White paint is the ultimate classic shade for your home. It’s the perfect blank slate for any space of your choosing, from midcentury living rooms to shabby chic bedrooms. White will also never go out of style when it comes to kitchen paint color ideas—especially kitchen cabinets. It's the easiest way to open up a room and brighten it right up, no matter what your décor style is. But with literally thousands of white paint colors to choose from, where does one start? We enlisted the help of a few color experts to share their favorite shades for every room and aesthetic. Below, find the best white paint colors in a range of prices and shades that'll suit any room you're looking to transform. (Is white a little lighter than you want to go? Then check out the best neutral paint colors and best greige paint colors right here.)
Neutral White Paint Colors
Not sure where to begin when choosing a white paint? “I've found that color temperature really helps homeowners decide on the right white for their space,” says director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, Sue Wadden. “Think about creamy, warm whites with a touch of yellow as a warm color choice. Neutral whites really work well with any color, but are a particularly good choice with neutrals, and cool whites look great with grays, purples and blues.”
Shop Our Favorite Neutral White Paint
Magnolia Home True White
Behr Premium Plus Polar Bear
Valspar Paramount White
Glidden High Endurance Plus Swan White
Cool White Paint Colors
Cool white paints can have a calming effect, which makes them great choices for bedrooms. These hues have undertones of gray, purple, and blue and will look out of place in rooms filled with warm colors.
Shop Our Favorite Cool White Paint
Bright White Paint Colors
What’s the best way to test white paints? “Be sure to test out the color in the space you intend to paint,” says Benjamin Moore color marketing and development manager Hannah Yeo. “The larger the sample, the better. View the color under both natural and artificial light to get the most accurate reading of the color. The surrounding environment can make the color look more/less saturated or lighter/darker than what you intend.”
Shop Our Favorite Bright White Paint
Farrow & Ball Snow White
Glidden Premium Raindrop White
Behr Ultra Bakery Box
Behr Ultra Pure White
Warm White Paint Colors
“White is a great color choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces,” says senior color marketing manager at PPG Paints, Dee Schlotter. ”Although picking the best white paint may seem daunting with so many options to choose from, the subtle differences between the shades can make a huge difference when you apply it to your walls.” We love these warm white walls in Diane Keaton's home!
Shop Our Favorite Warm White Paint
PPG Timeless Extreme White
Glidden Premium Aria
Behr Premium Plus White
Farrow & Ball Strong White
Ivory White Paint Colors
“White is a go-to neutral, but the variety of different shades and undertones make the color actually quite complex,” says vice president of color and creative services at Behr, Erika Woelfel. “After you land on the perfect shade, add a pop of color to the room with throw pillows or flowers.”
Shop Our Favorite Ivory White Paint
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Iconic White
Behr Marquee Ivory Keys
Glidden Premium Extreme White
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Eider White
