When it comes to paint colors that feel both current and classic, check out the paint color October Mist 1495 by Benjamin Moore. As part of their beloved Classic Color Collection, this soft sage green is a gorgeous, and one of the most versatile hues for a wide variety of surfaces. It was named Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Color of the Year—a title it more than lives up to. October Mist is part of a beautiful wave of inspired hues; earthy, botanical tones that bring a sense of calm and subtle sophistication to your home.
October Mist offers a calm, nature-inspired vibe with just the right balance of color and neutrality.
In this post, I’ll dive into everything you need to know: from undertones and lighting, finishes and coordinating shades, and where to use this popular color.
October Mist is a muted sage green with a soft gray undertone, giving it a refined and almost ethereal quality. It brings a sense of calm and grounded-ness to a space, offering a subtle pop of color without being loud. October Mist is “usable color” and a designer favorite for good reason.
This shade is part of Benjamin Moore’s Classic Color Collection, a curated lineup of timeless, go-to hues. These classic colors are carefully chosen for their adaptability and enduring appeal across a variety of design styles. It’s one of those color favorites that works across trends and seasons.
October Mist leans slightly warm, thanks to its green-yellow base, but its gray undertones keep it from feeling overly warm or too crisp. This makes it a perfect chameleon for spaces that shift lighting throughout the day. It can read warmer in southern-facing rooms with natural light, and cooler in rooms with artificial lighting or northern exposure or east-facing rooms in the afternoon.
This balance of warm and cool tones makes October Mist a flexible choice that complements a wide range of other paint colors, materials, and finishes. It’s a true warm green that still blends with both warm colors and cooler schemes.
The LRV of October Mist is 46.54, placing it in the light-medium range on the Light Reflectance Value scale, which runs from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). This range is ideal for wall colors, especially in rooms where you want color presence without the visual weight of a darker tone.
In bright natural light, October Mist appears more luminous and airy. In dimmer spaces or in corners with less direct light, it gains richness and depth—giving your walls subtle dimension throughout the day. It won’t wash out like a flat white, but it also won’t overpower your space.
October Mist has an LRV of 46.54, placing it in the light-medium range. This makes it a great option for rooms with plenty of natural light—it brightens beautifully without washing out like whites or lighter off-whites can. You’ll notice that it softens where the light hits but still holds its color in shaded areas, giving your walls subtle dimension throughout the day.
October Mist is a sage green first and foremost, but its undertones are what give it character. It carries a noticeable dose of gray that tones down the green and makes the hue more sophisticated. This gives it a fresh look that feels modern but not trendy.
Because of this gray infusion, October Mist works beautifully as a green-gray, adding just the right amount of color vitality without feeling overly saturated. It’s a low-chroma color, which means it’s less vibrant and more muted than many other greens—ideal for a calm, understated effect.
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Before committing to a color and an expensive paint job, you absolutely must try a sample of the color you’re considering in your space in different lighting (day and night). Using a peel and stick paint sample is cleaner, easier to use, more affordable, environmentally friendly and an all around good idea.
1. Cost-Effective: They’re more budget-friendly than traditional methods, which often require purchasing sample pots, rollers, and tag boards.
2. Easy to Use: Keep your Samplize samples on their white paper backing and you can effortlessly move them around the room to see how they look in different lighting conditions.
3. Speedy Delivery: Samplize samples arrive at your doorstep in just one day, depending on your location.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE to explore their range of options.
Because the paint color October Mist is such a well-balanced hue, it pairs well with a wide variety of accent colors and finishes. It creates harmony in both neutral and bold color schemes.
Its soft sage tone and subtle gray undertones create a calming balance against the warmth and richness of these wood tones, including honey oak, maple, and cherry wood. Instead of competing, the paint color October Mist complements and modernizes them, allowing the natural wood to feel intentional and refreshed.
Whether you’re working with golden honey oak in a kitchen or deeper cherry trim in a living room, October Mist is a designer-approved way to soften and elevate those existing features without painting them out completely.
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October Mist performs beautifully across Benjamin Moore’s premium product lines, offering flexibility not only in color but also in high-end finishes. For interior walls, two top choices are Benjamin Moore Aura and Benjamin Moore Regal Select Paint.
For rooms like living rooms or hallways, the slight sheen of eggshell is the most popular finish. It sits in the middle of the sheen spectrum, providing a soft glow without highlighting imperfections. If you prefer the look of a matte finish but need just a bit more durability, eggshell is a go-to.
A luxurious matte finish is a great choice for bedrooms, offering a soft, low-sheen look. For cabinets and trim, a satin or semi-gloss finish is recommended.
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Wondering how much paint to order? A rough estimate is one gallon for every 350–425 square feet, depending on the texture and condition of your walls. Knowing your precise paint needs can help you plan for two full coats of paint, which is typically what it takes to achieve beautiful results.
October Mist checks all the boxes: it’s timeless, and works across design styles. From farmhouse and modern to traditional and transitional. It aligns with the time-honored tradition of Benjamin Moore producing classic colors that never feel dated.
It also connects beautifully to nature, making it a grounding, earthy backdrop for interiors filled with natural textures like wood, linen, stone, and ceramic. In an era where wellness and calm are priorities in our homes, October Mist helps establish that mood.
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If you’re searching for an earthy color that offers personality without overpowering, the paint color October Mist is an excellent choice.
As part of the Classic Color Collection, Benjamin Moore October Mist is a tried-and-true favorite. Whether you’re creating a color scheme for a new build or updating a space with existing wood tones, October Mist offers a fresh look and a sense of calm that feels right at home.
Be sure to check out my other paint color reviews for more inspiration.
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12 Responses
What color would you recommend for the ceiling while using Morning Dew? I absolutely love that color!!
Hi Melody! Thank you for your question, and it is an important one that most don’t think about. If you are wanting to paint the ceiling something other than the standard ceiling bright white, then I would choose a lighter color than the walls by two to three shades on the fan deck. In this case I’d try a sample of OC-137 Sebring White. They key being to first sample it on a board (2-3 coats) and see how you like it in the light of day and at night. I hope this helps!
Melody is so right, ceiling colors are way more important than we give them credit for! Loving these BM colors Carla!
My living-room has a huge honey oak built in. I’m wanting to update the yellow tinted walls and trim. I love October Mist and I think it would work! What trim color do you suggest to go with October Mist?
The living room also opens up to the dining room area and the kitchen is right off of it. The kitchen has light yellow/beige tile countertops and the cabinets are a cream color. I am lost and overwhelmed as to what to paint these rooms. Later down the road I’m sure the counter tops will be replaced, but for now they stay. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Dawn! I love White Dove by Benjamin Moore is a soft off-white, as well as Snowbound by Sherwin Williams. If you need more specific advice, I have a new affordable and fast design service that is done all online: https://carlabast.com/get-fast-and-affordable-interior-design-advice/
Hi!
I am wondering what color to do my kitchen walls. Honey oak cabinets, I was thinking october mist. My dining room is chelsea gray with Chantilly lace trim
What are your thoughts?
If it will work with your countertops, October Mist is a beautiful shade with Honey Oak. Did you see my post about this fabulous color? https://carlabast.com/the-benjamin-moore-color-of-the-year/
Hello- I have honey oak cabinets in my kitchen. I am going to change out the hardware for black or oil-rubbed brass. I have an antique white Spanish Laced ceiling but have no idea what to paint the walls. I have BM classic grey in the living room that is next to the kitchen. The floors need to be replaced but not sure when. Would like to get a new counter top which is a light beige Formica something. Any suggests what I could paint the walls which have been recently patched? A color that would go with any new flooring or countertops or backsplash? Or am I going about this wrong? Thank your!
Hello. I love this color! Do you know what Sherwin William’s paint color this is closest too? Thank you!
Hi Jill, isn’t it pretty, I love it too! Try Evergreen Fog, Oyster Bay and Contented form Sherwin Williams!
i have golden oak cabinets. my counter tops are tan with brown specks. walls are dove white and the backsplash is tan tiles that look like bricks. i would love to paint my bar stools october mist. what do you think of this color or what color would you recommend for a little bit of pop
Hi Donna, Thank you for your question! It is hard to recommend an accent color without some photos of your kitchen and the surrounding spaces. I offer a Q & A service that might be a great fit for you. Here is the link: https://carlabastdesign.next.mydomastudio.com/store/e-design-virtualdesignservices/AskMeAnything-Q-AWithCarlaBast-1638998215384