The Calming Effect of White Paint Colors in Your Home

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The calming effect of white paint colors in your home can transform any space into a serene, peaceful retreat. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a small room or create a soothing ambiance throughout your home, white paint is the perfect choice for achieving a calming atmosphere.

It’s no secret that white paint has long been a popular choice for its ability to brighten up spaces, create a timeless atmosphere, and make rooms feel more open.

We tend to use white paint throughout our renovation projects and Airbnb’s simply because the overall light and bright theme appeals to the majority of people.

calming white paint colors for interiors — Pure White bathroom walls

Selecting the right white paint color can feel like a daunting task though with so many shades to choose from.

I will admit that I have spent hours staring at paint samples in the store to not only come home and stare at samples on my wall.

Choosing the right white can be a super frustrating process!

behr whipped cream in basement — Behr Whipped Cream (white wall paint)

The key to choosing the perfect white is understanding the undertones and how different whites work in different spaces.

Today I am going to walk you through the top white paint colors that I love and what to consider before making your selection, and tips for testing samples in your home.

What to Know Before You Pick a White Paint

The Importance of Undertones in White Paint

One of the biggest challenges when choosing a white paint is understanding the undertones.

White paint isn’t just plain white. It comes in a variety of shades, each with its own undertone.

These undertones can be warm (yellow, beige), cool (blue, gray), or neutral.

While these undertones might seem subtle, they can have a significant impact on how the paint will look once applied to your walls.

For example, a warm white, like Benjamin Moore White Dove, can create a cozy atmosphere in a living room, while a cool white, like Sherwin Williams Pure White, might feel crisper and more modern.

Below, you can see how our cape style house renovation project features white dove and leans more toward the farmhouse or traditional style. See our cape style house tour featuring the whole house in white dove.

benjamin moore white dove paint in a living room — white dove kitchen and living room

It’s essential to pick a white with undertones that will complement the existing décor in your room.

How Lighting Affects White Paint

Lighting plays a crucial role in how white paint looks in a space.

Below is a picture of our waterfront home in Rhode Island featuring white dove (same as the kitchen above) and you will notice that the color seems much brighter in this home.

white dove paint color interior walls — white dove white paint color

The color is lighter simply because the amount of natural light that flows through the large windows vs. the small cape style house above with less (and smaller) windows.

Natural light, artificial lighting, and even the time of day can all affect how the paint color appears on your walls.

White paint that looks perfect in the store might look completely different when it’s on your walls under various lighting conditions.

For this reason, it’s always a good idea to test out a small sample on your walls before committing to a full gallon.

Top White Paint Colors for 2025

Best White Paint For Walls: Top Choices

Here are some of the best white paint colors to consider for your home.

Each of these shades has been carefully chosen for their versatility, timelessness, and ability to complement a variety of styles and room types.

1. Sherwin Williams Alabaster

Why it’s great: Alabaster is a warm, soft white that’s perfect for creating a cozy and inviting space. It’s not too yellow, so it still feels fresh and modern.
Where to use it: This is a great choice for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms where you want a warm, welcoming vibe.

Below you will see a comparison of alabaster and greek villa, with greek villa slightly brighter.

2. Benjamin Moore White Dove

Why it’s great: White Dove is a slightly warmer white with just a hint of gray. It works beautifully in both traditional and modern spaces, offering a soft and serene feel.
Where to use it: It’s a great all-around white for living rooms, hallways, and bathrooms, where you want a calm and inviting atmosphere.

Click through this post, white dove, to see my full white paint color comparison.

our modern coastal kitchen and living room open concept features glass jar pendants, blue island and coordinating crate and barrel furnishings — “living room” white dove wall color

3. Sherwin Williams Pure White

Why it’s great: Pure White is a clean, bright white with subtle undertones that make it incredibly versatile. It’s a true white without being too stark, making it an ideal choice for modern and minimalist spaces.
Where to use it: Pure White is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and trim, where a crisp, clean look is desired.

We used Pure White on the wainscoting below in our Rhode Island house bathroom and white dove on the top part of the wall.

modern coastal bathroom ideas with Behr polar bear trim and Benjamin Moore white dove walls

4. Behr Ultra Pure White

Why it’s great: Behr Ultra Pure White is an exceptionally bright white that works well in contemporary spaces. It’s a great option for those looking to create a fresh, minimalist aesthetic.
Where to use it: This white is ideal for ceilings, modern living rooms, and spaces where you want to create a sense of light and openness.

5. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

Why it’s great: Chantilly Lace is a cool, crisp white that feels clean and fresh.
Where to use it: Use this white in hallways, kitchens, living rooms or bathrooms to create a sleek, polished look.

Click through this post, Chantilly Lace, to see my white paint color comparison.

benjamin moore chantilly lace paint color in living room and kitchen — cottage living room featuring “chantilly lace white walls”

6. Behr Wipped Cream

Why it’s great: Whipped Cream is a soft white that adds a light, airy feel to your home.
Where to use it: Use this white in hallways, kitchens, living rooms or bathrooms to create a sleek, polished look.

behr whipped cream living room with stacked ledger white stone 28' high fireplace — living room with behr whipped cream walls

7. Sherwin Williams Westhighland White

Why it’s great: West Highland White is a creamy white but is not yellow. We used this color in our entire house and it creates a seamless flow throughout each room
Where to use it: Use this white in just about any room!

red oak vs white oak flooring — Westhighland white paint color in our dining room and foyer

Click through this post, Sherwin Williams Westhighland to see my full white paint review.

Choosing the Right White Paint for Different Rooms

If you are having trouble deciding which which color is best and you are not super picky, I’ve provided a few suggestions, by room, below.

White Wall Colors for Living Rooms

Living rooms are often the heart of the home, so it’s important to choose a white that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

coastal style finished basement with blue, gray and sand stacked ledger stone on tv wall with foosball game, floating plank style flooring, white dove walls and crate and barrel style furniture — living room with white dove walls

Warm whites like Benjamin Moore White Dove and Sherwin Williams Alabaster help make large spaces feel more intimate, while still maintaining a light and airy feel.

Take a tour of our house on the water featuring this white paint color throughout the entire house.

Best White Paint For Walls in Kitchens

In the kitchen, you want a white that feels clean and fresh while also reflecting light.

Cool whites like Sherwin Williams Pure White, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and Behr Ultra Pure White are perfect for creating a modern and polished look in this high-traffic area.

White Interior Paint for Bedrooms

For the bedroom, you’ll want a white that promotes relaxation and tranquility.

finished basement king bedroom with floating gray plank floor and Behr cracked pepper closet door — bedroom with white dove white walls

Soft whites like Sherwin Williams Greek Villa is also great for creating a peaceful, calm environment that’s perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.

Sherwin williams greek villa ranch house remodel — living room with greek villa white wall color

See this entire ranch house remodel above featuring this beautiful white paint, greek villa.

White Wall Paint Colors for Bathrooms

Bathrooms can benefit from the crisp, refreshing look of bright whites.

pure white white wall paint in small bathroom with no window — Sherwin Williams pure white paint color on bathroom walls

Sherwin Williams Extra White and pure white (bathroom above) are an excellent option for making a small bathroom feel larger and more open, while also enhancing the natural light.

You will notice that Pure White is also featured below in this bathroom with natural light. The bathroom above does not have a window so the white appears a little darker but they are the same!

pure white white paint interior walls in a bathroom with a navy vanity — pure white paint color – bathroom walls

Warm White Paint vs. Cool White Paint: What’s Better?

When choosing between warm white and cool white, it ultimately depends on the effect you want to achieve in your room.

If you are looking for a clean crisp coastal feel, a cool tone may be best.

If you are looking for a warm and cozy farmhouse feel, a warm white works well.

Both types of white have their benefits, but it’s important to select the one that best suits the style and lighting of the room.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Choosing White Paint

Mistake #1 Overlooking Undertones

A common mistake when choosing white paint is overlooking the undertones. If you choose a white with a cool undertone for a room that gets a lot of warm sunlight, it can make the space feel too cold.

Always test your paint samples in the room’s lighting before making a final decision.

Mistake #2 Not Testing Samples

Another mistake is not testing the paint before committing.

White paint can look very different depending on the light in the room, so always apply a sample to the wall before you buy a full gallon.

Tips for Testing White Paint in Your Home

Apply Samples on Different Walls

Since white paint can look different depending on the amount of light, it’s a good idea to test the color on multiple walls to see how it appears throughout the day.

This will give you a better sense of how it will look in the space.

Observe in Different Lighting

Take the time to observe how your paint sample looks under both natural and artificial lighting. I personally sill paint swatches in the rooms I am painting and live with it for a few days. The paint will NEVER look the same during the day vs at night with the lights on.

Choosing the best white paint for your home doesn’t have to be a stressful task. By understanding the undertones of white paint, considering the lighting in your space, and testing samples before making your final decision, you’ll be able to find the perfect shade for every room.

Meet Jessica

What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.