When selecting a grey paint color for your home, you may be looking for the lightest shade that Benjamin Moore offers. With thousands of color choices, it can be challenging to identify the true lightest grey. In this article, we’ll examine Benjamin Moore’s grey palette and determine which grey is the lightest they provide.
Understanding Benjamin Moore’s Color System
Benjamin Moore utilizes a color indexing system to categorize their vast selection of paint colors. Each color has a name and is assigned a four digit number. The first two digits refer to the general color family. For example, greys are found in the 1400s, blues in the 500s, greens in the 600s, etc. The last two digits designate the specific shade within that color family. Lower numbers indicate lighter shades, while higher digits are darker hues.
This system allows for quick identification of a color’s general color category and depth just by the assigned number. When looking for the lightest greys, we’ll want to examine colors in the 1400s range, specifically those with lower numbers like 01, 02, 03.
Examining Benjamin Moore’s Grey Color Options
According to Benjamin Moore’s website, they currently offer 150 different grey paint colors. That extensive selection provides many options from light to dark. Let’s analyze some of Benjamin Moore’s lightest greys to determine the top contender.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
One of the lightest greys is Chantilly Lace OC-65. With a color code of 1401, it falls at the palest end of the grey spectrum. Described as a soft, romantic neutral, Chantilly Lace lives up to its name evoking images of delicate fabric. This dreamy gray has faint undertones of violet that distinguish it from stark, icy grays. Chantilly Lace reads as a very pale gray, nearly white.
Benjamin Moore Silver Satin OC-64
Silver Satin OC-64 is another light grey paint color from Benjamin Moore. Like Chantilly Lace, its number of 1462 places it at the lighter end of greys. True to its name, Silver Satin has a smooth, satiny sheen. Its soft gray tone contains subtle hints of blue. Silver Satin is slightly darker than Chantilly Lace, but still reads as a very pale neutral grey with a touch of coolness.
Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53
Horizon OC-53 is one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular choices for an airy, neutral grey. With a color code of 1441, it ranks as a lighter gray. Horizon is described as a soft, peaceful gray with a hint of haze that conjures images of coastal fog. Slight green influences distinguish Horizon from other pale grays. Its relaxed, subtle palette works well in a variety of settings from traditional to modern.
Benjamin Moore Whitestone OC-11
Whitestone OC-11 earns its name as a crisp, clean white-grey. Despite numbering at the low end of the grey spectrum at 1401, Whitestone reads as more white than grey. With barely a hint of gray, this color provides abundant light reflection. For those seeking a grey in name only, Whitestone has very little perceptible grey pigmentation for a nearly pure white appearance.
Benjamin Moore Silver Lake OC-95
For a barely-there grey, Silver Lake OC-95 is an excellent option. With a number of 1402, Silver Lake qualifies among Benjamin Moore’s lightest greys. However, most would be hard pressed to detect any grey tone as Silver Lake appears primarily white or off-white. Its demure read as a very pale grey makes it workable in any space seeking light neutral refinement.
Identifying the Lightest Benjamin Moore Grey
Based on this analysis, two light greys stand out as top contenders for Benjamin Moore’s lightest gray paint color.
Chantilly Lace OC-65 lives up to its ethereal name as a romantic, softly violet-tinged grey with a featherlight touch of pigment. Slightly darker yet still airy and light is Silver Satin OC-64 with its smooth blue-gray sheen.
Though the two colors are distinct, they rank nearly equally in their pale neutrality. Additionally, paint colors often read differently depending on lighting conditions. Benjamin Moore considers Chantilly Lace and Silver Satin so similar in depth, they assigned them consecutive color numbers only one digit apart.
For these reasons, there is no definitive way to declare one clearly lighter than the other. Depending on the space and needs, either Chantilly Lace or Silver Satin could take the prize as Benjamin Moore’s lightest true grey.
Choosing the Best Light Grey Paint
When selecting a light grey paint color, consider the following:
- Lighting – Colors appear darker in dim lighting and lighter in bright spaces.
- Room Size – Light colors help brighten small rooms.
- Purpose – Softer colors like Chantilly Lace work well in bedrooms while light greys like Silver Satin suit more utilitarian rooms.
- Undertones – Go for violet-greys like Chantilly Lace for a romantic feel or blue-greys like Silver Satin for a relaxing vibe.
- Contrast – Pair light greys with darker trims and accents for visual definition.
It is also wise to sample paint colors on the wall before committing. Be sure to view samples at different times of day to judge how natural and artificial light affects the color. With numerous options to choose from, sampling these airy greys allows you to determine which Benjamin Moore light grey fits your space best.
Conclusion
When seeking the lightest grey from Benjamin Moore, the top contenders are Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Silver Satin OC-64. Both offer beautiful, highly light-reflective neutrals with Chantilly Lace hinting of violet and Silver Satin leaning slightly blue. For the true lightest grey, choosing between the two colors comes down to your individual space and preferences. Their nearly indistinguishable lightness makes either one a perfect choice to bathe your walls in beautiful, breezy lightness.