Benjamin Moore Nelson Blue: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect watery blue paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Benjamin Moore Nelson Blue and if it might be right for your home!

Are you debating between a neutral and a shade with a bit more color? Then blue-green-gray combo paint colors may just be what you need.

These beautiful "chameleon colors" shift with the lighting, making your space feel fresh and dynamic.

One such great option is Nelson Blue. It's airy and soft, versatile enough to use almost anywhere.

In our thorough review, we dig into what makes this color special. Keep reading to learn if Nelson Blue will fit your space.

Nelson Blue, Benjamin Moore, CW-635

Nelson Blue is a soft, watery blue, perfect for creating an airy, relaxed feel.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Nelson Blue

Color Family

Nelson Blue is in the blue family.

Light Reflectance Value

65

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.

With an LRV of 65, Nelson Blue is in the middle – not too light, not too dark. Nelson Blue isn't overly saturated but still provides some color.

RGB Colors

R: 206 G: 214 B: 208

RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!

Hex Code

#CED6D0

Undertones

Nelson Blue is a light blue with green and gray undertones. This gives it a bit of a cool tone.

In south-facing rooms with more natural light, the green undertones may be more apparent. Nelson Blue may also look a bit lighter in these rooms.

In north-facing rooms, Nelson Blue may appear bluer, cooler, and a bit darker.

Best uses

Nelson Blue works great in many spaces, including:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Benjamin Moore Ice Cap
• Behr Salt Glaze
• Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
• Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere
• Behr Curio
• Sherwin Williams Sea Spray
• Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Nelson Blue

Coordinating Colors

Nelson Blue pairs well with both neutrals and bold colors, depending on the look you're going for. It looks great with grays, soft whites, taupes, browns, blacks, blues, greens, and violets.

Mid-dark taupes / grays:

• Carter Gray
• Sparrow
• Randolph Stone
• Roosevelt Taupe
• Gargoyle

Rich blues:

• Bermuda Blue
• Blueberry
• Caribbean Azure
• California Blue
• Ol' Blue Eyes

Soft gray-greens:

• Castle Walls
• Greyhound
• Raindance
• Misted Green
• Imperial Gray

Trim Colors

I like to pair Nelson Blue with a slightly creamy white with warm tones. I think a crisp cool white can have too much contrast.

My favorites include:

Soft white trim colors:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Nelson Blue

FAQS

Here are some frequently asked questions about Nelson Blue.

What's the difference: BM Nelson Blue vs SW Sea Salt?

Nelson Blue and Sea Salt are very similar! Both are muted blue-gray-green hues.

Nelson Blue is slightly darker and more blue; Sea Salt is a bit lighter and more green.

Sea Salt is an extremely popular paint color, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right choice for your home. Swatch both, review them in different lighting, and see which you prefer!

Does Nelson Blue look blue or green?

Nelson Blue has both blue and green tones to it, but it tends to read more blue than green in most lighting situations.

Nelson Blue will appear more blue-green in brighter spaces and bluer in darker spaces.

Is Nelson Blue a neutral?

Most people consider black, white, gray, and tan to be neutral colors. Considering that, no, Nelson Blue is not a neutral paint color.

However, Nelson Blue is soft and muted enough to serve as a great backdrop for many colors and design styles.

So, while it is not a true neutral, Nelson Blue is a fantastic base color and perfect if you want just a touch of color and personality on your walls!

What's the difference: BM Nelson Blue vs Quiet Moments?

Nelson Blue and Quiet Moments share many similarities.

However, Nelson Blue is lighter and more blue, whereas Quiet Moments is darker and more neutral.

Always swatch colors in your space before making a decision—especially when two colors are this close!

What color trim with BM Nelson Blue?

BM Nelson Blue pairs best with a slightly creamy white with warm tones. My favorites are Behr Cameo White, SW Alabaster, and BM White Dove.

I'd avoid a crisp, cool white, as it can have too much contrast with Nelson Blue.

Thanks for reading!