Blue Gray vs Lichen
Blue Gray and Lichen come from the same Farrow & Ball collection. Blue Gray reads as blue-greige, while Lichen reads as greige-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 10-point LRV gap — 45 for Blue Gray vs 34 for Lichen — means Blue Gray will open up a space more effectively. Both share a warm character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. ΔE 8.3 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Blue Gray vs Lichen in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Blue Gray and Lichen 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.
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. Blue Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Lichen.
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. Blue Gray 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. Blue Gray 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. Blue Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Blue Gray vs Lichen Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Blue Gray on one side and Lichen 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 Blue Gray comparisons
See how Blue Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
