Are you standing in front of a wall of paint swatches, wondering which white will actually look right in your home? You’re definitely not alone.
Picking the perfect white can be much harder than it seems, because even small differences in color can alter the entire feel of a room.
Two of the most popular choices are Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and Swiss Coffee, both of which have garnered considerable affection from homeowners across the country.
I’ve watched both colors completely transform spaces, sometimes in subtle ways and sometimes in huge, dramatic ones.
In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about how these two whites compare. You’ll learn about their undertones, how bright they are, and which spaces they complement best.
After helping hundreds of people pick between them, I’ll show you the small details that really matter, so you can choose the white that’s perfect for your home.
White Dove (OC-17)
White Dove by Benjamin Moore (LRV 85) is a soft, warm white with a hint of beige, creating a welcoming and easygoing feel.
It’s a favorite among designers because it looks clean without feeling too bright or cold, which can sometimes happen with other whites.
This color remains true to its white nature and doesn’t drift into cream, helping rooms feel light and open without introducing unwanted yellow tones.
It reflects just enough light to brighten a room but avoids the harsh, sharp brightness that some cooler whites can bring.
White Dove looks beautiful on walls, trim, and cabinets, and it’s even a popular choice for home exteriors.
Its balanced undertones—never too yellow, too pink, or too gray—make it a safe and stylish choice for almost any decorating style, if you like a cozy farmhouse look or a clean, modern space.
Swiss Coffee (OC-45)
Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore (LRV 83) is a creamy, off-white shade with soft, warm undertones that create a cozy and welcoming ambiance.
It’s a little deeper and richer than White Dove, bringing more warmth without pushing too far into yellow or making the space feel heavy.
This classic shade has been trusted for decades, and remains one of the top choices for creating rooms that feel soft, full, and lived-in.
Swiss Coffee glendsspaces a subtle richness and a slight antique feel that works well in traditional homes, but it can also add much-needed warmth to modern, clean designs.
Its creamier base helps spaces feel more finished and settled, rather than freshly painted, which is part of why designers keep coming back to it again and again. It’s a color that creates a sense of comfort while remaining light enough to keep rooms feeling open and inviting.
White Dove vs Swiss Coffee
When choosing between White Dove and Swiss Coffee, their undertones are one of the first things you’ll want to notice. These subtle differences in color can have a significant impact on how your space appears and feels.
1. Undertones
Choosing between White Dove and Swiss Coffee starts with understanding their undertones, which have a bigger impact on the look and feel of your room than you might expect.
Even though both are off-whites, they create very different moods depending on the lighting, furniture, and other colors around them. Here’s a simple table to show you how their undertones compare:
| Feature | White Dove | Swiss Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Undertone Type | Subtle beige undertones (gray + beige) | Stronger yellow-beige undertones |
| Overall Feel | Clean, soft, and neutral without being cold | Creamy, warm, and slightly antique-looking |
| Appearance in Light | Stays crisp and neutral across lighting changes | Looks warmer and cozier, especially in natural light |
| Side-by-Side Look | More fresh and bright | More creamy and traditional |
Even though the differences might seem small at first, placing these two colors side by side shows just how much undertones can change a room’s vibe. Picking the right one really comes down to the feeling you want to create in your space.
2. Brightness and LRV
When choosing between White Dove and Swiss Coffee, it’s helpful to consider their brightness levels, as even slight differences in the amount of light they reflect can significantly alter the room’s ambiance.
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, gives you a simple way to compare how bright or soft each color will appear.
| Feature | White Dove | Swiss Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| LRV (Light Reflectance Value) | 83.16 | 81.91 |
| Overall Brightness | Reflects more light, stays soft but bright | Reflects slightly less light, appears softer and more muted |
| Effect in North-Facing Rooms | Helps brighten and balance cooler light | May look slightly shadowy and warmer |
Although the difference in their LRV numbers appears small, it becomes much more noticeable once the paint is applied to the walls. White Dove tends to keep spaces feeling lighter and fresher, while Swiss Coffee creates a softer, cozier atmosphere, especially in rooms with less natural light.
3. Versatility
When you’re picking a white paint color, versatility matters a lot because you want it to fit with your furniture, floors, and other colors. White Dove and Swiss Coffee both offer flexibility, but they each have different strengths depending on the look you want for your space.
| Feature | White Dove | Swiss Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Versatility with Color Schemes | Works easily with cool and warm colors | Best with warm colors; may clash with cool tones |
| Trim and Accent Pairings | Matches with almost any wall color | Pairs best with warm-toned walls |
| Overall Flexibility | Very flexible across styles and palettes | Flexible but slightly more limited by its warmth |
While both colors are adaptable, White Dove gives you more freedom to mix and match without worrying about clashing. Swiss Coffee can still be a beautiful choice, but it pairs best with colors that lean warm and earthy, rather than cool or bright.
4. Mood and Atmosphere
When choosing between White Dove and Swiss Coffee, the mood and feeling they create in a room can make a big difference. Even though both are beautiful whites, they leave very different impressions, depending on if you want your space to feel bright or cozy.
| Feature | White Dove | Swiss Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Atmosphere | Fresh, open, clean, and slightly modern | Warm, cozy, traditional, and comforting |
| Feeling in a Room | Makes spaces feel airy and bright | Creates a settled, inviting, and intimate feeling |
| Best For | Contemporary spaces, open floor plans, light-filled rooms | Traditional spaces, bedrooms, cozy living areas |
While the mood difference between them may seem small at first, it really matters once the paint is on the walls. White Dove creates a space with a brighter and more updated feel, while Swiss Coffee makes a room feel warmer, cozier, and a little more timeless.
Best Use Cases of White Dove and Swiss Coffee
White Dove is a great choice for modern and transitional homes, as it brings a fresh, clean look without making spaces feel too cold or sharp.
It works well in north-facing rooms by balancing the cool light, and it looks beautiful on trim and doors, as it stands out just enough while remaining neutral.
It also helps open floor plans feel bright and connected, and it makes smaller rooms appear bigger and more open with minimal effort.
Swiss Coffee is best suited for traditional or farmhouse homes, as its warm tone complements classic features.
It softens strong light in south-facing rooms, adds richness to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and creates a cozy feeling in bedrooms or living spaces. It also complements warm wood tones, such as oak and maple, perfectly.
Conclusion
Both White Dove and Swiss Coffee have become favorites among designers, and each one has earned its place because it brings different strengths to a home.
White Dove offers a brighter, more flexible option that works in almost any room, and its balanced undertones ensure it won’t surprise you with unexpected color changes as the light shifts throughout the day.
Swiss Coffee, on the other hand, brings a warm, cozy feeling that many newer homes need, and its creamy tone adds a sense of age and character that can make spaces feel more welcoming and lived-in.
Instead of saying one color is better than the other, it’s smarter to think about what you need for your own space.
If you’re looking for a fresh, bright, and slightly modern appearance, White Dove will likely be your best choice. If you want a soft, warm, and more traditional feel, Swiss Coffee would be a better fit.
What white paint colors have you tried in your home? I’d love to hear all about your experiences and ideas in the comments below!
If you found this guide helpful, you’ll likely appreciate learning about the ideal rug size for a queen bed—it’s one of those subtle details that can make a significant difference in the overall appearance and ambiance of your room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do White Dove and Swiss Coffee look good together?
Yes, they look great when used together because they create a soft and subtle contrast. White Dove works nicely for trim, while Swiss Coffee on the walls adds a warm touch. The two colors keep the room feeling cohesive while still providing just enough contrast to feel interesting and stylish.
Will Swiss Coffee look yellow over time?
No, Swiss Coffee keeps its creamy, off-white look over time without turning yellow. It may appear a little warmer in rooms with abundant sunlight, but that is part of its natural charm. You won’t have to worry about it changing in a way that makes your space feel outdated.
Can I use White Dove in a bathroom?
Yes, White Dove is a great color choice for bathrooms because it feels bright and clean,, yett not too cold. It reflects light beautifully, making smaller spaces feel larger, and its subtle warmth ensures your bathroom still feels soft and comfortable, rather than looking too sharp or plain.
How do these colors look on exteriors?
White Dove looks crisp and smooth on home exteriors, offering a soft white that doesn’t feel too harsh. Swiss Coffee creates a warmer, or more classic, look outside, giving your home a cozy and lived-in feel. Both colors stay strong against sunlight and weather changes over time.
Do these colors work with gray furniture?
White Dove matches beautifully with all kinds of gray furniture, if the grays are light, dark, warm, or cool. Swiss Coffee pairs best with warmer grays that have a hint of brown or beige. It may clash slightly with cooler blue grays if not paired carefully.
Alex Guerrero, a graduate with a Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, has been a visionary in the world of color and design for over 15 years. His professional journey began in the heart of the fashion industry in Milan, where he developed an acute sense for color harmonies and trends. Alex joined our team in 2018, offering fresh and innovative perspectives on color utilization in various spaces. Renowned for his ability to blend contemporary trends with timeless elegance. Outside of work, Alex is an accomplished painter and a volunteer art therapist, his artistic talents further enriching his professional insights.
