Barren Plain vs Guild Grey
Barren Plain (Benjamin Moore) and Guild Grey (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Barren Plain reads as greige-grey, while Guild Grey reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 62 vs 63 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Barren Plain leans red, Guild Grey reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 0.9 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Barren Plain vs Guild Grey Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Barren Plain on one side and Guild Grey 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 Barren Plain comparisons
See how Barren Plain stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
