Anyone who has embarked on selecting a white paint color knows that it can arguably be the most complex paint color to choose. The lighting so impacts white paint that understanding when your room gets the most and least natural light is the first step for selecting a white paint color. In addition, white paint has more depth than what meets the eye, as white paints have varying undertones. Here’s a list of some of the best white paint colors and what makes them unique.
Benjamin Moore White Dove (Warm)
A perennial favorite, Benjamin Moore White Dove is a soft, creamy white that is not too warm or too cool. It can read warm without yellow undertones, while also being fresh and bright without blue undertones. It’s a classic pick for trim work as well as entire walls. While White Dove may have yellow undertones when compared side-by-side with other white paints, it won’t have those undertones when it’s by itself.
Benjamin Moore Simply White (Warm)
Like a favorite white t-shirt, Benjamin Moore Simply White is a clean, crisp warm white that works equally as well on walls as it does on trim and ceilings. Simply White is a welcoming white that provides a soft, cozy glow and creates a fresh feel. Simply White can have warm yellow or gray undertones, depending on lighting. Because of its warmth, it is not a true white.
Farrow & Ball Wimbourne White (Warm)
This “just off-white color” is a shade away from pure white. A hint of yellow adds softness and versatility. Farrow & Ball Wimbourne White is beautiful on walls or cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White (Cool)
As a bright, neutral white, Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White can instantly illuminate a space and pairs well with every paint color. While it’s considered a neutral shade of white, Decorator’s White can have gray undertones, making it pair beautifully with cooler paint colors. It’s stunning for trim work and also is a neutral choice for cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (Cool)
This bright, clean and pure white is void of warm and cool undertones. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace is crisp without being sterile and creates a bright, airy space. Chantilly Lace is a true white that can have gray or blue undertones. It’s an excellent pick for kitchen cabinets or even a whole home.
Sherwin Williams Extra White (Cool)
An excellent choice for trim and ceilings, Sherwin Williams Extra White is a bright white with cool undertones. It pairs well as a trim color in a room with blue or gray walls.
Sherwin Williams Pure White (Warm/Cool)
Sherwin Williams Pure White is a beautiful pick for a bright white paint color that isn’t too stark. It’s a clean white that isn’t too white, due to hints of yellow and black to add warmth and soften it. While Pure White can have gray undertones, it’s such a neutral white that it doesn’t significantly veer warm or cool.
For the best white for your home, remember to test the paint on your walls during different times of day, so you can be confident that the white paint you select is the best choice for your home.
