As the name suggests, Benjamin Moore Calm is a soft and subtle off-white paint color with a tinge of warmth to it!
This versatile off-white paint is definitely something to have an eye on – and at the same time, be careful about.
Yes, it’s not as easy as it seems.
And this is only because this one doesn’t always act like you expect it should.
That said, when you get it right, this color can truly transform any space like no other.
But the reason I call this color ‘confusing’ is solely because of the number of tints this paint can present.
BM Calm is a soft paint color that has a tinge of gray to make it feel cool but not icy enough.
Yes, with a slight tinge of brown, it neutralizes the color and makes it dominantly on the neutral-warmer end of the scale.
When used on your walls, this off-paint may appear cooler (with a gray undertone) but not too much gray to make it dull or daring.
You see – this color can be a total chameleon!
Don’t worry – you can still use the paint color with various existing structural and architectural elements.
So, in case you’re wondering about choosing this color in your home – well, I would suggest you keep reading this color review!
I will be sharing some insights about how to best use this color in your home!
Benjamin Moore Calm OC-22 Details and Specifications
Color theory and specifications are quite distinctive from color to color and category to the category!
After all, there is something that differs this particular off-white from all of the other notable ones, right?
So, when choosing a paint color – you must understand the underlying theories and facts that are related to each one of them.
And that will truly help you understand what that specific color is composed of.
So, let’s first check out the Light Reflectance Values or the LRVs that determine how light or dark the paint color is.
You can easily find that value at the end of your Benjamin Moore paint swatch or even the website!
Here, in this case, the LRV of Benjamin Moore Calm is 75.83.
And that means it falls on the lighter end of the scale – hence, can be used as neutrals and bases!
(Remember, the greater the value, the lighter the paint – on a scale of 0-100)
Oh, if you want to just try Calm so you’ll know just how it’ll look, you can easily with a peel-and-stick sample from Samplize. Order some samples now!
Secondly, other important associated terms are the RGB and the HEX Values.
Red = 229
Green = 226
Blue = 220
HEX Value = #e5e2dc
Since we’ve covered the techy stuff, let’s get started with the practical aspects of this light gray Benjamin Moore paint.
How Does This Color Feel in a Space?
Benjamin Moore Calm is a subtle and soothing off-white paint that will make your space feel more inclined to nature with its utmost ‘calming’ powers.
It has a tinge of brown that can add a notable earthy and organic touch to the walls. Hence, definitely, something to go with the existing brown features in your room.
Furthermore, due to the high reflectivity value of the paint, this color will feel absolutely light, airy, and soothing.
So, if you’re dealing with small square footage issues, this paint will readily enhance the atmosphere and make it feel lively, bright, cozy, and comfortable.
Oftentimes, this color can reflect a deep tinge of purple – which can come as a total surprise!
So, ensure to always try the swatch in various lighting conditions to know the true hue.
How Does Light Affect the Color?
Light – whether natural or artificial – has a tremendous role to play in the paint color.
Depending upon the compass directions, the size of the room, and the existing architectural elements – the undertones may vary!
For instance, in the north-facing rooms, this color may align more with the grays with deep hints of cool undertones.
On the other hand, in the west and south-facing rooms, the same color may appear slightly warm and cozy with a tinge of brown to it.
Moreover, it also depends upon what light saturation for the bulbs you’re choosing.
In the case of warm white and neutral white, the paint will appear gray. Simultaneously, for a yellow light, it appears kind of neutral!
To truly see what your home’s environment and lighting will do here, try out a stick-on sample with real paint. It takes out the guess work!
What are the Best Coordinating Colors?
It’s important that you pair Benjamin Moore Calm cohesively to truly feel the beauty of this color.
And that is why you have to be careful when choosing complementary color schemes!
After all, who doesn’t like the feel of a well complementary palette, right?
So, analyze this color scheme and the whole idea of pairing colors!
You can best pair this off-white hue with true whites (in the case of trims etc), blues, browns, black, darker grays, taupes, and greiges for a monochromatic touch!
You can also incorporate any of the metallic tints as accents here – like nickel, gold, or chrome!
Furthermore, you can either choose from a monochromatic or a contrasting color palette – depending upon the interior design style and your preference.
So, here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a monochromatic palette!
- CC-460 Inukshuk
- CC-470 Rocky Road
- CC-480 Cabot Trail
On the other hand, here are a few of the colors I would recommend for a contrasting color palette!
- HC-160 Knoxville Gray
- CC-490 Stone Hearth
- AF-470 Flora
For your ceilings, trims, and moldings – you can use BM Chantilly Lace as it is a true white paint and will further protrude the original adjacent hue.
BM Calm Vs Similar Colors
Looking for similar colors can be equally challenging!
However, there might be a slight alteration in the undertones or the reflectivity in the similar colors.
So, what is it that makes you want to replace BM Calm?
Is it the undertones or the reflectivity?
Well, in either of the cases, let me tell you – it’s difficult to find something exactly the same.
So, here are the two colors closely related to Calm: OC-26 Silver Satin and SW Eider White.
Let’s see how they differ.
Calm Vs Silver Satin
Benjamin Moore Silver Satin (see my review here), is a pretty and calm off-white paint that has a dominant yellow undertone.
Although the yellow undertone is not very noticeable in the north-facing rooms.
With an LRV of 74.9 – this color is slightly deeper!
Order a wall-stick sample of Silver Satin here to help you compare colors in your own space.
Calm Vs Eider White
Sherwin Williams Eider White is a clean white paint with deep gray undertones. Similarly, it has a tinge of brown to it which is not very dominant! (You can read more about it here!)
With an LRV of 73, this color is slightly deeper!
You can best use this color with shades of dark blue and dark sage greens as an accent.
Do yourself a favor and grab some stick-on samples of these two colors and see what looks best in your home.
Where to Use Calm?
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Benjamin Moore Calm is a pretty off-white paint that can be used in any corner of your home!
Whether it’s the mudroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets, living room walls, exterior walls, and door and window frames.
Whether you have a traditional style or transitional, modern, contemporary, farmhouse, and Scandinavian – this color is quite good to go!
Let’s see where and how to incorporate it into your home.
Calm in Living and Dining Rooms
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BM Calm can be used on all the walls of your living and dining room (if you like an all-white palette).
It perfectly complements the dark as well as lighter hardwood floors.
And especially if you have floating shelves, it’s quite good to go.
You can either choose the furniture frame to be matte black or medium-toned woods.
For a sense of visual interest, add browns or taupes on the centerpieces, artwork, and accent chair.
Styling with pampas grass wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Using in Bedrooms
In the bedrooms, you can consider pairing this color with a dark and bold accent wall.
That accent wall could be midnight blue, dark sage green, bronze, or dark gray!
Furthermore, choose satin brass for the furniture frames and off-white macrame on the throw pillows, rugs, and curtains.
To add a sense of dimension and depth, add wall paneling to the focal wall.
Calm in Kitchens
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All-white kitchens are timeless.
Undoubtedly, it will offer a great experience and make your kitchen look light, welcoming, and bright.
You can choose wooden textured floating shelves, hexagonal glossy white or bold teal or green backsplash tiles, and golden or bronze pull handles for drawers.
You can also infuse color by splashing some hues like greens and blues on the lower cabinets (blue is a great option)!
This paint color will make a great transitional-styled kitchen!
Using on Exteriors
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Whether you have a Craftsman, Ranch-style, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary, or Modern style, this off-white paint will never disappoint you!
You can either add blacks and darker grays or even a tinge of wooden-themed textures as an accent or go vice versa for the trims, moldings, and door and window frames.
In the case of columns on the patio and porch – you can use natural stone siding to add an authentic detailed character to this facade!
Great Paint Sample Tip!
Here’s my favorite tip when it comes to testing out a color like Calm – go and order a peel-and-stick sample from Samplize.
These guys figured out a great way to sample colors much more easily. Simply stick it up instead of having to get a small can of actual wet paint.
For a few bucks you get a nice sized square to throw up temporarily anywhere you want to “try” on a paint color and any possible coordinating hues you like. Too cool!
So, how do you want to use this color in your homes? Interiors or Exteriors?
With all that I’ve shared – are you even more excited about painting your home in Calm?
Should there be any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below!