Choosing a white paint color isn’t as simple as many people think. White paint colors have many different undertones.

You know those commercials where the actor takes a napkin to their teeth to do a white teeth test? GENIUS!

Whenever I’m helping a client choose a white paint color, I bring a sheet of copy paper with me. When you place the white paper up to the white paint color, you can truly see the undertones in each swatch.

Usually, if my client’s buzz words for their style are “cozy” or “warm” and they want white walls, I always bring large swatches of warm undertoned whites. If a client is looking more for a space that has some blue in it, a white with blue undertones will really make the blues POP! White paint colors are all about the undertones. When you want a space to feel warmer, grab the color White Dove or Swiss Coffee. Cooler? Reach for Decorator White. One thing to keep in mind as well is the lighting in your space. If you have warm colored bulbs, the colors with yellow undertones will appear more yellow. White light? The paint colors will appear cooler. I strongly encourage my clients to look at the paint color in different rooms throughout different times of the day and with their lights on and off. These colors will vary VASTLY!

Whichever color you decide, keep in mind these these 3 things-

1. UNDERTONE
2. MOOD
3. LIGHTING

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I’m breaking down the top tried-and-true white paint colors from Benjamin Moore to help take out the guess work when looking at all of the paint swatch options (holy overwelming!). I consistantly have clients tell me how overwhelmed they are when standing in the paint aisle looking at all of the options. I feel the same way when I go to get my nails done and typically arrive atleast 15 minutes early to look at all of the color options.

Starting with #6, the go-to for trim-

Chantilly Lace 2121-70 is many designer’s go-to color for a bright, true white. Typically selected for trim, this white does not carry many undertones and is fairly neutral. Chantilly Lace looks good in any space for a show stopping, crisp, soft white.

This white is one step away from Chantilly Lace, but has more gray undertones. Decorator White OC-149 is a bit creamier but still a pretty true white color, making it another great option for trim.

White Dove OC-17 is Benjamin Moore’s most popular white paint color and most sampled color. On the warmer side, White Dove feels cozy but stays away from those harsh yellow undertones. Some say this color is the perfect balance of cool and warm undertones, therefore it looks good in any space.

With pale yellow undertones, Simply White OC-117 gives off a warmer feel. Some refer to this color as an off-white. It was so popular that in 2016 it was Benjamin Moore’s color of the year.

With a ever so slight greige undertone, White Down OC-131 feels feathery and soft. This color gives an antique type of feel, perfect for a space with lots of thrifted gold or brass items.

Swiss Coffee OC-45 pairs perfectly with natural woods and terracotta tiles but also plays nice with white subway tiles. This color has yellow and green undertones, making spaces feel warm but at the same time serene and calming.

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NEED HELP SELECTING PAINT COLORS?

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