Borrowed Light

Technical Profile

What color is Borrowed Light? It's a very light cool gray with the hex code #D5DBDB. Colors similar to Borrowed Light include Vista Paint Ocean Crest, Behr River Veil, PPG Sea Frost. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Borrowed Light has a cool (green) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Borrowed Light (#D5DBDB) by Farrow & Ball is a very light gray paint color with a understated, nearly neutral quality. It delivers an airy, open feeling that maximizes the sense of space in any room. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. Its RGB channels are closely balanced, contributing to its neutral, even-keeled visual character. With a Light Reflectance Value of 85, it reflects the vast majority of light, helping smaller rooms feel more spacious. As a near-white neutral, this shade is one of the most versatile wall colors available — ideal for ceilings, trim, open floor plans, and any room where you want maximum light and a clean canvas for furnishings. An eggshell or matte finish works well at this lightness, hiding minor wall imperfections while still being easy to wipe clean. The cool cast of Borrowed Light pairs well with crisp whites, silvery grays, and blue-toned accents for a sleek, modern palette. Its cool (green) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Farrow & Ball is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Vista Paint, Behr, PPG and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Borrowed Light brings a crisp, spa-like tranquility that opens up a room and calms the mind. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for virtually every design style from minimalist Japandi to rustic farmhouse to sleek contemporary. As part of the Farrow & Ball palette, Borrowed Light benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. High-LRV colors like Borrowed Light are forgiving in most lighting conditions, but they can pick up reflected color from adjacent walls, flooring, or large furniture pieces, so evaluate samples in situ. Very light shades can sometimes read as stark white on small swatches — viewing a larger area in your intended space reveals the true character of the color. Pair this shade with natural linen, light oak, rattan, and marble for a fresh, layered look, or contrast it with dark walnut and wrought iron for more definition. You can order Borrowed Light (235) directly from Farrow & Ball or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.