Soft Fern vs Tranquil Dawn

Soft FernBenjamin MoorevsTranquil DawnDuluxΔE 7.9Noticeable difference

Soft Fern (Benjamin Moore) and Tranquil Dawn (Dulux) come from different manufacturers. Soft Fern reads as beige-greige, while Tranquil Dawn reads as green-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 57 vs 55 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Soft Fern leans yellow, Tranquil Dawn reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 7.9 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.

Soft Fern vs Tranquil Dawn in Real Spaces

2 real rooms side by side. Soft Fern and Tranquil Dawn are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.

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. Tranquil Dawn reads more restrained here, while Soft Fern adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.

Soft FernBenjamin Moore Soft Fern bathroom color

@kristikrausshome

Tranquil DawnDulux Tranquil Dawn bathroom paint

@thesuffolkmanse

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. Tranquil Dawn reads more restrained here, while Soft Fern adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.

Soft FernBenjamin Moore Soft Fern kitchen cabinets color

@bacustomcabinets

Tranquil DawnTranquil Dawn kitchen cabinets color review

@everythingsrosiedecorating

Color Details

Soft Fern
Benjamin Moore · 2144-40
Hex#C8CAB2
LRV56.7
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number2144-40
UndertoneYellow
TemperatureWarm
BrightnessMedium
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux · 45GY 55/052
Hex#BDC3B9
LRV55.0
BrandDulux
Number45GY 55/052
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium

Soft Fern vs Tranquil Dawn Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Soft Fern on one side and Tranquil Dawn on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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 Soft Fern comparisons

See how Soft Fern stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

White Dove
Soft Fern
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove is the lighter choice

Ammonite
Soft Fern
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reads noticeably lighter

Iron Ore
Soft Fern
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Purbeck Stone
Soft Fern
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Soft Fern reads slightly lighter

Evergreen Fog
Soft Fern
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Mizzle
Soft Fern
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Soft Fern reads slightly lighter

Agreeable Gray
Soft Fern
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Agreeable Gray reads slightly lighter

Denim Drift
Soft Fern
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Balboa Mist
Soft Fern
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist reads slightly lighter

Vintage Vogue
Soft Fern
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Pale Green
Soft Fern
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Pine Needle
Soft Fern
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Cement grey
Soft Fern
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Just Walnut
Soft Fern
Just Walnut
Dulux
Just Walnut
LRV 72

Just Walnut reads noticeably lighter

Black grey
Soft Fern
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Piazza
Soft Fern
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza reads slightly lighter

Humble Yellow
Soft Fern
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Nearly identical in tone

Windmill Lane
Soft Fern
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Senses
Soft Fern
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Soft Fern reads noticeably lighter

Lamp Black
Soft Fern
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Soft Fern
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Nearly identical in tone

Tea with Florence
Soft Fern
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Thames Fog
Soft Fern
Thames Fog
Valspar
Thames Fog
LRV 27

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Ocean Abyss
Soft Fern
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

Classic Silver
Soft Fern
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Soft Fern reads slightly lighter

Teton Blue
Soft Fern
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Soft Fern is the lighter choice

RAL 110-2
Soft Fern
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-1
Soft Fern
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 reads noticeably lighter

Paper
Soft Fern
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

Passageway
Soft Fern
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Soft Fern is the lighter choice