How to Know Which White Paints to Sample If You're Clueless Where to Start!

It is one of the questions that arrives in my inbox almost daily. All of the white paint swatches at the counter begin to look the same. Or you thought it would be easy because white paint is white paint, right? Wrong. These white paints to sample may help you by giving you a place to start. And the first thing of which to be aware is that the right white paint may not have “white” in the name!

Simple country bedroom with white ilnen bedding and black wall sconce - And North. #bedroomdesign #countrybedroom #interiordesign #simpledecor #whitelinen — And North

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How to Know Which White Paints to Sample?

Hello Lovely white paint colors you may not have considered! Come get ideas for the best white paint! #paintcolors #whitepaint

French farmhouse bathroom with Farrow and Ball French Gray painted trim, Strong White on walls, clawfoot tub, beamed ceiling, and antique terracotta floor tiles. Vivi et Margot. #vivietmargot #frenchfarmhouse #bathroomdesign #clawfoottub #farrowandballfrenchgray — Vivi et Margot’s French farmhouse master bathroom with FARROW & BALL Strong White 2001. Woodwork paint color: FARROW & BALL French Gray. Design: Charlotte Reiss of Vivi et Margot – see her French farmhouse near Bordeaux RIGHT HERE.

Even when you stumble on a gorgeous photo where an interior designer has shared the paint color name, don’t get it twisted. That color may be all wrong for your particular space.

Tranquil, timeless and sophisticated design in a French farmhouse bedroom by Vivi et Margot with Farrow and Ball's Strong White on the walls and French Gray for trim. — Vivi et Margot – Discover Lovely White Paint Colors You May Not Have Considered as well as photos with white walls to inspire.

Trim paint color (above): FARROW & BALL French Gray.

Why Won’t My White Paint Be the Right Shade For You Too?

Your room’s: amount of natural light, decor plan, finishes, and even geographical location all factor into the equation. There are also factors such as personal preferences and vision differences (as we age, we tend to see more yellow in colors).

Modern farmhouse bedroom. Photo by Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #modernfarmhouse #bedroomdecor — Discover Lovely White Paint Colors You May Not Have Considered as well as photos of white rooms to inspire. Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Platinum**. Photo: Hello Lovely Studio – See more of this home RIGHT HERE.

Need a Little Help to Narrow Down Possibilities?

While it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect white with so many possibilities, I’m here to hold your hand through the process.

Quiet and timeless hues in a French farmhouse bathroom by Vivi et Margot features reclaimed terracotta hex tiles, freestanding tub, romantic chandelier, and Farrow and Ball's Strong White on the walls. — Vivi et Margot

Within a thoughtfully renovated authentic French farmhouse near Bordeaux, Charlotte Reiss of Vivi et Margot has added authentic and romantic decor from France to create a timeless home with European country charm. — Photo: Vivi et Margot – Discover Lovely White Paint Colors You May Not Have Considered as well as Interiors With White Walls to Inspire.

White Paint Color on Walls (above): FARROW & BALL Strong White 2001.

Greyed White Paint Color: Farrow & Ball Strong White

“A grey based white. This cool white is both strong by name and strong by nature. One of our Contemporary Neutrals, the subtle urban feel of its light grey undertones add a contemporary twist to period homes, while staying in keeping with modern properties.” -Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball Strong White. #farrowandballstrongwhite #strongwhite #paintcolor — FARROW & BALL Strong White 2001

White Paint Color in Our Former Home

After living for years with warm whites, we bought a fixer in 2015 and felt a bright modern white suited the freshly renovated interiors.

Serene white kitchen with window seat and BENJAMIN MOORE White paint color on walls. #hellolovelystudio #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #windowseat #benjaminmoorewhite — Kitchen walls are painted **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**

In that home we tested more than five whites by painting large swaths on the walls and observing how each hue with their varying LRV (light reflectance value) changed throughout the day.

BM White OC-151 Benjamin Moore white paint color swatch. #bmwhite #oc151 #bestbrightwhitepaint — **BM White OC-151**

OC-151 by BENJAMIN MOORE imparts a modern gallery-like feel, coolness with minimal undertones, crispness, and no grey or yellow cast.

Round wood dining table with farmhouse style. — Similar round dining table RIGHT HERE.

Hello Lovely Studio's serene white kitchen with window seat and dining room with lantern. #hellolovelystudio #interiordesign #kitchen #windowseat #serenedecor #whitedecor #benajminmoorewhite — Paint color on walls is BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151

Neutral Decor to Get the Look

Linen slipcovered chair — Linen slipcovered set of 2 chairs: FIND HERE

Agda Classic Elegant Traditional Upholstered Dining Chair — Louis Style Dining Chairs: FIND HERE.

Stults 4-Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern — Similar lantern (you could remove glass if desired): Stults 4 Light Outdoor Lantern

I also love the vintage feel of this one:

Bradly 3 - Light Lantern Geometric Pendant — Bradly 3 Light Lantern Pendant

You May Not Have Considered…

With decades of experience renovating and decorating, what I know for sure is the best white paint color for one particular space may be all wrong for another.

White modern vintage bathroom with clawfoot tub and Louis style chair - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio

Black stripe Trukish beach towel from Hello Peshtemal. — Large Turkish Towel

A mix of whites in my timelessly tranquil kitchen with European country decor, Viatera Minuet quartz, and Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely

Linen Ruffle Pillow Cover Shabby French Country Pillow image 1 — French country pillow

For example, the light where I live in Northern Illinois is completely different than the light in the Southwest.

My white studio with Belgian style linen chairs and European country style - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitelinen #serenedecor — Hello Lovely

Bear in mind you should narrow your search for the right white to a handful of tones and then try samples of all of them on the walls.

Romantic French Country bedroom with knotty alder door and shiplap wall #hellolovelystudio #romanticdecor #FrenchCountry — Hello Lovely

Patio Sense 62420 Garden Stool, Elyse Natural Round — Reclaimed wood garden stool

Everybody Has An Opinion About How to Best Choose A Color!

Goodness gracious. There are color experts who say to NEVER look at photos online for help finding the right color and others who are convinced this is THE way to do it!

Why the contradictory perspectives?

Hello Lovely Studio's serene kitchen with window seat, Belgian linen, and white oak flooring. — Hello Lovely – **BENJAMIN MOORE OC-151 White** – Ideas for White paints to sample

Reviewing photos here and on Pinterest or Google is a great place to start when the name of the paint is supplied. This approach may be far more helpful than scrutinizing a little paint swatch at the hardware store.

My master bedroom with white oak hardwood flooring and rustic alder doors - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely – Ideas for white paints to sample

Have a Pinterest board for your favorite white paints to sample? Create a board and PIN THIS POST so the color names are easily accessible on your phone when you shop for samples.

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

In our kitchen, I have sprinkled in Belgian linen upholstery and pillows to warm the white serenity - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely – White paints to sample when you’re choosing the perfect color for your room

Beautiful Behr White Paints

Here’s an infographic with a few favorite Behr white and neutral paint colors:

Hello Lovely BEHR white paint colors you may not have considered! Come get ideas for the best white paint! #paintcolors #whitepaint

BEHR Ultra Pure White

This color is very similar to White OC-151 and is free of undertones in case you want a modern, bright, non-creamy, very cool and highly reflective white.

BEHR PREMIUM PLUS 8 oz. #100 Ultra-Pure White Flat Interior/Exterior Paint and Primer in One Sample — **BEHR Ultra Pure White** (order a sample!)

White kitchen cabinets painted Behr Ultra Pure White - The Fresh Exchange. #behrultrapurewhite #bestwhitepaint #whitepaintcolors — The Fresh Exchange – BEHR Ultra Pure White on kitchen cabinets

Polar Bear by BEHR

This is a beautiful, versatile white that will work in a variety of different scenarios. It is very close to the most famous of all whites: Benjamin Moore White Dove.

BEHR Polar Bear is a white paint color similar to Benjamin Moore White Dove. #behrpolarbear #whitepaintcolors #paintcolors — BEHR Polar Bear

BEHR POLAR BEAR paint color in bath with soaking tub - Monika Hibbs — Paint color: BEHR Polar Bear – Monika Hibbs

BEHR Celestial Glow

Celestial Glow is reminiscent of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, which I painted a family room and bath in our former fixer upper. Celestial Glow also reminds me of Benjamin Moore Dove Wing, a white on the trim in a French country home we built.

Behr Celestial Glow white paint color. #behrcelestialglow #celestialglow #whitepaintcolors — BEHR Celestial Glow

Remember that there are plenty of light grey paints that LIVE like a white paint. While you may think you want a color with white in the name, very often a color with grey in the name may be the right choice. Here’s a gorgeous “white” home that is actually painted a grey color:

Balboa Mist on a beautiful white brick home by Ladisic Fine Homes - Sherry Hart. #balboamist #houseexteriors — **BM Balboa Mist** – Ladisic Fine Homes; Sherry Hart

See what I mean? My bedroom furniture may strike you as white, yet it is actually a putty-color called BM Revere Pewter:

BM Revere Pewter on bedroom furniture - Hello Lovely Studio. #reverepewter #greypaintcolors — **BENJAMIN MOORE Revere Pewter** on my bedroom furniture – Hello Lovely

BEHR Taupe Tease

After a warm white or subtle greige with grey/brown undertones? This one is very similar to Revere Pewter:

Behr Taupe Tease in a play room - Me & Reegs. #taupetease — **BEHR Taupe Tease** – Me & Reegs

BEHR Cameo White

Cameo White is similar to the wildly popular and used on almost every early episode of FIXER UPPER, Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. Both Behr Cameo White and SW Alabaster remind me of a neutral called Valspar Salute. I used Salute for all of the interiors of a second home in Arizona. With the intense sunlight there, the undertones were just a perfect balance.

Of course, this wasn’t the only part of the kitchen that received a makeover. Fridman created contrast with the accent alcove by painting the rest of the walls in Cameo White MQ3-32 a Behr Marquee Paint with a delicate rose undertone. “I often find colors from the same palette go best together,” she explains. — Rosy Fridman – BEHR Cameo White painted walls in kitchen.

Country Living confirms Joanna Gaines favors SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Alabaster for many projects. She also used this tone on the walls in her own home.

Joanna's five favorite Fixer Upper paint colors - #paint #bestwhitepaint #whitepaint — SW Alabaster: Joanna Gaines’ Favorite White

SW Alabaster white paint in a bath by Making It in the Mountains. #SherwinWilliamsAlabaster — Making It In the Mountains – Sherwin-Williams Alabaster.

Paris apartment with Louis dining chairs. Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #parisapartment #diningroom — Hello Lovely

BEHR Irish Mist

My favorite neutrals are those where you find it difficult to describe with words. Sophisticated complex hues are like that! Irish Mist qualities as an atmospheric white in that spirit. Is it khaki? Sandy greige? Linen-like?

Behr Irish Mist paint color on walls of lovely bedroom with neutrals - Veranda. #behririshmist #whitepaintcolors — Irish Mist – Veranda

Leanne Ford’s Favorite: BEHR Crisp Linen

The designer is crazy about this warm white. And I love how it contrasts with crisp white trim.

BEHR Crisp Linen white paint which is similar to Benjamin Moore White Sand. #behrcrisplinen #whitepaintcolors #bestwhitepaints — BEHR Crisp Linen

“Seriously though…I am currently on my third project where I am covering both the interior and exterior in it. It’s warm but still clean and fresh with a hint of vintage.” – Leanne Ford

Paint Colors-10 — Making Home Base – BEHR Crisp Linen paint color in a breakfast nook.

I understand why Leanne is a fan. Crisp Linen is super close to Benjamin Moore White Sand, the color I chose for almost all of the interiors in our prior French home.

Hello Lovely Studio's living room with egg chair upholstered in Belgian linen and Benjamin Moore White Sand paint color on walls. #hellolovelystudio #livingroom #whitedecor #benjaminmoorewhitesand #eggchair #belgianlinen #serenedecor — BEHR Crisp Linen is very similar to **BENJAMIN MOORE White Sand** used in our former living room.

It doesn’t feel too traditional or too modern, and if you love a little beachy-factor, you’ll love it too.

French country kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio. Benjamin Moore White Sand paint color on walls. #hellolovelystudio #frenchcountry #kitchendesign #benjaminmoorewhitesand #whitesand — Hello Lovely Studio – **Benjamin Moore White Sand** on walls of my former kitchen.

Joanna Gaines loves Kilz Shiplap, which is a color quite similar to Behr Crisp Linen.

Listening to the Experts for Choosing the Right WHITE

According to advice from Remodelista:

1. Understand all of the different nuances of white (is it cool, warm, bluish, pinkish?).

View of hall in country cottage with Benjamin Moore White walls and European inspired farmhouse style interiors by Hello Lovely Studio — Hello Lovely – **Benjamin Moore White OC-151** on walls, ceiling, and trim

2. Determine if objects in the room are cool (choose a cool white) or warm (choose a warm white).

Leanne Ford designed bedroom with rustic white painted cabinet and vintage pendant. — Leanne Ford

3. Assess whether the room gets a lot of natural light (go with a pure white) or little light (go with a more pigmented white).

Sustainable Kitchens - Bright Open Plan Family Kitchen in London. Oak shaker style cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball Ammonite with built in spice racks on both sides of the Smeg range cooker. The worktop is Bianco Fantasia. — Cabinetry paint: **FARROW & BALL Ammonite**

4.Choose a few whites and test large swatches on the walls.

Benjamin Moore white paint color in a gorgeous modern farmhouse kitchen with coastal decor. Design: Lisa Furey. #modernfarmhouse #kitchendesign #benjaminmoorewhite #coastalkitchen #coastaldecor #lisafurey — Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151**. Design: Lisa Furey. See more of this cottage RIGHT HERE.

5. If still stuck, turn to interior designers’ top picks.

Coastal kitchen design with Benjamin Moore white paint on cabinets and walls. Design by Lisa Furey. #coastaldecor #kitchendesign #lisafurey #coastalcottage

What’s the Perfect White According to My Designer Friends?

I polled a few design friends who graciously offered their favs.

Greet of Belgian Pearls: FARROW & BALL Pointing

Farrow & Ball Pointing in an Old World European country kitchen with beautiful rustic wood beams. — Farrow & Ball Pointing

Lauren DeLoach: SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Alabaster

French country farmhouse pale blue and white bedroom with Duck Egg blue barn door. Sherwin Williams Alabaster paint color on walls. Brit Jones Design. — **SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Alabaster** on bedroom walls, Brit Jones Design

Megan Pflug: FARROW & BALL Ammonite

Farrow & Ball Ammonite on trim in a dining area with design by Alexander Design. #farrowandballammonite #whitepaintcolors #greywhite — **FARROW & BALL Ammonite** paint color for trim – My Domaine – Photo: TESSA NEUSTADT/DESIGN: ALEXANDER DESIGN

YOUR TURN! Have a favorite go-to white or neutral paint color? Why do you love it?

So many white paint colors! Let's find out what's the right white for you. Help for choosing the perfect white paint color for your walls from design experts on Hello Lovely Studio

Knotty alder door in serene white bedroom by Hello Lovely Studio #whitewalls #BenjaminMoorewhite — Hello Lovely – Wall paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151** – How to Choose the Best White Paint Color

Bronze Campaign Accent Table — Accent Table

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Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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Distressed White French Country Chandelier

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2 Comments

Amy
February 20, 2023 / 10:02 am

Even though I’ve already chosen the shades of white for our home & love them, I still enjoy reading posts about white paint colors. It’s fun to think about what shades I might choose next time, when it’s time to repaint one day!

- Michele
  Author
  February 20, 2023 / 12:07 pm
  
  I’m so glad! I myself grow weary of blogging about paint colors, but this is what business blogging is about: supplying people with resources and ideas for what THEY need, not what I need. I still try to bring my own perspectives and experience to the topics, but quite a different approach than just posting about whatever happens to be interesting to me on a given day. 🙂 Thanks for your loyal readership and support, friend.

How to Know Which White Paints to Sample If You’re Clueless Where to Start!