Imperial Gray vs Pigeon
Imperial Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Pigeon (Farrow & Ball) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Imperial Gray belongs to the green-grey family and Pigeon to the grey family. The 4-point LRV gap — 51 for Pigeon vs 47 for Imperial Gray — means Pigeon will open up a space more effectively. Where Imperial Gray leans green, Pigeon reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 10.0 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 Pigeon in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Imperial Gray and Pigeon 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. Pigeon has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Pigeon has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Imperial Gray vs Pigeon Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Imperial Gray on one side and Pigeon 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.
At LRV 69 vs 47, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (52 vs 47) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 30, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 60 vs 47, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 58 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (47 vs 43) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 4, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Imperial Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 44), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 47, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 21, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (47 vs 41) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
With LRVs of 47 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 47 vs 31, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 7, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.