What does it feel like when you try to select the right neutral paint color? Because there are many of them, it can be a tedious task to pick one. However, you can go for a paint color like Benjamin Moore’s White Sand because of its unique shade.
I’m excited to take you on this exploration of this paint color to show you its amazing aspects and help you make an informed decision. You’ll learn about undertones, LRVs, and other terms that apply to paint colors. And what’s better than knowing the best colors for your home, right?
Table of Contents
When to Choose Benjamin Moore White Sand
White Sand can look a bit confusing as you try to determine its exact color. Because of this, you may have a little difficulty deciding when it is best to use it. Let me help you a little in this area to get you started.
Looking for the perfect neutral backdrop?
White Sand is a neutral color that fits well as a backdrop in a home. You can use it as the color that holds every other color together without worrying that it will fail.
New cabinet color?
As a soft color, White Sand looks amazing on cabinets, especially when the walls are a similar or slightly darker color. Pair it with warm whites like White Dove and Cloud White for the best effect.
Need a new whole-house color?
If you’re a fan of using one color for a room, White Sand holds up well in this regard. You can add splashes of other colors for some versatility to complete the look.
White Sand is not your run-of-the-mill neutral paint color but has a lot to offer. The ideas I’ve listed are only just a part of it; there are more where those came from. Let’s move on to see what else the color is about.
What Color Is White Sand?
We’ve all been to a beach at one time or another and have different things that remind us of the place. One of the most popular reminders is the white sand that beaches are popular for, and the color of the sand is close to this shade of this paint color.
Since beach time is usually a happy time, perhaps the paint color will be ideal for a warm, cozy, and happy home with beautiful colors.
The only difference is that the paint color has more depth and therefore, more character. Benjamin Moore’s White Sand OC-10 is a light beige paint color that mimics a warm white in bright natural light. You can use it in place of white if you want some color.
A Snapshot of the Specifications of Benjamin Moore White Sand
The following is a chart I created to show the specific details of White Sand, such as its undertones and LRV, to make referencing easier.
| Benjamin Moore White Sand | |
| RGB | 224, 216, 198 |
| LRV | 66.95 |
| Undertone | Gray, cream |
| HEX Code | #E0D8C6 |
The LRV of Benjamin Moore White Sand
LRV is the light reflectance value of color and refers to how much light the color reflects on a scale of 0 to 100. Pue black has an LRV of 0, while pure white has an LRV of 100. But since paint colors don’t have pure black or white, the LRV scale is 2.5 to 94 for them.
Benjamin Moore’s White Sand has an LRV of 66.95, almost 67. This value makes it a pretty bright beige but not an off-white color. However, it can look truly bright when the lighting is right.
The Undertones of Benjamin Moore White Sand
Undertones are what make paint color truly unique, and the same is true for White Sand. The paint color has a bit of a gray undertone that grounds it but also shows some creaminess that gives it a soft glow.
White Sand looks like a bright beige in this photo, looking almost white.
In the next photo, you can see a bit of that gray undertone I talked about peeking through to the surface.
And here, you can see a little of its creaminess, especially on the lower part of the stairway.
Does Lighting Affect White Sand?
Lighting can make or mar the outcome of White Sand when used and dried on the walls. The paint color is light, so it reflects a decent amount of light. However, muted or cold lighting can transform it into a slightly gray color instead of beige.
In warm light, White Sand looks beige and truly warm and may lean a little toward red, although it’s rare and minimal.
In artificial light, White Sand may also look different. Bright white light makes the paint color appear different than it does in warm yellow light.
And here it is in warm artificial light.
How Does White Sand Feel in a Room?
White Sand feels cozy, inviting, and welcoming in a room. This is because of the warmth it exudes, whether the room’s exposure is northern or southern. You can already see that it has a creamy texture and can make a large room look cozy without compromising on color.
Benjamin Moore White Sand: Warm or Cool?
White Sand is a warm paint color, bringing a soft glow into any space. Pair it with the right colors, and the result will be breathtaking. But remember that pairing colors is not the only thing to consider; you must also consider the surrounding elements.
Benjamin Moore White Sand Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration
If you find that White Sand doesn’t quite meet your expectations in the color department, I’ve got you covered. There are alternatives from the same color strip, from light to dark, that can replace White Sand or work well with it if you want.
- Benjamin Moore Dove Wing 960
- Benjamin Moore Seapearl 961
- Benjamin Moore Gray Mist 962
- Benjamin Moore Maritime White 963
- Benjamin Moore White Sand 964
- Benjamin Moore Temporal Spirit 965
- Benjamin Moore Natural Linen 966
Benjamin Moore White Sand Complementary Color
Every color has a complementary color, and you can find it on the color wheel. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel, and they bring out the vibrance in each other. Examples include purple and yellow or pink and green.
White Sand is a neutral color, meaning it has no seemingly obvious hues but reveals certain hues that transform it under different lighting conditions. With this in mind, the best color that complements it is a lavender-gray shade.
Benjamin Moore’s Feather Soft 1431 is a close match to this color. But Sherwin Williams’ Breathtaking SW 6814 is an even closer match, so you may want to consider it if you want another brand.
Benjamin Moore White Sand Coordinating Colors
Caldwell Green, Hush, and Audubon Russet are some of the best-coordinating colors for White Sand. You may find a few others because of the color’s neutrality, but you won’t go wrong with these three.
- Benjamin Moore Caldwell Green HC-124: A unique mix of blue and hunter green that produces a beautiful color that matches the brighter White Sand.
- Benjamin Moore Hush AF-95: A neutral paint color with more depth than White Sand because of its brown undertones.
- Benjamin Moore Audubon Russet HC-51: As the name suggests, it’s a russet shade made even deeper by its terracotta undertone.
Benjamin Moore White Sand Color Palettes
The following are some color palettes to try in your home when you use White Sand.
Contrasting Color Palette
- Cinnamon 2174-20: A mix of brown and orange that produces a shade of red that puts other neutrals to the test.
- Swiss Coffee OC-45: A popular bright white paint color with creamy yellow undertones that complement the warmth of White Sand.
- Rushing River 1574: Cool gray undertones complement this green paint color, making it muted and laid-back, perfect for White Sand.
Monochromatic Color Palette
- Natural Linen 966: A sand-shaded neutral paint color with enough warmth to transform a room, making it work well with the lighter White Sand.
- Temporal Spirit 965: Another neutral with a sandy shade that brings warmth to a room and pairs well with White Sand.
- Maritime White 963: A muted paint color whose gray undertones and creaminess match those of White Sand.
Coordinating Color Palette
- Audubon Russet HC-51: As the name suggests, it’s a russet shade made even deeper by its terracotta undertone.
- Hush AF-95: A neutral paint color with more depth than White Sand because of its brown undertones.
- Caldwell Green HC-124: A unique mix of blue and hunter green that produces a beautiful color that matches the brighter White Sand.
Benjamin Moore White Sand vs Similar Colors
There are a few colors similar to White Sand, and here, I compare them side by side to see how they perform.
BM Muslin vs BM White Sand
Muslin is just a smidge darker than White Sand, with an LRV of 66.54. Apart from this difference, it’s practically the same color as White Sand.
BM Spring in Aspen vs BM White Sand
Spring in Aspen is the brighter of the two colors, with an LRV of 70.95. It also shows a little less warmth than White Sand.
BM Ballet White vs BM White Sand
Ballet White is more of an off-white paint color and is brighter. White Sand is beige and looks muted beside Ballet White.
BM Edgecomb Gray vs BM White Sand
Edgecomb Gray has soft green undertones, which are different from the gray and cream of White Sand. It’s also slightly darker and cooler than White Sand.
Sherwin Williams Paint Color Equivalent to Benjamin Moore White Sand
There’s no exact equivalent to White Sand from Sherwin Williams. Every paint color is unique on its own, although you may find pretty similar ones. That said, Sherwin Williams Warm Winter SW 9506 is almost the same as White Sand, especially when you compare their red, green, and blue (RGB) codes.
Neutral Ground SW 7568 is also close to the color. Sherwin Williams White Sand, which has the same name as the color under review, is a much brighter and cooler color.
Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore White Sand?
White Sand is ideal for any room with good lighting or wood tones. It also works for rooms without enough warm light because of the warmth it provides. That means it works in pretty much any room.
Best Ceiling Color for Benjamin Moore White Sand Walls
Well, you can try using the same color or bright white with the same warm tones. Check out this room with the amazing ceiling; the pattern is something else.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Foyer
White and blue always look good together, especially when it’s not a stark white. This foyer has White Sand on the walls and BM Decorator’s White on the trim, but the vision of Sherwin Williams’ Naval in the dining room makes the entire color palette superb.
Best Trim Color for Benjamin Moore White Sand
White is your best bet because of the peculiar shade of White Sand. Try White Dove or Cloud White; crisp whites may clash with the warmth of White Sand. You can also try darker colors or wood on the trim.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Living Room
This cozy room has White Sand on the walls and trim, and BM Feather Down on the fireplace.
Benjamin Moore White Sand on Kitchen Cabinets
White Sand looks gorgeous on kitchen cabinets or any other cabinet for that matter.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Bedroom
It’s a calming and relaxing color, which makes White Sand ideal for a bedroom.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Living Room
This open floor plan is beautiful partly because of the paint color, White Sand, on the walls. As I said earlier, it’s the perfect whole-house color and allows you to throw in splashes of vibrant colors.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Dining Area
With the abundance of natural light in the room, White Sand looks bright and creamy with just the right amount of warmth.
Benjamin Moore White Sand in a Bathroom
Even with the warm yellow lights, the paint color still looks beautiful in this bathroom.
Benjamin Moore White Sand on Exterior Walls
Because it’s warm and beige, White Sand is an excellent exterior paint color of choice.
Conclusion
Benjamin Moore’s White Sand is a beige paint color with a lot of warmth. It can mimic white because of its LRV of 66.96, but it never looks washed out or cold. With its gray and cream undertones, the paint color pairs well with many other shades.
I’ve created possible color palettes to make the job easier for you. But you can always swap colors to get the exact color scheme you want for your decor. Remember to use samples to determine how the color looks in different lighting conditions and exposures.
If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts with me, feel free to reach me in the comments section. Happy painting!
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