Behr Blank Canvas vs Behr Swiss Coffee: Let's compare!

Looking for the perfect warm white paint color for your home? Let's compare Blank Canvas vs Swiss Coffee to see if one might be perfect for your space!

Warm whites are always a winner. They’re cozy, inviting, and work with just about anything.

Whether your style leans modern, rustic, or somewhere in between, a warm white can bring your space together beautifully.

Today, I’m comparing two of the most popular warm whites out there—Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee.

These two paint colors are so similar that picking one can feel impossible.

But don’t worry—I’ll walk you through the differences so you can choose the perfect one for your space.

Read my full review of Blank Canvas

Read my full review of Swiss Coffee

Blank Canvas vs Swiss Coffee

Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee have a lot of similarities!

What is similar about Blank Canvas vs Swiss Coffee?

Here’s the thing: Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee have a lot in common.

They’re both warm whites with an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 84.

If you’re not familiar, LRV measures how much light a color reflects on a scale of 0 to 100.

With an 84, these colors are bright enough to keep your space feeling light and airy, but still creamy and warm.

Their RGB codes are so close, only the "blue" section is one number difference. (Blank Canvas is R: 241 G: 237 B: 225, Swiss Coffee is R: 241 G: 237 B:224). Crazy, right?!

And yes, both colors have slight yellow undertones, which make them feel soft and inviting.

They’re versatile enough to use in any room and even as a whole house paint color.

What is different about Blank Canvas vs Swiss Coffee?

While these two colors are super similar, they’re not exactly the same.

Blank Canvas has a mix of gray and brown undertones in addition to yellow. This gives it a more neutral, balanced look. If you want a warm white that doesn’t feel too creamy, Blank Canvas is a great choice.

Swiss Coffee, on the other hand, leans a bit warmer with stronger yellow undertones. It has a softer, creamier vibe that feels cozy and inviting, especially in spaces with lots of natural light.

Here’s a fun fact: Swiss Coffee has been a fan favorite for years, but Blank Canvas is the new star. It was named Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year, and I’ve seen it popping up everywhere.

	Blank Canvas	Swiss Coffee
LRV	84	84
RBG	R: 241 G: 237 B: 225	R: 241 G: 237 B:224
Undertones	warm: slight yellow, brown and gray	warm: slight yellow

Light Reflectance Value

One thing I’ve learned about paint (sometimes the hard way) is that light changes everything.

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee both have an LRV of 84, which means both absorb and reflect the same amount of light into a room. Neither is lighter or darker than the other.

Generally, anything with an LRV from 72-82 is considered off-white, with anything higher than 82 being true white.

So, Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee are both true whites, although they are pretty close to that off-white category so both are a bit creamier than many other true whites.

Undertones

Blank Canvas has creamy neutral undertones. It is pretty neutral with slight yellow, brown, and gray undertones. Swiss Coffee has slight yellow undertones.

Due to their undertones, Blank Canvas is slightly more neutral and Swiss Coffee is slightly more creamy.

Both are warm paint colors. Blank Canvas and Swiss Coffee will both look warmer and creamier in south-facing rooms with lots of natural light.

Both colors will look a bit more neutral / whiter in north-facing rooms that lack natural light.

How do I decide between these two colors?

If you’re stuck, I totally get it. These two are so similar that it can feel like splitting hairs. But here’s how I’d decide:

• Go with Blank Canvas if you want a neutral, balanced white that works well in any room or lighting. It’s perfect if you’re not a fan of too much creaminess.
• Choose Swiss Coffee if you want a warmer, cozier feel. It’s a great option for spaces where you want a little extra softness and comfort.

When I was picking a warm white for my own home, I grabbed samples of both. Seeing them on my walls in different lighting made all the difference.

Thanks for reading!

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