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The 34 Best White Paint Colors Designers Love

Paint your home like the professionals with bright, vivid whites

White walled entryway with dark cabinet and framed pictures on top behind marbled counter with white flower in glass vase

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

If you have ever painted a room white, then you know that picking the best white paint color is not as easy as it seems. Like any other hue, white paint can look completely different depending on the room, with factors such as the room's orientation, natural and artificial lighting, and flooring, bringing out the undertones, or hints of various colors in the paint. Some white paints are warm while others have cool or neutral undertones. Choosing a white paint that complements your space helps to create a light, spacious, serene, and clean feel in the room.

There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right white paint for your space. For example, it helps to know about warm vs. cool undertones. Warm white paint colors have undertones of red, orange, and yellow that create a soft glow in a room. Cool white paint colors have undertones of green, blue, and violet that give a room a crisp, clean, fresh feeling. But both bright white and off-white paint can have warm or cool undertones to make your room feel cozy or vibrant, all of which give you tons of choices to make your space perfect for you.

  • Color Family: White
  • Complementary Colors: N/A
  • Pairs Well With: White looks good with any other color
  • Mood: Light, bright, fresh, clean, crisp, calming
  • Where to Use: Living spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, cabinetry, trim, doors, ceilings, and exteriors

Here are 34 of the best white paint color ideas, with tips on how to use them.

  • 01 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Extra White

    Benjamin Moore Extra White swatch

    The Spruce 

    Don't be afraid of a pure white. Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) is a true white without any cool or warm undertones swaying it to one side of the spectrum. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a crisp, bright shade of white. It's fresh and clean, and when used behind a gallery wall, it provides the perfect backdrop to display your favorite pieces of art. It's also a great choice for cabinets and trim because it won't clash with conflicting undertones.

  • 02 of 34

    Valspar Swiss Coffee

    Valspar Swiss Coffee swatch

    The Spruce

    Valspar Swiss Coffee (7002-16) is a warm white that is perfect for living spaces and bedrooms. This color has a subtle yellow undertone that pairs well with other warm neutrals, such as beige or green. It also would look great with a wood floor that has a warm stain. It feels familiar and comforting, not sterile like some white paints can be.

  • 03 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

    Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace (OC-65) is a consistent favorite among decorators because of its versatility and beauty. This is Benjamin Moore's truest white with gray and cool blue undertones. It feels clean and fresh on any wall but works particularly well in rooms without a lot of natural light, which can make it look especially stark. Consider Chantilly Lace in kitchens or dining rooms, and pair it with cool colors.

    Tip

    White paint can easily show any scuffs, smudges, and other marks. Make sure these spots are easy to wipe off by using a paint with a high sheen, such as semigloss or gloss, especially in high-traffic areas of your home.

  • 04 of 34

    Behr Falling Snow

    Behr Falling Snow paint swatch

    The Spruce 

    Another stunning cool white, Behr Falling Snow (PPU18-07) has blue and gray undertones. It pairs extremely well with neutrals and blue and purple accents. It's bright without being overpowering and gives a clean feel to any room. We particularly love it in bedrooms and entryways.

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  • 05 of 34

    Farrow & Ball All White No. 2005

    Farrow & Ball All White paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball's All White No. 2005 is a pure white that contains no pigments other than white. This means that it can work with either cool or warm colors. Pair it with bold shades, such as black or deep hunter green, to create a sophisticated, modern look. Or mix it with other light neutrals for a simple, relaxing space.

  • 06 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Acadia White

    Benjamin Moore Acadia White

     The Spruce

    If you are in the market for a warm off-white, Benjamin Moore Acadia White (OC-38) is a sophisticated and classic hue that blends well with an array of palettes. This ivory shade adds depth to a room but still feels clean and bright. Pair it with a bright white trim to add dimension to dining rooms and living spaces.

  • 07 of 34

    Rust-Oleum Linen White

    Rust-Oleum Linen White chalky paint swatch

    The Spruce 

    Chalk paint offers an antiqued look, doesn't require a primer, and is perfect for furniture and accents. Rust-Oleum Linen White is a crisp white with subtle gray undertones. It works well for cabinetry, dressers, or other DIY projects. And it dries to a velvety matte finish that looks clean and elegant.

    Tip

    Before you select a white paint color, try a small sample in your space to see how it looks throughout the day. The color might appear very different in morning light versus afternoon or artificial light. 

  • 08 of 34

    Magnolia Shiplap

    Magnolia Shiplap paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Magnolia Shiplap is a crisp and clean white hue that feels just modern enough without being too stark or sterile. This cool shade is creamy and inviting, and it provides the perfect canvas for, yes, a modern farmhouse look. Pair it with earthy tones that complement the richness of its neutral color.

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  • 09 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

    Benjamin Moore Gray Owl paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (2137-60) could be considered gray, but it's light enough to fit into the white paint category. This cool gray/white is a modern shade with subtle blue undertones that pairs beautifully with bright white or light neutral accents. Gray Owl will especially draw out greens and blues in the rest of a room's decor and lend a sense of calm to bathrooms, bedrooms, and more.

  • 10 of 34

    Farrow & Ball Pointing

    Farrow & Ball Pointing paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball fan favorite Pointing (No. 2003) is named after the lime pointing, or mortar, used in traditional brickwork. It's a warm white with red undertones that keep it from going yellow in the light. A soft and delicate white, Pointing will work in a variety of settings where you want to keep it pale and neutral but want the extra depth and nuance that an off-white from this British paint company knows how to bring.

  • 11 of 34

    Clare Whipped

    Clare Whipped paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Whipped is a soft white that zero VOC paint company Clare recommends for north-facing rooms. This shade is also available as an exterior paint color if you're looking for a creamy white to give your facade a refresh.

  • 12 of 34

    Clare Snow Day

    Clare Snow Day Paint Swatch

    The Spruce

    Snow Day from Clare is a cool white that mimics the effect of a blanket of freshly fallen powder, with a whisper of warmth to keep it from feeling sterile. Try it in a kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom for a fresh, clean feel.

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  • 13 of 34

    Farrow & Ball Blackened

    Farrow and Ball Blackened

    The Spruce

    Blackened (No. 2011) from Farrow & Ball is a cool white with a hint of gray that got its name from the black oil lamp smoke pigment that was once used to color it. This popular and versatile shade works well with brighter true whites on trim or millwork, or can enhance the industrial feel of a kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

  • 14 of 34

    Clare Fresh Kicks

    Clare Fresh Kicks Paint Swatch

    The Spruce

    Fresh Kicks by Clare is an untinted white without any undertones, making it fresh, clean, modern, and versatile. Use it for basements, bathrooms without natural light, or anywhere you want to create a bright, modern feel. Clare notes that this true white may need additional coats to get smooth coverage depending on the space.

  • 15 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Snowbound

    Sherwin Williams Snowbound

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004) has a subtle grayish-beige undertone to make this cool white pair well with other neutral greige colors in more contemporary settings.

  • 16 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Atrium White

    Atrium White

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Atrium White (OC-145) is considered an off-white and has a very slight pink-peach undertone to make this a warm white. If you're looking for a pretty and calming white for a child's room, playroom, or even a family room, this is the ideal color paint.

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  • 17 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

    Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee (OC-45) is a warm off-white with green, gray, and yellow undertones. This paint color strikes the right tone for a cozy, welcoming living room or family room.

  • 18 of 34

    Farrow & Ball Strong White

    Farrow & Ball Strong White

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball's Strong White (No. 2001) is a cool, pale white with light gray undertones that's a perfect fit for both contemporary or period interiors. It's a great white color to help give a small room a larger appearance.

  • 19 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Decorator's White

    Decorator's White Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White (CC-20) is one of the company's most popular, classic white colors. It may look pure white at first, but in a room its slight gray and purple undertones cool it off a bit to give the color its crispness. This white creates a great sleek, stylish, and modern aesthetic.

  • 20 of 34

    Benjamin Moore White Dove

    Benjamin Moore White Dove

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's White Dove (OC-17) is a clean, classic off-white. This warm white looks good in just about any room that needs a touch of brightness. If you live in a foggy or overcast climate, this is a great paint color to lighten up your interiors.

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  • 21 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Ivory White

    benjamin moore ivory white

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Ivory White (925) is a warm but clean and crisp white shade. It's one of the best warm white paint colors because you can use it on the walls, trim, and cabinets at the same time to create the softest, creamiest room.

  • 22 of 34

    Farrow & Ball School House White

    Farrow & Ball Schoolhouse White

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball's School House White (No. 291) is a cool but soft off-white meant to have a welcoming look. This off-white tends to look a little bit brighter and whiter in a room that does not get a lot of natural light.

  • 23 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Moderne White

    Sherwin Williams Moderne White

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams' Moderne White (SW 6168) is a simple, clean white with a muted cool grayish-green undertone. It is an ideal color to brighten up a bedroom, bathroom, or hallway.

  • 24 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Simply White

    Benjamin Moore Simply White

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) is a clear, crisp white that balances both warm and cool undertones. If you want to create a clean and glossy look in a room, this is the right white paint. This is also a great white paint for trim, cabinets, and ceilings.

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  • 25 of 34

    Farrow & Ball Wimborne White

    Farrow & Ball Wimborne White

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White (No. 239) is an off-white named after the market town of Wimborne in Dorset, which is the home of Farrow & Ball. It's just a shade away from a pure white but it has the tiniest warm yellow undertone for a softer look than pure white.

  • 26 of 34

    Farrow & Ball Salt

    Farrow & Ball Salt

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball's Salt is an older and now classic color. It's bright and crisp but its gray undertone makes this color more subtle. This color has stood the test of time in the Farrow & Ball's white collection because true to its name, the paint seems to leave what appears to be a hint of a sparkling crystalline surface on walls.

  • 27 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Snowfall White

    Benjamin Moore Snowfall White

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Snowfall White (2144-70) is pristine white and makes a room feel clean, crisp, and brighter. This cool white paint color is terrific for a room that does not get much natural light.

  • 28 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

    Sherwin-Williams Alabaster paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) is a soft, warm, and creamy white perfect for times you want a bright, but not sterile white. This balanced color creates a peaceful and welcoming vibe in a room.

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  • 29 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Pure White

    Sherwin-Williams Pure White swatch

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW-7005) is a soft, yet bright white with a very subtle yellow undertone that keeps the color from becoming too stark and cold. It looks perfect on trim to help it stand out while keeping a room somewhat subdued.

  • 30 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Calm

    Benjamin Moore Calm

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Calm (OC-22) is soft off-white paint with the tiniest hint of lavender-gray and a drop of brown to give it a warmer undertone. If you're hoping to create a soothing bedroom, this is another perfect color to paint your walls.

  • 31 of 34

    Sherwin-Williams Ethereal White

    Sherwin-Williams Ethereal White

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams Ethereal White (SW 6182) lives up to its name by creating a creamy and serene background. This is one of the best off-white paint colors thanks to its very subtle warmer grayish-greenish undertones. Designers love this color for its ability to work with all colors from neutrals to dark jewel tones.

  • 32 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Oxford White

    Benjamin Moore Oxford White

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Oxford White (CC-30) is a classic bright white with a subtle cool gray undertone. Many designers choose this white for not only walls but also to make trim look crisp and clean. Oxford White is one of the best white paint colors for interior walls because it works well with any decor, from traditional to contemporary.

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  • 33 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Super White

    Super White paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Super White (OC-152) is a shade of white meant to create a clear, simple canvas in a room. This very cool white does not have any hint of an undertone, making this a good white paint for dark rooms.

  • 34 of 34

    Benjamin Moore Dune White

    Benjamin Moore Dune White

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Dune White (968) has a hushed grayish-green undertone that makes it almost a greige-white. Dune is one of the best white paint colors for bedrooms if you are looking for a muted, warm look.