Read about Benjamin Moore First Light, and see 15 real homes that use it!
Benjamin Moore First Light (2102-70) is a subtle, neutral pale pink paint color that adds creamy softness to any room.
Sometimes white is too bright, and gray and beige are too neutral. In those moments, you just need to let loose a little and enjoy some color!
Have you considered painting a subdued pink in your home? I’m not talking about bubblegum or even flamingo pink. Nope, I’m thinking of a very light pink with moderate gray undertones to make it neutral with just a hint of color.
First Light is a whimsical yet mellow pale pink that brings to mind a romantic rose or a springtime cherry blossom, providing a hint of color that’s muted but lovely.
Highlighted as Benjamin Moore’s 2020 Color of the Year, it’s inspired by the pastel blush pink color of the sky when the day’s first rays of sun begin to shine from the eastern horizon. Poetic, right?
If you’re thinking about giving your home (or part of it!) a facelift, my ongoing paint series of in-depth color reviews will help you find the perfect shade! I want to eliminate some of the frustration most people experience when picking new paint colors by helping you painlessly learn what works and what doesn’t with your home or decor.
Today’s addition to the paint post series is one you may not know of, but you definitely don’t want to miss! Let me introduce you to Benjamin Moore First Light.
What color is First Light?
BM First Light is probably different than what you’re initially imagining. This muted pastel pink shade exudes chic elegance and sophistication without being overwhelmingly pink.
It’s a soft, feminine shade that offers a refreshing alternative to the interior design world’s palette of go-to neutrals. This airy pink will flatter any space and add a refreshing, light-hearted vibe!
At times it will lean into its pink base, while at others, it will appear more muted or even washed out to a soft off-white. There’s more than what meets the eye with this flexible pastel. Learn more below as we cover all the deets.
FAQs about Benjamin Moore First Light
What other colors are similar to First Light?
Trying to color match between paint color brands isn’t a great practice because each company has a different color blending process, translating into slight variances in paint colors that look like significant (and often unexpected) differences on walls.
If you want a Sherwin Williams equivalent, the closest match would be Sherwin Williams Patient White. It has less gray, so it’s warmer and less muted. Also, Behr Rosa Vieja could be a close substitute, although it has less prominent gray undertones than First Light.
Is Benjamin Moore’s First Light warm or cool?
First Light is a good balance of cool and warm. It’s in the red family but has strong gray undertones, so it can flex between gray and pink while staying balanced enough to act neutral. 
Where should I use Benjamin Moore First Light?
First Light can look incredible in almost any area of the house, including the:
• Entryway
• Interior doors
• Laundry room
• Nursery
• Playroom
• Bedrooms
• Living room
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
First Light fits well with modern farmhouse, mid-century, traditional, bohemian, coastal, and shabby-chic homes.
Want the cliff notes for choosing the perfect color every time? Grab a FREE copy of my guide to help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make!
Benjamin Moore First Light Undertones
First Light has a light pink base with moderate gray undertones. Sometimes you’ll hear designers mention subtle blue undertones, but that’s not something you’ll see often. And if you do, it’s usually due to the influence of nearby decor rather than true undertones.
Do you want a secret weapon to keep you from choosing a paint color that looks terrible in your home? Check out these peel-and-stick paint samples to show you without a doubt how any shade will appear in YOUR home. Pull them off, move them around, and stick them back to the wall.
As. Many. Times. As. You. Want.
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How Different Types of Lighting Affect Benjamin Moore’s First Light
Different types of lighting heavily influence how paint appears. As the sun moves across the sky, the natural light color will change any paint color’s appearance.
Don’t expect ANY paint color to look the same on various walls, in different rooms, or at other times of the day.
First Light is a paint color that will flex a bit depending on the lighting. And since it’s a light shade, surrounding decor can also influence it.
Here’s how you can expect First Light to look based on different types of natural lighting.
- North-facing light – this shadowy cool lighting makes most colors, including First Light, look darker and cooler because it pulls those gray undertones forward.
- South-facing light – this consistent warm lighting makes colors look soft and creamy. First Light will look pinker and could wash out to an ultra-pale blush shade in bright light.
- West-facing light – expect dim, shadowy light in the morning, transitioning to warm red-tinged exposure later in the day. First Light could look VERY warm and pink in late afternoon and early evening light.
- East-facing light – In opposite lighting from western-facing rooms, First Light will appear warm and maybe even peachy in the morning yellow-tinted light and then look darker and more muted later in the day.
When to Avoid BM First Light
If you aren’t a fan of in-your-face pink, avoid this shade in rooms with Western lighting at all costs because that red-tinged light exposure will intensify the pink color.
In addition, if you aren’t a fan of peach, avoid using it in east-facing rooms unless you only use that room later in the day. I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again: choose your paint color based on the time of day you use the space!
Finally, I would avoid using First Light with ultra-creamy off-whites (like SW Creamy) because it can look dingy.
Great Coordinating Colors for First Light
First Light has a lovely creamy nature that can make it behave as a versatile neutral. This beautiful shade pairs well with whites and off-whites, blues, greens, grays, blue-greens, blue-grays, and green grays.
And it looks terrific with gold hardware and accents for a bit of bling!
If you need a few color ideas that work with Benjamin Moore First Light, check out:
- White Dove
- Silver Satin
- Palladian Blue
- October Mist
- Winter Gray
- Chantilly Lace
- Rich Cream
- Thunder
- Cloud White
- Tranquility
- Hale Navy
- Guilford Green
- Metropolitan
- Simply White
- Revere Pewter
- Kendall Charcoal
- Abalone
- Chelsea Gray
- Wind Chime
- Agreeable Gray
- Sea Salt
LRV of Benjamin Moore First Light (2102-70)
Ok, what is LRV, and why does it matter? LRV is an abbreviation for “light reflectance value.” Basically, it’s an indicator of how light or dark a paint color may look on your walls.
LRV ranges from 0 – 100. A color with an LRV of 0 is pure black (no paint color is that dark). On the opposite end of the spectrum, an LRV of 100 is a glaringly bright white.
The LRV of Benjamin Moore First Light = 75.86
That means BM First Light is firmly in the light range. It’s light enough to wash out and appear as soft off-white in bright natural light, although it has enough saturation to contrast with crisp white trim details.
LRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
First Light Compared to Other Colors
Let’s compare and contrast this hue with some similar shades to see how First Light stands out.
Benjamin Moore First Light vs. Proposal
Let’s kick it off by comparing First Light to Ben Moore’s Proposal (AF-260). Proposal has an LRV of 70.47, so it’s just slightly darker than First Light.
Although both of these are beautiful light pinks and airy pastels, Proposal has stronger gray undertones and the merest hint of purple, making it look cooler when compared side-by-side with First Light.
Benjamin Moore First Light vs. Pink Bliss
Benjamin Moore Pink Bliss (2093-70) has a much higher LRV of 81.58, but both of these shades have that soft, creamy quality. Next to First Light, Pink Bliss will appear paler, pinker, and less muted.
If you want only a hint of blush pink, go with Pink Bliss. On the other hand, if you want a pale pink with enough depth to contrast with white in bright light, choose First Light.
Benjamin Moore First Light vs. Melted Ice Cream
The first thing you’ll notice as you see these two colors together is that Benjamin Moore Melted Ice Cream (2095-70) has a similar brightness level as First Light, thanks to its LRV of 76.38. In addition, Melted Ice Cream has stronger gray and some subtle brown undertones.
If you want elegant, feminine sophistication, go with First Light. However, if you’re hesitant to veer into the world of pink and want to hug the greige line while dipping your toes in, check out Melted Ice Cream.
More Colors to Consider
What do you think of Benjamin Moore First Light? If you aren’t feeling “sold” on blush pink, I’ve got you covered! Check out these lovely alternatives!
- White Duck (Sherwin Williams) – an off-white with greige undertones.
- Calm (Benjamin Moore) – a light, off-white with pale purple undertones.
- Paper White (Benjamin Moore) – an off-white with gray undertones and a hint of green.
- Oyster White (Sherwin Williams) – off-white with beige-leaning greige undertones.
- Silver Satin (Sherwin Williams) – a light off-white with light gray undertones.
- Linen White (Benjamin Moore) – a creamy off-white with beige undertones.
- Eider White (Sherwin Williams) – a cool off-white with gray undertones.
15 Real-Life Homes Using Benjamin Moore First Light
Are you head over heels for First Light or still deciding? Maybe SEEING how First Light appears in real-life homes will help you determine if you want to get a paint sample (or a couple gallons) of this shade.
Check out these 15 examples!
BM First Light Bedrooms
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
1. Soft Touch of Feminine
Isn’t this girl’s bedroom from Pop Sparkle Fizz just the cutest? First Light delivers that perfect hint of pink to create a beautiful chic bedroom. The crystal light fixture is the best part!
2. Blush of Color
First Light is the ideal choice for anyone who wants a neutral shade that offers just a bit of color to add interest. This bedroom from @martyholickdesign just screams chic sophistication!
3. Washes out in Bright Natural Light
When white is just too bright, go with a pale neutral to tone it down. First Light looks off-white with just the teeniest hint of pink in this room from A Blue Nest.
4. Muted Pink
This example from @our.styledhome shows off First Light’s gray undertones. Although they’re more noticeable in the shadows, the low levels of cool natural light bring them forward throughout the room.
5. Pretty in Pink
This is the ideal example of First Light for anyone who loves pink. Alexandra Lauren Interiors highlights this shade’s beautiful pink side through the use of pink and white decor.
Benjamin Moore First Light Living Rooms
6. Barely There
If you only want a bit of peek-a-boo color, tone down the pink of First Light with colorful, complementary decor as @gergush did.
BM First Light Bathrooms
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
7. Peachy Pink
In yellow-toned lighting, First Light can take on some peach qualities (think: pink plus yellow equals peach). It looks playful and refreshing in this bathroom from Ink Interiors.
8. Cheerful Bathroom Hue
Pink was a HOT color for a bathroom in the 1950’s and I’d say, I think it deserves a comeback! First Light could be an awesome option to give this trend of a bygone era a try…it certainly works well in this space by golden_hour_house.
Dining Rooms featuring Benjamin Moore First Light
9. Farmhouse Beauty
Believe it or not, pale pink works anywhere! I love this rustic dining room with blush pink walls from @ruthies_cabin.
10. Not Too Dark in Low Light
First Light has a high enough LRV that it won’t ever look too dark. This image from @sas0970 only shows a little artificial lighting, but it’s enough to show the beautiful contrast between the pink walls and white trim.
Other Spaces Using Benjamin Moore First Light
11. Not Just for Walls
Need inspiration for a new front door color? Take a page from the design book that @coastaldesignsolutions used with this First Light front door.
12. Great for Interior Doors too
Add the bit of that pink color you crave by painting your interior door just like @twinsmommyplus3 did. It’s a simple way to tie all of the decor together!
13. Unexpected Pink Color Pop
Here’s another great example of this shade being used on interior doors. And what a great way to introduce this pretty shade, right?
14. Fun Personality
Painting your interior doors is one way to show off your personality through the use of color, like this image from @toledogeller. I can’t stop looking at the brilliant combination of the First Light-painted door, gold hardware, and textured privacy glass. (Photo credit: @jacobsnavely)
15. Muted but Still Feminine
The crisp white lighting in this stunning home office from @angelacampagnoni draws forward the gray undertones of First Light. It’s subtle but oh-so-sophisticated.
BONUS! 16. Fun Background Color
Looking for a wall color that doesn’t need to dominate the room? This laundry room from @homebyrachelb makes great use of First Light to add an unobtrusive and lovely pop of color.
After looking at all of these images of Benjamin Moore First Light in real-life, are you ready to grab a peel and stick paint sample and give a space in your home a fresh look with this light rosy hue? It clearly can be used with some beautiful results…perhaps your home is next!
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
Ready to show those boring, beige walls who’s the boss at home? Grab my free guide to help you sidestep the mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
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