3 Timeless White Paints: Why Do Designers Love 'Em?

We all need a place to begin when we decide to paint a room’s walls, trim, ceilings, and doors white. Even when we’re aware we should sample multiple whites first (since every room has its own exposure and issues), the challenge remains for WHICH WHITES. Neutrals are great to work and live with, but the best one? Takes a bit of detective work. That’s how this post will help. I’m a paint color consultant helping folks choose colors everyday. Partial to whites and neutrals, I’m equipped with 30+ years of experience. 3 Timeless white paints are profiled with plenty of examples and info in plain English.

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

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

3 Timeless White Paints Designers Love & Trust

If you love choosing colors while standing under fluorescents in dimly lit box stores perusing hundreds of paint swatch cards, have at it. Personally, I find that method frustrating and fruitless. So it helps to peek at galleries of a few trusted white paint colors designers tend to favor…at least it provides a starting point!

Charming living room in a California beach cottage by @m_m_interior_design. — **BM Simply White** – @m_m_interior_design

Smart Way to Land on the Right White

Sample at least three options you determine are possibilities. You can order peel and stick samples online or pick up sample pots where it is convenient.

Easiest way to see if a paint color is right in your space? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.

Modern rustic home office of Sherry Hart with Stevie Nicks framed print and zebra cushion. #homeoffices #benjaminmoorewhitedove — Sherry Hart – **Benjamin Moore White Dove**

The timeless white paints mentioned here are popular for good reason. First, they work for a lot of designers, painters, and DIYers in a variety of contexts.

Benjamin Moore White Dove on a beautiful brick house exterior by @riverbrook_ #benjaminmoorewhitedove — **Benjamin Moore White Dove** – @riverbrook_

Second, they work whether you need a white for walls, ceilings, trim, doors, windows, cabinets or furniture.

1. Benjamin Moore Simply White

Benjamin Moore says the slightest hint of warmth makes Simply White a clean, crisp white favorite to use anywhere in the home.

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

With a light reflectance value (LRV) of 89.52, Simply White is super bright and reflective…the brightest white of these three whites we’re deconstructing here.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a lovely white kitchen by @whatdreamsbaybecome #benjaminmooresimplywhite — @whatdreamsmaybecome – **Benjamin Moore Simply White**

With lots of natural light streaming (above), you can see its luminosity. While we can’t see an expanse of it on walls in this next kitchen, if you look at the top right corner where the walls are painted Simply White, you can see the contrast with Swiss Coffee.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee cabinets and Simply White walls in a lovely kitchen - @julietinteriors. #benjaminmooreswisscoffee — **Benjamin Moore SWISS COFFEE** on cabinets; **SIMPLY WHITE** on walls – @julietinteriors

Is Simply White Simply Perfect for Trim?

Here’s an example of Simply White on shiplap walls, ceiling, and trim (at least the trim appears to be the same tone).

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a lofty living room - @thismamasdance. #benjaminmooresimplywhite — @thismamasdance – **Benjamin Moore SIMPLY WHITE**

What a transformation by Katie Beth Lamb on this bar area in a basement that was formerly brown. I’m sure there were issues with light, and this color erased the gloom in one fell swoop.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a basement bar area - @katiebethlamb. #benjaminmooresimplywhite — @katiebethlamb – **Benjamin Moore SIMPLY WHITE**

Simply White is brilliant with high contrasting blacks and warm browns and seems especially popular with the shiplap crowd.

Simply White (Benjamin Moore) on walls and trim in a home by @sutherland_home — Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Simply White** – @sutherland_home

You can see how the warmth of brass fixtures works with it here:

Simply White (Benjamin Moore) white painted shiplap in a beautiful bath - Gendron Painting. #benjaminmooresimplywhite #simplywhite #whitepaintcolors — **Simply White** painted shiplap in a bath – Gendron Painting.

Should you paint your exterior Simply White?

White house exterior painted Benjamin Moore Simply White - Avenue B Development. #bestwhitepaintcolor #benjaminmooresimplywhite #housecolors — Exterior paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Simply White** – Avenue B Design

It depends. I have heard a few designers recommend sticking with whites where the LRV is under 80. This color’s light reflectance in nearly 90 so it’s way over. Maybe it depends on where the home is located since in some very dim settings, that rule may not apply.

Herringbone flooring and beautiful paneled walls painted Benjamin Moore Simply White. The Fox Group. Come see: Best White Paint Colors: 6 Favorites Designers Turn To in case you need paint color ideas. #benjaminmooresimplywhite #interiordesign #thefoxgroup — The Fox Group Door color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Galveston Gray**; wall and trim color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Simply White**

It’s an excellent color for trim…just look at all this paneled glory above and below.

Benjamin Moore Simply White painted paneling and trim in a beautiful traditional stairway landing - Susan Joyce Design. #simplywhtie #benjaminmooresimplywhite #whitepaintcolors — Susan Joyce Design – Timeless White Paints to Consider as well as a Photo Gallery of Inspo

Notice how the white looks slightly different at various times of day, in different sheens, and with various lighting conditions.

Entry. White English farmhouse style home by The Fox Group. Come be inspired these English Farmhouse Style Decorating Ideas. #staircase #entry #interdesign #benjaminmooresimplywhite — Wall and trim color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Simply White** – The Fox Group

Ceilings are another place where Simply White may be the best color choice. We tend to overlook ceilings for the most part, but they are worth some thought.

Luxurious kitchen with soaring ceiling! This two story kitchen by The Fox Group is a classic masterpiece. #luxuriouskitchen #whitekitchen #benjaminmooresimplywhite — The Fox Group – Paint color: **BENJAMIN MOORE Simply White**

2. Sherwin-Williams PURE WHITE 7005

If you’re curious about the bestselling white paint from Sherwin Williams, they say this is it!

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

It’s interesting that it seems so much greyer than Simply White. The swatch of Simply White looks downright creamy in comparison to the Pure White one above.

Sherwin Williams PURE WHITE paint color in a farmhouse style great room - @thehappiesthouse. #sherwinwilliamspurewhite — @thehappiesthouse – **Sherwin Williams PURE WHITE**

That is why it is so helpful to sample whites side by side and also see photos of the colors in real rooms.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on trim in a lovely timeless bath with checkered floor - @via110design. #sherwinwilliamspurewhite — Trim: **Sherwin Williams PURE WHITE** – @via110design

The fact that it has cooler undertones than Simply White might make it a better choice for more modern interiors.

#trailsendfarmhouse - Sherwin-Williams SW Pure White paint color on house exterior. #swpurewhite — @trailsendfarmhouse – **Sherwin Williams PURE WHITE**

That said, this versatile, bright white has the slightest yellow undertone that keeps it from appearing too stark.

Sherwin Williams Pure White painted seaside living room with gallery wall and Belgian linen sofa - Pottery Barn. #sherwinwilliamspurewhite #coastallivingroom — York Slope Armed Sofa at Pottery Barn – **Sherwin Williams PURE WHITE**

Maybe this is the reason it is such a popular option for trim.

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

LRV for Pure White is 84 which is just about perfect as far as my preference and experience with whites.

Sherwin Williams Pure White painted kitchen and breakfast dining area - @thehappiesthouse. #sherwinwilliamspurewhite — @thehappiesthouse – **SW Pure White**

Ready for one more possibility in our timeless white paints round-up?

Classic & Coastal mood board by Hello Lovely with home decor resources to score a stunning seaside retreat inspired look. #coastaldecor #classicinteriordesign

1. Santa Barbara Rattan Pendant

2. Colefax & Fowler Bowood Pillow

3. Simone Task Lamp

4. Paint Color

5. Gingham Napkin Set

6. Avondale Dinner Plates

3. Benjamin Moore WHITE DOVE OC-17

You have probably seen this paint color name crop up frequently online and word of mouth.

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

According to the Benjamin Moore brand, White Dove’s unerring style defines this clean and classic white.

BM White Dove kitchen cabinets and walls in a lovely country design - photo by Lincoln Barbour. #bmwhitedove #whitecountrykitchen — **BM White Dove** – Photo: Lincoln Barbour via *Country Living*

The LRV at 83.16 is almost identical to Pure White which I already mentioned sits in the sweet spot for light reflectance if you ask me. (The amount of light reflectance back into the space is 83.16%.)

Beautiful new white farmhouse exterior painted White Dove (Benjamin Moore) - @houseonbluff. #whitedovepaint #whitehouseexterior #whitepaintcolors #houseexteriors #whitefarmhouse — @houseonbluff – **Benjamin Moore White Dove**

By now, I’m hoping you can appreciate the beauty of seeing the same color in a bunch of contexts?

A beautiful modern rustic dining room with shiplap painted Benjamin Moore White Dove - Sherry Hart. #whitedove #benjaminmoorewhitedove #whitepaintcolors #shiplap #diningrooms — Sherry Hart – **BM White Dove**

It’s beautiful in a timeless dining area with shiplap above as well as on cabinetry below:

White Dove painted kitchen by Modern Midwest Nest. #whitepaintcolors #whitedovepaint #benjaminmoorewhitedove #whitekitchens — Modern Midwest Nest – kitchen cabinets painted **White Dove**

Is White Dove Better in Vintage or Modern Interiors?

When I first fell in love With White Dove, it was in the mid 1990s when we lived in a 1920s bungalow. It was so perfect in a vintage setting.

White Dove paint color on walls of a beautiful nursery by @huntsathome. #whitedove #whitedovepaint #benjaminmoorewhitedove #whitepaintcolors — @huntsathome

However, it is equally pretty in more modern environments such as the one above where it joins blush pink.

Benjamin Moore White Dove painted board and batten wall in charming bedroom by whitehomeonthehill. #whitedove #benjaminmoore #whitedovepaint #whitepaintcolors #bedrooms — @whitehomeonthehill – **Benjamin Moore WHITE DOVE**

White Dove has always been my personal favorite for trim and doors when you’re after a traditional, classic, established look.

Have a Pinterest board reserved for paint colors? It is a smart way to stay organized.

White Timeless Paints banner - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitepaintcolors — Pin me!

White Dove can be perfect on cabinets in kitchen, and it pairs well with almost any white marble, quartz, or solid surface countertop.

Gorgeous floating shelves and white shiplap painted White Dove in a designer's Atlanta kitchen - Sherry Hart. #floatingshelves #whitekitchen #whitedovepaint #benjaminmoorewhitedove #shiplap — **White Dove** (Benjamin Moore) in a kitchen by Sherry Hart

Folks who don’t have much experience living with white walls are often worried about a room feeling cold.

An interior designer's dining room with shiplap is painted White Dove (Benjamin Moore) - Sherry Hart. #whitedove #benjaminmoorewhitedove #whitedovepaint #diningrooms — Sherry Hart – **White Dove** in a dining room

While furnishings and accessories will be factors, I find White Dove to exude warmth without going yellow on you.

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

A Few Favorite White Furnishings

Coastal living room furniture and decor resources to get a Hamptons look. #hamptonsstyle #coastallivingroom

1. Pouf

2. Rug

3. Candle

4. Table

5. Movie

6. Sofa

7. Basket

8. Book

9. Floral Arrangement

10. Vase

11. Fisherman’s Knit Throw

It can be tricky to find a white sofa that strikes the balance between unfussy yet not too casual.

White one seat Parkwood Sofa - Serena & Lily #whitesofas — Parkwood Sofa

Cabot Console, Serena & Lily — Cabot Console

Lefebre Wingback Chair — White Slipcovered Arm Chair

Hello Lovely Dining Room: Get the Look with these design resources. #diningroomdecor #modernfrench

1. French Dining Chairs

2. Paint Color

3. Sconce

4. Terracotta Urn

5. Everlasting White Roses

6. Diptyque Paris Candle

7. Finish on Wood Floor

8. Chandelier

9. Wallpaper

Tall Broderick slipcovered bed, Serena and Lily. — Tall Broderick Bed, Serena & Lily

linen slipcovered slope arm dining chair — Linen Slipcovered Dining Chairs

Tall Broderieck Slipcovered Bed - Serena & Lily — Tall Broderick Slipcovered Bed

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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

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