5 Perfect (for YOU!) White Exterior Paint Colors

Is there just one perfect white exterior color out there? Not likely. If you’re considering painting your home white, then what you need is the perfect for YOU white exterior paint colors to sample. The right white for me and my house (hahaha – see what I did there?) is only right based on my individual preferences, exposure, and even geographic region. It could be all wrong for your criteria. So use the advice below to choose a handful of whites to sample before you decide on the winning perfect one to paint your house.

@the.old.barn - SW Pure White 7005 on a beautiful house exterior. #swpurewhite #whitehouseexterior #whitefarmhouses — @the.old.barn – Modern farmhouse board and batten porch – paint color is **SW Pure White**

5 Perfect White Exterior Paint Colors to Consider

Choosing wall paint colors can be a challenge, but it’s not a complete disaster should you have to repaint to get it right. But the outside of your home? Goodness. It’s a daunting task to select the perfect white for your house exterior, and you want to nail it the first and only time!

Which white paint color for your house exterior? Come explore the best options on Hello Lovely Studio. #whitehouseexteriorcolors #whiteexteriorpaint #housecolorideas — PIN me, pretty please…lots of folks need help choosing the best white exterior paint colors!

Before you choose the perfect color, just know you’ll need to sample your favorite white paint colors first. When you see multiple hues together, you’ll understand why it was so important. They won’t look the same. You’ll note undertones or coolness or warmth. Their differences will emerge.

Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore) on a front door of a beautiful white brick house (SW Alabaster) by Ladisic Fine Homes. #wytheblue #swalabaster — Ladisic Fine Homes – **SW Alabaster** & **BM Wythe Blue** (door) – White Exterior Paint Colors…in case you need ideas.

How to Begin WHITE PAINT Selection

You probably know already how there are a zillion choices for white. If you’re painting over brick, then I’m sure you feel especially concerned about scoring the right white!

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 — Villa Flora’s exterior is painted **BENJAMIN MOORE Seapearl** – trim is **Pashmina**

First, begin the process by taking time to review online photos of white house exteriors where the name of the color is provided. Start with my archives.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #paintcolors #houseexteriors — BM Balboa Mist 1549 on a brick house exterior – Ladisic Fine Homes via Sherry Hart

Second, please make sure to not fall in love with the NAME of particular color. Keep an open mind and don’t judge them by their names.

Sherwin Williams Extra White paint color on a gorgeous modern farmhouse exterior - @virginia.farmhouse.project #extrawhite #whitepaintcolors #modernfarmhouse #houseexteriors — **Sherwin-Williams Extra White** – @virginia.farmhouse.project…in case you need photos to help decide on white exterior paint colors.

Third, don’t be tempted to make your decision based on a single photo.

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Make Sure You Understand Undertones

Like all paint colors, whites have undertones that are not always easy to detect. Typically you’ll be able to see them once the color is viewed next to a bright stark white with no undertones or with an assortment of whites. Undertones come into play with cool and warmth of the white and how the color will be perceived in natural light when the yellow of the sun warms it.

House Exterior White Paint Ideas - Hello Lovely Studio. #paintcolors #houseexteriors #bestwhitepaint #whitepaintcolors — PIN ME in case you need warm white exterior paint colors too.

How Do You Know How Light of a White to Choose?

You’re going to see LRV mentioned below, and no need to sweat it. Those letters stand for “Light Reflectance Value,” and the number is the percentage of light a paint color reflects (a higher number equals more light reflected). There’s no need to get worried about LRV or have a degree in color theory as long as you sample multiple whites.

Simply White Benjamin Moore on a beautiful traditional exterior with F&B Dropcloth paint color on shutters - @covermeinivy. #bmsimplywhite #farrowandballdropcloth — @covermeinivy – **BM Simply White** & **F&B Dropcloth**

How Many Whites Should You Sample First?

START WITH AT LEAST 3 WHITE PAINT COLOR SAMPLES YOU LIKE AND TRY THEM DIRECTLY ON THE HOUSE. SCRUTINIZE THE COLORS AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY. MAYBE THERE WILL BE A CLEAR FRONTRUNNER. IF YOU’RE NOT SOLD, CHOOSE MORE OPTIONS UNTIL YOU ARRIVE AT THE WINNER.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist painted brick house exterior - Ladisic Fine Homes & Sherry Hart. #balboamist #intellectualgray #paintcolors #houseexteriors — **Balboa Mist** painted home with **SW Intellectual Gray** painted trim.

Bonus Tip: Sometimes you’ll feel stuck because you really like two samples and can’t decide. You can definitely flip a coin. But you could also decide to mix those two colors 5050 for a completely new and unique custom color. I have had great success personally with this tip.

SW Pure White paint color on a beautiful new house exterior by 2kDevelopment. #swpurewhite #whitehousecolors #whitehousepaintcolors — @2kDevelopment – **SW Pure White** painted brick house exterior

1. PURE WHITE 7005 by Sherwin-Williams

Pure White 7005 is lovely and soft. I have heard color experts say what makes Pure White soft is its LRV.

Sherwin-Williams SW Pure White 7005 paint color swatch. #perfectwhitepaints #swpurewhite — **SW Pure White 7005**

This is one of those bright yet not too bright, modern feeling whites that so many folks are choosing for modern farmhouse style homes.

@jettsetfarmhouse - SW Pure White 7005 on a beautiful house exterior. #swpurewhite #whitehouseexterior #whitefarmhouses — @jettsetfarmhouse – **Sherwin-Williams 7005** Pure White on a white farmhouse

Since the LRV is 84 for Pure White, it’s not as crisp as those whites that fall within the 90-94 range. You could say it’s more subdued that those super bright whites.

@adhouseplans - SW Pure White 7005 on a beautiful modern farmhouse house exterior. #swpurewhite #whitehouseexterior #whitefarmhouses — @adhouseplans – **SW 7005** on farmhouse exterior

Pure White also has some warmth, though it’s not nearly as warm as say, SW Alabaster or Benjamin Moore White Dove.

@trailsendfarmhouse - SW Pure White 7005 on a beautiful house exterior. #swpurewhite #whitehouseexterior #whitefarmhouses — @trailsendfarmhouse – Pure White 7005 on house exterior…in case you need ideas for house paint colors!

Funny quote tweet humor on Hello Lovely Studio.

Why Sample Multiple Whites?

You can truly only call a white subdued or passive when you compare it to other whites. For example, Pure White seems pretty darn clean and bright to my eyes from these images.

@trailsendfarmhouse - SW Pure White 7005 on a beautiful house exterior with SW Topsaid on porch ceiling.. #swpurewhite #whitehouseexterior #whitefarmhouses — **SW Pure White** and also SW Topsaid (porch ceiling) – @trailsendfarmhouse

That’s why it is so important to view photos to get an idea of a color but always sample them in case your own setting and light interact with the color in a wholly different way.

SW Pure White paint color on beautiful brick house with natural wood door and porch ceiling - @2kdevelopment. #swpurewhite #whitehousecolors #exteriorpaintcolors — Exterior paint color on brick: **Pure White (Sherwin-Williams)** – @2kdevelopment

Pure White looks calm and soft in certain photographs…

SW Pure White paint color on beautiful brick new house with black trim by 2kdevelopment. #swpurewhite #whitepaintcolors #houseexteriorcolors — **SW Pure White** – 2KDevelopment…in case you need photos to help choose the best white exterior paint.

but rather stark in others!

SW Pure White paint color on new brick house with black railings on porch with wood ceiling - @2kdevelopment. #swpurewhite #housecolors — **SW Pure White** – @2kdevelopment…in case you need a photo gallery of white homes to choose the best exterior white paint.

You can see that homes painted SW Pure White in this collection prove that natural light will definitely have its way and cause the same color to be perceived quite differently.

SW Pure White paint color on a beautiful farmhouse with black doors and topiaries on porch - @balance_and_bison. #swpurewhite #whitepaintcolors #houseexteriorpaint — Paint color: SW Pure White – @balance_and_bison

Pure White can read clean and crisp on siding yet it can also glow with more warmth at a different time of day or in a different region of the country.

SW Pure White paint color on farmhouse exterior with dormers and wood supports on wrap around porch - @gregoryfarmhouse. #swpurewhite #whitepaintcolors #whitehousecolors — **SW Pure White** – @gregoryfarmhouse…in case white siding or white brick appeals to you.

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

Procrastination humor quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #procrastinationquote

2. Benjamin Moore SIMPLY WHITE 2143-70

Still so wildly popular, though not as commonly used as BM White Dove, Simply White is beautiful.

Benjamin Moore Simply White 2143-70 paint color swatch. #bmsimplywhite #bestwhitepaintcolors — BM Simply White 2143-70

It is one of those highly reflective whites. With an LRV of 89.52, BM Simply White will appear clean and creamy in most situations.

@avalonconstructiondesign - Benjamin Moore BM Simply White house exterior. #bmsimplywhite #whitehouseexteriors — @avalonconstructiondesign – **BM Simply White**…names of paint colors and also ideas to choose the perfect shade.

But you still must sample several since there are no fail-proof whites!

@bhg - Benjamin Moore BM Simply White house exterior. #bmsimplywhite #whitehouseexteriors — **Benjamin Moore Simply White** – Better Homes & Gardens

The slightest hint of warmth makes this hue a favorite to use both inside and outside of the home.

@our_urban_krustead - Benjamin Moore BM Simply White house exterior. #bmsimplywhite #whitehouseexteriors — @our_urban_krustead – **BM Simply White**

So lovely!

What a fabulous tiny house shop (below) Monika Hibbs constructed and painted Simply White! The color on the door reminds me of the color I painted the shutters and trim of our own tiny house in 2020…BM Boothbay Gray.)

Tiny house exterior painted BM Simply White and trimmed with board and batten - Monika Hibbs. #simplywhite #whitehousecolors #paintcolors — **BM Simply White** – Monika Hibbs

I love me some Monika Hibbs everything, and I also found out the following grey colors are her favorites to use:

5 lovely grey paint colors - Hello Lovely Studio. #greypaintcolors #bestgraypaint

If you are considering painting a brick exterior, you’ll find plenty of encouragement and confirmation online! Look at what’s possible:

Simply White paint color on beautiful house exterior - via Prodsec. #simplywhite #whitehousecolors #paintcolors — **Simply White** via Prodsec

Before you are completely sold on BM Simply White, consider a few more tried and true favs in the design world.

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3. Benjamin Moore SWISS COFFEE OC-45

Bet you’re somewhat familiar with Swiss Coffee for interiors, and it can also be stunning and the perfect white for a home’s exterior.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 paint color swatch. #bmswisscoffee #swisscoffeepaintcolor #bestwhitehousecolors — Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

In fact, this color is so trusted by designers that Benjamin Moore calls it “an essential white with just the right amount of warmth.”

@ourhomeinalabama - BM Swiss Coffee OC-45 painted brick house exterior. #bmswisscoffee #benjaminmooreswisscoffee #bestwhitehousecolors — @ourhomeinalabama – **BM Swiss Coffee OC-45**

If you are wondering how you will know whether a particular white is warm enough for your particular context…

@ourhomeinalabama - new construction brick house before white paint. — Before brick painted – @ourhomeinalabama…in case you’re curious what a coat of white paint will do!

You probably know what I’m about to say. There’s no shortcut to knowing. Sample it! Notice the “before” of the newly constructed warm brick home above and then the cooler white painted brick below.

@ourhouseinalabama - BM Swiss Coffee OC-45 painted brick house exterior. #bmswisscoffee #benjaminmooreswisscoffee #bestwhitehousecolors — BM Swiss Coffee – @ourhomeinalabama

With an LRV of 81.91, Swiss Coffee is creamier than other whites mentioned above.

@the.three.oh.five - BM Swiss Coffee OC-45 painted brick house exterior. #bmswisscoffee #benjaminmooreswisscoffee #bestwhitehousecolors — @the.three.oh.five – BM Swiss Coffee

Will it be too yellow of a white for your own house? Sampling it is the answer. It certainly doesn’t seem yellowy when you see the before/after of this home.

However, you can see in the photo above how the sun is adding warmth to it. That’s why exterior colors are tricky.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee white paint color on shed exterior - Almified. #swisscoffee #whitepaintcolors #houseexteriors — **BM Swiss Coffee OC-45** (Behr Black Bamboo on doors) – Almified

If you’re leaning toward Swiss Coffee, this video below might help. The blogger used it for her interiors so you can get an idea of how she arrived at the perfect white for her own needs.

While I still haven’t learned which white paint color was used for this stunning “barn house” (below) in Australia, a good start with samples to emulate it might be SW Simply White, BM Swiss Coffee and BM White Dove.

Exact paint color unknown - do try
samples of BM Swiss Coffee and White Dove to start. Charming backyard beach cabana with double doors and white siding - Loughlin Furniture. #garageconversions #backyardshed — Loughlin Furniture…not sure of the exact paint color but I also have some educated guesses.

4. WHITE DOVE by Benjamin Moore OC-17

Has there ever been a more tried and true white for interiors and exteriors in the history of paint? Doubt it.

White Dove BM OC-17 paint color swatch. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #classicwhitepaintcolors — **BM White Dove OC-17**

Benjamin Moore claims White Dove is clean and classic with unerring style. Unerring? Wow. Now there’s an endorsement.

White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior - @ourcolonialnewbuild. #whitehousepaintcolors #whitedove #benjaminmoorewhitedove — **Benjamin Moore White Dove** – Our Colonial New Build

Designers say they love it because when used for interiors, it has a soft quality that doesn’t seem to change with the changing light of the day.

Benjamin Moore White Dove on a brick house exterior - @our_classic_custom_home. #benjaminmoorewhitedove #whitedove #whitedovepaint — **Shoji White** – @our_classic_custom_home

I appreciate how the homeowner sampling paints for the perfect white for a new build (above) snapped a photo for reference.

Red brick with white paint swatches - @ — @our_classic_custom_home – clockwise: White Dove, Featherdown, Shoji White, Gray Mist, Seapearl

She chose Shoji White over White Dove, and you suddenly get a sense of how it helps to give you a place to start! Also note the different undertones coming forward in the white paint colors sampled on the brick.

@heidinoelledesign - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — @heidinoelledsign – **BM White Dove**

Back to White Dove’s beauty for historical properties and classic charm…It truly is something special.

@kristihainesherman - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — @kristihainesherman – **BM White Dove**

If ever I get the itch to paint my own red brick home, White Dove is the first paint color sample for which I would reach.

@lemuellerdesignco - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — @lemuellerdesignco – **BM White Dove**

Here it is on a lovely carriage house:

Carriage house exterior painted White Dove (Benjamin Moore). #houseexterior #whitehouses #whitedovepaint — **White Dove** @embellished_love

It is a bonus when homeowners snap a photo when the sun is setting or at twilight.

@modernglamhome - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — @modernglamhome – **Benjamin Moore White Dove**

When you see a white with snow, you also get a reference:

@smartyplantsinlo - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — **BM White Dove** – @smartyplantsinlo

So do keep in mind if you choose a white, the painters are done painting at dusk, and you wonder how on earth it could look the way it does…wait until the light is on it the following day.

@thecolonialfarmhouse - White Dove (Benjamin Moore) paint color on house exterior. #bmwhitedove #whitedovepaint #bestwhitehousecolors — @thecolonialfarmhouse – **White Dove**

5. Sherwin-Williams SNOWBOUND 7004

It looks like a light grey when you view the swatch against a bright white screen, yes?

Sherwin-Williams Snowbound 7004 paint color swatch. #swsnowbound #sherwinwilliamssnowbound — **SW Snowbound 7004**

LRV for Snowbound is 83, and isn’t soft and billowy?

@3288sqft - Sherwin-Williams Snowbound paint color on a white house exterior. #swsnowbound #sherwinwilliamssnowbound #whitehouseexteriorpaint — @3288sqft – **SW Snowbound**

You don’t have to be afraid of greyed-whites, and they are especially perfect for exteriors since you’re going to get sunlight warming the color.

@edgewoodwa_farmhouse - Sherwin-Williams Snowbound paint color on a white house exterior. #swsnowbound #sherwinwilliamssnowbound #whitehouseexteriorpaint — @edgewoodwa_farmhouse – **SW Snowbound**

In fact, the perfect white for you may not have “white” in the name. Check out Balboa Mist to see what I mean!

@happilyeveracres - Sherwin-Williams Snowbound paint color on a white house exterior. #swsnowbound #sherwinwilliamssnowbound #whitehouseexteriorpaint — @happilyeveracres – **Sherwin-Williams Snowbound**

While I’m not sure of the paint color for the trim below, there’s a chance it is SW Colonnade Gray since that is the color Sherwin-Williams recommends as a coordinating hue with Snowbound.

Snowbound SW white paint color on house exterior - Coats Homes. #snowbound #swsnowbound #whitehousecolors — **Snowbound** – Coats Homes

Notice how Snowbound works with the roof color above (kind of a pencil lead color) and an entirely different colored roof below (kind of a pencil eraser color!):

Sherwin Williams Snowbound white paint color on board and batten modern farmhouse. #snowbound #whitehousecolors — **Snowbound** – Sherwin Williams

By the way, if you are painting your home white, choosing trim colors is going to be so much easier!

Do visit my board with white exterior inspiration! Find bright white paint color options for exteriors in THIS. Hang out a little longer if you have a moment and explore more paint colors HERE.

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!

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4 Comments

Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns
June 15, 2023 / 9:34 am

Michele, this is such a helpful post! White is a tricky color and it is nice to see the top 5 colors in so many examples.
Have a wonderful day!

- Michele
  Author
  June 15, 2023 / 1:32 pm
  
  Thanks for peeking at this, Elizabeth. Hopefully seeing the same white on different homes in different lighting conditions makes the case for sampling first! 🙂 Happy almost weekend.
  
Jake Smith
September 8, 2023 / 8:59 am

As a professional painter I know there are an incredible amount of exterior paint colors in white alone! This is surprising to a lot of our customers because the average person just thinks white is white, well not when it comes to painting lol.

You’ve put together a great guide providing people with a smaller selection to work from with lots of examples and commentary. White dove is one of my favorite options too, especially on a southern farmhouse!

- Michele
  Author
  September 8, 2023 / 11:24 am
  
  Thanks so much for reading and for the White Dove recommendation- it’s such a timeless option.

5 Perfect (for YOU!) White Exterior Paint Colors

5 Perfect White Exterior Paint Colors to Consider

How to Begin WHITE PAINT Selection

Make Sure You Understand Undertones

How Do You Know How Light of a White to Choose?

How Many Whites Should You Sample First?

1. PURE WHITE 7005 by Sherwin-Williams

Why Sample Multiple Whites?

2. Benjamin Moore SIMPLY WHITE 2143-70

3. Benjamin Moore SWISS COFFEE OC-45

4. WHITE DOVE by Benjamin Moore OC-17

5. Sherwin-Williams SNOWBOUND 7004

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