Shades of White
Not all white paints are created equal
When it comes to home design, few colors can match the timeless appeal and versatility of white. Often associated with simplicity and serenity, white paint creates a blank canvas that allows you to play with various design elements and styles. However, choosing the right shade can be a daunting task due to the endless array of tones, shades, and inventive paint names. We’re here to solve that puzzle, so uncross your eyes and print this page, because Zoe has rounded up her favorite white paints for every room situation and aesthetic.
1. chantilly lace by Benjamin Moore
For a crisp, modern look, cool whites with hints of blue or gray, like Chantilly Lace, are an excellent choice. This shade provides a contemporary feel, making it ideal for minimalist, clean-lined spaces. It works exceptionally well in rooms with abundant natural light.
Our clients went from NYC to a spacious D.C. new build that was in desperate need of soul. In the living room, walls painted in Chantilly Lace lots of light act as a neutralizer to the adjacent dark kitchen.
Max Burkhalter
2. All White by Farrow & Ball
The self-proclaimed “most sympathetic color,” this white suits many rooms, whether warm or cool, bright or dim. Use it as the fresh, simple backdrop for graphic art to create a gallery feel.
3. Whipped by Clare
Soft and warm, we often opt for this paint in the rooms lacking in natural light. This hue creates a sense of comfort and harmony. Bonus points: Clare Paints carries only zero-VOC products, meaning they’re safe for you and the earth.
4. SuperMoon by Backdrop
A pure, use-anywhere white. This green-certified brand has managed to create the ultimate versatile shade of white—not too warm, not too sterile. Goldilocks would approve.
5. Milk Moustache by C2
Warm but slightly less so than Clare’s Whipped, Milk Moustache pairs well with both warm and cool color schemes. True to its name, it reads milky and dimensional.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
A young family wanted to integrate their funky, organic sensibility with their home's classic bones. We enlisted texture, pattern, and strategic bursts of saturated color in the furnishings, while C2’s Milk Moustache laid the foundation to let them shine.
6. School house White by Farrow & Ball
A timeless neutral that hovers between cream and bright white. Its warmth reads totally classic and is inspired by traditional schoolhouses of the past.
7. China White by Benjamin Moore
This Ben Moore shade has a nice depth that is great for exteriors, as it feels fresh but blends into the elements—so your home doesn’t feel like a big white box (Zoe’s home exterior is painted this color).
8. Architectural White by C2
A classic gallery white, this hue feels airy and spacious and works well in sunny spaces. Experienced and amateur art collectors alike will rejoice!
9. Wevet by Farrow & Ball
The hint of gray in this ZF-approved white is subtle and versatile. Use it to make large rooms feel less cavernous or on trims and ceilings to temper cooler-toned walls.
A modernized kitchen in a 1915 row home feels cozy and inviting with walls painted in Wevet. The color is paralleled at the front of the house in the entry and living room, creating a common thread that connects the long, narrow space.
Max Burkhalter
10. Simply White by Benjamin Moore
A tiny dash of warmth makes Simply White a no-fail pick for neutral spaces, regardless of the amount of light or accompanying materials. When in doubt, this white looks crisp and clean in any situation.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
A soothing, neutral family room in Framebridge founder Susan Tynan’s home is timeless and dynamic with Simply White on the walls and trim. All furniture and furnishings feel at home with this chameleon of a color.
A few last notes on choosing a white paint color:
Test a minimum of three and a maximum of five—don’t settle, but don’t get overwhelmed. Samplize is a mess-free way to try multiple samples.
Choose your sample based on type preference (pots, dry, peel and stick) and what will allow you to best envision the color in your space.
Sample paint in different areas of the room and observe over a 24-hour period. Different times of day will reveal different paint qualities.
Consider the most common type of weather and light sources that create the room’s atmosphere and let it guide your paint choice.
Have your own white paint tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments, and happy painting!