Imperial Gray vs Nelson Blue
Imperial Gray and Nelson Blue come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Imperial Gray reads as green-grey, while Nelson Blue reads as blue-green — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 19-point LRV gap — 65 for Nelson Blue vs 47 for Imperial Gray — means Nelson Blue will open up a space more effectively. Both share a green character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 10.6 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Imperial Gray vs Nelson Blue in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Imperial Gray and Nelson Blue in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Nelson Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Nelson Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Imperial Gray vs Nelson Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Imperial Gray on one side and Nelson Blue 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 Imperial Gray comparisons
See how Imperial Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
