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How to choose a white paint for your walls
White paint can read warm, cool, crisp or muted depending on its undertone and its surroundings. Benjamin Moore notes that undertones become easier to see when white chips are viewed next to one another. Its guidance also connects warmer whites with red, yellow and neutral accessories, and cooler whites with green, blue and cool-gray furnishings. Benjamin Moore’s white-color guide explains these relationships.
Start with the room’s light
Sherwin-Williams says north-facing light enhances cool-toned whites, while south-facing light enhances warm undertones. If you want to balance rather than emphasize the room’s light, its guidance suggests considering a warm-undertone white in cool light or a blue-undertone white in warm light. That is a starting point, not a guarantee: evaluate the paint in your own space. Sherwin-Williams’ white-paint guidance discusses the effect of room lighting.
Compare the white with what will stay
Look at floors, counters, cabinetry, trim and large furnishings alongside the candidate paint. Consider whether the walls and trim should blend together or contrast. A shade described as bright or warm by its maker may appear different beside a particular finish or under a different light source.
#1 Best Overall
- Self-Priming formula - requires no sanding
- Mold & Mildew-Proof paint film - guaranteed for 5 years
- Resists dirt and moisture on film coating
- Finish is washable and scrubbable with soap and water
- Product contains a mildewcide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film only
Sample before committing
- Compare chips side by side. Benjamin Moore says neighboring white samples make undertones easier to spot.
- Try finalists on the wall. Benjamin Moore recommends brush-on or reusable peel-and-stick samples and living with them for a few days.
- Check them at different times. View samples from morning through evening and under both natural and artificial light. Screen and printed colors can differ from the actual paint. See Benjamin Moore’s sample guidance and its color-testing advice.
15 white paint colors to consider
The descriptions below reflect the named manufacturers’ guidance. They are useful for narrowing candidates, not proof that one shade will look the same across rooms—or across brands. Color names are not universal formulas, so compare the specific product and maker.
| Paint color | Maker and code | How the manufacturer describes it |
|---|---|---|
| White Dove | Benjamin Moore OC-17 | A popular, clean, classic white; Benjamin Moore describes it as a more muted, lower-contrast trim option than brighter whites. |
| Chantilly Lace | Benjamin Moore OC-65 | One of the maker’s whitest shades, with little to no visible undertone and a neutral character. |
| Swiss Coffee | Benjamin Moore OC-45 | Among Benjamin Moore’s close-following popular whites. Check the exact brand and product; the name alone does not establish a cross-brand match. |
| Simply White | Benjamin Moore OC-117 | Described by Benjamin Moore as warmer in tone; it was a former Benjamin Moore Color of the Year. |
| Decorator’s White | Benjamin Moore OC-149 | A cooler white in Benjamin Moore’s wall-color guidance, also described as a clean, bright trim option. |
| Linen White | Benjamin Moore OC-146 | Named by Benjamin Moore among designer-favorite whites. |
| Atrium White | Benjamin Moore OC-145 | Named by Benjamin Moore among designer-favorite whites. |
| Cotton Balls | Benjamin Moore OC-122 | Named by Benjamin Moore among designer-favorite whites. |
| Steam | Benjamin Moore AF-15 | Named by Benjamin Moore among designer-favorite whites. |
| Super White | Benjamin Moore OC-152 | Grouped with Chantilly Lace among the maker’s brightest, cleanest whites, with little to no visible undertone. |
| Alabaster | Sherwin-Williams SW 7008 | Subtle beige undertones, with a blend of warm and cool character. |
| Pure White | Sherwin-Williams SW 7005 | A hint of gray softens the white without making it feel stark. |
| Shoji White | Sherwin-Williams SW 7042 | A warm-toned off-white. |
| Eider White | Sherwin-Williams SW 7014 | A cooler neutral with gray undertones. |
| Dover White | Sherwin-Williams SW 6385 | A yellow tint gives it a warm, inviting character. |
Benjamin Moore’s descriptions and popular-color listings are available in its white-color guide and popular white paint colors page. Sherwin-Williams describes its shades in its white-paint collection.
Rank #2
- Use for a variety of indoor and outdoor project surfaces including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic
- Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection
- Covers up to 30 sq ft and dries to touch in 30 minutes for quick project completion. Paint/Stain Features: Washable, Waterproof
- Flat finish provides a fresh new look for surfaces, goes on smoothly and provides excellent hide
- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
Choose a finish separately from the color
Benjamin Moore recommends matte or eggshell for walls, semi-gloss for trim and doors, and flat for ceilings. Its guidance describes eggshell as practical and easy to clean. These are general recommendations from that manufacturer; check the finish guidance for the specific paint line and surface. Benjamin Moore’s sheen guide explains its finish options.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ready to use, pre-mixed door and trim paint offers a fresh new look on interior or exterior metal, wood and fiberglass
- Water-based paint formula emits less odor and withstands fading for a long lasting finish
- Dries to the touch in 45 minutes, up to 3X faster than traditional oil-based paints
- Durable, chip resistant coating provides ultimate protection with modern curb appeal
- Beautiful satin door paint is available in 6 pre-mix color options for the perfect look
Rank #4
- Use for a variety of indoor and outdoor project surfaces including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic
- Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection
- Covers up to 120 sq ft and dries to touch in 30 minutes for quick project completion
- Flat finish provides a fresh new look for surfaces, goes on smoothly and provides excellent hide
- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
Rank #3
- Use for a variety of indoor and outdoor project surfaces including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic
- Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection
- Covers up to 120 sq ft and dries to touch in 30 minutes for quick project completion
- Semi-gloss finish minimizes surface imperfections, goes on smoothly and provides excellent hide
- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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