SOURCE: AKB Design
It should be a surprise to nobody that I’m talking about Benjamin Moore Pale Oak again. This is one of my very favourite neutral paint colours and I love it so much that I painted my own home with it. For those of you who love to know what designers are doing in their own homes, this is a sneak peek into my design style.
Over the last couple of years we’ve seen a massive switch from gray being the primary neutral to warmer, more beige-toned neutrals. From creamy white to deeply saturated sand, warm neutrals are showing up everywhere. If you’re new to neutrals you might wonder how one can be superior to another. Neutral paint colours can range from cool to warm but the biggest differentiator is due to undertones.
Table of Contents
Understanding Undertones
SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
The main reason we experience issues with paint is because of the undertones. What looks great in the paint store under their bright light might look like a completely different colour in your own home. This is usually because of the undertones and while it’s most impacted when using a neutral paint colour it can happen with dark colours as well.
All neutral paint has undertones of green, blue or pink/violet. It’s possible to have an undertone that’s a combination of these but one or more of these exist as an undertone in all neutral paint. This is what makes each neutral unique but it’s also why many of you are picking the wrong neutral colours.
Pale Oak’s Undertones
Like I mentioned, every neutral has an undertone and this one leans toward pink. Before you turn away thinking I don’t want a pink room just bear in mind that the word is “undertone”. The colour is greige but in certain instances you’re going to notice that slight hint of pink arises. This becomes more problematic If your other fixed elements in the space don’t play nicely with that. That’s where you’ll be bothered by it.
Seeing the undertone is not a bad thing. You might love that if you’re trying to create an office or a girl’s bedroom. However, if this colour is going into your living room and you live in a home full of boys and men you might not be looking for a paint that reads pink. If you want to neutralize the undertone of Pale Oak don’t add more of the same but rather look at adding in blues and greens to help pull out the gray in the greige. Learn more about Pale Oak by reading this full review.
Pale Oak vs Other Warm Neutrals
SOURCE: Decoholic
So how does Pale Oak compare to the other popular neutral paint colours? I’ve previously explored the difference between Pale Oak and Classic Gray which you can read here. We can’t stop here so let’s explore all the ways that we compare colours in order to determine which is best for your home.
Pale Oak vs Universal Khaki
Immediately the difference between these two colours is noticeable. Universal Khaki is a much deeper greige colour with slight yellow undertones. On occasion the yellow undertones can also lean green depending on the lighting in your room. As always, test before you begin with any new paint colour.
Where all things are equal, look to the room’s lighting to help decide whether you need a lighter or darker neutral. If you’re painting a space that gets a lot of natural light you may want to lean towards the darker Universal Khaki. It’s possible for Pale Oak to become overly washed out by too much natural light in a space. The result can be a dull neutral that looks white so always consider the room’s lighting conditions.
Pale Oak vs Edgecomb Gray
If you’re a colour lover you are likely very familiar with Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray. This has been one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular neutrals for decades. These colours are both so similar that you might be wondering if there actually is a difference between them. The difference is very subtle but Edgecomb Gray is ever so slightly darker than Pale Oak.
And we know we have to explore undertones in order to truly assess which colour is best for our home. To further add to the complication, these two colours both have a similar pink undertone although Edgecomb Gray has been known to lean green in some lighting.
Pale Oak is consistent in its colour even when the lighting is changing. Edgecomb Gray tends to be a bit more unpredictable. It needs natural light to shine but beware of the undertones and test it out to watch it change throughout the day and into the evening.
Pale Oak vs Shoji White
This one might feel like an easier comparison because the difference is obvious at first glance. Shoji White looks more like a warm off-white versus the definitive taupe of Pale Oak.
Shoji White is light and bright but the most important consideration is how much lighting exists. This colour can become washed out and appear as a strong white paint if used in a room with tons of natural light flowing through it.
The undertones of Shoji lean towards pink but as with many complex colours, there are sometimes other undertones peeking through, particularly yellow.
Pale Oak vs Aesthetic White
It might not be obvious from these images but Aesthetic White is our first neutral with a violet undertone. This makes it a cooler version of a neutral and will work best in spaces with some natural light to keep your space from becoming too cold.
Aesthetic White is naturally brighter than Pale Oak but don’t let the name fool you. This is actually a beige neutral and not a white as the name would suggest.
Best Pairings for Neutral Paint
You might think you’re limited when using a neutral paint but it’s quite the opposite. Not to worry because neutrals are flexible and work well with both deep, saturated colours as well as white paint options. I think there’s nothing more classic than a taupe and white combination.
Dark colours like forest green or navy look wonderful with any shade of beige, taupe or sand. If you have a lot of dark furniture and you want to lighten the room a neutral will be your best friend for the job.
These are some of my go-to white, off-white and colourful options for paint colours to use with your neutral paint. If these colours don’t work for your space, download this free Pale Oak Colour Palette which includes 6 paint palettes that include Pale Oak.
Want more colour options? I’ve highlighted my favourite beige paint colours in this post. Interested in greige paint colours? Read this post.
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed when it comes to selecting neutral paint colours, reach out to me. I’d love to help you select all your home’s colours and help you create a home you love.
