Balboa Mist vs Gardenia
Both are Benjamin Moore colors. Balboa Mist reads as beige-greige, while Gardenia reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 85 vs 66, Gardenia will read as the brighter of the two — a 20-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. They share a red quality — useful to know if you're layering them in the same space. At ΔE 9.3, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balboa Mist vs Gardenia in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Balboa Mist and Gardenia 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. Gardenia returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Gardenia will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Gardenia will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
Color Details
Balboa Mist vs Gardenia Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa Mist on one side and Gardenia 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 Mist comparisons
See how Balboa Mist stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
