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Brands · answered by Fini

Is there a cheaper alternative to Benjamin Moore October Mist?

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Quick answer

Yes — Dulux Green Ivy is the closest match at ΔE 1, which is effectively imperceptible to the eye, and it'll cost you a fair bit less than Benjamin Moore.

October Mist is one of Benjamin Moore's most popular soft sage-greys — a quiet, grounded green that sits beautifully in north and east light. It's a lovely colour, but Benjamin Moore carries a premium price tag in the UK, so wanting a cheaper route is fair enough.

The standout alternative is Dulux Green Ivy (LRV 47.1). It comes in at ΔE 1 from October Mist, which is below the threshold of what the human eye can perceive in normal conditions — put them side by side on a wall and you genuinely won't be able to tell which is which. Dulux is widely stocked, available in proper trade-grade emulsions, and a good chunk cheaper per litre. For most people this is the answer, mate.

If you want other options: Crown Sow Good (LRV 51.1) sits at ΔE 3 — close, but it reads a touch lighter and slightly fresher because of the higher LRV. COAT Next Tuesday (LRV 41.3) is ΔE 3.3 and lands a bit deeper and more saturated, so it'll feel more enveloping on the wall. Both are perfectly usable matches, just not as tight as Green Ivy.

The "but what about" worry: paint colour isn't only about the pigment — sheen and finish change how a colour reads. Benjamin Moore's flat finishes are famously chalky and low-glare, which flatters greens like this. If you go with Dulux, choose a flat matt or matt emulsion rather than a soft sheen to keep that same soft, mineral quality. October Mist in eggshell vs Dulux in vinyl matt won't behave identically even at ΔE 1.

Practical advice: order a sample pot of Green Ivy, paint two coats on a bit of lining paper (A2 size, not a postage stamp), and move it around the room across the day before you commit. A near-perfect match on paper still needs checking in your own light.

Colours from the answer

LRV 46.54
Benjamin Moore
October Mist
LRV 47.1
Dulux
Green Ivy
LRV 51.1
Crown
Sow Good
LRV 41.3
COAT
Next Tuesday

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