Posted on September 20, 2022 by KylieMawdsley
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist: One of the TOP Warm Gray Paint Colors
In an effort to cover EVERY beautiful paint color in the world with my color reviews, some fall between the cracks. Why? Well, I rely 99.9% on photos from my Color Consulting clients for my paint reviews, and sometimes I just don’t have enough (or quality) images to do a FULL review.
THANKFULLY, Balboa Mist isn’t one of those. While I wish I had a FEW more photos, I certainly have enough to give you a great low-down on this awesome paint color. I’ll also answer your questions re: LRV, undertones AND more – so let’s do this!
WHAT TYPE OF PAINT COLOR IS BALBOA MIST – IS IT WARM OR COOL?
Balboa Mist is a WARM GRAY paint color bordering on the edge of taupe. What makes Balboa Mist warm? This gorgeous shade of gray contains a subtle bit of beige, helping to cut back on any traditional cool gray tendencies it could have.
And being gray, Balboa Mist can lean that bit grayer (without looking cold) if you have north-facing light. However, with south-facing or warm afternoon western light, Balboa Mist can still look gray while picking up a taupe-style warmth. This flexibility leaves it ‘open to perception’ as to what type of color it is!
WHAT’S THE LRV OF BALBOA MIST?
Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67, so it’s FIRMLY planted in the light range. This particular depth means that Balboa Mist isn’t bordering on the off-white range but doesn’t come close to the light-medium range – it’s more or less in the middle. And while it’s a shade (literally) off my MAGICAL LRV number, it still offers great contrast with white trim.
Benjamin Moore’s 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors
Balboa Mist in the bathroom
WHAT ARE THE UNDERTONES OF BALBOA MIST?
Every gray has undertones, there’s no avoiding them, and Balboa Mist DEFINITELY favours a violet undertone.
WILL BALBOA MIST EVER LOOK PINK?
Being a warm gray with a violet undertone, it CAN look slightly violet-pink, but it’s a passive nod – at best.
You can see a bit of that subtle warmth tucked inside Balboa Mist in these next photos, showing natural and interior lighting…
WILL BALBOA MIST EVER LOOK GREEN?
It sure as heck SHOULDN’T! If Balboa Mist is looking green in your space, this could be due to a variety of factors…
- the color/temperature of your light bulbs
- reflection from the outside (trees/grass/shrubs)
- glaze on your windows (often has a greenish tint)
- you didn’t get it mixed at Benjamin Moore, or it’s a mistint
- extreme afternoon western sunshine
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location
- they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
- if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
What’s the best white paint color for trim with Balboa Mist?
When it comes to partnering Balboa Mist with a shade of white for trims, ceilings and doors, I lean towards…
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for a simple, clean contrast
- Benjamin Moore White Dove provides a softer contrast with Balboa Mist
- I also love Sherwin Williams Pure White (even more than White Dove)
The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
IS BALBOA MIST A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
Balboa Mist is great, but several other colors are doing a similar thing…but better. Don’t get me wrong, while it can be beautiful; it can also be a bit too passive – not committing to being an off-white, but not strong enough to hold up to decent natural light.
WHICH PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO BALBOA MIST?
When trying to find the best paint color for your space, it’s important to COMPARE COMPARE COMPARE. Let’s do a few comparisons of Balboa Mist to other popular warm gray paint colors.
BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST vs CLASSIC GRAY
Balboa Mist and Classic Gray have similar intentions, as both are warm grays that CAN look quite taupe. HOWEVER, the big difference is in LRV, as Balboa Mist sits at 67 to Classic Gray’s 74. This difference means Balboa Mist offers more contrast with white trim and will stand up to bright light a bit better.
- you might also find that Balboa Mist’s undertones can show up to the party a wink more
- Classic Gray sometimes reads a bit warmer than Balboa Mist
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST vs SHERWIN WILLIAMS EGRET WHITE
I do LOVE Egret White and am often suggesting it to my Color Consulting clients alongside Balboa Mist. And while they’re very similar, Egret White is about 25% lighter than Balboa Mist and often comes across a BIT more muted, with less obvious (and slightly warmer) undertones.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White
BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST vs COLLINGWOOD
Is Balboa Mist the lighter version of Collingwood? Oh, the rumour would have it! However, while these two are similar, they’re only kissin’ cousins!
Balboa Mist is a bit lighter than Collingwood. Along with this shift in LRV, Balboa Mist can also look a bit warmer and sliiiiightly more violet-pink in comparison. This is why they’re AWESOME colors to compare with each other!
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood
WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WELL WITH BALBOA MIST?
You don’t have to look far to find colors that look good with Balboa Mist, such as some of the following…
- gray paint colors with similar undertones that are lighter and darker than Balboa
- subtle off-white paint colors
- many gray-blue blends
- muted warm neutrals that are LIGHTER than Balboa Mist
- soft and subtle warm white paint colors
WHAT DARK PAINT COLORS WORK WITH BALBOA MIST?
Like Collingwood, Balboa Mist has many dark colors that look good with it. If you’re wanting to paint your cabinets, front door, or a fun feature wall, check out the following:
- Darker warm gray paint colors (with a violet undertone) like Benjamin Moore’s Metropolis
- Heavy green-gray blends, as well as blue-gray-greens
- Navy blue paint colors, including Sherwin Williams Cyberspace and Benjamin Moore Anchor Gray
And I’ve got more! If Balboa Mist isn’t strikin’ your fancy, check out these other wicked paint colors…
READ MORE
The 12 Best LIGHT Greige & Taupe Paint Colors
The Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Popular Gray
Benjamin Moore Pale Oak: Paint Color Review
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Colors is the Best?
NEED HELP?
Check out my Online Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2022!
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Is there a light greige or grey that you think has undertones firmly in the pinks rather than the purples? I mean subtle undertones, not really a pink colour. Thanks!
I am thinking of painting my basement with a few walls of Kendall charcoal- would Balboa Mist work for all the other walls? With white doors and baseboards? At first I was thinking to use Revere Pewter for the majority of walls, but then came across Balboa Mist…
Author
I like the sounds of this! The subtle green in Kendall can be interesting with the subtle violet in Balboa!
Do you think Balboa Mist would pair nicely with Accessible Beige?
Author
Nooooope, not my fave combo. I think the purple undertone of Balboa could enhance Accessible’s VERY MINOR tendency to flash a bit green and they could feel off together 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for a nice soft color (with a lighter LRV to try and brighten the area) that would compliment Accessible Beige and help tone down the green undertone?
Balboa Mist and SW Gossamer Veil are almost identical on color swatches. 67 and 62
Author
Hi Laurie (is this my Instagram Laurie??)! On a larger scale, you should see a pretty darned good shift. Both are warm grays that are TRYING to be greige. Balboa Mist though has a very soft, gentle warm purple undertone whereas Gossamer Veil VERY EASILY leans into green :).
Greetings. What color is on the walls of the bedroom with the teal chair and balboa mist in the bathroom? So pretty! Thanks, Dana
Author
Hi Dana! That’s Collingwood as the lighter colour and BM Escarpment as the slightly darker feature gray colour 🙂
Thank you! I thought that was balboa mist in the lighter paint in the bathroom?
Hi Kylie,
Your website is incredible; I have learned so much from you over the last few days (and spent way too much time here!) I really want grey walls but based on what I learned from you- I need pink undertones and not blue or green due to existing floor, kitchen etc. I thought balboa mist was a good fit but it may be too light for my South/east facing room with a ton of natural light. Is there a gray with lower LRV and pink/purple undertones that you would recommend? Thank you so much!
Author
Ooooo, do check out BM Collingwood, which you could even darken by 25% if you want a bit MORE depth. It is TOTALLY the same vibe as Balboa :).
Would you recommend Balboa Mist in a living room with mahogany wood trim?
Author
Hi Jill, it can depend on the stain that’s on the mahogany, but as long as it has a subtle reddish to it, yes, it could be pretty!
Does Chantilly lace trim work with balboa mist?
Author
You betcha!
How about white dove? I placed my sampilize with it and it looked pretty good. I’m trying to keep the trims consistent throughout my home and I’m using mostly white dove, so thought I would try it with balboa mist in our media room. Thanks!
I LOVE your website. I spend hours here lately! We are painting our master bedroom Balboa Mist. It’s a south and west facing room with small windows and not a ton of natural light. I’m also repainting our bedroom furniture. Is there a gray color you would recommend for the furniture?
Author
Oooo yes, check out BM Escarpment!
Your website is so helpful and so addicting!! I painted my kitchen balboa mist, thanks to your help. 🙂 it’s the perfect light, crisp color and I love the lavender undertones that come out in the evening. I’m trying to decide on a slightly darker version for an adjoining room and much darker but same family color for a living room. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much for all the helpful information!!! Trying to decide between collingwood and balboa mist. I have a ton of natural light and artificial light. Which do u think?
Author
Oooo, that’s a TOUGH one. With a ton of light, I’d naturally lean into Collingwood with its bit more depth. I mean, both will washout in a lot of light, but Balboa will MORE. 🙂
Thank you for suggesting Balboa Mist as a wall color to tone down orange-y oak cabinets. I repainted my kitchen and this color complements the oak, without accentuating it. It’s neutral and beautiful!
Author
I SO love to hear this – thank YOU for the comment!
I used balboa mist in my sunny kitchen with natural cherry cabinets and trim and it basically looks white. No depth to it at all. I have prominent grey/blue veining quartzite with warm taupe background, charcoal backsplash and cherry shaker cabinets. Any suggestions to replace balboa mist with a color with more bite?
Author
Ahhhh yes, colours with higher LRV’s can wash out. To get a bit more HOLD you might have to jump into the likes of SW Versatile Gray/Requisite Gray :). If you don’t know about LRV, I have an AWESOME blog post on it to check out, it can be very helpful! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colours-and-lrv-the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-right-colour/
Do you know the stain color of the floor in the entry/Stair picture? My cabinets will be finished in Balboa Mist in a VERY light South West Kitchen. I have Red oak floors I’m staining and while the bleached nordic floor is so in now I’m afraid of the red oak pulling pink or red. Any suggestions for stain colors? I’m leaning to either Special Walnut or provincial.
Do you think Balboa Mist will go well together with October Mist?
Author
Personally, I would bump up lighter to Classic Gray 🙂
If using Balboa mist on walls, would BM Graphite be a good contrast for an accent wall. This would be in a open kitchen/dining area with Honey Oak cabinets and trim.
Hi Kylie,
Would Balboa Mist walls pair nicely with SW Pure White trim and cabinets?
Thanks!
Author
You bet it would, Tim!
Hi Kylie,
Would balboa Mist on the walls go well with White Dove trim?
Thanks,
Emily
Hi Kylie,
Would you recommend BM balboa mist or collingwood for kitchen cabinets? If so, what would you recommend for trim color and wall color?
Thank,
Lori
Author
Oooo, those are a lot of big questions, best answered by my E-Design! It ALL depends on your backsplash, countertop, flooring and lighting situation. GENERALLY though, I would lean into Collingwood for cabinets 🙂
I have snowbound in my dark hallway, orange toned wood trim throughout the house, and I want to paint a north and eastern facing room Balboa Mist, I want to to flow even though the rooms are separated by a door, will this clash?