Balboa Mist vs Heron Plume
Balboa Mist is a Benjamin Moore color while Heron Plume comes from Sherwin-Williams. These are both beige-greiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige-greige to land. At LRV 75 vs 66, Heron Plume will read as the brighter of the two — a 10-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Balboa Mist's red character against Heron Plume's warm — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 4.0, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balboa Mist vs Heron Plume in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Balboa Mist and Heron Plume 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. Heron Plume returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Heron Plume will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The LRV gap is large enough that Heron Plume will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
Dining Room
Dining room light is typically the warmest in the house, which shifts both colors toward the red end of the spectrum compared to daylight. Heron Plume reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Balboa Mist.
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 Heron Plume 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 Heron Plume will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
Color Details
Balboa Mist vs Heron Plume Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa Mist on one side and Heron Plume 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.
