Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee vs. White Dove, Simply White, & Alabaster -

How does Swiss Coffee compare to White Dove? Is it warmer than Sherwin Williams Alabster? Is it better than any other shade of white? Let’s find out.

There’s no doubt that Swiss Coffee became popular thanks to Studio McGee. However, just because a color looks great in a professionally designed home, it doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your real home with real lighting (unless you have a professional photographer in your back pocket).

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This is why we’re spending some one-on-one time (or maybe one-on-five) with Swiss Coffee and five of the best white paint colors. We’ll learn how they’re similar and different, and why they may or may not be the best whites for your home!

But first (or headfirst – you do you), let’s do a little refresher on Swiss Coffee…

A QUICK SUMMARY OF BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE

Swiss Coffee is a soft, warm white paint color. It has an LRV of 81.91, which means it’s NOT a bright white…at all, and actually winks at the off-white world with a come-hither look.

As for undertones, Swiss Coffee has a subtle, muted, creamy undertone. Cream = yellow. However, tucked deep inside this yellow is a touch of green.

Are you going to notice this green on a large scale? Possibly not. However, if you partner it with anti-green finishes, you might be in for a surprise. This is also a risk if you already have a lot of green light coming through your windows via grass, nearby landscaping, or trees.

Now, without further ado (what IS ado anyway?), let’s see how Swiss Coffee compares to the other top shades to see if it’s JUST the right white for you…

BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE vs. WHITE DOVE

This is an easy one. If you want to know which white is the most popular between White Dove and Swiss Coffee, it’s White Dove.

Why?

I’m so passionate about this topic that I wrote an entire blog post about it. The long and short of it is that White Dove has more predictable undertones than Swiss Coffee (knowing that NO undertones are ever really predictable).

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

WHICH IS WARMER & MORE YELLOW? Both whites are warm, but Swiss Coffee tends to look slightly warmer than White Dove, with a slightly more noticeable creamy hue.
WHICH IS BRIGHTER & WHITER? White Dove is whiter than Swiss Coffee, as shown by their LRVs of 83.16 and 81.91 (respectively). With this lower LRV, SC is closer to an off-white paint color than White Dove.
WHICH IS BEST FOR WALLS? If you ask me (which you kind of are), White Dove is lighter but still offers a soft, creamy warmth. If your room demands a bit moodier creamy white, then Swiss Coffee.
WHICH IS BEST FOR CABINETS & TRIM? White Dove is far more likely to suit the white or off-white quartz countertops and a range of wall paint colors, thanks to its higher LRV. Are there exceptions? Always. For example…
Both whites are often considered when updating granite countertops and finishes from the 90s and homes from the early 2000s.

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE SWISS COFFEE INSTEAD OF WHITE DOVE?

It’s awesome for those who want a softer, creamier warmth. It’s also better for…

Those who love Shea McGee as much as I do – imitation is the highest form of flattery
Rooms that need a more muted, creamier look. That said, there’s probably a reason Shea lightened it by 25% (which would make it a bit brighter like White Dove – just sayin’).

For the rest of you, I highly recommend you compare it more carefully to White Dove. And I am biased – I do this every day.

Also, while I love Shea, I still chose White Dove for almost my entire home as it’s amazeballs.

White Dove with Sherwin Williams Foggy Day on the board and batten

MORE PHOTOS & INFO: Color Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove

Get your Peel & Stick Sample of White Dove!

BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE vs. SIMPLY WHITE

If you’re considering Swiss Coffee and Simply White for your walls, cabinets, or trim, you’re considering two different types of white. But is EITHER the best white for you? Let’s find out…

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

WHICH IS MORE YELLOW? Simply White can appear more yellow in some situations than Swiss Coffee thanks to its higher LRV. The warmth in both of these whites comes in the form of a yellow undertone; Simply White’s can be a bit more noticeable, whereas SC can look ‘creamier’ in comparison (it greatly depends on the type of use/exposure/etc).
WHICH WHITE IS BRIGHTER & WHITER? Simply White has an LRV of 89.52, making it a brighter white. Swiss Coffee is a soft white with a lower LRV of 81.91.
WHICH IS BEST FOR WALLS? It depends on the look you want. Do you want a brighter, cleaner warmth? Simply White. If you want a softer, creamier, moodier warmth – Swiss Coffee.
WHICH IS BEST FOR CABINETS & TRIMS: On average, Simply White suits way more wall paint colors, making it more versatile.
Both whites are popular in ‘color-drenching,’ where the walls, cabinets, trims, and ceilings are all painted the same color.
Neither white is a hit with marble or today’s most popular white quartz countertops – there are usually better whites for these finishes.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in north-east facing light

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE SIMPLY WHITE INSTEAD OF SWISS COFFEE?

If you need a brighter white, Simply White is a great choice as it offers more contrast with wall colors. Also…

Simply White suits a wider range of wall color partners
It also looks less dirty in a darker room
You need a white that suits a range of interior finishes

However, if it’s a creamier warmth you’re looking for, it’s Swiss Coffee for the win.

If you want a cleaner, brighter warmth – stick with Simply White. If you want a softer, creamier look, Swiss Coffee wins.

Benjamin Moore Simply White trim, Collingwood walls

MORE PHOTOS & INFO: Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Simply White

Get your Peel & Stick Sample of Simply White!

BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE vs. CLOUD WHITE

Cloud White has been kickin’ it a looooong time in the white world due to its flexibility with finishes from the 90s and early to mid-2000s. And with white trends being softer and more subtle, it’s no wonder it’s showing up more.

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

WHICH IS WARMER? This isn’t necessarily about warmth, as they’re both gorgeously creamy and warm; it’s more about brightness. With Cloud White being lighter, it comes off a touch brighter, whereas SW sits more muted and ‘creamy’. Both have a yellow hue.
WHICH IS LIGHTER? Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05, parking it firmly in the white range and lighter than SC. This makes Cloud White look whiter than Swiss Coffee, whose LRV borders on the off-white range.
WHICH IS BETTER FOR WALLS? You can go either way. If your room is darker, Cloud White. Brighter? Maybe Swiss Coffee.
WHICH IS BEST FOR CABINETS & TRIM? Cloud White is far more flexible and suits a wider range of colors.
Neither white is particularly popular with white and off-white quartz countertops, and they’re usually too yellow for the average marble surface.
Both whites are options when coordinating a home with Tuscan-inspired finishes.

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE CLOUD WHITE INSTEAD OF SWISS COFFEE?

Everyone. JUST JOKING (that’s my inside voice). Seriously, I like Swiss Coffee, I just like and recommend other whites way more.

Choose Cloud White if you want a brighter white but one that still offers a soft, creamy warmth.
If your room is dark, Cloud White will settle better.

I love Cloud White. It’s a combination of softness and warmth that hits all of my happy places (Tim’s been trying to do that for YEARS).

MORE PHOTOS & INFO: Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Cloud White

Get your Peel & Stick Sample of Cloud White!

BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE vs. CHANTILLY LACE

As far as the wild world of whites is concerned, Swiss Coffee and Chantilly Lace are living on different continents. Let’s find out how these two compare…

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting – let me make it easy for you!

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

WHICH IS WARMER? Swiss Coffee is warmer than Chantilly Lace. When you compare the two, Swiss Coffee looks a bit dirty (not always a bad thing) and almost creamy, while Chantilly Lace’s has a more cheerful, cleaner approach.

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE 5 TYPES OF WHITE?

WHICH IS BRIGHTER & WHITER? By a SHLOOOOONG stretch, Chantilly Lace is brighter, whiter, and cleaner-looking than Swiss Coffee. This is because Chantilly Lace has a higher LRV of 90.4, putting it closer to the TRUE white world (and actually Benjamin Moore’s brightest white).
WHICH IS BETTER FOR WALLS? It depends on your finishes and exposure – that’s a loaded question. As with cabinets and trims, it should be obvious which is the better option, as they’re so clearly different.
WHICH IS BEST FOR CABINETS & TRIM: There’s no clean answer to that. Being such different whites, it should be clear which one suits your finishes better.
Chantilly Lace is more popular and versatile regarding white quartz countertops and marble finishes, whereas Swiss Coffee can be too warm/muddy.
If you have a north-facing room, the warmth of Swiss Coffee offers a bit more balance compared to Chantilly Lace. This being said, neither is my first or second choice.
Neither Swiss Coffee nor Chantilly Lace is the first white I think of when considering a home with Tuscan-style finishes or most older-style granite countertops.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray walls with Chantilly Lace trim and fireplace

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE CHANTILLY LACE INSTEAD OF SWISS COFFEE?

If you’re comparing these 2, I’d have to wonder why. Because they’re on opposite ends of the white world, there really should be a clear winner. But regardless…

If you need a brighter, cleaner contrast, Chantilly Lace is the GOAT.
For a range of rooms with varying paint colors, Chantilly Lace is far superior.
If you have a north-facing room, though, Swiss Coffee’s warmth can be appealing.
If you have finishes that are slightly cool-toned or grayish, Chantilly Lace is likely the better option.
Chantilly Lace is more likely to pair with the average quartz countertops. Swiss Coffee is more likely to suit the average older granite countertop.

MORE PHOTOS & INFO: Color Review of Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

Get your Peel & Stick sample of Chantilly Lace!

BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE vs. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER

We’re comparing apples to apples when looking at Swiss Coffee and Alabaster. Let’s see what sets these two whites apart…

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

WHICH IS WARMER? Swiss Coffee is a weeee bit warmer with its notable creamy yellow backdrop. However, they’re really so similar, it’s awesome.
WHICH WHITE IS BRIGHTER & WHITER? Alabaster is a soft, warm white. Swiss Coffee is a soft, warm white. With only fractions of a point between them in LRV, neither white is noticeably whiter than the other.
WHICH IS BETTER FOR WALLS? Because they’re so darn similar, you can go either way – same same.
WHICH IS BETTER FOR CABINETS & TRIM? Both are comparable, but I’d suggest Alabaster simply because it’s a bit lighter.
While both have green in their color make-up, neither flashes it very often. The science of what a color is (its inherent bias) doesn’t always align with what appears in real homes under real lighting.
Alabaster is a popular choice in Tuscan-style homes and those with finishes from the ’90s and early 2000s; however, Swiss Coffee shows up too!

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE ALABASTER INSTEAD OF SWISS COFFEE?

Good question. They’re pretty comparable.

For a wink more brightness, Alabaster wins.
For the LEAST chance of a green undertone, Swiss Coffee wins – that said, it’s minimal with either.

I love Sherwin Williams Alabaster. I often recommend it to my Online Paint Color Consulting clients as it has a soft warmth and a touch more lightness than SC.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster with Evergreen Fog shiplap

MORE PHOTOS & INFO: Color Review of Sherwin Williams Alabaster

Get your Peel & Stick sample of Alabaster!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For any wandering queries and quandaries…

ARE BEHR SWISS COFFEE & BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE THE SAME PAINT COLOR?

Heck no. Not even close. I mean, sure, they’re both white…ish, but that’s all they have in common.

Behr’s Best White Paint Colors

And no, Home Depot (Behr) won’t get a 100% color match of BM’s version. They use different tinting systems and paint bases. Close, but NO CIGAR!

Same Name, Different Brand? How to Know for Sure!

WHICH IS THE MOST TIMELESS WHITE PAINT COLOR?

Oh, they can all take a shot at the title, so long as they suit their surrounding finishes, their room’s natural lighting (exposure), and other features.

Many people love the classic, clean look of Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Others prefer the brightness and warmth of Benjamin Moore Simply White
The one color that’s been TALKED about for the longest is Benjamin Moore Cloud White
The most popular white paint color for today’s home – Benjamin Moore White Dove

Benjamin Moore White Dove on a cloudy, south-facing day

SUMMARY

Let’s do this with a ‘which white is best for…?’ and see where Swiss Coffee pops up.

WHICH WHITE IS BEST FOR WHITE QUARTZ CONTERTOPS? Usually Benjamin Moore White Dove, as it’s lighter than Swiss Coffee.
WHICH WHITE IS BEST WITH OLDER GRANITE COUNTERTOPS: Benjamin Moore White Dove, Cloud White, or Sherwin Williams Alabaster. Swiss Coffee is often a bit too dark/creamy/heavy.
WHAT’S THE BRIGHTEST & LEAST YELLOW? Ermmm, not Swiss Coffee. That would have to be Chantilly Lace.
WHICH WHITE IS BEST FOR A CREAMIER, MOODIER LOOK: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee or Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
WHAT WHITE PAINT COLOR IS BEST WITH WARM FINISHES? It depends on how warm they are. Swiss Coffee can be gorgeous, as can Simply White (for cleaner contrast), Cloud White, Alabaster, and White Dove.
WHICH WHITE IS BEST WITH GRAY FINISHES? Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or White Dove.
WHICH WHITE PAINT COLOR IS THE MOST VERSATILE? Not Swiss Coffee. End of story.

Now, NONE of this means Swiss Coffee isn’t the BEST, most beautiful, versatile white paint color for you and your home. Just Sample and compare these popular white paint colors to double-check!

The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

Is White Still Trendy on Walls, Exteriors, & Cabinets?

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting!