Searching for the best white paint colors? Instead of going to Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams and blankly staring at the hundreds of white paint chips, skip straight to these 8 tried and true favorites and I guarantee you’ll find one that will look fantastic in your space!
Picking the perfect white paint color for your space isn’t always easy (make sure to read my post on how to choose paint colors for tips!). Unlike other colors where the true color is pretty obvious from looking at the paint chip, whites have lots of undertones and subtle nuances that can make two colors that look similar on a paint chip look totally different once they’re painted on the wall.
Wading through the endless number of white paint options to find a good fit can get pretty overwhelming so I’m sharing my eight tried & true white paint colors. These are the paint colors that I LOVE and that decorators and homeowners rave about time and time again. (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
I’m sharing these favorite whites in order from darkest to lightest based on each paint color’s LRV (Light Reflectance Value) which indicates how much light the paint color reflects. Paints with a lower LRV will appear darker than paints with a higher LRV.
1. Behr’s White (52) LRV 83
Behr’s White 52 is a soft white that’s the closest of any of my favorite whites to being an off-white since it has the lowest LRV. It’s a slightly cool white which pairs well with blues, including the accent wall of Behr Blueprint in my daughter’s bedroom:
You can see more pics and all sources for this space in my post on her boho bedroom colors.
Room Sources: Gold quatrefoil pendant | Moroccan leather poufs | Small acrylic lamp | Chest of drawers | White linen quilt
2. Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster (SW7008) LRV 82
Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster, which Brittany of Addison’s Wonderland used in several rooms of her amazing historic home, is similar in depth to Behr’s White 52 but it’s a warm white rather than a cool one. In addition to the stairway below, you can see Alabaster in action in Brittany’s mudroom, hallway, master bathroom and more in her house tour {here}.
3. Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White (CC-20, OC-149) LRV 82.68
Decorator’s White has a touch of gray that softens it and makes it a great choice for cabinets and trim. A beautiful example is Bree of ZDesign at Home’s kitchen (her cabinets and trim are Decorators White) – you can see more of this fabulous space {here}.
It’s close to being a pure white but with a touch of coolness and a softness that you don’t get with the brighter whites. Decorator’s White can also be a great choice for a wall paint color if you want a fairly pure white that’s not too stark.
Tip: Learning how to paint yourself instead of hiring out can save tons of money! Get my step by step in my post on how to paint a room
4. Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) LRV 83.16
White Dove is a beautiful warm white that we had in our kitchen (pictured below) before we remodeled it. It’s not only a great color for walls, but also a favorite for molding and cabinets. It has warm, yellow undertones with a touch of gray that make it a soft white that’s warm and welcoming.
Sources: Rolling baker’s rack (similar) | Hanging herb boxes
5. Benjamin Moore Cloud White (OC-130) LRV 85.05
Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White is somewhere between White Dove and Simply White (the next white on my list) in how bright of a white it is. This is what the three samples looked like when I tested them out in our family room before deciding that Cloud White was the winner for this space:
I used Cloud White throughout our family room – on the planked ceiling, the walls, and the trim (matte on the walls & satin on the ceiling and trim). It was the perfect neutral backdrop for the large art wall around our TV. You can see more pics of this space and a complete source list for it {here}.
Sources: TV console (similar) | Chandelier (satin bronze) | White tasseled pillow cover | Blue linen pillow cover | Green & blue block print pillow cover | Faux fiddle leaf fig tree | Rug | Pair of floor poufs | Art prints (details in {this post} | Acrylic coffee table (similar) | Coffee table tray (28″ square) | Black and white striped box (on coffee table) | Brass cricket (on coffee table) | Wood beads | Rattan chair
I also used Cloud White in our kitchen when we remodeled (I switched from White Dove because our new cabinets were a whiter white than before so it was a better fit) – you can see more pics plus all sources in my post on my kitchen remodel.
Sources: Lantern pendants over island (12.5″) | Rattan counter stools in Fog | Pulls on island drawers (12″) | Large framed floral art print
Also take a look at my kitchen eat-in area where you can get another peek at Cloud White on the walls. Want more details on this great white paint color? Check out my Benjamin Moore Cloud White review that shows a side by side comparison of how this white compares to other popular white paint colors.
6. Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) LRV 89.52
Simply White is possibly the most versatile of all whites. Like White Dove, it has a warm undertone but it’s a bit lighter and brighter. It’s the color that I chose to paint most of our NC home including our guest room:
Sources: Beadboard bed (weathered white) | 12″ Memory foam queen mattress (no boxspring needed) | Blue & white quilted shams (similar) | Blue tasseled edge pillow covers | Navy embroidered lumbar pillow cover ( with {this} pillow insert) | Navy border duvet cover | White quilt | Woven bench | Nightstand (similar) | Lamp (similar) | Round mirror
For more pics, see my posts on this blue and white bedroom and our small breakfast nook that are both painted Simply White.
7. Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace (OC-65) LRV 90.04
Chantilly Lace is a beautiful crisp, clean, bright white paint color that reads as a true white with a touch of blue. It’s a great choice for contemporary spaces but can also look good in more traditional homes such as this light and bright living room by Chelsea of Making Home Base that you can see more of {here}.
When I designed our master bathroom remodel, I knew that I wanted white walls since they’re the perfect neutral backdrop. I ended up choosing Chantilly Lace which was the just-right crisp white for the space:
Sources: Wood & rattan double vanity | Vanity knobs | Bathroom faucets – brushed nickel | Vanity lights | Vanity mirrors – gold | Marble stacking dishes | Soap & lotion sink set with tray | Toothbrush holder | Bamboo toothbrushes | Gray & white striped towels | Robe hooks – golden champagne
The color tone of it works beautifully with marble (which is also a cool toned white) so it’s a great choice for many bathrooms and kitchens. If you’re considering using Chantilly Lace, I share more details about it and how it compares to other similar whites in my post on Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.
8. Farrow & Ball’s All White (No. 2005) LRV 91.8
Farrow & Ball’s All White is exactly that – it contains no other pigment except for white, creating a soft yet crisp white without the colder blue undertones of a brilliant white. It’s the color that I used on the shiplap walls and trim of our master bedroom remodel that you can see more of {here}.
Sources: Upholstered bed (similar) | Gray nightstands | Camp stools (similar) | Table lamps (similar) | Semi flushmount light (available {here} and {here}) | Gray & white patterned linen duvet – no longer available | Gray & white dragon/floral pillows | Quilt in king (color is Flagstone) | Drapes (mine are single-width blackout lined) | Diamond jute rug
How To Figure Out the Best White Paint Color For Your Space
Never choose a paint color just by looking at the paint strip. You need to see what they look like in your home! The same white paint color can look totally different in one home vs. another due to the lighting conditions of the space. I highly recommend that you buy peel-and-stick samples of the white paint colors you’re considering on Samplize (I linked each color’s Samplize sample under the paint color description).
See my post on how to choose paint colors for more tips on testing paint samples.
What Color Should I Use for the Baseboards and Trim?
When painting with whites, I recommend that you paint your baseboards and trim the same white as the walls but a higher sheen. Depending on the room being painted, I used flat, matte, or eggshell on the walls and satin or semi-gloss on the trim. The higher the sheen, the brighter the paint color appears so if, for example, you use matte on the walls and satin on the trim, they will look great together since they have the same undertones. However, the satin trim will look a bit brighter so you still get the perfect amount of subtle contrast between your wall and trim colors.
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What Color Should I Use for the Ceiling?
I typically recommend that you paint the ceiling with the same white paint color that you’re using on the walls (flat or matte is best since in hides roller marks and imperfections). You could also choose to use a single ceiling paint color throughout your home – my favorite is Benjamin Moore Muresco ceiling paint.
How About Color Matching?
It’s possible to have a paint color from one brand mixed by another brand (for example, asking Sherwin Williams to mix paint that’s identical to a Benjamin Moore paint color). Sometimes color matching works and sometimes it doesn’t. But with whites… just don’t do it! There is very little pigment in white paint colors so just a small change can cause a big difference in how the color appears when painted on your walls.
Now that I’ve shared my favorite white paint colors, do you want to know about some of my other favorite colors? Check out…
Also be sure to check out {this post} where I share all of the paint colors in my home! Thanks as always for stopping by!
rachel says
HI,
IF I PAINT MY EAST FACING LIVING ROOM IN SIMPLY WHITE WHICH SHEEN SHOULD I USE?
Kris Jarrett says
The higher the sheen you use, the more “white” it will look. I use flat for most rooms simply because it’s so easy to touch up but matte or eggshell are good choices too since they’re more scrubbable – it’s really just personal preference about the look you want!
Jocelyn says
Thanks Kris for this post! I have been struggling with much the same….
Having moved into an apartment after having three walls of glass in my living room to one large East facing window and one North facing door, I am struggling with the need for “brightness’.
I had my LR painted from a medium gray to Ben Moore,Distant Gray. Thinking it would be drastic enough and bright enough. Not so. It is still dull on an overcast, snowy, rainy day.
So, after reading your post and feeling similar about how white is a necessity, I’ve convinced my husband to go with Chantilly Lace. He asked why I didn’t just do that in the first place, but there was a sense of insecurity because of the gray on all the other walls that I wasjust playing it safe. Gotta have faith.
I am now ready to make the final leap! Your LR is fresh and evokes a sense of clarity that is lovely.
Thanks for sharing….
stephanie says
Do you happen to know where the TV stand in the picture for BM white cloud picture above is from? thanks!
Carol says
What is your opinion of sherwin and Williams aesthetic white for a kitchen wall? My cabinets and trim are dark wood. The walls now have too much golden tones. I want a brighter/whiter look.
Karen says
We just bought a beautiful ocean front condo on the isle of palms, sc and all the floors are driftwood, artificial wood not real wood. It is a gray taupe color. I am thinking about using Accessible Beige, which is a SW paint, which white would be pretty with Accessible Beige or do you have another color that you would suggest. Help
Francine says
Need your help…… I am trying to figure it out. I am not designer. Of course! I am going to have the intense white (BM), Matte for the wall which it goes with Decorator White (BM) Semi Gloss for the trim. But for the Vanity, Which Should I use Decorator White or Snowbound? I have the white toilet and dove grey highland tiles in the bathroom wall. What color for the ceiling?
Rhonda says
What white would you suggest for a beach house? Not stark white but I know I want white ? floors are a light brown . Thanks so much
Kris Jarrett says
Paint looks different in every house so it’s impossible to pick without seeing it in your lighting but Simply White and Chantilly Lace are two fresh whites that would be good options to try!
Ann says
I am have cabinets made with Benjamin Moore Swiss coffee . I am having. Black walnut island base with portico cream quartz . Windows both side of the kitchen more light then direct sun . Farmhouse . Can’t figure out the white I should use for trim and a wall color.
Roman says
I chose Origami white throughout my house. It has less of a yellow undertone than Alabaster. I love it.
Lynn says
These are fascinating posts to read. We are still ( more than one year later) in the process of rebuilding/reconstructing our home after Hurricane Michael. Far too many decisions are being made at the pace of our contractor’s work schedule. Best advice I’ve had from a neighbor who is ahead of me is to use pieces of sheetrock for color samples! After failed attempts at dumpster diving I purchased a half-sheet & cut it down into 12” squares. It is much more effective than using foam or poster board. Every color that looks great on chips looks terrible in our rooms. Loss of trees is making a BIG difference even in the effect on existing painted wall colors! Don’t be tempted to skip the need for testing colors on sample boards and moving them around in each room!
Kris Jarrett says
I totally agree! Sample boards are key – especially with whites! Good luck with your rebuild!
Helen williams says
I want to paint the walls in my family room a white but have very little wall space but lots of trim around a wall of French doors and another huge window. I would like to paint the shiplap which I am using as accent above fireplace and along ceiling trim the same color. Then paint the trim and kitchen cabinets perhaps a complimentary white in satin finish. Let me know your thoughts please. Thanks!
Jenna says
Wanted to send a huge thank you for giving me a color that was similar to alabaster. I have been searching everywhere for a comparison in Behr or Benjamin Moore and finally have an answer. You rock!
(I’m a paint color nerd too and collect swatches constantly so I can relate)
Jackie says
Thank you so much for all of your beautiful ideas! I love in a farmhouse and I am planning on painting the kitchen with white walls and trim and sage green cabinets. I think White Dove would be nice on the walls. Should I paint the trim that color? Is it a good stylish color for Farmhouse white?
Kris Jarrett says
I’ll often paint the trim the same white as the walls but a different sheen (Satin or Semi Gloss) so that would likely work well for your kitchen. White Dove is a great color that looks beautiful in most spaces – I would just throw a sample of it up on your wall to make sure it doesn’t go to yellowish in your home.
Michelle Goodrich says
S.O.S. Kris!
Help!
Help!
Our kitchen/living room/dining room is open concept. Windows are north facing. Looking out from the kitchen you see our raised marbled red brick fireplace (grays, blacks, reds, whites) with vaulted ceiling. The front of the fireplace is black. Our floor is 90’s beige’ish tile with gray grout. That’s not changing unfortunately. 🙂
We’re painting our oak cabinets BM White Dove. Our kitchen has a huge skylight. We were thinking of painting the ceiling all the way up with the White Dove versus Simply White. Or should we continue White Dove all the way up?
Edgecomb Gray on all other walls.
Second question is would it make sense to use White Dove on all the trim (baseboards, windowsill, garage door), fireplace mantle and ceiling or should we go with Simply White and just stick with White Dove on the kitchen cabinets?
Help pleeeeeease. Any suggestions are welcome!
Side note: We also have a built in oak buffet in our living room (near the fireplace) that I was thinking should be White Dove.
Thank you!
Marianne Carnevale says
Does Sherwin Williams have a paint like BM Chantilly Lace. They said they can make.
Kim says
What white would you choose in a kitchen with beige cabinets?
Kim says
Sorry, I meant “greige” cabinets!