White House Exterior Colors to Consider Now!

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 house exterior 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

White House Exterior Colors to Sample?

Choosing wall paint colors may be a challenge, but it’s not a complete nightmare should you have to repaint to get it right. But the exterior of your home? Good gracious. 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, please understand you’ll need to sample your favorite white paint colors first. When you see multiple whites together, you’ll fully understand the importance. You’ll suddenly see the rainbow of whites. You’ll notice undertones and temperature changes (coolness or warmth). Nuances 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 HomesSW Alabaster & BM Wythe Blue (door) – White Exterior Paint Colors…in case you need ideas.

Where to Begin Your WHITE PAINT Selection

You are probably aware 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 browse 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, DO NOT FALL IN LOVE with the NAME of particular color. Keep an open mind and don’t judge any of 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.

Funny tweet quote about road rage by AbbyNormanSays on Hello Lovely Studio. #lifequotes #funnytweets

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
@covermeinivyBM 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
@2kDevelopmentSW 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.

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
@jettsetfarmhouseSherwin-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
@adhouseplansSW 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.

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.

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
@avalonconstructiondesignBM 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 WhiteBetter 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_krusteadBM 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 WhiteMonika 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.

Funny quote about overwhelm on Hello Lovely Studio. #lifequotes

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.

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
@ourhomeinalabamaBM 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.

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

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.

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 DoveOur 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.

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
@heidinoelledsignBM 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
@lemuellerdesigncoBM 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
@modernglamhomeBenjamin 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
@thecolonialfarmhouseWhite Dove

5. Sherwin-Williams SNOWBOUND 7004

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

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
@3288sqftSW 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_farmhouseSW 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
@happilyeveracresSherwin-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
SnowboundCoats 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!

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

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!

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.

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing