As if paint shopping isn’t hard enough for an indecisive person like myself, adding white to the equation makes it an even more daunting task. There are white paints that pull warm with red, orange and yellow undertones and cool whites with green, blue, and violet undertones. Add other factors that impact the tonality like room lighting, flooring, etc. to the mix – and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by choice.
When we made the decision to shiplap our living room and kitchen in our renovation, I wanted to find a warm white that would make the space feel cozy and avoid the stark sterile “hospital look” at all costs.
My first step was an online search to compile tried and true designer favorites, and then I headed to the store to get swatches to try. While all the choices had their pros and cons, White Dove by Benjamin Moore was the clear winner for us and worked best with all the other elements in our space.
Here are some of my other top choices for warm white paint colors, curated from research and personal preference:
1. Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
White dove is more of a muted white, with creamy undertones that bring warmth and cozy vibes to a space. Our shiplapped living room, kitchen cabinets, and guest bedrooms are all painted White Dove. According to my research, it’s a crowd favorite for painting shiplap and trim, which is why I selected it to try.
2. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee(OC-45)
One of my favorite designers, Studio McGee uses this color often and I love it. It has more of an ivory/off-white tone, and make a space feel clean and airy.
3. Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117)
This is a bright, crisp and clean white. Some designers recommend using this color in darker spaces that are lacking natural light.
4. Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
This color is apparently used in Joanna Gaines’ farmhouse, and frequently used in Fixer Upper episodes. Since everything Jo Jo touches is magic, I had to try this one out! This was the runner up to White Dove for us. It is a soft warm off-white, with a neutral base.
5. Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White (OC-130)
Timeless, classic, and elegant is how Benjamin Moore describes this color and after trying it in our space..I agree! It’s soft, warm, and has neutral undertones so doesn’t appear too stark.
One thing that most can agree with is that white paint is timeless and versatile. It gives you a clean backdrop and freedom to easily change the color scheme or mood of the room. All five of these warm whites are beautiful options, that will bring light, warmth, and coziness to your space.
I recommend getting multiple swatches to test, while assessing lighting and other factors in the room. The perfect white will ground the space and create the perfect backdrop for you to bring in other elements of your personal style.
