Imperial Gray vs Paper
Where Imperial Gray belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Paper is a Tikkurila color. Hue-wise, Imperial Gray belongs to the green-grey family and Paper to the beige-greige family. Paper (LRV 88) reflects noticeably more light than Imperial Gray (LRV 47), a difference of 42 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 21.4, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Imperial Gray vs Paper in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Imperial Gray and Paper in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Paper reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Imperial Gray.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Paper reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Imperial Gray.
Color Details
Imperial Gray vs Paper Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Imperial Gray on one side and Paper 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.
