The white paint selection journey... we've been there! Here's our guide selecting your own white paint color. We've done the legwork and rounded up the best -- these are our tried and true go-to colors and look beautiful when used correctly.
WALLS
SIMPLY WHITE / BENJAMIN MOORE
We think it's okay to play favorites when it comes to white paint. We're openly obsessed with this one time Color of the Year that has become a staple for so many designers. Crisp, yet warm and understated, we'd describe Simply White as a versatile milky white that complements most palettes. We love it so much that we selected this color for our design studio!
CHANTILLY LACE / BENJAMIN MOORE
Where to begin? Chantilly Lace, which is generally considered to be a "pure white" in the design industry, is a crisp, soft white that goes with just about anything. While this color actually has gray undertones, it is very neutral and looks great against almost any other color. We would have popped this one in the "trim" section, but it's just too gorgeous not to use for walls, cabinetry, and everything in between. Designer tip: use a swatch of Chantilly Lace to compare to other whites -- it will help you discover their undertones, because this is such a pure white!
CLOUD WHITE / BENJAMIN MOORE
We love this timeless off-white shade from Benjamin Moore. Cloud White definitely pulls warmer and is a great way to warm up your space while remaining neutral, as long as neighboring cabinets and trims are painted to match (if they're going to be white). Placing this color next to a truer white will look a little "off", so if you're going to use it, use it everywhere!
WHITE DOVE / BENJAMIN MOORE
White Dove is a beautifully creamy shade of white with gray undertones. If you're looking for a rich, creamy white and need to stay away from warmer yellow tones, this is the color for you. It's a favorite on everything from cabinetry to walls and trim.
ALABASTER / SHERWIN WILLIAMS
If you're craving a crisp white that pops, Alabaster isn't for you as its the least white of the bunch -- but put it on your list because we think it might be the most stunning. On a grand scale it stands on it's own as a calming, neutral off-white that will soften any room and won't turn yellow. Melt this dreamy color right into the base and trims for an elegant designer look.
SWISS COFFEE / BENJAMIN MOORE
Swiss Coffee is a sophisticated warm white with subtle gray undertones. It can pull yellow against true whites, so try painting all surrounding "whites" in the same color if you're unsure. The warmth of this cozy off-white really makes it the perfect choice for more traditional spaces or wherever a classic, less clinical look is desired.
TRIMS
SUPER WHITE / BENJAMIN MOORE
An instant classic is Benjamin Moore's 2016 Color of the Year, Super White. This is another "true white" that pairs beautifully with a contemporary setting whenever a crisp, clean white is desired. While its softer cousin, Chantilly Lace, looks beautiful on walls and trims alike -- we've found Super White to live it's best life on trims, doors, and cabinetry.
PURE WHITE / SHERWIN WILLIAMS
This is a clean white, that maybe we should call Almost Pure white because it does have a little hint of warmth to it. Technically, you can put this on the walls too, but we really love it for trims, ceilings, and cabinetry whenever you need a white that reads a touch warmer.
EXTRA WHITE / SHERWIN WILLIAMS
We love this bright, modern white option for trims, cabinetry and ceilings. It manages to read clean without being stark, which we love in a more modern space. Use this white when you have cooler tones in play -- it looks better when it's not paired with any type of warmth.
DESIGNER TIP...
When doing white walls, we prefer to paint the trim and doors in the same shade of white. The only difference will be the sheen of the paint. We like to do a satin or semi-gloss for trims and doors, while sticking with a matte or eggshell for the walls.
Here's a quick guide to Pin or save for your own project. Happy painting!
