Benjamin Moore Muslin Paint Color Review
When choosing a neutral paint color for your home, the options can feel overwhelming. One favorite beige color that stands out for its versatility and warmth is Benjamin Moore Muslin (OC-12).
I’ve used Muslin in my own home and have recommended it in Paint Color Consultations. In today’s paint color review of Muslin, we’ll dive into the undertones, the rooms in your house to use it, which whites pair beautifully with it, and situations where it might not be the best choice. Plus I’ll share my bonus color palettes to inspire your interior decoration!
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The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Muslin
Benjamin Moore Muslin is often described as a warm neutral, but its true charm lies in its subtle undertones. Muslin is a pale beige with a touch of peach or pink. These undertones give it a cozy and inviting feel without being heavy or too gray.
To detect the undertone in a paint color we start by comparing it to a neutral gray paint color. In the example below I’ve compared it, side-by-side, to Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. This way you can see the peachy quality of Muslin.
I don’t want this to scare you off though! The pink undertone is soft enough that the pink doesn’t dominate like other popular pink beige paints, like Sand Dollar by Sherwin Williams. See the difference in the side-by-side comparison below.
The above example shows how the warmth from yellow pigments helps to balance the pink ones.
LRV and How Lighting Affects Muslin
Muslin has a medium light LRV of 66.54 which means it will be light and airy, even in darker lighting conditions.
As with any paint color, lighting plays a significant role in how Muslin appears in a space:
- North-Facing Rooms: In cooler, indirect light, Muslin’s warmth can balance the blue tones often found in north-facing rooms, creating a welcoming and harmonious atmosphere.
- South-Facing Rooms: In bright, warm light, Muslin’s peach undertones may become more pronounced, giving the room a sun-kissed glow.
- Artificial Lighting: Under incandescent lighting, Muslin’s warm tones are amplified, while LED lighting with a cooler temperature can neutralize some of its warmth.
Katie’s Pro Tip, Test First: To make sure the lighting makes this paint look great, first stop off at your local Benjamin Moore paint store or hardware store and borrow a large scale paint chip sample. These can also be purchased from Samplize! It’s great resource if you are painting or renovating.
Tape it up to your wall and observe it in multiple lighting conditions throughout the day. If it looks good, I always recommend brushing out a large area with your paint color before committing. Paint is expensive! It is much better to buy a small jar of it to test than buy a whole gallon and decide it isn’t right! Ask me how I know this (facepalm!)
Best Places to Use Ben Moore Muslin
Muslin’s adaptability makes it a great choice for various spaces. Here are some of the best applications:
Living Rooms
Muslin’s neutral yet warm tone creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for living rooms. Pair it with natural wood tones, soft fabrics, and pops of color in your decor to create a cozy, layered look.
Bedrooms
For bedrooms, Muslin offers a serene and calming backdrop. Its soft warmth works well with both modern and traditional furniture styles, making it a versatile option for creating a restful retreat.
Hallways and Entryways
Hallways and entryways benefit from Muslin’s ability to reflect light without feeling stark. It creates a seamless flow between rooms, especially when paired with coordinating colors from Ben Moore’s neutral palette.
Kitchens and Dining Rooms
In kitchens, Muslin pairs beautifully with warm wood cabinets or white shaker-style cabinetry. Its understated elegance complements various countertop materials, from marble to butcher block. In dining rooms, it provides a neutral canvas that allows artwork or statement furniture to shine.
Coordinating Whites for Benjamin Moore Muslin
Choosing the right white trim and ceiling color is essential to complete the look of a room painted with Muslin. Here are some Benjamin Moore whites that coordinate well:
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65): Chantilly Lace is a crisp, clean white that provides a striking contrast against Muslin. It’s an excellent choice for modern spaces or when you want the trim to stand out.
- Simply White (OC-117): Simply White is a warm white with subtle yellow undertones that complement Muslin’s warmth without overpowering it. This pairing creates a cohesive and inviting look.
- White Dove (OC-17): White Dove is a soft, creamy white that harmonizes beautifully with Muslin. It’s ideal for traditional or transitional spaces where you want a more subtle contrast between walls and trim.
- Mayonnaise (OC-85): This creamy bright white is in keeping with the warmth of Muslin but has a 22-point differential in LRV so it will provide plenty of crisp contrast too.
Muslin Benjamin Moore: When to Avoid
While Muslin is a versatile and appealing neutral, there are certain situations where it may not be the best choice:
Rooms with Cool, Blue Light
In spaces with predominantly cool, blue light—such as north-facing rooms with minimal natural light—Muslin’s warm undertones can sometimes clash or appear too peachy. In these cases, a more neutral beige or greige might be a better option.
Spaces with Minimal Decor
Muslin thrives in rooms with layered textures, patterns, and complementary colors. In minimalist spaces with stark or modern decor, its warm undertones might feel out of place. For these settings, a cooler or more neutral paint color might work better.
Pairing with Cool-Toned Furniture
If your furniture and decor lean heavily towards cool tones like grays, blues, or cool whites, Muslin’s warmth may create an unintended contrast. Opting for a greige or taupe with cooler undertones can provide a more cohesive look.
Muslin Whole House Palette
Below I have two whole-house palettes using Muslin as the main color.
Muslin Paint Palette #1
- If you have an open-concept floor plan you can use Muslin in the entryway, main living space, and any hallways. Then use the other colors in this palette to give each space personality.
- Choose the mid-tones like Muslin, Prairie Grass for common areas like the kitchen and family room.
- Go for a hue with more personality like Pearl for a bedroom or bathroom.
- Use the darker hues like Gloucester Sage and Iron Gate in spaces where you want to create a cozy enveloping atmosphere like an office, bedroom or dining room.
Katie’s Pro Tip: If you are worried about going too dark you can always do a reverse color scheme, by painting the walls white and the darker color as the trim. You can also paint wainscotting or millwork with these deeper hues for a similar effect. For best results use the white for the remaining surfaces.
Muslin Paint Palette #2
In our second color palette I opted for earth-tone inspired colors to create harmony in your space.
- Paint Muslin in the main areas of the house and any hallways, stairwells or spaces where you can see multiple rooms from one place. Its neutral nature will jive with any of these colors without being jarring.
- Choose Deer Field for a bedroom or bathroom.
- Use Nantucket Gray for kitchen cabinets or millwork around a fireplace and bookshelves.
- Go with Stone Lion in a family room for a cozy grounding hue for relaxing at the end of the day.
- For best results use the white paint for the trim and ceiling or try a reverse scheme as I mentioned above.
Still not sure? If you want more help picking out a custom palette just for your home, make an appointment for a Virtual Color Consultation today!
Final Thoughts on Muslin by Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore Muslin is a timeless neutral that brings warmth and elegance to a variety of spaces. Its subtle undertones and versatility make it a reliable choice for creating a welcoming and sophisticated environment. However, as with any paint color, it’s essential to test it in your space and lighting conditions before committing.
Whether you’re refreshing your living room, designing a cozy bedroom, or creating a seamless flow in your entryway, Muslin offers a classic and enduring option that can adapt to your style and decor. Pair it with the right whites, and you’ll have a winning combination that enhances your home’s beauty and charm.
