Steam vs Balboa Mist
Steam is a Tikkurila color while Balboa Mist comes from Benjamin Moore. At LRV 79 vs 66, Steam will read as the brighter of the two — a 13-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 6.3, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space.
Steam vs Balboa Mist Color Comparison
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.
Color Details
Steam vs Balboa Mist in Real Spaces
Steam and Balboa Mist are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone. These real-room photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions. Showing 2 room types where both colors have photos.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Steam returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
@haatajan_talo
@mrandmrs.homebody
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Steam will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Balboa Mist would.
@sarikuorikoski
@daniellescoastalstyle
More Steam comparisons
See how Steam stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
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