Best White Exterior Paint Ideas & Inspiration helps you think through different options for whites (they vary widely!) and consider an image gallery before you sample a few. In some cases where we don’t know the exact shade of white, I’ll offer educated suggestions based on years of experience and consulting. At the very least, sample three different whites before choosing the best white. And don’t beat yourself up if you’re still stumped. Sometimes when a task feels daunting, we simply need an encouraging friend (that’s me) who understands the journey.
![This charming home exterior in Charlotte, NC, boasts curb appeal, traditional design, and inspiring architectural details - Hello Lovely Studio. Try BM Revere Pewter for a comparable exterior color.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/charlotte-nc-traditional-home-hello-lovely-studio-024.jpg)
White Exterior Paint Ideas & Photo Gallery of Examples
Will the white paints identified in this post look the same on your house? Nope.
The time of day, region of the country, and exposure all interact and influence what your eye sees.
But they provide a good start. After studying images online and in real life, you’ll begin to be able to recognize when a particular white is warmer or cooler or greyed or creamy.
BM Simply White OC-117
Benjamin Moore says “The slightest hint of warmth makes this clean, crisp white a favorite to use anywhere in the home.”
![Simply White Benjamin Moore on a beautiful traditional exterior with F&B Dropcloth paint color on shutters - @covermeinivy. #bmsimplywhite #farrowandballdropcloth](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bm-simply-white-house-exterior-fb-dropcloth-shutters-covermeinivy.jpg)
![White house exterior painted Benjamin Moore Simply White - Avenue B Development. #bestwhitepaintcolor #benjaminmooresimplywhite #housecolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Benjamin-Moore-Simply-White-House-Exterior-Avenue-B-Development.jpg)
This white will reflect a ton of light with its LRV of 89.52.
![BM Simply White OC-117 with Iron Ore for trim on a white farmhouse - @therowanlayneproject. #bmsimplywhite #whiteexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bm-simply-white-therowanlayneproject-house-exterior.jpg)
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27
Bear in mind there are excellent choices which don’t have “white” in the paint color name. Also remember that if the swatch color doesn’t appear white, it may still be the best white for your project.
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bm-balboa-mist-white-brick-house-exterior-arched-door.jpg)
It’s always a blessing when a designer shares the name of a paint color, and designer Sherry Hart is masterful with color so we can trust her picks for the best exterior colors!
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/white-brick-house-exterior-bm-balboa-mist-sw-amazing-gray-trim-ladisicfinehomes-sherry-hart.jpg)
This is a perfect example of a seemingly gray swatch reading very light and off white in natural light.
And what is that sophisticated warm gray trim and accent color?
![Balboa Mist (Benjamin Moore) on brick exterior of a lovely home with arches (Ladisic Fine Homes) - Sherry Hart. #balboamist #benjaminmoorebalboamist #paintcolors #housecolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sherry-hart-white-brick-house-exterior-ladisicfinehomes-benjamin-moore-balboa-mist.jpg)
Sherwin-Williams Amazing Gray.
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #intellectualgray #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bm-balboa-mist-atlanta-white-brick-house-intellectual-gray-trim-exterior-friartuck-ladisic-fine-homes-sherry-hart-lmarchitects-.jpg)
Notice how the appearance of the color changes with changing light…Here’s what Benjamin Moore says about it:
A goes-with-anything shade of pale gray with a slightly warm cast.
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bm-balboa-mist-atlanta-white-brick-house-exterior-friartuck-ladisic-fine-homes-sherry-hart-lmarchitects-chevron-door-intellectual-gray-2.jpg)
Balboa Mist has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 65.53 so it’s on the lighter end of the spectrum.
Accent Colors to Coordinate With Balboa Mist
I love how natural and modern Intellectual Gray looks with Balboa Mist.
![BM Coventry Gray painted garage doors - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #coventrygray #paintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bm-coventry-gray-on-garage-doors-of-house-exterior-sherry-hart-ladisicfinehomes.jpg)
If you’re looking for a neutral accent color that is cooler and bluer, take a peek at Rock Gray or Flint.
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/white-brick-house-exterior-bm-balboa-mist-sw-amazing-gray-trim-ladisicfinehomes-sherry-hart-2.jpg)
These combinations strike me as sophisticated and flexible enough to work with any number of architectural styles.
![Breathtaking storybook charm of a Tudor style white painted brick home renovated by @ladisicfinehomes with arched entrance softened by creeping vines - photo by Sherry Hart.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sherry-hart-ladisicfinehomes-white-brick-house-exterior.jpg)
So don’t sweat it if your home is not a beautiful brick historical Tudor.
![Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/white-brick-house-exterior-bm-balboa-mist-sw-amazing-gray-trim-ladisicfinehomes-sherry-hart.jpg)
Benjamin Moore White Dove
Ready for a tried and true designer favorite that is perfect for traditional exteriors?
![BM White Dove on white house exterior with black shutters and Adirondack chairs in yard - @theprettypinktullips. #bmwhitedove](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pretty-pink-tulips-white-house-exterior-benjamin-moore-white-dove.jpg)
It’s wildly popular for a good reason. With just the right amount of creamy warmth (yet won’t read yellow-y!) so it feels clean and pristine yet not sterile, it’s a winning white if ever there was one.
White Dove is not as bright as Chantilly Lace, and I love it on older homes.
![BM White Dove on white house exterior - @theprettypinktullips. #bmwhitedove](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pretty-pink-tulips-white-house-exterior-black-shutters-benjamin-moore-white-dove-banner.jpg)
What’s the exact color on those beautiful shutters above? SW Tricorn Black. But let’s see the same home with the shutters painted White Dove:
![BM White Dove on a beautiful brick house exterior with fall window box - @theprettypinktulips. #bmwhitedove](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pretty-pink-tulips-white-house-exterior-benjamin-moore-white-dove-fall-window-box-pumpkins.jpg)
Sherwin-Williams Eider White
Here’s a gorgeous (and mysterious!) wildcard of a white that is newer to me. Eider White is actually the white we chose for our kitchen walls, and it may strike you as alight grey.
![SW Eider White paint color on white brick house exterior with black door - @design_genes. #eiderwhite #whitehouseexterior](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/design_genes-eider-white-brick-house-exterior-black-door.jpg)
Since I have been living with this as an interior color for about a year, I can tell you some qualities it has.
It has some pink or purple undertones which keep it from being a one-note, everyday white or very light grey.
![Eider White Sherwin Williams painted modern farmhouse exterior with brick - @aepainters. #eiderwhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aepainters-sw-eider-white-house-exterior.jpg)
Unlike a white such as White Dove, Eider White does seem to change throughout the day as the light changes. I like it in different lighting conditions, but make sure you sample it and check it throughout the day just in case it turns pink on you with your unique light and you’re not a fan of pink.
![Eider White (Sherwin-Williams) painted exterior on a modern stucco home with wood garage door - @healthierhomesbyjx2. #eiderwhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/healthierhomesbyjs2-sw-eider-white-house-exterior.jpg)
Easiest way to see if a color is right? Order samples to be delivered to your door with Samplize (a peel and stick sheet of “paint” to stick on your wall and easily move around to other walls!).
Benjamin Moore White OC-151
For this board and batten white cottage below, the exact color is BM White OC-151 (minimal undertones and a bright cool white).
![BM White OC-151 on a board and batten coastal cottage exterior of a home in Palmetto Bluffs with interiors by Lisa Furey. #coastalcottage #boardandbatten #houseexteriors #whitecottage](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/board-and-batten-coastal-cottage-exterior-palmetto-bluffs-lisa-furey.jpg)
BTW. The designer also carried the exterior white throughout the interiors – talk about easy to remember!
![Modern farmhouse front porch of a South Carolina coastal cottage with bench and milk cans. #frontporch #cottagestyle #coastalcottage](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/board-and-batten-coastal-cottage-exterior-palmetto-bluffs-lisa-furey-6.jpg)
This turned out to be the perfect white for all the interiors of our former home since I needed something to cut through all the strong yellow sunlight.
![Entrance from board and batten porch to a beautiful coastal cottage with white shiplap walls - Lisa Furey Interiors. #coastalcottage #boardandbatten #frontdoors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/coastal-cottage-board-and-batten-porch-entry-front-door-lisa-furey.jpg)
Here’s a similar white in the Sherwin-Williams line:
SW Extra White
You’ll love SW Extra White if you’re after a brilliant, modern, gallery like white.
What do I look for when choosing the right white? Is it tasteful and timeless? Does it have staying power? Does it enhance and work with the light?
Ultra bright cool whites like SW Extra White have been popular for exteriors in the last decade.
![Holiday wreaths on front doors of white farmhouse with gorgeous metal roof. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #whitefarmhouse #holidaydecor #frontdoordecor #christmaswreaths](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-brick-christmas-chrissymarieblog.jpg)
![Sherwin Williams Extra White paint color on a gorgeous modern farmhouse with blue shutters - CrissyMarieBlog. #whitehouses #swextrawhite #whitepaintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sw-extra-white-on-modern-farmhouse-brick-two-story-home-with-blue-shutters-crissymarieblog.jpg)
![House Exterior White Paint Ideas - Hello Lovely Studio. #paintcolors #houseexteriors #bestwhitepaint #whitepaintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/house-exterior-white-paint-ideas-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
Need a Custom Warm White Paint Idea?
Our former home’s color was a 50/50 mix of Farrow & Ball Cornforth White and Hardwick White.
![Our European country style cottage's exterior with rustic alder front door and stone walled courtyard - Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcourtyard #cottageexterior #frenchcountry #hellolovelystudio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hello-lovely-studio-exterior-courtyard-front-porch-and-door-3-1.jpg)
If you look at the paint card or swatches online, they may not strike you as whites at all!
![River rock stone accents on our European country inspired cottage exterior. #hellolovelystudio #cottagedesign #houseexterior #rivercottage #riverrock](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/00040-european-country-french-hello-lovely-studio-courtyard-mary-statue-boxwood.jpg)
That’s the tricky part about finding the best white for your project…
![Hello Lovely Studio's home exterior with rustic stone walled entrance and knotty alder front door.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/european-country-cottage-exterior-stone-courtyard-hello-lovely-studio-2.jpg)
the perfect choice just may be grey!
![Funny quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #eggs #cake #humor #funnyquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/funny-quote-about-eggs-and-cake-on-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Educated Guesses Even Though We Don’t Know Exact White
If you fall in love with an exterior color from a photo of a house, study it to discern what is drawing you to it.
![Charming white stucco English cottage home with thatched roof - Heart Felt Home.Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #whitecottage #thatchedroof #englishcottage #whitestucco](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-stucco-thatched-roof-heart-felt-home-england.jpg)
It may also help to look at images online on a larger screen or to expand the image to notice the details.
![Stately white painted Victorian home has breathtaking architecture and curb appeal in the lower Garden District of New Orleans. #houseexterior #victorianhouses #beautifulwhitehouse #historichome #curbappeal #frontporch](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Tara-Shaw-Soul-of-the-Home-book-white-Victorian-house-exterior-front-porch.jpeg)
The white paint color you choose for an exterior should harmonize with its surrounding nature. Imagine how out of place the whites on the homes above and below (with their lush greenery and foliage) might appear on a desert home in the mountains.
![Gorgeous Southern plantation style home with front porches - Southern Living Magazine. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #designinspiration](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-front-porch-southernlivingmag.jpg)
Try SW 6258 Tricorn Black for a similar trim color as the above home.
![Welcoming cottage with arched entrance and front porch - Homes by Garden Gate. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #whitecottage #picketfence](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-front-porch-homesbygardengate.jpg)
More Ideas for Getting the Look (Best Guesses!)
![Traditional white house with shutters - T S Adams Architect. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #traditionalhome #traditionalarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-front-porch-columns-traditional-tsadams-architect-emily-followill-photo.jpg)
![Breathtaking lovely curb appeal with amaazing floral covered arbor and blue shutters - Pineapples Design Group. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #curbappeal #shutters #arbor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-front-porch-blue-shutters-arbor-pineappledesigngroup-jessica-glynn-photo.jpg)
![Magnificent exterior of a coastal home by Geoff Chick & Associates.Come discover White Homes + A Few Bright White Exterior Paint Colors#coastalhome #coastalarchitecture #traditionalhome](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/geoff-chick-southern-white-house-exterior.jpg)
![Traditional white home exterior of house designed by The Fox Group. #whitehouseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/traditional-style-white-home-exterior-the-fox-group-stone-skirting.jpg)
![This lovely country farmhouse design features black trim - Design Sixty Five. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #designinspiration](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-black-trim-christmas-designsixtyfive.jpg)
![White painted brick beautiful home exterior by The Fox Group. #whitebrickexterior](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/modern-tudor-the-fox-group-002-brick-arched-door.jpg)
![Charming white traditional home by M House Development. Paint color is Farrow & Ball All White. Charming inspiration if you love white painted house exteriors! #whitehouses #housedesign #exteriors #farrowandballallwhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-white-house-front-porch-metal-roof-farrow-ball-all-white-mhousedevelopment.jpg)
Benjamin Moore Seapearl
![Breathtaking front door and entry to traditional style white stucco mansion in Buckhead. The 2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse 'Villa Flora' is painted Benjamin Moore Seapearl and trim is Benjamin Moore Pashmina. #paintcolors #seapearl #benjaminmooreseapearl #pashmina #benjaminmoorepashmina #houseexteriors #housecolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/benjamin-moore-pashmina-paint-color-on-trim-villa-flora-buckhead-southeastern-designer-showhouse-2020.jpg)
![Funny E. B. White quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquotes #humor #quotes #ebwhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inspirational-funny-quote-hello-lovely-studio-makes-planning-difficult-e.b.-white.jpg)
White Trim Paint Ideas
![Repose Gray (Sherwin-Williams) paint color on house exterior with trim painted Alabaster White and shutters/door Dorian Gray - @bellsheepstudio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/bellsheepstudio-sherwin-williams-repose-gray-siding-house-exterior-dorian-gray.jpg)
Try plenty of samples before deciding.
![Funny quote and humor about dieting and healthy eating on Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquotes #diethumor #foodhumor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/funny-humor-quote-dieting-salad-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
![Gorgeous white painted brick exterior on a traditional farmhouse with design by Kate Marker in Barrington, IL. #whitebrick #houseexteriors #katemarker](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kate-marker-grey-oak-barrington-house-grove-pastel-exterior-1440x960-1.jpg)
![Funny quote about moon on Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquote #moonquotes #cleverquote #naturequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/funny-quote-about-moon-by-molly-lambert-on-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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HI Michelle,
Can you see a charcoal roof SW with Worldly Gray. I can see brown toobut can’t seem to find a brown asphalt that I like.
Author
Are you concerned that the contrast will be too high, how they match, or about the amount of heat a darker color will absorb? Because I think they match, but with such an important decision, I usually like to drive around neighborhoods and notice combinations I like and dislike. That seems to help more than anything!
Great article! We used BM White Dove on the body & trim of our 106-yr old stucco home with SW Anew Gray on window lintels & shutters. Used black accents on shutter hardware, house numbers. Just replaced BM Wythe Blue with BM Louisburg Green on front door. Roof is a dark brown/gray color. We could not be happier! Judging from many compliments from neighbors & passersby they must agree! Such hard decisions but so worthwhile in the end!
Author
I can picture it, and it sounds like a winning combination. THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to include these details – so many folks need a place to begin, and your choices will help them! So glad you are happy with the results and curb appeal!