Balboa vs Dover Surf
Balboa is a Behr color while Dover Surf comes from Valspar. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. At LRV 58 vs 53, Balboa will read as the brighter of the two — a 5-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 7.5, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balboa vs Dover Surf in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Balboa and Dover Surf are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Balboa has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The brightness difference is modest but present — Balboa gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
Balboa vs Dover Surf Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa on one side and Dover Surf on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Balboa comparisons
See how Balboa stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
