Porche Tips & Tricks: Our Favorite White Paint Colors
White walls are all the rage right now and for a good reason. They create neutral bright and versatile backdrops for your space. They reflect natural light back into the space creating a warm and inviting feel. But, let’s be honest, selecting the perfect white paint color for your space can definitely be tricky. If you are struggling with selecting a white paint color for your home, we have a few professional tried and true tips to share that can help make the decision a little easier for you!
One of our biggest tips when it comes to using white paint in your home is to stick to the same paint color for walls, ceiling, and trim. For the trim and ceiling, we like to cut it by 50% (this will create a softer and lighter version of the original shade while still remaining true to the same paint color and undertones). If you use more than one white color in a space, you run the risk of the paints having different hues and undertones which can severely alter how certain whites appear against each other (this holds true to other paint colors as well, but it can be especially noticeable among whites). By painting everything the same white paint color, you are ensuring that all of the hues and undertones are the same, therefore your white paint color will remain tried and true without changing its’ appearance. Remember, if you want some contrast on trim or cabinetry, consider lightening the same white paint color to 75% or 50%. We also lighten it on ceilings to the same percentage as the trim.
We hope that our guide to choosing the perfect white paint color helps in your decision making process! Always, always remember to sample. You might not want to spend the money, but sampling can save you from a costly mistake of re-painting in the long run. Test your samples at different times of day, in various rooms of the house, against your trim/cabinetry paint and against your floors. These can all alter the look of white paint, so be sure to take all factors into account. You cannot sample too much in our opinions! If you are considering multiple whites, paint them all beside each other in various places in your room (as well as trim!)
Whatever you do, PLEASE do not go off of photos that you see online of certain colors. All colors look different on computer screens and have different editing applied to them. They will not look the same in your home, so definitely keep that in mind and use samples instead.
When choosing sheens for your white paints, we often recommend Flat or Eggshell for standard (non-bathroom) walls with Satin in Bathrooms. Our go to for ceilings is Flat paint. On millwork and cabinetry, we often use Satin. Semi-Gloss is also popular to use on trim work.
Below we’ve listed some of our favorite white paint colors along with a description of each color!
White Dove by Benjamin Moore
White Dove offers a neutral white that is soft with subtle grey undertones. While not a crisp white, this color is known for its light reflective properties. Use this color in a space with lots of natural light to provide a brilliant light neutral that will make a space feel open and airy.
Extra White by Sherwin Williams
This color is a true white that is crisp and clean. This color provides brightness and a fresh, inviting look to your space. This color is beautiful under both natural and artificial light.
Heron Plume by Sherwin Williams
Heron Plume offers a soft taupe look that incorporates darker tones compared to an off-white color. Under certain lights this color can appear more beige and grey, but works beautifully to create a warm inviting space with a neutral light palette. Emily uses this throughout her home (walls, trim & cabinetry) @ThePorchePlace. *All photos in this post have this paint color on the walls, trim (75%) and ceiling (75%).
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
This smooth true-white paint color invokes notions of pure silk or white linen fabric. This shade has no inherent warm or cool undertones. It is a simple, yet elegant pure white.
Simply White by Benjamin Moore
With its yellow undertone, Simply White provides warmth to a space by incorporating neutral notes and shades to the space. This colors incorporates the fresh cleanliness of a pure white with the warmth and neutrals of an off-white shade.
Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
This warm off-white offers warmth to any space. This color offers undertones that are creamier and softer than other white color options. This paint would be great for an inviting, calming warm bedroom.
Snowbound by Sherwin Williams
Snowbound is complex color because it is not dominantly warm or cool but has undertones of grey with a twinge of beige. The neutral tones of the white give this paint color a timeless look that looks great in any space. This is a tried and true safe clean white.
Pure White by Sherwin Williams
Pure White is slightly less reflective than extra white while providing the same tones and shades of a true white color. This paint color is great for interior spaces, trim, walls and cabinets. This color provides a crisp white color that does not appear too stark.
Decorators White by Benjamin Moore
Decorators White is classified as a cool off-white color that contains faint grey tones. This color is a great compromise between an off-white and true-white because it is softer than a pure white but not yellow or beige.
Happy White Paint Hunting! Take a deep breath…pick your favorites, grab the samples, test everywhere and be confident in your decision. You’ve got this!!
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