Balsam vs Hazel Gaze

BalsamPPGvsHazel GazeSherwin-WilliamsΔE 2.0Subtle difference

Where Balsam belongs to PPG's range, Hazel Gaze is a Sherwin-Williams color. These are both green-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within green-grey to land. They have nearly identical light reflectance values (53 vs 51), so they'll read as similarly Medium in most lighting conditions. At ΔE 2.0, these are close — the kind of difference that matters when choosing between them, but doesn't read strongly in a finished room. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.

Color Details

Balsam
PPG · PPG1128-4
Hex#bec4b7
LRV53.0
BrandPPG
NumberPPG1128-4
Undertone
Temperature
BrightnessMedium
Hazel Gaze
Sherwin-Williams · 9652
Hex#B8BFB1
LRV50.5
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number9652
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium

Balsam vs Hazel Gaze Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balsam on one side and Hazel Gaze 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 Balsam comparisons

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

White Dove
Balsam
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove is the lighter choice

Ammonite
Balsam
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reads noticeably lighter

Iron Ore
Balsam
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Balsam is the lighter choice

Purbeck Stone
Balsam
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Nearly identical in tone

Evergreen Fog
Balsam
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Balsam reads noticeably lighter

Mizzle
Balsam
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Nearly identical in tone

Agreeable Gray
Balsam
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Agreeable Gray reads slightly lighter

Denim Drift
Balsam
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Balsam is the lighter choice

Tranquil Dawn
Balsam
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux
Tranquil Dawn
LRV 55

Nearly identical in tone

Balboa Mist
Balsam
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist reads noticeably lighter

Vintage Vogue
Balsam
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Balsam is the lighter choice

Pale Green
Balsam
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Balsam reads noticeably lighter

Pine Needle
Balsam
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Balsam is the lighter choice

Cement grey
Balsam
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Balsam is the lighter choice

Black grey
Balsam
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Balsam is the lighter choice

Piazza
Balsam
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza reads slightly lighter

Humble Yellow
Balsam
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Humble Yellow reads slightly lighter

Windmill Lane
Balsam
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Balsam reads noticeably lighter

Senses
Balsam
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Balsam reads slightly lighter

Lamp Black
Balsam
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Balsam is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Balsam
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Nearly identical in tone

Tea with Florence
Balsam
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Balsam is the lighter choice

Thames Fog
Balsam
Thames Fog
Valspar
Thames Fog
LRV 27

Balsam is the lighter choice

Ocean Abyss
Balsam
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Balsam is the lighter choice

Classic Silver
Balsam
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Balsam reads slightly lighter

Teton Blue
Balsam
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Balsam reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-2
Balsam
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-1
Balsam
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 is the lighter choice

Paper
Balsam
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

Passageway
Balsam
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Balsam is the lighter choice