Barren Plain vs Cloud Cover
Both are Benjamin Moore colors. Barren Plain reads as greige-grey, while Cloud Cover reads as beige-greige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 80 vs 62, Cloud Cover will read as the brighter of the two — a 18-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Barren Plain's red character against Cloud Cover's yellow — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 8.4, 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.
Barren Plain vs Cloud Cover in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Barren Plain and Cloud Cover 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. Cloud Cover returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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 Cloud Cover will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Barren Plain would.
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 Cloud Cover will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Barren Plain would.
Color Details
Barren Plain vs Cloud Cover Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Barren Plain on one side and Cloud Cover 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.