Cloud Nine vs Iron Ore
Cloud Nine (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Cloud Nine belongs to the yellow family and Iron Ore to the grey family. The 78-point LRV gap — 84 for Cloud Nine vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Cloud Nine will open up a space more effectively. Where Cloud Nine leans yellow, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 65.9 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Cloud Nine vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Cloud Nine and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Cloud Nine reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Iron Ore.
Dining Room
Dining rooms often rely on warm incandescent or candlelight, which flatters warm undertones and mutes cool ones. The LRV gap is large enough that Cloud Nine will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Iron Ore would.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Cloud Nine returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Cloud Nine returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Cloud Nine vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cloud Nine on one side and Iron Ore 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 Cloud Nine comparisons
See how Cloud Nine stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
