Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee: A Warm White That Never Feels Boring

If you’ve been searching for a white paint color that feels warm, welcoming, and effortlessly livable, chances are Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee has popped up more than once!

As an interior designer, this is one of those colors I consider (but don’t always use) when clients want a white that doesn’t feel stark or sterile. Swiss Coffee does have some tricky undertones to keep in mind so sampling this popular color is essential. 

Photo Credit: American Color

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45) is a creamy, warm white with a subtle richness that sets it apart from brighter, crisper whites such as Benjmain Moore White Dove or Chantilly Lace. With an LRV of 84, it reflects a generous amount of light without crossing into “bright white” territory. This makes it a great option for creating light or even all white spaces that still feel cozy and comfortable.

Swiss Coffee has been popular for years, but I don’t necessarily jump on the popularity bandwagon. In my opinion, there are other colors that are easier to work with and more straightforward with their undertones.

Keep in mind popularity doesn’t equal the best color for your home.  

Swiss Coffee is positively on the warm side. It has soft beige undertones that give it that creamy appearance, but these undertones are well balanced and not heavy or muddy. This warmth is what keeps Swiss Coffee from feeling cold or flat, especially in rooms with less natural light.

That said, because it’s a warm white, Swiss Coffee may read a tad creamier alongside very cool finishes and colors.

Swiss Coffee pairs beautifully with a wide range of colors! Some of my favorite pairings include:

· Warm greiges and light beiges

· Soft taupe, warm gray and mushroom tones

· Muted greens like sage or olive

· Warm blues and dusty navy such as Benjamin Moore Schooner

· Natural wood tones, especially oak and walnut

Swiss Coffee also an excellent partner for stone, brick, and highlights warm metals like brass and bronze exceptionally well.

Main living areas for a soft, cohesive backdrop especially when you would like an “all-white” look that isn’t stark

Photo Credit: Home & Gardens

Bedrooms for a calm, inviting feel

Photo Credit: Studio McGee

Kitchens when mixed with warmer cabinetry or countertops

Photo Credit: Studio McGee

Exteriors painted in Swiss Coffee can be lovely on homes with wood accents, warm stone or brick

Photo Credit: Langley Decorating Centre

Swiss Coffee is especially well-suited for homes with organic modern style!

Photo Credit: American Color

My top suggestions is using Swiss Coffee itself on trim for a soft look with no contrast. Considering the complexities of the undertones, this approach is a smart and safe bet.

Other trim colors to consider:

Benjamin Moore White Dove for a slight amount of subtle contrast

· Read my paint color review for Benjamin Moore White Dove here.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Sherwin Williams High Reflective White – these clean bright whites help Swiss Coffee read slightly more cream than white due to the contrast

· Sherwin Williams High Reflective White paint color review.

As with any white paint, the sampling step in paint color selection is key. Swiss Coffee can shift depending on lighting and time of day, so I always recommend painting large sample boards and moving them around the room to see how the color behaves in both natural and artificial light.

For a simpler sampling method, try Samplize peel and stick paint samples. This is the easiest no mess method!

Be sure to view your Swiss Coffee sample next to flooring and countertops, to ensure the undertones work well together.

· Warm and inviting without turning yellow

· Softens rooms and creates a cozy atmosphere

· Works well in a variety of design styles

· Swiss Coffee may feel too creamy if you prefer a crisp, modern white

· Can read warmer next to very bright white trim

· Not ideal for spaces with a lot of cool gray furnishings and finishes

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a classic but a color that needs careful consideration and sampling.

If you’re looking for a white that adds softness without sacrificing brightness, Swiss Coffee is absolutely worth sampling. But from an interior designer’s perspective, it’s one of those colors that can actually disappoint if not used carefully.