Looking for the perfect white paint color for your home? Let’s compare SW Dover White vs BM Swiss Coffee to see if one might be perfect for your space!
Warm white paint colors are a popular choice because they provide the neutral backdrop of a white paint color while also giving a room some warmth. If cool whites feel too stark and cold, warm whites may be a great option for you!
Whites, in general, are a popular choice because they pair well with virtually any decor style and finish.
There are several warm whites out there, and some fall into the off-white paint category. It’s important to look at undertones and color depth numbers before deciding on a paint color!
Today I want to compare two super popular shades of warm white paint – SW Dover White and BM Swiss Coffee (not to be confused with Behr Swiss Coffee!).
Let’s talk about the difference between these two popular shades.
Read my full review of Dover White
Read my full review of Swiss Coffee
Dover White vs Swiss Coffee
Dover White and BM Swiss Coffee are both neutral warm white paint colors that are light and bright enough to work in a lot of homes.
They both have warm undertones, but their LRVs mean Dover White is technically a true white and Swiss Coffee an off-white!
What is similar about Dover White vs Swiss Coffee?
Dover White and Swiss Coffee are similar white paint colors. Their LRVs are only one number apart, so they are similar in color depth.
Dover White and Swiss Coffee both have warm yellow undertones, although Swiss Coffee also has some other undertones as outlined below.
Both colors are neutral enough that they work great as whole-house paint colors.
What is different about Dover White vs Swiss Coffee?
Overall, Dover White is lighter and cooler, and Swiss Coffee is darker and warmer.
Dover White and Swiss Coffee have slightly different LRVs. Dover White is a touch lighter at 83, and Swiss Coffee is a touch darker at 82.
Their LRV numbers mean that technically Dover White is a true white, and Swiss Coffee is an off-white.
While both Dover White and Swiss Coffee have warm undertones, Dover White has warm golden yellow undertones, and Swiss Coffee has warm yellow and beige undertones, along with a hint of green.
This means Swiss Coffee is a bit warmer, and Dover White is a bit cooler.
| Dover White | Swiss Coffee | |
| LRV | 83 | 82 |
| RBG | R:240 G:234 B:220 | R:237 G:234 B:224 |
| Undertones | warm: golden yellow | warm: yellow/beige, slightly green |
Light Reflectance Value
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 LRVs of 83 (Dover White) and 82 (Swiss Coffee), these two colors are very similar.
They reflect and absorb about the same amount of light back into a room. However, Dover White is slightly lighter, and Swiss Coffee is slightly darker.
Dover White is a true white, and Swiss Coffee is an off-white. Generally, anything with an LRV from 72-82 is considered off-white, with anything higher than 82 being true white.
Undertones
Dover White and Swiss Coffee both have warm undertones.
Dover White has warm golden yellow undertones, and Swiss Coffee has warm yellow and beige undertones, along with slight green undertones.
Both colors will look a bit warmer in south-facing rooms with lots of natural light and slightly cooler in north-facing rooms without much natural light.
Swiss Coffee’s green undertones may be more apparent in north-facing rooms with cool lighting or in rooms with LED light bulbs.
It’s very important to swatch colors on your wall to make sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
How do I decide between these two colors?
Both Dover White and Swiss Coffee are popular paint colors for a reason: they look great in many spaces!
If you want a true white or something a bit cooler, go with Dover White.
For an off-white or something a bit warmer, go with Swiss Coffee.
However, if your space is at all dark or gets north-facing lighting, I suggest sticking away from Swiss Coffee. It could read as slightly green in these circumstances.
Dover White Paint Color Palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Still not sure what paint color to choose?
My Paint Color Formula ebook walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!
Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.