Temperature of White Paint: C'mon Now, Does it Truly Matter?

Many many many rooms have been painted white by this fan of pale paint colors. When you have painted with whites to this level, ideas about undertones and temperature seem elementary. But for less visual types, hopefully learning about how temperature of white paint influences mood will enlighten. Obviously there isn’t a singular mood that is the right mood, there are only moods right for your room and your preferences. Let’s peek at whites with different temperatures and consider paint colors to sample.

Benjamin Moore OC-151 cool white paint on walls of our modern European country open floorplan - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely – **Benjamin Moore White OC-151** on walls, ceiling and trim.

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

Temperature of White Paint: Warm or Cool for Your Project?

Will a Cool White Change a Room’s Mood?

Know you’re after a cool white color? Check out THIS for brilliant ideas.

Eider White (Sherwin Williams) bedroom paint color - Brittany York. #sherwinwilliamseiderwhite — **Sherwin-Williams Eider White** – Brittany York – Considering the Temperature of White Paint

Eider White came into my life in 2021 when we inherited it in our current kitchen and laundry room.

Try this neutral white with a touch of pink: Sherwin Williams Eider White 7014 paint color swatch. #sweiderwhite — Sherwin-Williams EIDER WHITE – tap image for info

While this swatch may appear grayish, it’s actually a mysterious atmospheric neutral with a tinge of pink. If you like Farrow & Ball colors, Strong White is similar.

Eider White painted walls, cool white trim, and Belgian linen slipcovered dining chairs in Hello Lovely's breakfast nook. #eiderwhite — **Eider White** in our breakfast nook – Hello Lovely

Pink undertones in white can do something magical to warm up a cool white.

Hello Lovely's breakfast nook in a kitchen with modern French style - come shop the look! #modernfrench #frenchkitchen #breakfastnook #hellolovelystudio

1. Similar Woven Placemat Set

2. Everlasting Hydrangea Vase Filler

3. Slipcovered Dining Chair

4. LVP Flooring

5. Wall Paint Color

6. Similar Modern French Vase

7. Thomas O’Brien Elizabeth Chandelier

8. Similar Pedestal Table

Bear in mind, Eider White could be too pinky-purple in a room with a different lighting situation. Sample, sample, sample!

Have a Painting Project on the Horizon?

Psst. I may be re-painting our bedroom and bath Eider White (right now they are SW Agreeable Gray), and here’s what I’m excited to try:

The best reuseable paint tray, silicone liner, and lid to solve the headaches of cleanup and waste! So smart and sustainable from Repaint Studios. #paintsupplies #painttrays — Reuseable Paint Tray & Liner, Repaint Studios

How many plastic Walmart bags have I used (unsuccessfully) as liners in my paint tray over the years? The lid means we can walk away from the paint if need be for a day, and cleanup? Such a superior solution to simply peel the dried paint from the silicone liner.

I don’t think it’s overly dramatic to say that this product invention is going to change how we all approach our painting projects in the future! Yay! I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

A Cool Temperature Can Turn Up Calm Factor

Cool white paint colors are often tinted with grey or blue undertones. These cool undertones are associated with serenity, quiet, contemplation, and peacefulness.

Pure White (Sherwin Williams) entry with pale pine wood floors and black doors - Kate Marker. #swpurewhite #modernfarmhouse — **Sherwin-Williams Pure White** – Kate Marker – How Does the Temperature of White Paint Affect Mood?

Neutral and cool whites are a natural choice for tranquil bedrooms and baths. You need not rule out cool whites for other spaces too.

Cool white (BM OC-151) walls in a music room with piano (painted White Dove) and French country settee - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely – **Benjamin Moore White OC-151**

When I found the perfect cool white for our former woodsy house, I used it everywhere.

Bright white breakfast nook with window seat in kitchen is painted Benjamin Moore OC-151 - very cool and crisp contrasting with all the Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. #oc151 — Hello Lovely – **BM White OC-151**

Calm kitchens are so underrated!

Consider the time of day a room is utilized. If you spend time in your dining room after sunset, consider whether a warmer white may be appropriate for cozy evenings.

White shiplap in bath with black vanity is painted BM Chantilly Lace - @mlr.interiors. #chantillylace — **BM Chantilly Lace** – @mlr.interiors

Can Cool Whites Feel Chic?

Cool whites often lend an air of sophistication, restraint, and elegance to an interior.

Serene and cool white modern French bath with clawfoot tub painted OC-151 white - Hello Lovely Studio. #clawfoottub #coolwhitepaintcolors — **BM OC-151** – Hello Lovely

Similar to those elegant light blue-grays that read elegant, cool whites feel atmospheric and may add a touch of formality.

Erin Fetherston living room painted Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and furnished with OKL pieces and blue accents. #benjaminmoorechantillylace — **Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace** – Erin Fetherston

Sometimes such a mood is appropriate for a hushed living room or peaceful entry.

Modern farmhouse entry white white oak flooring and SW Extra White on walls - Chrissy Marie Blog. — **Sherwin-Williams Extra White** – Chrissy Marie Blog

Cool Undertones in White Paint Lend an Expansive Feel

Cool colors tend to visually recede and create an illusion of spaciousness. This quality can be a bonus in small spaces with low ceilings.

Eider White walls and Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray at 66% on kitchen cabinets - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench — **Sherwin-Williams Eider White** on walls – Hello Lovely

Hello Lovely's kitchen with modern French style - come shop the look! #modernfrench #frenchkitchen #hellolovelystudio

1. LVP Flooring

2. Wall Paint Color

3. Calacatta Gold Marble Subway Tile

4. Gilded Iron Darlana Mini Lantern

5. 30″ Hyannis Nantucket Farm Sink

6. Perrin & Rowe Edwardian Kitchen Faucet

7. Cabinet Color (Mixed at 66%)

8. Viatera Muse Quartz Countertop

9. Swivel Adjustable Height Stools

Clean & Fresh Cool Temperatures

I love using a cool white to create a sense of cleanliness and freshness.

SW Pure White walls in modern farmhouse great room - Theverestplace. — **Sherwin-Williams Pure White** – @theeverestplace

No wonder so many folks love working and cooking in white kitchens. With the higher light reflectance value of these whites (LRV), abundant light is reflected back into the space.

There are also neutral whites falling between warm and cool. Do you suppose this is why a color such as White Dove is so trustworthy and versatile?

Rustic wood work table counter in a kitchen painted BM White Dove - @gablebuilding. #whitekitchens — **BM White Dove** in a kitchen by @gablebuilding

More light means more visibility. Cool whites are functionally desirable in kitchens and baths where seeing better leads to safety.

Lincoln Barbour photo of kitchen with cabinets painted White Dove. #whitedove #whitekitchens — **BM White Dove** – Photo: Lincoln Barbour

Playing Neutrally Nice With Other Colors

Let’s face it. Cool white colors pair well with hues both warm or cool!

Loi Thai's beautiful white kitchen with Chantilly Lace cabinets and Shoreline painted wood floor. — Loi Thai – **BM Chantilly Lace**

Heard that criticism that white is only for chickens playing it too safe? I’M AFRAID that doesn’t hold true.

OC-151 cool white inside and out of this Palmetto Bluffs board and batten cottage by Lisa Furey. — Lisa Furey – **BM OC-151** inside and out of this coastal cottage

There’s a wisdom to white when you know how much chaos lives beyond your sheltered walls. Safety is not a undesirable quality or something to avoid.

F&B All White and Green Smoke in a lovely country kitchen with Smeg oven by @homebymarie — @homebymarie – **Farrow & Ball All White**

Before we begin to spotlight a gallery of warm whites, need to warm up? Will English countryside wintry warmth warm you?

Warm Temperature White Paint Colors

Find a gallery of beautiful warm white paint color ideas in THIS.

Snug sunroom with Farrow & Ball Pointing walls - @jescharamarchitect. — **Farrow & Ball Pointing** – @jescharamarchitect

Warm, Cozy & Gentle

To understand how warm whites create a mood which varies from cool ones, consider how warm colors tend to feel more cozy and gentle than cool.

Similar to White Dove, Alabaster (Sherwin-Williams) is a creamy white straddling cool and warm. This trusted and true designer favorite works for a vast range of different contexts so do sample it as a possibility.

Alabaster (SW) creamy warm white walls and Chicago brick floors in a family room by Brit Jones. — **Sherwin-Williams Alabaster** – Brittany Jones Design

Red, orange, and yellow tend to feel welcoming and snug as colors and undertones in white. They may increase a room’s temperature to bring a sense of comfort, security, and balance.

Alabaster paint color in a white and serene nursery with gray painted wainscot (Austere Gray). Griffith Design. — Griffith Design

Can Warm Whites Feel Energizing?

A too-sterile white can feel off-putting while warm undertones in warm whites may contribute a sense of vibrancy and energy.

SW Shoji living room by @whitewillow_cullman. #shojiwhite — **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Shoji White** paint color in living room by @whitewillow_cullman

Consider the mood you hope to create in a given space. Are you after a room that will foster socializing? Warm tones work well for gathering places such as dining rooms and kitchens.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster walls in modern French bedroom - Brittany Jones. #romanticbedrooms — Brit Jones Design

Intimacy, Warm Whites, and Comfort

Warm white colors are often the right choice to create a cocoon-ish sense of intimacy and comfort. This can be especially helpful for winter months when nature’s colors outside are cool and grey.

Benjamin Moore White Sand walls in Belgian style living room with Michele and black and white shihtzu - Hello Lovely Studio. #benjaminmoorewhitesand — Hello Lovely – **BM White Sand**

Entering into warmth from harsher elements beyond is a wonderful contrast. Warm whites can feel comforting in bedrooms and dens for snug relaxation.

Erin Napier designed bedroom with SW Dover White. #sherwinwilliamsdoverwhite — **SW Dover White** – Erin Napier

Warm White Kitchens are Timeless & Tranquil

Since deep warm colors, such as burgundy or deep gold may lend a feeling of opulence and luxury, whites with these undertones also suggest rich depth.

White Sand (Benjamin Moore) in country French kitchen with Silestone Ivory Coast counters, warm white Thomasville cabinets, and white oak hardwoods - Hello Lovely Studio. #warmwhitekitchens — **Benjamin Moore White Sand** – Hello Lovely

Have you noticed how warm white kitchens have been trending in social media for more than a year? After a long stint of modern farmhouse crisp ultra cool whites, warmth returned.

BM Pale Oak Benjamin Moore OC-20 modern farmhouse kitchen with gold lighting, subway tile, and open shelving - @americancolorks. — @americancolorks – **BM Pale Oak**

In addition to providing contrast for bright white millwork, warm white kitchen walls may feel cozier and less utilitarian.

BM Collingwood kitchen cabinets in white kitchen with Chantilly Lace walls - AKBDesign. #collingwood — **BM Collingwood** on cabinets in a kitchen by @akbdesign

In our French country home (built nearly 18 years ago), warm white walls helped the very spacious kitchen feel sunny and warm even on the coldest days. The fact this warm color didn’t reflect as much light as a cooler white was desirable. An abundance of natural light streamed into the space.

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

1. Terracotta Urn Vase

2. 30″ Fireclay Farm Sink

3. Bridge Faucet

4. Polished Marble Subway Mosaic

5. Stainless Cabinet Hardware

6. Similar Rustic Accent Stool

7. White Ruffle Bowl

8. Wood Boards

9. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

10. Bosch 800 Series Appliances

11. Paint Color

In contrast, our next home featured a kitchen one third its size with very low light. A cool white kept it feeling bright and spacious.

Farrow and Ball Hardwick White kitchen cabinets - @joeykendallbrown. #warmwhitepaintcolors #whitekitchens — **Farrow & Ball Hardwick White** – @joeykendallbrown

Will a Warm White Provide Contrast?

Warmth from whites with warm undertones can draw attention to specific areas or elements in a room.

Farrow & Ball Cornforth White in a library dining space - @the_salonette. #cornforthwhite — **Farrow & Ball Cornforth White** – @the_salonette

In this kitchen, you can see how the warm white sets off crisp white trim:

@yvestown - Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin holiday decorated dining room. #slippersatin — @yvestown – **Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin**

Here’s an example where warm white painted cabinets accentuate the cool marble and white subway tile.

@averyfranksdesign - Farrow & Ball Hardwick white kitchen with marble farm sink and subway tile. #farrowandballhardwickwhite #bespokekitchens — @averyfranksdesign – **Farrow & Ball Hardwick White**

The Magic of Warm & Cool Whites Together

Warm and cool white paint colors can work magic when used in harmony.

English country boot room with Farrow and Ball Hardwick White - @westcawhome. #farrowandballhardwickwhite #hardwickwhite — **Farrow & Ball Hardwick White** – @westcawhome

Combining and contrasting with warm and cool temperatures in a room ushers in balance, adding visual interest and dimension.

F&B Railings on kitchen cabinets and Dimity for walls in a small luxe kitchen with checkered Belgian stone floors - Zoe Feldman Design — **Farrow & Ball Dimity** on walls (F&B Railing on cabinets) – Design: Zoe Feldman Design

An important consideration is understanding how a specific shade of white and the intensity of its undertones impacts the atmosphere.

F&B Old White cabinets - @cariandesign. #farrowandballoldwhite — **Farrow & Ball Old White** on cabinets – @cariandesign

When a warm white has intense yellow undertones, it may be perceived as more yellow than white. Yellows can be tricky to get right and live with. Designers have suggested for years how that if you paint a guest room yellow, you won’t have to worry about guests lingering!

Farrow & Ball Wimborne White in a dining room by @home_stead. #farrowandballwimbornewhite — **F&B Wimborne White** – @home_stead

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right White

So many more factors when distinguishing between warm and cool temperatures and choosing the proper one for your white room. Sometimes you simply have a preference. In other cases, the natural light in a space is a clue. Even your age may come into play. As we age, we see more yellow. A cooler white may not seem “too cool” for this girl’s old eyes even though your young eyes may perceive the same cool white as blue!

Farrow and Ball Stony Ground in a dining room with Marcel Breuer chairs and bookshelves. — **F&B Stony Ground 211**

Most of the time, we’re not even immediately aware of how colors in a room affect us internally. As you begin to notice, the points here may begin to resonate. Surest way to learn about how warm and cool whites differ and impact mood? Experiment! Sample a range of whites in a room and watch them throughout the day.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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