Simply White vs. Swiss Coffee: Unveiling the Perfect Benjamin Moore White Paint for Your Home

Choosing the ideal white paint can be one of the most pivotal decisions in interior design. It sets the foundation for your home’s aesthetic, influencing mood, perceived spaciousness, and how all other elements interact. Among the myriad of white shades available, two stand out for their enduring popularity and distinct characteristics: Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) and Swiss Coffee (OC-45). These aren’t just “plain whites”; they are sophisticated hues, each offering a unique character that can transform a space.

As an expert who has spent years immersed in the world of paint and color psychology, I’ve observed firsthand how these two iconic Benjamin Moore whites perform across diverse homes and lighting conditions. Simply White often emerges as the go-to for those seeking a crisp, clean, and bright ambiance, while Swiss Coffee consistently delivers a soft, warm, and inviting feel. Yet, the choice between them is rarely straightforward. Understanding their nuances is crucial, as their appearance can dramatically shift based on a room’s natural light, artificial illumination, existing furnishings, and architectural style.

This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the distinct qualities of Simply White and Swiss Coffee. We’ll explore their undertones, Light Reflective Values (LRV), ideal applications, and how they interact with different environments. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently select the Benjamin Moore white that perfectly complements your vision, ensuring your home feels harmonious and beautifully designed.

Detailed Comparison of Benjamin Moore Simply White vs. Swiss Coffee

While both are celebrated white paints, Simply White and Swiss Coffee are far from interchangeable. Their fundamental differences lie in their underlying color notes and how they reflect light, leading to very distinct visual impacts. Let’s break down each color to understand its unique personality.

Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117): Bright, Clean, and Versatile

Benjamin Moore Simply White is a perennial favorite for its ability to brighten and refresh any space. It’s a beautifully balanced white that truly lives up to its name – it feels pure and uncomplicated. With an impressive Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 89.52, Simply White is exceptionally adept at bouncing light around a room. This high LRV means it helps spaces feel more open, airy, and expansive, making it an excellent choice for smaller rooms or areas that lack abundant natural light.

The magic of Simply White lies in its subtle, soft yellow undertone. This hint of warmth is precisely what prevents it from feeling stark or cold, which can be a common pitfall with some very stark whites. It offers a clean backdrop without sacrificing coziness. This characteristic makes it remarkably versatile, fitting seamlessly into various design aesthetics, from ultra-modern and minimalist to transitional and even some contemporary farmhouse styles.

Simply White performs exceptionally well in areas where you desire a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, such as kitchens, home offices, and hallways. It’s also a phenomenal choice for trim, ceilings, and doors, providing a crisp contrast to wall colors or unifying a space with a consistent, bright accent. In north-facing rooms, where natural light tends to be cooler and bluer, Simply White’s yellow undertone helps to neutralize the cool cast, making the room feel brighter and more inviting rather than chilly. However, it’s worth noting that in south-facing rooms or those with abundant afternoon sun, the yellow notes can become more pronounced, giving the paint a creamier appearance. This creates beautiful sharp contrasts when paired with darker wall colors or natural wood tones, highlighting architectural details with precision.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45): Soft, Warm, and Inviting

In contrast to Simply White’s bright crispness, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee offers a softer, more subdued elegance. This shade is beloved for its inherent warmth and its ability to create a sense of comfort and tranquility. With a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 81.91, Swiss Coffee is still very much a light color, but its slightly lower LRV compared to Simply White allows it to absorb a bit more light, resulting in a paint that offers more depth and a richer, more lived-in feel. It avoids the sometimes stark quality of brighter whites, providing a gentle embrace rather than a bold statement.

The distinctive character of Swiss Coffee comes from its subtle beige undertone. These gentle beige notes are what give the color its undeniable warmth, making rooms feel incredibly welcoming and cozy. It’s a sophisticated off-white that perfectly complements homes with classic, traditional, rustic, or even a soft contemporary farmhouse style. It evokes a timeless quality, reminiscent of vintage linens or aged parchment.

Swiss Coffee excels in spaces where comfort and relaxation are paramount. It’s a fantastic choice for bedroom walls, cozy living areas, or even kitchen cabinets where you desire a warm, artisanal feel. It pairs beautifully with natural wood floors, exposed beams, stone accents, and organic textures like linen and wool. Unlike Simply White, which can sometimes appear more yellow in strong direct sunlight, Swiss Coffee tends to maintain its soft, balanced look more consistently throughout the day, making it a reliable choice for south-facing rooms that receive intense sun. It offers a gentle glow that never feels overwhelming, making it an excellent backdrop for a curated collection of art or treasured heirlooms.

When making your selection, consider not just the brightness you desire but also the overall mood. Simply White delivers a fresh, clean, and energetic space, while Swiss Coffee provides a gentle, soft, and comfortable atmosphere. Both colors possess the versatility to be used throughout an entire home or to complement other shades beautifully.

Understanding Undertones and Their Impact on Your Space

The secret behind a paint color’s true identity often lies beneath its surface, in its undertones. These are the subtle hints of color that become apparent when a paint is viewed in different lighting conditions or next to other colors. For white paints, understanding these hidden notes is paramount, as they determine whether your room will feel warm, cool, bright, or subdued.

Deciphering White Paint Undertones

Simply White carries light yellow notes. This warm undertone is precisely why it never appears cold or stark, even though it’s a very bright white. The yellow adds a sunny, inviting quality that subtly brightens a room without being overtly creamy. It’s a cheerful warmth that feels fresh and uplifting.

Swiss Coffee, on the other hand, reveals gentle beige undertones. This beige base provides a deeper, earthier warmth than Simply White’s yellow. It lends the color a soft, lived-in quality, preventing it from feeling sterile. It’s a comforting, grounding warmth that enhances a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.

These subtle underlying tints make all the difference in how each white paint interacts with your home’s elements. Simply White’s yellow undertone makes it a fantastic partner for cooler grays, blues, and even some greens, creating a clean, crisp contrast. Swiss Coffee, with its beige notes, harmonizes beautifully with earth-toned colors, natural browns, deep greens, and warm terracotta shades, fostering a cohesive and organic palette.

The Dynamic Interaction with Different Lightings

The way natural light enters your room is arguably the most critical factor in how Simply White and Swiss Coffee will appear. Light is not static; it changes in intensity and temperature throughout the day and depending on your room’s orientation.

Morning Light (East-facing rooms): In the soft, warm glow of morning sun, Simply White truly shines, appearing exceptionally clean and bright, almost ethereal. Swiss Coffee will also look beautiful, maintaining its gentle warmth, perhaps appearing slightly brighter than later in the day.
Midday Light (South-facing rooms): Intense midday sun can amplify Simply White’s yellow undertones, making it appear creamier or a touch golden. This can be desirable for a sun-drenched, cheerful feel. Swiss Coffee, with its more muted beige undertone, tends to hold its own against strong sunlight, offering a consistent, soft warmth that prevents the room from feeling washed out.
Afternoon/Evening Light (West-facing rooms): As the sun sets, casting long, warm shadows, Simply White might lean more into its yellow notes, becoming noticeably warmer. Swiss Coffee will likely retain its comforting warmth, perhaps appearing a touch richer and cozier as the light fades.
North-facing rooms: These rooms receive cooler, indirect light throughout the day, often lending a slightly gray or blue cast. Simply White’s yellow undertone acts as a natural warmer, brightening the space and combating the cool northern light effectively. Swiss Coffee also offers warmth but with a softer, more grounded presence, preventing the room from feeling too stark.
Artificial Light: The type of light bulb you use (warm white, cool white, daylight) will also influence the paint. Warm-toned bulbs (2700K-3000K) will enhance the yellow in Simply White and make Swiss Coffee feel even cozier. Cooler-toned bulbs (4000K+) can help Simply White maintain its crispness and might make Swiss Coffee appear slightly less warm.

Expert Tips: How to Detect Undertones

Identifying undertones with the naked eye can be tricky, but a few simple techniques can help:

The White Paper Test: Hold a pure white sheet of paper (printer paper works well) next to your paint sample. The stark white will act as a neutral baseline, making the subtle undertones of the paint sample much more apparent. You’ll clearly see the yellow in Simply White and the beige in Swiss Coffee.
Observe Throughout the Day: Paint large sample swatches on different walls in your room. Crucially, observe these samples at various times of day—morning, midday, and evening—and under both natural and artificial light. Take notes on how the color shifts. Does Simply White look too bright at noon? Does Swiss Coffee feel too muted at sunset?
Consider All Walls: Light hits each wall differently. A wall opposite a window might appear darker than a wall adjacent to one. Placing samples on each wall provides a holistic view of how the paint will behave throughout your space.
Compare with Fixed Elements: Hold your samples next to your existing flooring, cabinetry, trim, and any furniture you plan to keep. This helps determine how well the paint will harmonize with your home’s existing color palette.

Choosing the Right White Color for Your Space

The journey to selecting the perfect white paint is highly personal and dependent on the unique characteristics of your home. It’s a process of careful observation and thoughtful consideration. Minor details can significantly impact how Simply White or Swiss Coffee ultimately performs in your specific environment.

Assessing Room Lighting: Natural and Artificial

As discussed, natural light is the most dominant force in how any paint color, especially white, will appear. Its direction, intensity, and temperature fluctuate, creating a dynamic canvas within your room.

Northern Exposure: Rooms facing north receive cooler, indirect light throughout the day. Simply White’s subtle yellow undertone is a powerful asset here, injecting warmth and preventing the space from feeling cold or flat. It effectively brightens and livens up these often dimmer rooms. Swiss Coffee can also work, providing a grounded, gentle warmth that combats the cool light without adding significant brightness.
Southern Exposure: South-facing rooms are bathed in strong, warm, direct light for much of the day. Here, Simply White’s yellow undertone can be amplified, potentially appearing creamier or more golden than intended. If you prefer a less intense white in bright sun, Swiss Coffee’s more muted beige undertone offers a wonderfully balanced warmth that holds steady, providing a soft glow without becoming overwhelming.
Eastern Exposure: These rooms get bright, warm morning light, which then shifts to cooler, indirect light in the afternoon. Simply White will feel incredibly fresh and invigorating in the morning, while Swiss Coffee will offer a comforting start to the day.
Western Exposure: West-facing rooms receive warm, intense light in the afternoon and evening. Both paints will appear warmer here, with Simply White showing more pronounced yellow and Swiss Coffee deepening into its cozy beige.

Don’t forget your artificial lighting. The color temperature of your light bulbs plays a crucial role. Warm white bulbs (2700K-3000K) will enhance the cozy aspects of both colors. Cooler white or daylight bulbs (4000K-5000K) will make Simply White appear crisper and can slightly mute the warmth of Swiss Coffee.

Considering Room Purpose and Desired Mood

The function of a room should heavily influence your paint choice. Different whites evoke different feelings.

For Bright & Energetic Spaces: If you’re designing a kitchen, a home office, a laundry room, or a bustling family room where clarity and brightness are key, Simply White is an excellent choice. Its clean, reflective quality promotes a sense of energy and productivity. It can make small or narrow spaces feel significantly larger and more open.
For Calm & Cozy Retreats: For bedrooms, formal living rooms, dining areas, or nurseries where relaxation, comfort, and a gentle ambiance are priorities, Swiss Coffee often proves superior. Its soft, enveloping warmth fosters a sense of tranquility and intimacy. In larger rooms, Swiss Coffee’s depth can prevent the space from feeling too vast or stark, creating a more inviting scale.

Harmonizing with Existing Decor and Fixtures

Your chosen white paint needs to integrate seamlessly with the elements already present in your home, from fixed features to beloved furnishings.

Wood Tones: Simply White creates a striking, clean contrast with darker wood tones (like deep cherry, mahogany, or dark walnut), allowing the richness of the wood to pop. It also pairs well with very light, natural woods for a minimalist Scandinavian look. Swiss Coffee, with its beige undertone, beautifully complements medium to light wood tones (like oak, maple, or natural pine), creating a harmonious, layered aesthetic. It’s often favored in spaces with a lot of wood trim or built-ins.
Flooring: Consider your flooring type and color. A cool-toned gray tile or dark polished concrete might benefit from Simply White’s crispness. Warm-toned hardwood floors or cozy carpeting often find a perfect match in Swiss Coffee’s inviting warmth.
Furniture & Textiles: If your furniture is modern, sleek, and features bold colors or cool-toned fabrics, Simply White can provide the perfect gallery-like backdrop. For rooms with classic, traditional, or antique furniture, natural fibers, and warmer-toned upholstery, Swiss Coffee will enhance the timeless charm and comfort.
Countertops & Cabinetry: In kitchens and bathrooms, consider the undertones of your countertops and cabinets. A white marble with gray veining might look best with Simply White, while a creamy quartz or natural stone with warm flecks would sing against Swiss Coffee.

Practical Tips for Testing Paint Colors Like a Pro

Skipping the testing phase is a common mistake that can lead to costly repaints and disappointment. Proper sampling is the single most important step to ensure you fall in love with your chosen white paint. These expert techniques will empower you to make an informed decision.

Effective Sampling Techniques

Go Big (or Go Home): Forget small, postage-stamp-sized swatches. These simply don’t provide an accurate representation. Purchase sample pots of both Simply White and Swiss Coffee. Paint two generous coats on large poster boards or foam core boards – ideally at least 2 feet by 2 feet (60cm x 60cm). This larger surface area will give you a much better sense of how the color will truly appear on a wall.
Paint Multiple Samples: Don’t just paint one large board. Create several for each color. This allows you to place them in different areas of the room simultaneously, making direct comparisons easier and demonstrating how light hits various walls.
Float, Don’t Stick: Instead of taping samples directly to your wall, which can be influenced by the existing wall color peeking through, try to “float” them. Lean the samples against walls, near windows, in corners, and even against your existing trim and doors. This provides a more isolated view of the paint color.
Consider Your Sheen: The paint’s sheen (flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss) also affects how light is reflected. Eggshell or satin are common for walls, while semi-gloss is popular for trim and doors. If you’re testing for both walls and trim, consider sampling in different sheens if possible.

Observing at Different Times and Conditions

Paint colors are chameleons, constantly changing throughout the day. Dedicate time to observing your samples meticulously.

Morning, Midday, Evening: Make a point to check your samples at least three times a day – in the bright morning light, under the strong midday sun, and in the softer, often warmer, evening light. Note how each color shifts. Does Simply White appear too stark at noon? Does Swiss Coffee feel too muddy after sunset?
Artificial Light: Don’t forget to observe your samples under artificial lighting at night. Turn on all your lamps and overhead lights. Does the color still feel right? Does it maintain its desired warmth or crispness?
Over Several Days: Try to live with your samples for a few days, or even a week, if possible. This allows you to see them in various weather conditions (sunny, cloudy) and at different times when you’re actually using the room.
Take Notes: Keep a small notebook to jot down your observations. This helps you track your thoughts and prevents confusion, especially if you’re testing multiple shades.

Comparing Side by Side and Against Existing Elements

The best way to truly differentiate between two similar whites is to view them in direct comparison.

Direct Comparison: Place your Simply White and Swiss Coffee samples right next to each other. This direct juxtaposition will immediately highlight their differences in brightness, undertone, and perceived warmth. Simply White will generally appear cleaner and brighter, while Swiss Coffee will reveal its gentle, warmer, and slightly richer character.
Against Fixed Elements: Hold the samples next to your existing flooring, wooden furniture, artwork, and cabinetry. How does each white harmonize or contrast with these elements? Does one make your existing wood look richer, or does it clash?
Step Back: Don’t just examine the samples up close. Step back across the room to see how the colors appear from a distance. Sometimes, undertones are more evident from afar, or a color that seemed perfect up close might feel overwhelming from a distance.

Quick Comparison Guide: Benjamin Moore Simply White vs. Swiss Coffee

To help you quickly reference the key differences, here’s a concise comparison table summarizing the unique attributes of these popular Benjamin Moore whites.

Feature	Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117)	Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45)
Light Reflective Value (LRV)	89.52 – Very high, bright, and reflective	81.91 – Moderately high, soft, and slightly more light-absorbing
Primary Undertone	Subtle yellow/cream hint, preventing starkness	Gentle beige/greige hint, providing a warm, earthy feel
Best Room Types	Modern spaces, kitchens, offices, hallways, bathrooms; areas needing a crisp, bright lift	Traditional rooms, bedrooms, living areas, dining rooms; spaces desiring warmth and coziness
Ideal Light Conditions	Excellent in north-facing rooms (counteracts cool light), brightens dim spaces. Can appear more yellow in strong south-facing light.	Performs well in south-facing rooms (balances strong light without becoming stark), consistent warmth in most conditions. Offers softness in cool light.
Application Versatility	Outstanding for trim, ceilings, doors, and walls; creates sharp contrasts.	Exceptional for walls, cabinetry, and larger architectural elements; blends smoothly.
Perceived Ambiance	Clean, crisp, airy, fresh, bright, energetic	Soft, warm, inviting, cozy, timeless, elegant
Effect on Room Size	Makes small rooms feel larger and more open due to high reflectivity.	Adds depth and a sense of enclosure, can make larger spaces feel more intimate.
Best Style Match	Modern, minimalist, Scandinavian, contemporary, transitional, clean farmhouse.	Traditional, classic, rustic, cozy modern, farmhouse, Mediterranean-inspired.
Coordination with Decor	Works well with cool grays, blues, bold colors, dark woods, and sleek furniture.	Harmonizes with earth tones, natural browns, warm woods, and classic, comfortable furniture.
Common Feedback	“The perfect bright white without being cold.”	“The coziest, most enveloping white.”

Conclusion: Your Perfect White Awaits

The journey to selecting the perfect white paint, whether it’s Benjamin Moore Simply White or Swiss Coffee, boils down to a deep understanding of your space and your personal aesthetic preferences. Both colors are titans in the world of interior design, but they offer distinctly different experiences, each capable of transforming a house into a home.

Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117) is your champion if your goal is to infuse a space with unparalleled brightness, crispness, and a sense of modern purity. Its high LRV and subtle yellow undertone work tirelessly to make rooms feel open, airy, and full of light, especially beneficial in north-facing rooms or those needing an energizing lift. It creates sharp, clean lines and acts as an impeccable backdrop for contemporary furnishings and bold design choices.

Conversely, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45) is the ideal choice for those yearning for a softer, more enveloping, and inherently warm ambiance. Its gentle beige undertone provides a comforting, lived-in feel that promotes relaxation and coziness. It excels in creating a timeless elegance, effortlessly complementing traditional, rustic, and comfort-focused interiors, and consistently delivers a balanced warmth throughout the day, making it a stellar option for sun-drenched south-facing rooms.

Ultimately, your decision should be guided by the unique interplay of your room’s natural light, its intended purpose, the existing decor, and the mood you aspire to create. Remember that paint colors are profoundly affected by their surroundings. Embrace the process of testing both Simply White and Swiss Coffee in your actual space, observing how they evolve under various lighting conditions and against your furnishings. This diligent approach will ensure that the white you choose not only looks beautiful but truly feels like home.

With these insights, you are now well-equipped to make an informed and confident choice. The perfect white paint is more than just a color; it’s the foundation of your home’s character, and with Benjamin Moore Simply White or Swiss Coffee, you’re choosing a classic that will deliver enduring beauty.