The Best White Paint Colors (According to Interior Designers)
Choosing the right white paint color can be a daunting task, even for seasoned interior designers. The seemingly simple color actually offers a wide range of shades, undertones, and finishes, each with its own unique qualities. As designers, we understand the importance of selecting the right white paint to create the desired atmosphere in a space. In this blog post, we'll explore the complexities of white paint and share our favorite shades, along with tips for choosing the perfect hue for your home.
Why White?
The perfect white paint shade is a designer’s go-to for a few reasons. White walls act as a neutral backdrop allowing you to see the true lighting conditions of a space - one of the many reasons we often recommend painting walls white upon moving into a new home. It’s akin to a blank canvas and white walls are versatile and adaptable to a myriad of design styles and color palettes.
White walls are also really easy to work with since they create a visual flow throughout the home, making it easy to transition between rooms. This unification allows you to freely experiment with colors and textures (like with furniture or accent walls), without creating visual chaos. White walls can also act as a canvas that makes your decor and architecture pop - it can also be a backdrop for bold accents, like brightly colored furniture or striking artwork. Additionally, it can highlight architectural features, such as exposed brick or ceiling beams, creating a captivating contrast.
Our Favorite White Paint Colors:
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
Known for its crisp, clean appearance, Chantilly Lace is a true white with a slightly cool undertone. It's an excellent choice for creating a bright, modern, and contemporary feel. This color works well in spaces where you want to maximize natural light.Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
With a warm, creamy undertone, Alabaster creates a soft and inviting atmosphere. It has a slightly higher Light Reflectance Value (LRV), making it a great choice for spaces where you want to maximize light reflection without going too cool.Greek Villa by Sherwin Williams
This warm white with a touch of beige is versatile and creates a sense of warmth and coziness. It's perfect for spaces where you want a classic, timeless feel. It pairs well with both warm and cool tones.Pure White by Sherwin Williams
With a slightly cool undertone, Pure White is a bright and clean white that works well in contemporary spaces. Its high LRV makes it an excellent choice for spaces where you want to maximize light reflection.Snowbound by Sherwin Williams
Snowbound is a soft, warm white with a gray undertone. It creates a serene atmosphere, perfect for spaces where you want to create a sense of relaxation. Its moderate LRV makes it versatile for different lighting conditions. It’s a good idea to avoid this shade in rooms that tend to get mostly cool toned light throughout the day (usually from north-facing windows)White Dove by Benjamin Moore
White Dove is a soft white with a warm undertone that creates a cozy and inviting feel. It's a great choice for spaces where you want to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Its moderate LRV makes it versatile for different lighting conditions.
How to Choose the Right White Paint Color for Your Space
When choosing the right white paint color, there are several factors to consider. Lighting conditions are essential to how white paint colors appear, so it's crucial to take note of the natural and artificial light sources in your space and how they affect color. Rooms with northern exposure tend to have cooler lighting, while those with southern exposure have warmer lighting. The direction your windows face can also affect the light throughout the day, so consider this when selecting your white paint.
The atmosphere you want to create in your space should also influence your white paint choice. If you're aiming for a bright, airy feel, opt for a white with a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and cool undertones. For a cozy, warm atmosphere, choose a white with warm undertones. Also, consider the architectural style of your home when choosing a white paint color. Traditional homes often pair well with warm whites, while modern homes may benefit from cooler whites.
It's also important to consider the existing decor in your space when choosing a white paint color. Cool whites with blue undertones may clash with warm wood tones, while warm whites with beige undertones may complement them. Think about how your chosen white will interact with your furniture, flooring, and accessories. Don't forget about your trim and ceilings when selecting a white paint color! White trim and ceilings can create a cohesive look, but they don't have to match your wall color exactly. In fact, we typically prefer ceilings to be a bit brighter white than walls (like Sherwin Williams’ aptly named “Ceiling Bright White”).
The finish of your white paint can also affect its appearance and durability. Flat finishes are great for concealing imperfections and creating a modern feel but can be more challenging to clean. Eggshell and satin finishes are easier to clean and provide a slight sheen, while semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes offer more durability and reflectivity but show every imperfection on your wall. We almost never use high-gloss on walls and reserve semi-gloss for cabinets and trim.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all this information, you're not alone. We understand how daunting the process of selecting the perfect paint color can be, that's why we offer our design consultation service. Our lead designer will spend up to 90 minutes with you in your home, recommending paint colors that will work best for your space. We'll consider factors like lighting, existing decor, and your style to ensure we find the perfect shade for you and follow up the appointment with swatches of our recommendations so you can see how they look throughout the day without having to paint patches on your walls.
You can book a consultation directly or learn more about what to expect from an interior design consultation in this blog post.