The Right White: How to Choose a White Paint Color You’ll Love

Choosing a white paint may seem like it should be one of the easiest design decisions to make. After all, white is just white… right? But when we renovated our home, one of the first things I learned was that choosing white paint is not nearly as simple as it sounds. I wanted our 1938 farmhouse to feel soft, warm and timeless, but it took some trial and error to get it just right.

The funny thing about white paint is that it is never truly just white. (If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of paint swatches at the store with its 5,648 different shades of white to choose from, you know exactly what I mean.) Every shade of white carries subtle undertones, and the light, finishes, and textures in a space all influence how that color comes to life.

Over the years, I’ve learned that choosing white paint is less about finding a “perfect” shade and more about understanding your own home and your vision of what your space can become.

Today I’m sharing the things I take into consideration when choosing a white paint color, some practical tips for putting different shades to the test, and some of my favorite tried-and-true whites. My hope is that the next time you find yourself standing in front of a wall of paint swatches, you’ll feel a little more confident in choosing a white that feels right for your home.

Warm Vs. Cool Undertones

One of the first things I consider when it comes to picking out white paint is how I want a space to feel. Some whites have warmer undertones and some have cooler undertones, and the perfect white for a space depends on what type of feeling I am hoping to create. Neither warmer or cooler undertones are better – they simply achieve different purposes and help to shape and support different atmospheres.

I tend to choose a cooler white if I want a space to feel:

• Crisp & Clean – Cooler whites can help to create that fresh, bright feeling often associated with modern, minimalist or contemporary spaces. They can also provide a clean backdrop for artwork and decor, as they can help colors, greenery or artwork “pop”.
• Spacious & Airy – Cooler whites also help to reflect light in a way that feels bright and clean, great for small spaces or rooms where you would prefer a light, open feeling.
• Modern – For a more modern aesthetic, cooler whites can compliment design elements like polished concrete, black accents, stainless steel, marble, and gray-toned flooring.
• Balanced – For spaces with an excess of very warmed toned finishes (think yellow oak cabinetry or orange-toned wood floors), slightly cooler whites can also provide some relief and balance. They can help neutralize warm tones and keep a room from feeling overly yellow.

On the other hand, I go with a warmer white if I want a space to feel:

• Warm & Welcoming – Warmer whites can help to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere that feels inviting and welcoming, rather than stark.
• Cozy & Lived-in – Warmer whites can also help to add or enhance the character of a space, creating a layered and collected feeling. They tend to reflect light in a way that softens a space, making it feel cozy and intimate.
• Timeless & Classic – Warmer whites lend themselves well to traditional architecture, natural wood tones, natural stone and earthy materials, vintage pieces, aged metals, and classic textiles. They can work well when paired with design elements that draw from nature and history.
• Grounded – Warmer whites can also make a space feel grounded, helping to support the beauty of natural elements that have warmth and character of their own and tying them together in a way that makes them feel cohesive and intentional.

When I’m not sure which direction to lean, I start by looking at the elements that already exist in my home. Are there lots of warm wood tones, natural textures, and cozy finishes? A warmer white may help everything feel connected. Are there cooler finishes, more modern materials, or a lot of warm elements I am trying to balance? A cooler white may be a better fit.

Fixtures & Finishes

As hinted above, the next thing I consider when deciding which white is best for my space, is to take a look at the fixtures and finishes that will live alongside it. Things like flooring, countertops, backsplashes, cabinets, brick and stone and even large furniture pieces or rugs all have undertones.

Are the floors warm and honey-toned? Are the cabinets a crisp, bright white or more creamy? Do the countertop and tile have beige, gray or blue tones in them? Typically selecting a white with similar undertones to the fixtures and finishes will make a space feel cohesive, even if different colors or materials are used. On the other hand, if the white selected has completely different undertones than the other finishes in the space, it will appear to clash.

Lighting

Another factor I take into consideration when picking out a white paint color is lighting. Unlike deeper, darker paint colors, white acts like a mirror, reflecting the light and the colors around it. The exact same white can appear warm and creamy in one space and look cool or gray in another. Before picking a white paint color, I pay close attention to the type and quality of light in my home.

Rooms with limited natural light or north-facing windows often have a cooler, greyer quality of light. A warmer white can help balance that and keep a space from feeling stark and cold. Rooms with lots of sunlight, on the other hand, naturally feel warmer. A cooler or more neutral white may help to keep a space feeling fresh, while a warmer white will enhance the cozy feeling.

The lightbulbs used in a space matter too and will affect the way white paint appears. Warm-toned bulbs that create a cozy golden glow can make whites feel creamier and more yellow, while cooler bulbs can make whites appear brighter, making whites feel crisper and more blue.

Testing 1, 2, 3…

I have found that one of the most important parts of picking paint of any color is to put it to the test. A paint chip can be helpful when narrowing down paint colors, but it can only provide a small window into what a paint color will actually look like in a particular space. That’s why I always purchase a small sample container of the paint color I am considering before committing to it. It is far better to make this small investment ahead of time then to spend hundreds of dollars on a paint color I’ll regret.

I start by simply painting the sample color on a large white poster board (a primed scrap piece of drywall works well for this too). Once the paint has fully dried, I bring the board around to various parts of our home at different times of day to get a sense of how the paint will actually look. I place it beside elements it will live alongside – our trim, cabinets and flooring – and take a look at it in the morning, afternoon and evening. This gives me the most accurate picture of how the color will shift with different lighting conditions, rooms, or even walls within the same space and ultimately gives me the confidence needed to move forward with a particular paint selection.

A Few Favorites

While there is no “perfect” white, as each interacts differently with the light, finishes and surroundings in a space, here are a few of my favorite tried-and-true Benjamin Moore whites that I find myself returning to again and again.

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At the end of the day, choosing a white paint color is less about finding the “perfect” shade and more about finding the shade that helps your home feel like the place you’ve always imagined it could be. Paint has the ability to completely transform the feeling of a space and by paying attention to things like the lighting, the finishes, and the atmosphere you want to create, you can choose a white that feels intentional, timeless, and uniquely yours.

So take your time, bring home those samples, and remember: the perfect white is the one that brings your home to life.

For a peek into more of our journey through renovations and the story of how this house slowly became home, be sure to read Finding Joy in the Journey: How This House Became Home.