You know how gray paint became a major thing several years back? Well, you may have noticed that today, it’s all about white walls. From HGTV makeover shows to our favorite designers on IG, white walls are showing up in homes everywhere! Finding the perfect gray paint color was a challenge – we learned some valuable lessons about undertones. Thankfully, white paint is much easier to choose. Here’s my roundup of the best white paint colors for your interior. Check out our exterior white paint picks here.

My son walked in a few minutes ago and said, “isn’t all white paint just white?” Clearly, I’ve failed him. I jokingly gasped, and started to explain it to him…he very quickly exited the room. That’s one way to get a teenage boy out of your office! 

You may think white is boring…you may think whites are all the same, but the truth is that white paint has undertones and complexities like any other color. Choose the wrong white paint, and your walls could look dirty, yellowish, or stark and cold. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you!

Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

This is a beautiful white paint with minimal undertones, which means that it will read pure white in your home. It’s clean, bright, and beautiful without feeling sterile. You’ll find this white on many a designer’s go-to list. In fact, you’ll hear a lot of designers claim that this color is such a pure white, you can compare other whites to it, and instantly see their undertones. I haven’t tried it, but I just might. Get your peel-and-stick sample of Chantilly Lace HERE.

bm-chantilly-lace-entry

Source: Juniper Home (walls BM Chantilly Lace, trim BM Seapearl)

Pure White by Sherwin-Williams 

Don’t let the name fool you – this is not what I would call a “pure” white. In fact, it has some cool, gray undertones that work beautifully with blues and grays in a color scheme. This is also a fantastic choice for kitchen cabinets that are paired with Carrara marble countertops. Click HERE to order your peel-and-stick sample of Pure White.

sw pure white best white paint colors

Source: Southern Living (SW Pure White on walls and cabinets)

White Dove by Benjamin Moore

Hands-down, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is an all-star when it comes to whites! It is a warm, soft white, with subtle gray undertones. Because of its versatile, neutral nature, designers turn to this white for walls, cabinets, trim, and even exteriors. White Dove will make your room feel welcoming, rather than cold, but will read crisp enough to look like a true white in your home. If you want a gorgeous, clean, timeless white, this is the one for you! Grab a peel-and-stick sample of White Dove HERE.

white dove best white paint

Source: Studio McGee

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

Simply White is another widely-used white for everything from walls, to ceilings, cabinetry, and trim. Out of over 250 white shades, Benjamin Moore chose Simply White for its 2016 Color of the Year because “it felt to us the cleanest and the most versatile.” Simply White has classic warmth, but is neutral enough to work equally well with both warm and cool palettes. For a peel-and-stick sample of Simply White, click HERE.

simply white kitchen studio mcgee best white paint colors

Source: Studio McGee

Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams

You know how Simply White was Benjamin Moore’s color of the year for 2016? Want to take a guess what Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year for 2016 was? Yep, Alabaster! This white is softer, and slightly creamier than some of the other whites on this list, but it will still read white on its own. Joanna Gaines used it to paint the inside of her farmhouse, and it’s a popular choice for exteriors, as well. Alabaster is inviting and relaxing, making it a great choice for bedrooms. Order your peel-and-stick sample of SW Alabaster HERE.

Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore

There are several paint companies that have a white paint color called Swiss Coffee (Behr, Kelly Moore, Valspar, etc.) It’s confusing, I know. They are all similar, but not the same, and here I’m focusing on Benjamin Moore’s version. Swiss Coffee is another white that leans toward the warm, creamy side of the aisle. It works well in more traditional spaces, and looks great paired with other warm paint colors (beiges, browns, etc.).  In the kitchen pic below, you can really see the difference between the creaminess of Swiss Coffee against the cooler marble countertop. Click HERE to order a peel-and-stick sample of Swiss Coffee today!

swiss coffee kitchen best white paint colors

Source: Studio McGee

Super White by Benjamin Moore 

If you are looking for a true, bright white for trim, Super White is a great choice! It has no detectable undertones, so it pairs well with practically any other paint color. Super White is a sparkling, clean, modern white. I don’t usually recommend it for walls, as it can look too cold and sterile (like primer on your walls). So, if you want a bright white for your walls, opt for Chantilly Lace over Super White. However, Super White can work well in darker spaces that really need an extra boost of brightness. For a sample of Super White, click HERE.

Cloud White by Benjamin Moore

Cloud White is another one that often ends up on a designer’s list of the best white paint colors. It is a timeless, warm white that works with any color scheme or decorating style. Cloud White can evoke a relaxing, calming vibe, while still giving the clean, crisp look you want from a white. Get your sample of Cloud White HERE.

Acadia White by Benjamin Moore

Every list of white paint colors should include at least one ivory, and Acadia White (also known as Ivory White) is my pick. Acadia White is a warm, sophisticated, ivory paint color that has been around for quite a while. It’s a great choice for traditional spaces, and spaces that you want to look aged or antiqued. It looks gorgeous paired with black, yet also has enough color to pop against white trim. Choose Acadia White when you want just a hint of color that isn’t too yellow or beige. Grab a peel-and-stick copy of Acadia White HERE.

Should I Choose a Warm White, or a Cool White?

It really depends on the look you’re going for, your lighting conditions, and your fixed materials (flooring, tile, etc.) Go with a crisp, cool white if you’d like a clean, modern look. If you tend to like more traditional styles, try a warmer white. For north-facing rooms, warmer whites tend to work best to counteract cool, blue northern light. For west-facing rooms, the late afternoon sun will intensify warm undertones, so you’ll probably be better off with a cooler or more neutral white. 

Always be sure to take your fixed materials into account. For example, if you have cool (think blue undertones), gray tile in your bathroom, then a cooler or neutral shade of white will work better than a warmer white. On the other hand, if your carpet is beige, a warmer white will compliment it best.

What about hardwood floors? Natural wood floors are always going to be on the warmer side, but some wood species are much warmer than others. If you have cherry or oak floors, you’ll want to stick with a warmer white. But, if your floors are fairly neutral (not overly red, orange, or yellow), then you can go with something cooler, and it will work well.

How Do I Know if it’s the Right White?

The ONLY way to be sure is to try it on your walls and compare it to your fixed materials!

To sample the paint on your walls, you can purchase sample paint, and either paint it onto your walls or onto some foam board. But, a better option is to check out Samplize. They offer convenient, affordable peel-and-stick paint samples that are much easier to use than traditional methods.  Here are just a few reasons why I always recommend Samplize to my clients…

  • Samples arrive quickly (1-3 business days, or even overnight, depending on location)
  • They’re more affordable than buying the samples paint/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
  • You can move them around the room, and test them in a variety of lighting conditions

Be sure to look at your white paint samples in the daylight, and again at night. The one that seems to work best in all times of the day, is the right white for your space.

 

What Sheen Should I Use?

  • Use flat/matte or eggshell for your walls. Eggshell is great for families with kids because it’s easier to wipe clean. Eggshell is also the best choice for bathrooms.
  • Use flat on your ceilings
  • Use satin or semi-gloss on your baseboards, doors, and trim. If you like a little more shine, go with the semi-gloss
  • Use satin on your cabinetry, and accent walls (like grid walls)

You really can’t go wrong with painting your interior walls white!  Not only is it a trend that will be here to stay for a while, it can also give your room a beautiful, timeless look. Start with this list of the best white paint colors, and you’re sure to find the perfect white for your home.

best white paint colors

Need some help choosing the best paint colors for your home?

  • I can help you choose the best paint colors for one room, or choose a color scheme for the entire house!
  • See your room virtually painted a new color, and feel confident in your color choices!
  • Finally convince your significant other to paint the kitchen cabinets!
  • Perfect for online clients!
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