Wondering how to choose the right white for your walls? Here are the best white paint colors and everything to consider when picking a white paint color for your home!
I love talking about paint colors, but I have never really talked about white before!
I tend to paint color on my walls, but white is an extremely popular option for those looking for neutral walls.
White is a clean slate that can stand well on it’s own or pair with any color scheme in the entire world!
So, I totally get why people love white walls.
But, picking a white is a lot harder than it sounds!
How do you pick the best white paint color?
My process for choosing paint colors goes:
- Get paper swatches
- Hold them up all over the room
- Choose 3-5 swatches to get samples of
- Paint large samples all over the room
- Look at the samples day and night, lights on and lights off
- Pick your favorite white paint!
There are a few things to consider specifically when choosing a white paint color.
Here’s our guide to paint undertones!
Warm white vs cool white paint
The first thing to consider is undertones. You want to note the undertones of the fixtures in your space – flooring or furniture that won’t be changing – and coordinate with that color palette.
White paint can have either warm undertones or cool undertones.
Warm undertones means that it has hints of yellow, gold, or tan.
Cool undertones means that it has hints of blue or gray.
The best way to determine the undertones of white wall paint is to place a color swatch next to pure white printer paper. When in doubt, add a few swatches of other shades of white paint.
It should be pretty clear if the white feels yellow, blue, green, or even pink!
Popular warm white paint colors:
- Sherwin Williams Alabaster
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
- Behr Polar Bear
- Behr Swiss Coffee
- Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White
Popular cool white paint colors:
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Benjamin Moore Chalk White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Benjamin Moore White Diamond
- Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Assess a room’s lighting
White paint looks best in rooms with bright white natural light. If there’s a lot of artificial light, it can start to read as yellowed.
Pick the right sheen
For walls, you will almost always want flat, matte, or eggshell paint sheen. Read our guide to paint sheens here!
Are white walls going out of style?
White walls are pretty classic but are definitely still on trend. While dark, moody walls are very popular, white is the light and bright neutral option that is most on trend at the moment!
Should I paint my walls white or grey
Grey was the go-to wall color for a long time, and it can have a very cozy vibe. However, if you want a more trendy look, steer clear of gray as it is looking dated!
What color should trim be if walls are white?
You have a few options for trim paint colors with white walls.
One is to paint the trim the same color as the walls. You could choose the exact same shade but in a semi gloss finish to differentiate the two.
Alternatively, you can go for a contrasting color. Black, navy, or a charcoal color are all popular high-contrast trim colors.
Finally, you could go for an accent color. Usually a dustier color works better than a very bright color. Think dusty denim blue! This is a great way to bring color to your walls and break them up without having too much color in the space.
What is the best white paint for interior walls?
Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all white paint color that works best in every room.
Some rooms do well with a soft white, some need a neutral white, and some need something with more yellow undertones for warmth.
The answer is that you need to test multiple white paint samples in your room, with your lighting and your fixtures, to choose the best white paint for your room!
What type of white paint is best?
With white paint, it’s very important to buy high quality paint, preferably paint and primer in one to get good coverage.
Cheap white paint can take a LOT of coats to get coverage, which will end up costing you more for the extra quantity of paint!
The best white paint colors
Here are some of the best white paint colors for interior walls with pictures of them inside real rooms in real homes!
The best white paint colors for every home
Here are examples of the best white paint colors in real rooms!
This is a warm white with slightly pink undertones in the evening. We used it in our old laundry room and loved it paired with natural wood!
This is a warm and slightly off-white light light beige color.
Ballet White is a warm, creamy white that can lean slightly beige.
Behr Falling Snow is a bit of a cooler toned white color that's crisp and clean and perfect for a bathroom.
Alabaster is a very popular warm white paint color. It has slight brown undertones but is very light and bright!
Extra White is a very bright white that trends slightly cool. It's one of the most popular white paint colors for trim.
This is a warm white with a delicate feel. Clare suggests it for north-facing rooms!
This is technically considered a beige, but it's very very light and reads as white in a bright, naturally lit room!
This is a crisp cool toned white with cool gray undertones.
This is a delicate, creamy white paint color. It doesn't immediately read as super warm or beige, but when paired with artificial lighting reads a bit warmer.
Paper White is a slightly gray-leaning neutral white color. It has slight green undertones that keep it a nice balance between too warm or too cool.
This is a VERY bright white. It's what you call "out of the can white" and is often used on trim work.
White dove is a white with a tiny bit of yellow and beige to it, giving it a warm tone.
Are white walls in style for 2022?
White walls have been on trend for the past few years. Designers seem to be shifting to darker, warm toned, rich colors for walls. However, I think that white walls will remain in style for more of the average homeowner who wants a neutral, classic wall color.
Any more questions about the best white paint colors for every home?!
Get paint samples!
Samplize will send you 12″x12″ peel and stick samples of paint colors from many popular brands so you can see exactly how they will look in your home!
Love paint colors? Be sure to check out:
- The Paint Color Formula – my complete guide to picking paint colors!
- My guide to paint sheens
- My guide to paint undertones
Painting for the first time? Check out my video tutorial on the easiest & cleanest way to open a paint can!
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!