lighter, a hair warmer, or a hair cooler, these lookalikes are your playground.

Pick the one that flatters your floors and your lighting, not the one your cousin swears by on Instagram. Your room, your rules.

8 Similar Colors (Benjamin Moore & Sherwin-Williams):

• Benjamin Moore Pale Oak OC-20
• Benjamin Moore Athena 858
• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23
• Benjamin Moore Collingwood OC-28
• Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029
• Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW 7015
• Sherwin-Williams Gossamer Veil SW 9165
• Sherwin-Williams City Loft SW 7631

Colors that Go With Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Balboa Mist is that soft greige with a violet-taupe whisper, so it plays very nicely with a bunch of friends: neutrals that keep the mood calm, deeper tones that give it contrast, and even a few richer hues if you want a little drama.

The main idea when choosing companions is this: decide whether you want the room to stay airy and subtle, or whether you want accents that pop. If you keep things light (think Pale Oak, Edgecomb Gray, soft whites), Balboa Mist will feel airy and refined, like a cozy café on a rainy morning.

If you bring in mid-tones (Nimbus, Rock Gray) you get depth and sophistication without feeling moody. And if you throw in a darker anchor, navy, deep charcoal, or that warmed-up Flint/Barista family, suddenly your neutrals look intentional and polished, not “I didn’t choose anything.”

Also, textures matter more than you’d expect. A Balboa Mist wall next to a woven linen sofa, warm oak floors, or brass hardware reads totally different than against sleek quartz and chrome.

So when I suggest pairings, imagine fabrics and finishes too: warm metals will coax out the taupe, cool metals make the violet side sing. Last practical note: sample everything together. Paint big swatches and live with them for two days.

Light changes, and Balboa Mist is a twilight chameleon, it’ll show you a new face depending on the hour.

• Benjamin Moore Cloud Cover OC-25
• Benjamin Moore Rock Gray 1615
• Benjamin Moore Flint AF-560
• Benjamin Moore Barista AF-175
• Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173
• Benjamin Moore Nimbus 1465

Comparing Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist With Other Colors

Comparing paint colors is kind of like comparing people at a party, they may look similar across the room, but once you get closer you notice the little things: a laugh, a favorite sweater, that one eyebrow raise. Same with paint.

Two swatches can both be “neutral,” yet one has a cool breath of gray, another a warm hug of beige, and a third might be secretly flirting with purple (hi, Balboa Mist).

When you compare, you’re not just looking at a single moment, you’re looking at how a color behaves with light, trim, floors, and the general vibe you want.

Below I’ll pair Balboa Mist with six commonly mentioned neighbors so you can see where they split off and why you might pick one over the other.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist vs Pale Oak OC-20

Pale Oak feels like a softer, airier cousin to Balboa Mist. Both live in that light, easygoing neutral territory, but Pale Oak often reads slightly warmer and creamier, it leans toward a delicate beige with a whisper of warmth that almost reads sun-kissed.

Balboa Mist, on the other hand, carries that violet-taupe undertone which gives it a cooler, slightly more refined edge in some lights. In a north-facing room, Pale Oak might read cozy and golden, while Balboa Mist could look a touch cooler and more sophisticated.

If your décor has a lot of warm woods and brass, Pale Oak will cozy up to it and feel seamless. If you prefer a more quietly modern canvas, think soft grays, muted blues, and cooler metals, Balboa Mist will hold its own and won’t compete.

In short: choose Pale Oak if you want warmth and softness; pick Balboa Mist if you want neutral with a subtle, elegant restraint.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist vs Collingwood OC-28

Collingwood sits very close to Balboa Mist on the greige spectrum but tends to read a touch cleaner and a bit more gray-leaning. Collingwood’s neutrality makes it a great go-to when you want a distinctly modern neutral that doesn’t flirt too much with beige or purple.

Balboa Mist, with its violet-taupe undertones, brings a slightly softer, almost vintage-y elegance, it can feel more layered and nuanced, especially in mixed lighting.

Put them side-by-side: Collingwood can read more “graphite-washed” gray in cooler light, while Balboa Mist will show a faint warmth and complexity that softens the room.

If you want a blank-slate minimalism, Collingwood is the pared-back choice. If you want warmth with a whisper of sophistication (that “something that keeps people asking what shade that is”), Balboa Mist is your pick.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist vs Classic Gray OC-23

Classic Gray is lighter and airier than Balboa Mist, with a delicate gray cast that almost flirts with white. Where Balboa Mist has a noticeable taupe-violet depth, Classic Gray often reads as a very subtle, breezy gray that brightens a room without becoming stark.

In small spaces, Classic Gray can make things feel open and fresh, it’s quietly elegant. Balboa Mist brings more body and a warmer personality; it will look fuller on walls and give a room more presence.

If you’re painting a small powder room and want it to feel larger and luminous, Classic Gray could be the hero. If you’re aiming for living areas that feel grounded but soft, Balboa Mist will add comfortable depth without going dark.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist vs Edgecomb Gray HC-173

Edgecomb Gray is warmer and more traditionally beige than Balboa Mist. It often leans into a gentle, cozy warmth that works beautifully with honeyed woods and warm textiles.

Balboa Mist’s violet-taupe undertone gives it a cooler, more contemporary twist compared to Edgecomb Gray’s soft, welcoming beige. Choose Edgecomb Gray when you want a classic, lived-in neutrality, it’s forgiving and friendly.

Choose Balboa Mist when you want neutral but slightly more tailored and modern, with a subtle hint of complexity that keeps it from feeling too “cookie-cutter.” Edgecomb might read more uniformly warm across lights; Balboa Mist will show more personality and mood shifts depending on time of day.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist vs Cloud Cover OC-25

Cloud Cover is in the same family as Balboa Mist but typically reads a touch lighter and airier, think fluffy morning clouds versus twilight haze. Cloud Cover can look almost like a pale greige that leans toward the cooler side of off-white, making rooms feel clean and open.

Balboa Mist, with its richer LRV (65.53) and deeper violet-taupe undertones, gives more presence and a cozier feel. If you want a nearly-white, bright backdrop that’s still soft, Cloud Cover could be the way to go.

If you want that same softness but with more depth, something that anchors furniture and reads as a deliberate neutral (not just “off-white”), Balboa Mist wins. In homes with patterned fabrics or art, Balboa Mist will hold up better without getting lost.

Where to Use Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist?

Balboa Mist is one of those dependable neutrals that’s beautifully flexible, like a reliable friend who shows up with wine and casseroles. I

t adapts: bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, even the exterior. But “where to use it” isn’t just a matter of paint; it’s about how you want the space to feel.

Do you want soft and bright? Calm and moody? Polished and modern? Balboa Mist can play all those roles depending on lighting and what you pair it with. Below I’ll walk room by room, what to expect and how to make it sing.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist In the Bedroom

Bedrooms are the prime real estate for Balboa Mist. Why? Because it’s calm but not boring. In the bedroom you’re often trying to balance relaxation with personality, and Balboa Mist hits that sweet spot: it’s restful enough for sleep but nuanced enough that the room doesn’t flatten into “just beige.”

I love using it with layered textiles, think linen duvet, a chunky knit throw, and pillows in soft blues or warm caramel. The violet-taupe undertone gives bedding colors a flattering backdrop; whites look crisp but not clinical. For lighting, soft warm bulbs will coax out the taupe and make the room feel cocooning (amazing for chilly months).

If you have big windows and great natural light, Balboa Mist will keep the room feeling spacious and spa-like. Use deeper accent pillows or headboards (charcoal, navy, or chocolate leather) to ground the space.

Also, if your bedroom has warm wood floors, the paint drinks that warmth up and feels very lived-in and adult-in-a-good-way.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist In the Living Room

The living room is where Balboa Mist really shines as a neutral “stage” for your life. It reads sophisticated without being precious, so spills, kids, and awkward furniture choices are forgiven.

Use Balboa Mist on walls and then layer in personality with rugs, art, and mixed metals. Brass and warm woods will highlight the taupe warmth; cooler silvers and glass will let the violet side peek through and feel modern.

For a relaxed, high-end look, pair it with a mid-tone sofa, textured throw pillows, and a statement rug — Balboa Mist will let those pieces breathe. If you want drama, introduce a darker element (Rock Gray or a navy accent wall) and let Balboa Mist act as the balancing neutral so the darker tone doesn’t overwhelm.

Lighting matters: recessed lights plus a couple of warm table lamps will make the room glow in the evenings; open the curtains in the day and it will feel bright and airy.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist in Kitchen

Kitchens are adventurous territory for Balboa Mist. It’s neutral enough to work on walls or lower cabinets, but its subtle undertones keep the space from feeling flat against counters and backsplashes.

If you have white or cream upper cabinets, Balboa Mist on lower cabinets or island can create an elegant, layered look. Pair it with warm wood butcher block or quartz that has gentle veining to keep things balanced.

Hardware choices shift the vibe, warm brass or bronze will play up the taupe, while brushed nickel or stainless will accentuate the cooler notes. If you’re doing cabinetry in Balboa Mist, test its look against your countertop and backsplash at different times of day; depending on lighting the color will register as warm and cozy or cool and modern.

Also: in open-plan homes, Balboa Mist works beautifully across kitchen and living areas to create continuity without being monotonous.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist In the Bathroom

Bathrooms can be tricky, small, lots of reflective surfaces, and bright artificial light, but Balboa Mist is forgiving here. It gives a spa-like, calm feeling without feeling sterile.

Use it on walls with white trim and soft linens for a spa vibe; add natural elements (stone, wood stool, woven basket) to amplify the warmth. In smaller bathrooms, Balboa Mist helps the room feel larger than a darker, richer neutral would, but unlike stark white it conceals water spots and minor scuffs better.

If your vanity is a dark wood or charcoal, Balboa Mist will help that piece pop as a focal point. For modern baths with chrome and glass, Balboa Mist keeps the space from reading cold by offering soft color to counteract the shine.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist For the Exterior

Yes, Balboa Mist works outside, especially on clapboard or stucco. From the curb, it reads as a refined off-white with enough personality to avoid the cookie-cutter “white house” look.

It pairs gracefully with darker trims (think Rock Gray or deep charcoal) for contrast and with natural stone or brick for a timeless aesthetic. On exteriors, Balboa Mist can appear lighter in bright sun and more grounded in shadowed areas; that’s why people love it for whole-house paint, it gives architectural detail life without competing.

If you’re nervous, paint siding in Balboa Mist and test a contrasting trim color on shutters or doors; a black or charcoal front door looks particularly sharp, while a warm wood door emphasizes charm. Exterior lighting (warm LEDs) will make the house feel welcoming at night.

Why I Love Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Not gonna lie, I’m a little biased. Balboa Mist is one of those rare neutrals that never really gets old. Why? Because it’s subtle but interesting. It’s not a “one-note neutral” that disappears; it’s got personality without demanding attention.

The violet-taupe undertone keeps it sophisticated, the LRV around 65.53 keeps rooms feeling bright, and the color family placement (soft white/greige space) makes it endlessly layerable.

Personally, I love how forgiving it is. I’ve seen it transform a chaotic thrift-store-curated living room into something that felt edited and intentional.

I’ve seen it calm down overly bright tiles in older kitchens. It’s the paint equivalent of a great neutral rug, dependable, makes other things look better, and quietly stylish.

Also, test-wise, it’s not dramatic to live with. You don’t get the “oh no, what did I do?” sting that comes with bolder choices.

It’s the color I’d recommend to a friend who wants a fresh, modern home without the painterly anxiety. Plus, it pairs with basically everything. Sold.

👉 Get a Peel & Stick paint sample of Balboa Mist OC-27

Final Thoughts

Balboa Mist OC-27 is the kind of paint that makes decorating feel less scary. It’s flexible, flattering, and quietly smart, great for anyone who wants a neutral that has a little soul.

If you’re picking paint and you want something that’ll stand the test of time, pair well with a variety of finishes, and keep rooms feeling calm and collected, Balboa Mist deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Quick practical wrap-up: get big peel-and-stick samples, test them at different times of day, and look at them next to your major finishes (floors, counters, big furniture).

If you like a neutral that behaves like a good base note in a song, supportive but memorable, Balboa Mist might just be the color you didn’t know you needed.

Want me to write the six detailed comparison paragraphs as separate H3s with more technical notes (sheen, trim pairings per comparison, or sample-placement advice)? Or should I move on to the “Trim Colors” full list and the long “Similar Colors” deep-dive next?

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