The Calming Effect of White Paint Colors in Your Home
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If you’ve ever stood in front of the paint wall at Home Depot or Lowe’s with 57 shades of “white” in your cart… you’re not alone. Choosing the right white paint color can feel like an Olympic event.
The good news? White paint doesn’t just brighten a space, it can create the calm, cozy, serene vibe we all want at home.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite calming white paint colors (with real-life photos from our own homes and projects). You’ll learn how undertones, lighting, and room type all change the way white paint looks and I’ll give you tips for testing so you don’t waste money on gallons that don’t work.
Calming White Paint Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are the best calming white paints I’ve tested, by room type:
- Living Rooms: Benjamin Moore White Dove, Sherwin Williams Alabaster
- Kitchens: Sherwin Williams Pure White, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Bedrooms: Sherwin Williams Greek Villa, Behr Whipped Cream
- Bathrooms: Sherwin Williams Extra White, Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Whole House Favorites: Behr Polar Bear, Sherwin Williams Westhighland White
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!
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 Calming White Paint
The Importance of Undertones
White paint isn’t just plain white. Undertones make a huge difference (warm, cool, or neutral), and they change the whole mood of your room.
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 (below), 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.
It’s essential to pick a white with undertones that will complement the existing décor in your room.
How Lighting Changes White Paint Colors
Natural light, artificial lighting, and even time of day can all shift how your “perfect white” looks. Always test on your walls before committing.
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.
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. Peel and stick samples are great for this.
Top Calming 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Click through this post, Sherwin Williams Westhighland to see my full white paint review.
8. Behr Polar Bear
We used Behr Polar Bear in our pool house makeover and I love the hint of warmth and how nicely it coordinates with the blue walls.
Choosing the Right Calming White Paint by Room
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bedrooms
For the bedroom, you’ll want a white that promotes relaxation and tranquility.
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.
See this entire ranch house remodel above featuring this beautiful white paint, greek villa.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms can benefit from the crisp, refreshing look of bright whites.
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!
Warm vs Cool White Paint: Which Is 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.
Warm vs Cool White Paint: Which Is Better?
Mistake #1 Ignoring 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 Skipping Test 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.
Check in Different Lighting
Slap some Samplize swatches on the wall and live with them for a few days! Trust me, that “perfect white” will not look the same at 8 a.m. with sunshine pouring in as it does at 8 p.m. under your kitchen pendants. Test first, then commit… because nobody wants to repaint an entire room twice. 😉
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.
