Picking the Right White Paint Color
You’ve decided to give your space a refresh with some bright white paint. You run out to grab a can… quick in and out, right? Wrong. Suddenly you are inundated by a literal wall of white paint colors. When did they make so many versions of the same color! How the heck are you supposed to know which one is “your” version of bright white?
Many factors can affect the way a color looks in your space, and we’re here to help you find just the right shade.
Warm vs Cool
The first thing you should remember is that there are “cool” colors, and there are “warm” colors, and white is no exception. A cool white is one that may look blue in certain lights, while a warm white may appear yellow.
Not sure how to tell the difference? Imagine that you are looking at a color wheel; every color can be lightened all the way to white and darkened all the way to black. So start there!
For example, If you want a warm white, or an ivory, then it should be a few shades lighter than a yellow or tan paint. If you want a cool white, start looking near blues.
Funnily enough, sometimes the easiest way to tell if a white is warm or cool is to place it next to other whites! A seemingly neutral white may become very yellow when placed next to a cooler color. If you still prefer the color when compared to other whites, you are on the right track.
Lighting and Surroundings
A huge factor in selecting any color is where it is going and what will surround it. Light, like color, can also be warm or cool. You may notice that light in the morning looks cooler and brighter, and becomes warmer and softer in the evenings. This can have a great impact on how your walls look if they are in an area with lots of natural light.
If you are in a room with no windows, then it is important to consider the lighting source in that space. Do you have bright white bulbs that will appear cool? This could make the paint look even cooler.
Regardless of what lighting you are working with, you should think about what other colors are in the space. Do you have dark, warm wood floors? Cool gray tile? Are you painting a wall that will sit behind a bright blue sofa, or a yellow bedspread?
For these reasons, we suggest getting a large sample and taping/painting it in the area that you plan to paint. Until you see the color in your space, with your things, it may be difficult to tell if you are making the right choice.
Tips + Tricks
The industry has made some great strides in helping consumers with these choices, and we’ve rounded up some ways to get you started.
(this is not an ad - we really use these!)
Sherwin William’s color visualizer lets you paint a virtual space (even upload yours!)
Benjamin Moore’s color pages allow you to view the color in different types of light
Hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer paint-matching and visualization services online and in-store
Sites like samplize send peel-and-stick samples right to your home, and even offer bundles to help you find just the right shade.
Finally, here are some of our favorite shades of white:
Still struggling to pick the right shade, or not sure where to start? We can help!
