How to Choose White Paint for Your Interiors: Tips & Colors

How to Choose White Paint for Your Interiors is for anyone gearing up to paint a room white…which is to say EVERYONE. Presently, I am exhausted from all the priming and painting around these halls. And yet there is at least another week or two more of white paint in my future! As a true ambassador for white and neutral interiors and tone on tone decor, I’m passionate about paint colors. White paint, in particular, is a happy place. Always has been. And since we all want to discover the best white paint colors, help for choosing the BEST WHITE SHADE is on the way.

Help for How to Choose White Paint - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitepaintcolors — **please pin to save for future reference**

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How to Choose White Paint for Your Walls?

BM White OC-151 on walls in bedroom with knotty alder doors and white oak hardwood. French Nordic style with cottage style furniture painted BM Revere Pewter. #hellolovelystudio #bedroomdecor #knottyalder #europeancountry — Walls: **BM White OC-151**

You’ll find folks who say white paint is white paint. And here is what I say to that:

Image result for hilarious gif of blonde saying no way

One Shade Does Not Fit All

Plentiful shades of white paint exist for good reason: they vary in terms of undertones, interaction with light, and warmth. A white paint you used in a former home may look all wrong in your present one.

Farrow & Ball Strong White paint color in a gorgeous French farmhouse bathroom by Vivi et Margot on Hello Lovely Studio. #paintcolors #farrowandballstrongwhite #bestwhites #bestwhitepaint #bathroom #interiordesign — Vivi et Margot – wall paint color: **FARROW & BALL Strong White**…certainly a vision of lovely.

Why is that?

Breezy and unfussy with Belgian linen curtains from Pottery Barn, this French farmhouse living room with white (Farrow and Ball's Strong White) and French Gray accents is as timeless as it is refreshing - Vivi et Margot. — **FARROW & BALL Strong White**…certainly tranquil and elegant (Vivi et Margot).

Because your room’s unique lighting, exposure, decor plan, objects, furniture, etc. impact the complete design picture.

Serene, quiet, and timeless, this girls bedroom in a French farmhouse has ancient windows allowing the fresh air in, Farrow and Ball Strong White paint color on the walls, and pink accents from Pottery Barn. Vivi et Margot. — **FARROW & BALL Strong White** in Vivi et Margot’s charing farmhouse.

Rooms throughout your home vary in their exposure and location does indeed matter.

French farmhouse bathroom with clawfoot tub, terracotta reclaimed antique tile floor, and Farrow & Ball Strong White paint on walls. Design by Vivi et Margot. — Vivi et Margot – wall paint color: **FARROW & BALL Strong White**...certainly a gorgeous result.

So is there indeed a WHITE PAINT out there to best enhance your particular walls?

Yep.

White classic kitchen with coastal modern farmhouse style and European country influence. Wall paint is Benjamin Moore White. — **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**…as well as many other suggestions. Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

Serene European country inspired breakfast nook in my kitchen with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio.

1. Grainsack Pillows

2. Flower Market Sign

3. Similar Antique Silver Chandelier

4. Woven Placemats

5. Metal Industrial Farmhouse Chairs

6. Counter Stools

7. Slipcovered Chair Set

8. Paint Color

So what the heck.

Benjamin Moore WHITE is the name of the paint color in our kitchen here and what we used throughout our home - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitepaintcolors #benjaminmoorewhite #brightwhite #paintcolors #bestwhites — Wall paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**…as well as lovely white paints to consider.

Let’s find it.

An abstract painting by me on a white wall in a bedroom painted BM White OC-151 - Hello Lovely Studio. #benjaminmoorewhite #paintcolors #interiordesign

How This Advice Will Help

Advice for choosing the best white paint color for your walls flows from: (1) my history and love affair with carefully chosen, sophisticated, tried and true, best white paint colors,

Belgian linen pillows on a window seat and slipcovered chair in a kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio. Wall paint is Benjamin Moore White. — Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**…in case you’re looking for a cool and bright white.

(2) expert advice from color professionals, and (3) well earned design wisdom from talented designers and decorators who know their way around white.

Round Farmhouse Dining Table…certainly a friendly price point.

Personal Tips for Choosing the Best White Paint Color

Dozens of years spent painting rooms and furniture with white paint earned me my white decor card and trained my eye for color.

Beautiful white paint color is Benjamin Moore WHITE (yep, just WHITE) in my kitchen and dining room - Hello Lovely Studio. #paintcolors #whitepaints #bestwhitepaint #brightwhite #benjaminmoorewhite

Since I also work with paint colors as an artist, yep…I’m particularly color savvy.

Hello Lovely Studio's pale neutrals, serene decor, and an ethereal mood permeate this French Nordic style bedroom with reclaimed wood statement wall - Hello Lovely Studio. #serenedecor #NordicFrench #bedroomdecor #frenchnordicstyle — **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**..in case you are seeking a bright white.

With confidence, I can report that the best white paint color for your room is highly subjective, psychological, and even a scientific matter…a white paint perfect for a particular space could spell disaster for another.

French Nordic style and Belgian influence in a dining room and kitchen with window seat by Hello Lovely Studio. Wall paint color is Benjamin Moore White. — Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White**…in case you’ re asking What is the Best White Paint Color? Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

1. Terracotta Urn Vase

2. 30″ Fireclay Farm Sink

3. Bridge Faucet

4. Polished Marble Subway Mosaic

5. Stainless Cabinet Hardware

6. Similar Rustic Accent Stool

7. White Ruffle Bowl

8. Wood Boards

9. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

10. Bosch 800 Series Appliances

11. Paint Color

1. Geographical Location Matters

Since I live in Northern Illinois where the light is wholly different from the light in the Southwest, white paint colors here take on a completely different quality due to the light.

For a bright white paint color with minimal undertones, try Benjamin Moore WHITE which we used on walls throughout our home - Hello Lovely Studio. #benjaminmoorewhite #bestwhites #paintcolors #whitepaints #brightwhite — Wall paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**…as well as more whites to consider.

2. Don’t Fixate on Just One Color

To choose the BEST WHITE, don’t become obsessed with just one color you see in an image or on Pinterest and assume it will be perfect without trying a sample.

Our white Shaker style kitchen is painted Benjamin Moore WHITE (Yep, just White is the name) - Hello Lovely Studio. #brightwhites #paintcolor #benjaminmoorewhite — Paint color: **BM White OC-151.**..in case you’re asking What is the Best White Paint Color? Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

Why?

First, professional photography often involves editing. Second, the room’s location and lighting likely varies significantly from your own. Third, we often experience an emotional reaction to the NAME of paint colors!

Hello Lovely's European country style bedroom with knotty alder door and walls painted BM White OC-151. — Wall paint color is **BM White OC-151…in case you need white paint suggestions.** Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

3. Sample Several White Paint Colors

Begin with a handful of tones to sample on your walls. From there, you’ll narrow down your search to the white paint that is just right.

BM White OC-151 in our French Nordic bathroom with knotty alder door - Hello Lovely Studio.

In our home which was entirely renovated by us DIY style, I first selected about five different pure white paint color contenders.

Tone on tone palette at cozy window seat with pillows and candlelight - Hello Lovely Studio. #windowseat #allwhitedecor #scandinavianstyle #interiordesign

4. Analyze the White Paint Samples

After painting large expanses of walls throughout our home with the samples, I scrutinized. I took time to notice how the white changed or didn’t change throughout the day.

Shaker style white cabinets in simple serene kitchen with white oak floors and Viatera Minuet quartz countertops - Hello Lovely Studio. — Cabinets by Schuler with “White Icing” painted finish over maple…in case you’re wondering.

5. Keep in Mind White Paints Have Undertones

All whites have subtle undertones of grey, pink, yellow, brown, blue, etc. which influence the white’s appearance in varying light.

Lovely grisaille mural wallpaper from Photowall with grey trees on a white ground. I created a DIY accent wall in a guest bedroom, and the mood is timeless, serene and tranquil - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpaper #mural #interiordesign #hellolovelystudio #grisaille #treewallpaper

You’ll develop an understanding for such undertones as you compare different white paint samples and notice how they vary in your home with your lighting.

French Nordic style and shabby chic decor in a studio with white vintage piano and walls painted Benjamin Moore White. Hello Lovely Studio. — Wall color: **BM OC-151.**..in case you’re seeking best white paint colors. Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

6. Choose the Best White Paint Color

From my samples, a white paint color clearly emerged as the best white paint to my eye. It has a cool, modern, gallery-like, slightly monastic and ethereal feel and did not feel overly cool or stark for my taste.

Rustic alder front door in an entry with jute area rug. Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are painted Benjamin Moore White. — Paint color: **BM OC-151.**..in case you need a white paint.

Jute Area Rug…in case you need a natural fiber rug.

It Really is Just WHITE

We painted all the walls, trim, and ceilings in our North-South exposure home (which receives intense yellow sunlight) BENJAMIN MOORE White. Five years later, it remains and certainly feels just as right.

What a transformation when we painted over yellow walls!

The minimal simplicity of the name of this Benjamin Moore white means there’s no chance we’ll forget the color’s name!

White paint color in our bedroom is Benjamin Moore "White." Hello Lovely Studio. #paintcolors #whitepaint #bestwhites #benjaminmoorewhite — Bedroom walls are **BM OC-151;** mirror frame is **BM Revere Pewter**…in case you need a light grey-white.

Rustic farmhouse style stool! #rusticdecor #stool #farmhouse — Rustic farmhouse stool: FIND HERE

Hello Lovely Studio's Nordic French bedroom with Belgian linen accent chair and campaign style table. #nordicfrenchstyle #bedroomdecor #serenedecor #interiordesign #europeancountry

7. Choose the Flattering White for Your Unique Space

BM OC-151 White is not for the faint of heart since it’s decidedly bright white and not nearly as gentle as white paints I have used in other homes. However, it’s the right white because it both appeals to my eye AND COMPLEMENTS OUR HOME’S ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN STYLE.

Hello Lovely Studio's kitchen with window seat, Belgian linen stools and slipcovered chairs, and Benjamin Moore white paint color on walls. — In case you are asking What is the Best White Paint for Walls? Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

Here is the white I used throughout our prior home which had a very different mood:

The walls in the living room are painted with Benjamin Moore White Sand - a soft and warm creamy shade with green undertones and a beachy feel. #hellolovelystudio #benjaminmoorewhitesand #paintcolors #warmwhitepaintcolor

Benjamin Moore White Sand paint color is a warm white with warm brown and green undertones. #benjaminmoorewhitesand #paintcolors #bestwhitepaint — **BM White Sand**…certainly a calm white with warmth.

Copenhagen chair with Belgian linen upholstery (RH) in a French Nordic style living room by Hello Lovely Studio. Wall paint is Benjamin Moore White Sand. — Hello Lovely Studio – **BENJAMIN MOORE White Sand**…in case you love beachy warm white.

The trim was painted BENJAMIN MOORE Dove Wing.

Dove Wing by Benjamin Moore for a beautiful white paint color for trim — **BENJAMIN MOORE Dove Wing**…in case you need an off white with grey undertones.

8. More White Paint Colors I Admire

BENJAMIN MOORE White Dove remains a favorite of mine for vintage furniture and what I chose to paint my family piano.

French farmhouse style and neutral palette in a studio with white piano, rustic shutter, and white bust of Diana. Piano is painted Benjamin Moore White Dove, and walls are Benjamin Moore White. — Wall paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE OC-151**...in case you need a crisp, gallery-bright white.

For our second home in Arizona, with its intense sunlight, I chose the creamy, warm, putty-like white with green undertones, VALSPAR Salute for all of the interior walls.

Belgian linen slipcovered sofa (Ikea Ektorp) in my Arizona living room with aqua accents - Hello Lovely Studio. — Paint color is Valspar Salute in case you need a white for South facing rooms.

Valspar Salute paint color. — VALSPAR Salute…certainly a lovely white with green undertones.

You can more easily recognize the green undertones in Salute when you compare it to another Valspar white like Honeymilk:

Valspar Honeymilk white paint color — **VALSPAR Honeymilk**…a lovely white with brown undertones.
According to HGTV, this is a *Fixer Upper* inspired creamy white to capture the look from the show.

Easiest way to see if a paint color will work? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.

9. It Helps to Review Photos of Rooms Online

While there are paint color experts who may advise against stalking Pinterest and blogs for paint color ideas, I have my own opinion (however biased it is as a blogger!).

My master bathroom - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio

Collecting images of beautiful white painted rooms online or in shelter magazines (where the paint color name is provided) can be far more helpful for securing initial samples than deliberating over teeny pieces of cardstock under fluorescent lighting at the paint counter.

Classic white coastal style kitchen with polished marble backsplash statement wall, Shaker cabinets, industrial work table, and Viatera quartz (Minuet). Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio – kitchen cabinetry by Schuler with bright white “White Icing” painted finish.

I AM OBVIOUSLY passionate about WHITE PAINT and paint everything…ask the family! Ever considered painting wood cabinets to brighten up your kitchen, bath, or laundry room?

Here’s a tutorial.

Products used: Snow White Water Based Milk Paint as well as Water Based Top Coat

10. Pinterest for Paint Color Search

I have a Pinterest board HERE and HERE devoted to paint colors to which I’m drawn.

It may be wise to create a board devoted to just white paint colors.

You can truly make Pinterest work FOR you instead of the other way around!

Humorous inspirational quote on Hello Lovely Studio: I would rather be someone's glass of champagne than everybody's cup of tea. — *This quote’s background is* ***FARROW & BALL Pavillion Gray***...certainly classic.

The pinnable graphic below includes favorite white paint colors and neutrals I like to use.

Best White Paint Colors in this Ultimate Guide by Hello Lovely Studio. — Pin this *Ultimate Guide to the Best White Paint Colors!*

Classic Gray, for example, is actually more of a white (and I give the magnificent Loi of Tone on Tone full credit for turning me on to this hue which we painted a bathroom here.)

Pin this post for future reference!

White Paint Color Favorites of Joanna Gaines

If you’re a fan of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, you know Joanna Gaines has a keen eye for neutral palettes. This story in Country Living revealed the white paint colors Joanna Gaines tends to use again and again in renovation projects.

Joanna Gaines white farmhouse kitchen with shiplap walls, natural wood beam, subway tile backsplash, antique island base, and concrete counters. — Joanna Gaines farmhouse kitchen – HGTV Fixer Upper. Wall paint: **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster**…in case you wonder How to Choose the Best White Paint Color Every Time! Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint…certainly lovely indeed.

1. White Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Alabaster

Fixer Upper’s creative dynamo’s favorite white? SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster, which she chose for her own home (above as well as multiple interior design projects on the show.

Fixer Upper and Joanna Gaines favorite white paint: Sherwin Williams Alabaster. — **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster:** certainly appears to be Joanna Gaines’ Favorite White!

2. White Paint Color: Kilz Wedding Band

For a soothing grey paint color, Joanna likes KILZ Wedding Band.

Gray walls in Fixer Upper bathroom by Joanna Gaines painted Kilz Wedding Band. — HGTV Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines certainly likes using this gray for spa-like baths: **KILZ Wedding Band**. In case you’re wondering How to Choose the Best White Paint Color Every Time!

Kilz Wedding Band paint color is a favorite of Joanna Gaines for Fixer Upper renovation projects. — **KILZ Wedding Band** – in case you’re asking What is the Best White Paint for Walls? Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint

3. White Paint Color: Kilz Shiplap

Is it any wonder, another white paint favorite of Joanna’s is known as “Shiplap?”

Farmhouse style entry with black bench, shiplap, rustic decor. Paint color is Kilz Shiplap. — Wall color (not the wood shiplap) is **KILZ Shiplap**, certainly one of Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines’ favorite wall paint colors.

Kilz Shiplap paint color is a favorite of Joanna Gaines for Fixer Upper houses. — **KILZ Shiplap** – in case you’re asking What is the Best White Paint for Walls? Interior Design Inspiration and Help for Choosing the Right White Paint

White Paint Color Advice: Remodelista

Turning to the talented design experts at Remodelista revealed a helpful and highly researched story about how to choose the best white paint colors.

These were some of the highlights of the piece for me:

View of hall in French Nordic cottage with Benjamin Moore White walls, Belgian linen upholstery, and European inspired farmhouse style interiors by Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio – Walls and trim: **BM OC-151**. How to Choose the Right White Paint Color Every Time!

1. Consider Nuance

As I echoed earlier, Remodelista asserts it is helpful to understand the varying nuances of white paint colors (is it cool, warm, bluish, pinkish?).

Luxurious and classic white bathroom with high ceiling, shiplap, freestanding tub, and walls painted Sherwin Williams Alabaster. — Curls and Cashmere – Wall paint color: **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster**

2. Note the Warmth of Objects in the Room

According to these experts, if the objects in a room you will be painting are cool, narrow your white paint color search to cool whites. When objects are warm, turn to warm candidates.

French farmhouse kids bedroom with twin metal vintage beds and walls painted Farrow & Ball Strong White. — Vivi et Margot – Paint color on walls: **FARROW & BALL Strong White.**

FARROW & BALL Strong White paint color. — **FARROW & BALL Strong White**…in case you are seeking a greyed white.

3. Assess Natural Light

If a room receives plentiful natural light, the experts recommend a pure white; while a lack of natural light should steer you toward more pigmented whites.

Timeless kitchen design with farm sink, arched window, marble counter, lamps and antique plates on wall. Design Galleria & Lauren DeLoach for 2017 Southeastern Designer Showhouse in Atlanta. — Design: Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria & Lauren DeLoach. Paint color on walls: **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Alabaster**; on cabinets: **FARROW & BALL Light Blue**.

4. Turn to Interior Designer Picks

Whereas their advice is to start with a handful of samples and whittle possibilities down to a favorite, if you get stuck, turn to paint color picks from interior designers.

So that’s what we did RIGHT HERE!

Inspirational quote about dogs on Hello Lovely Studio: All dogs are therapy dogs...the majority of them are simply freelancing. — Background color for this whimsical quote: **FARROW & BALL Pavillion Gray**.

If you’re ready to get painting, here are tips for painting a room like a pro! And see these stories if you need ideas for the best BLUE GREY PAINT COLORS or tranquil paint colors!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Distressed White French Country Chandelier

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20 Comments

Connie
March 6, 2019 / 9:09 am

The perfection and versatility of white is beyond words. 🙂 I too am a huge lover of white.

I paint my possible colors onto full-sized tag boards rather than the walls. You can move that tag board around the room at various times of the day to see how it reacts to the light from morning through nighttime. That way if for some reason you’ll have a long time from the point of trying to choose a color to the day you actually start, you don’t have to live with paint swatches on the wall. 😉

When we moved to our current home, I erroneously repainted one room with a warmer white I’d used in our former home, only to find that the light in this house would be better with cooler whites. I’d love to repaint my warm white office with a cooler white…..and then all the furniture will get new paint jobs too! 🙂

As always, this post was positively lovely.

- michele
  Author
  March 6, 2019 / 9:43 am
  
  Great idea with the board! I actually always paint samples on the wall – this way I cannot procrastinate which I am prone to do! Peace to you, fellow ambassador for white!
  
commercial painters auckland
April 16, 2020 / 8:26 pm

White is always love, I think white color can compliment any kind of décor and furniture and you can experiment the look of home a lot with this fairy color. I love the points and thought you have shared here. Thanks a lot!!

- Michele
  Author
  April 16, 2020 / 9:00 pm
  
  Thanks for reading. 🙂
  
Barbara at Mantel and Table
April 27, 2020 / 7:13 pm

Really great post Michele! So nice to see the different beautiful rooms, and your tips are spot on! Thanks! 😉

- Michele
  Author
  April 28, 2020 / 10:08 am
  
  Thanks so much for tuning in! I am definitely a paint geek and love hearing about the best white paints and helping others choose them. Peace to you, friend.
  
Vanguard Painting
June 8, 2020 / 11:03 pm

Many people like to paint white paint their walls. But they can’t get how to do what to do. I would recommend my friends to go through this article. This article shows what is the best white paint for our house. Thanks for your help

- Michele
  Author
  June 9, 2020 / 4:47 pm
  
  Thanks so much for reading and the kind words.
  
Painting Auckland
June 19, 2020 / 3:06 am

White is always love, I think white color can compliment any kind of décor and furniture and you can experiment the look of home a lot with this fairy color. I love the points and thought you have shared here. Thanks a lot!!

- Michele
  Author
  June 19, 2020 / 11:30 pm
  
  It sure is love for me. 🙂
  
Commercial painters Christchurch
September 7, 2020 / 1:50 am

Such a nice blog on what is the best white paint for your walls and I hope you keep update us with such great tips and information in future too. This is a great post; I will share as much as I can.

- Michele
  Author
  September 7, 2020 / 11:37 am
  
  Thank you! Always appreciate shares!
  
Painters Porirua
September 14, 2020 / 5:13 am

Over this blog you will get to know about the best white paint for the walls. It is just a proper critique blog, would suggest others it as well. Keep sharing such informative articles in future, will be appreciated.

- Michele
  Author
  September 15, 2020 / 6:01 pm
  
  I never tire of painting things white and blogging about paint colors – thanks for visiting.
  
Tauranga house painters
September 24, 2020 / 4:27 am

Such a nice blog on what is the best white paint for your walls and I hope you keep update us with such great tips and information in future too. This is a great post; I will share as much as I can.If you are looking same kind of valuable information, then can also visit Smithpainters

- Michele
  Author
  September 24, 2020 / 1:29 pm
  
  Thanks for reading.
  
2K paint nz
February 14, 2021 / 5:27 am

There are many things discussed on what is the best white paint for your walls. This is the best one, you would get to know over here. I would surely recommend others to go through this link. You have presented all the information clearly.

- Michele
  Author
  February 14, 2021 / 4:13 pm
  
  Thanks so much. Keep visiting!
  
Beverly
May 5, 2022 / 8:01 am

Michele,
What a lovely post and so many beautiful rooms. White makes rooms so special in my opinion.
Congratulations, you are being featured on TFT. I hope you stop by.
Hugs,
Bev

- Michele
  Author
  May 5, 2022 / 8:21 am
  
  Merci, Bev! So glad this will be shared so more folks can feel encouraged about choosing the right paint for their spaces. Wishing you peace and love, friend.