What makes a light blue “light” in terms of paint colors? Its Light Reflectance Value (LRV). That’s the scale used to determine how to classify the lightness or darkness of paint colors, and it’s based on how much light a paint color reflects back on a scale of 0–100. The general understanding is that dark colors fall in 0–40, medium in 40–60, and light in 60–100.
With that said, my own interpretation of light colors falls in the range of about 50–100, meaning that these paint colors reflect over half of the light that hits them. So keep that in mind, and let’s dive into my five favorite Benjamin Moore light blue paint colors.
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
If you’re looking for a beautiful soft blue-green, BM Palladian Blue may be the perfect fit for you. It’s also one of my favorite haint blue paint colors, and I used it on my own porch ceiling. With an LRV of 60.4, this color sits right on the border of the classic division between medium and light paint colors. That means that it will look very light and bright in direct sunlight but never moody, even in shady corners, which you can see in the dining room above. BM Palladian Blue is vibrant, but its slight gray undertone softens it, making it a sophisticated option for traditional spaces.
Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue
If you’re looking for a blue with a similar lightness (LRV of 60.65) to BM Palladian Blue but less green, look no further than BM Woodlawn Blue. This is another beautiful haint blue paint color for porches that also gives a light and airy feel to any room. BM Woodlawn Blue still has a touch of green, and Benjamin Moore describes it as bringing to mind a “fine crystal.”
Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray
This soft gray is reminiscent of, you guessed it, Wedgwood pottery. But notice how Benjamin Moore had to add an E to avoid copyright violation. I see you, Benjamin Moore. BM Wedgewood Gray is a beautiful traditional blue with a heavy dose of gray undertone that gives it a soft, almost powdery look. Be aware that with blues like this, it may simply look gray in low light or to visitors with poor color perception. And unlike a true Wedgwood blue pottery color, BM Wedgewood Gray also has a green undertone that gives it a subtle aqua-like appearance that will be more pronounced in rooms with warm light. With an LRV of 49.59, this color is slightly darker than the previous two light blues.
Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue
If you’re looking for a soft blue green, BM Wythe Blue is a great pick. With an LRV of 48.11, it has a similar lightness to BM Wedgewood Gray but more saturation with an obvious green undertone. If you like aquas but don’t want a color that will appear too vibrant and bold, even in direct sunlight, this is a beautiful option for you. And, in my opinion, a perfect front door color option.
Benjamin Moore Yarmouth Blue
And finally, if you’re tired of all of these blue-green options, you always have BM Yarmouth Blue to consider. This is a soft airy blue that’s slightly lighter than BM Wedgewood Gray with an LRV of 55.82. This is a true cool blue with a subtle gray undertone that doesn’t overshadow the blue. Even in the shadows, as you can see in the bathroom above, BM Yarmouth Blue still holds as a true blue. This light blue pairs perfectly with white trim in a traditional room.
I hope this guide was helpful to you as you search for your perfect light blue paint color! For more free color suggestions, check out the rest of my favorite paint colors.
