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If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of white paint chips, overwhelmed by the options, you’re not alone. Choosing the right white paint might seem simple, but with so many undertones, light reflections, and room styles to consider, it’s easy to feel stuck.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about how to choose a white paint color, from understanding undertones to how lighting can make or break your color choice.

Plus, I’ll share my favorite whites from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr, with plenty of examples to help make your decision easier.

Why White Paint Is a Game-Changer

White paint is timeless—it makes spaces feel open, bright, and fresh. But not all whites are created equal.

Depending on the undertone, a white can either warm up a room or make it feel stark. The right white can elevate your space, while the wrong one might leave you frustrated, constantly questioning why your walls look yellow or dull.

Understanding the subtleties of white is key to finding the perfect shade for your home.

Warm, Cool, and Neutral Whites: What’s the Difference?

Warm Whites

Warm whites have undertones of yellow, red, or orange.

These colors are perfect if you’re looking to make a space feel cozy and inviting.

Warm whites work beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms, and spaces where you want to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Examples:

• Sherwin Williams Westhighland White: This warm white has just enough creaminess to feel soft without being overly yellow. It’s a great choice for living rooms or bedrooms where you want a cozy, traditional feel.

• Benjamin Moore Navajo White: With soft yellow undertones, Navajo White feels like a warm hug for your walls. This color works beautifully in rooms with plenty of natural light. See the post here.

Cool Whites

Cool whites are crisp and clean, with blue, green, or gray undertones.

They give a more modern, refreshing feel, making them perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or any space where you want a clean, bright look.

Examples:

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace: This is one of the purest cool whites you can get, with almost no discernible undertones. Perfect for trim, cabinets, or walls in a contemporary space where you want a sharp, clean look. Check out my review here.

Neutral Whites

Neutral whites strike a balance, with undertones that don’t lean too warm or too cool. These are versatile shades that work well in almost any room.

Examples:

• Sherwin Williams Greek Villa: This is my go-to neutral white! It has just a hint of warmth, making it versatile enough for both traditional and modern spaces. It’s one of the most popular whites for a reason—it just works everywhere. Learn more about it here.

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Choosing White Paint by Room

Living Room

In the living room, you want a white that feels inviting and cozy but also reflects natural light beautifully.

Sherwin Williams Westhighland White is perfect for this—its warm undertones create a welcoming vibe while still keeping the space bright.

Tip: If your living room doesn’t get a ton of natural light, avoid cooler whites, as they can feel too cold or flat. Warm whites will help keep the space feeling vibrant and cozy.

Kitchen

Kitchens benefit from whites that are clean and fresh.

I love Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for this, it pairs beautifully with modern cabinets and stainless steel appliances, keeping the room feeling crisp and bright.

Our lake house below shows off this white paint color perfectly!

For a slightly warmer option, Benjamin Moore White Dove is another excellent choice, especially if your kitchen leans more toward the farmhouse or traditional style. See my White Dove review.

Bedroom

Bedrooms are spaces for relaxation, so you’ll want a white that feels soft and calming.

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa strikes a perfect balance between warmth and brightness, making it ideal for bedrooms with varying natural light.

See my Greek Villa review here.

Understanding Undertones: Why They Matter

One of the trickiest parts of picking a white paint is understanding undertones.

Whites might look similar on the chip, but once they’re on the wall, their true colors show.

Whites with yellow undertones can appear warm and creamy, while those with blue undertones can look stark or even icy, depending on the light.

Tip: Always test your white paint in different lighting before committing. A white that looks perfect in a bright, south-facing room might feel cold in a north-facing room. You don’t want to end up with a white that feels dingy or too yellow once it’s on the wall.

For example, in this post, I compare Sherwin Williams Greek Villa and Sherwin Williams White Dove, and you can see how the undertones affect their appearance in different spaces. Check out the comparison here.

Both rooms above feature extra white trim color by Sherwin Williams

How Lighting Impacts White Paint

Light plays a massive role in how your white paint will look once it’s up on the walls.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• North-Facing Rooms: These rooms get cooler light, so you’ll want a warmer white to balance out the coolness. Benjamin Moore White Dove is an excellent choice here.
• South-Facing Rooms: These rooms get lots of warm, natural light, so a cooler white like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace can keep the space from feeling too yellow or overly warm.

FAQs: Your White Paint Questions Answered

What’s the best white for trim?

Sherwin Williams extra white is one of my favorites for trim—it’s bright, crisp, and pairs well with both warm and cool wall colors.

Can I use different white paints in the same room?

Yes, but make sure the undertones complement each other!

For example, avoid pairing Sherwin Williams Pure White with White Dove, as their similar light reflectance values (LRV) can make them clash. If you’re pairing whites, choose one with an LRV at least 3 points lower or higher to create contrast.

You can also use the same trim color that you used on the walls but it cut it by 25 or 50% to make it a little lighter!

See how I had the paint specialist at Sherwin Williams, cut the Westhighland White by 25%. You can read about how we painted over dark stained trim here and why we used our wall color as our trim, but 25% lighter!

Want our ultimate white paint guide cheat sheet? Download it here.