I’ll admit it, I have a love affair with white paint. While some may label it as boring and blah, I believe it creates such a perfect backdrop for furniture, art, decor and wall features that bring a bit of spice. However not all white is the same. In fact if you pick up a fan deck at your local paint shop, you might be overwhelmed with the amount of choice when it comes to white. And while my husband laughs when I ask him to choose between two that admittedly look very similar, whites can pull yellow, blue, grey – there are so many undertones that can change the entire look of a room. And girl, there’s nothing worse than putting all that sweat equity into painting a room only to stand back and realize it looks… dirty and yellow.
But let’s avoid that overwhelm – today I’m sharing my 5 favourite white paint colours and when & where I might use them. That said, I ALWAYS suggest grabbing a sample and applying the paint to your walls in multiple spots in the room, letting it fully dry, and then deciding. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve been so sure about a colour, tested it and realized it just didn’t work. Yes it’s an extra step, but it’s worth it.
1. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
If you’re after a cool, crisp and clean look, this is it. There’s not much of an undertone here, so it’s a safe bet for a bright and open living space. That said, Chantilly Lace is on the cooler side, so you’ll want to warm it up with woods, textures, greenery and decor items. I used this pure white across our entire main floor, minus the bathrooms. While yes it brightens small spaces that don’t get a ton of light, it’s not my favourite in a room with mirrors. Goodbye any sort of warm glow, sister.
2. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Ok not only does this just sound like a mug of deliciousness, it’s a classic white in the designer world. Picture it exactly like it sounds – warm, creamy and ‘stay a while’ kind of inviting. I find this is a great option in more traditional spaces where you might find warm woods and gold accents – yet lots of light. In a small dark space, Swiss Coffee might pull a little too yellow for my liking. That said, we used this colour in our small nursery and love it for its rich coziness.
3. Benjamin Moore White Dove
Ah, another goodie. White Dove still falls under creamy warm white, but it tends to pull less yellow than its Swiss Coffee counterpart – and a little more greige. If you’re still on the fence about the white that best fits your space, I’d say this one is typically a sure bet. I also love White Dove as a kitchen cabinet colour – it’s neutral but not cold or sterile.
4. Benjamin Moore China White
This one doesn’t get quite as much love, but it’s truly a favourite of mine. We used this in our primary bedroom, which isn’t a huge space – plus we often keep the blinds closed so there isn’t a ton of light (because who has time to open them in the morning and then close them at night, you know?). That said, it does reflect light beautifully though. China White has a grey, almost bone-coloured undertone and I’m so here for it. It’s warm yet cool at the same time, making it super versatile.
- Benjamin Moore Mascarpone
Don’t some of these make you want to transport to a coffee shop and enjoy lattes and pastries? Mascarpone is a creamy warm white that actually does pull yellow, but this time on purpose. It’s soft, rich, feminine and just so perfect in the right space. It would be beautiful in a daughter’s room, or in a Victorian home with traditional wall moulding and stunning antique chandeliers. Ooh baby, I can picture it.
