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Choosing the perfect warm white paint color for your home can be a challenge. The perfect shade will still look white, but have just the right amount of soft creaminess to it. The wrong shade will come across as too yellow or too cream or just too bland and be not at all what you’re looking for.
Like with any paint color, the different undertones of the paint itself as well as the exposure of your room play a huge role in how the paint will appear on your interior walls, trim, or cabinets.
South-facing rooms will have warm light that may emphasize the underlying warmth of a color. On the other hand, north-facing rooms can be balanced with the warm undertones that counteract the gray cast that comes from northern light.
To help you narrow down the best choices for best warm white paint colors, I’m sharing the most sampled shades from both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams over the past year.
jenna’s Tip
I highly recommend picking up peel-and-stick real paint samples, hanging them on your wall and watching them throughout the day to see how the color changes. This will give you the best idea of what works in your space, before committing to the large purchase of gallons of paint!
1. Benjamin Moore Simply White
Simply White continues to be one of the favorite warm white paint colors, and is frequently chosen for cabinets, trim, and walls. With an LRV of 89.5, it is a bright white, perfect for walls and trim.
Yet, it’s not nearly as versatile as people say it is. In a room with a lot of bright natural light, it can be the perfect slightly warm white color that doesn’t wash out and look overly bright, yet in the wrong space, it can read very yellow.
My kitchen cabinets (although a stock color) were color matched to BM Simply White. They are the perfect soft, slightly warm white. This room is flooded with daylight.
However, in my son’s north-east facing bedroom, which is dark throughout most of the day, Simply White looks distinctly yellow, especially under artificial lighting.
Interestingly, most of the white furniture from Pottery Barn is painted Simply White, so if you have any of those items in your home it will give you a good idea of the color.
If you have bright white trim (especially of it’s a cooler white) and don’t want to repaint it, I would choose a color with more depth so that the different shades of white don’t clash.
Want To Sample Them All?
Ready to sample these colors in your own home? Purchase all these colors in one easy bundle of peel-and-stick REAL paint samples, delivered overnight from Samplize.
2. Benjamin Moore White Dove
As one of Benjamin Moore’s most versatile white paint colors, White Dove is a beautiful creamy white that works wonderfully in dark rooms or areas with lots of warm elements or wood.
It has an LRV of 83, putting it on the lower end of white, on the verge of being an off-white paint color.
It’s easy to see why it’s been favored by homeowners and interior designers so often, especially since it never feels super warm, though it tends to lean more on the warmer side than other whites.
It’s an excellent choice for creating a cozy atmosphere in your dining room, living room or master bedroom
I used BM White Dove in my north-west facing bedroom. Its warm tones counteract the gray cast the northern lights brings into the room, and the slight gray undertone stops it from ever looking to warm, even when the warm afternoon sunlight pours in.
BM White Dove can be paired with a brighter white trim (this room has SW Pure White) or the trim can also be painted White Dove in a higher sheen.
Want to know more about whether White Dove will work in your space? I have a full White Dove Paint Color Review that you’ll find helpful.
3. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
BM Swiss Coffee is known for its soft, creamy white that looks gorgeous in natural daylight. It has an LRV of 81, making it an off-white paint color.
For a brighter look, you can consider lightening it by 25%, like how Shea McGee did on her kitchen walls, which will bring it back to a white rather than an off-white.
Related: The Best Cream Paint Colors.
4. Benjamin Moore Atrium White
BM Atrium is a unique warm white because of its pink undertone. It has an LRV of 87.04, providing a slightly warm white that’s a good choice as a white paint color to pair with warmer-toned woods like cherry cabinets.
5. Benjamin Moore China White
BM China White, with an LRV of 85, is a versatile soft warm white that pairs well with various colors and styles. It is also known as Benjamin Moore Seapearl (OC-19).
It has a subtle greige undertone, without a strong yellow base. Its LRV of 85 puts it on the lower end of whites, almost making it an off-white paint color.
While China White would not be my favorite choice for trim and doors, it makes a beautiful soft white paint color on walls that can be paired with a brighter white like BM Chantilly Lace for trim. Plus, it’s a very versatile, classic shade that complements various color palettes.
6. Benjamin Moore Cloud White
BM Cloud White is a beautiful off-white that will definitely bring warmth to any room due to its yellow undertones. This color has been around for a while and its versatility makes it a great option inside your home. This sophisticated shade of white will bring a warm and cozy feeling to your space.
If you’re going to use it on your walls or cabinets, I’d suggest using the same color but different sheens for trim instead of other white colors, as it may be tricky finding the right balance of undertones.
7. Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Sherwin Williams Alabaster was the color of the year in 2016 and we see why! Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a popular warm white paint color, offering a creamy look that’s ideal as a neutral color for your home, blending well with both warm and cool tones for a perfect warm white paint color.
It technically has yellow undertones, but not so much that it will look bright yellow, thanks to a neutral base that cools it down just enough.
Need a more in-depth review? I have a SW Alabaster Paint Review that will help you decide on whether it’s the paint warm white for you.
8. Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
Give your home a cozy welcoming feeling with this neutral off-white paint color. SW Greek Villa is a creamy, soft white that has been listed as one of the top 50 paint colors, and I can see why!
It will make any room look much brighter and larger even if you don’t have much natural light, due to its high reflectivity.
See how this versatile, elegant, and timeless white can be used anywhere in my full paint review of Sherwin Williams Greek Villa.
9. Sherwin Williams Zurich White
SW Zurich White (SW-7626) is my latest paint color obsession. My hair stylist moved to a new salon recently and it’s painted this color. It is the most beautiful warm white with a touch of gray.
Pay attention to where the wall meets the white trim of the window and you’ll get a good idea of how it looks against white trim. This particular window is west facing and this was taken in the afternoon when the space was receiving a lot of warm bright sunlight.
I am thinking of so many places where I want to use this paint color!
Ready To Sample?
Ready to sample these colors in your own home? Purchase all these colors in one easy bundle of peel-and-stick REAL paint samples, delivered overnight from Samplize.
10. Sherwin Williams Dover White
SW Dover White has an LRV of 83, indicating it is on the lighter side but not as bright as some of the other whites I’ve already mentioned.
Dover White has a noticeable creamy, almost buttery undertone, distinguishing it from cooler whites. These warm undertones can bring a sense of warmth to a space, making it feel more inviting.
However, Dover White is NOT a good choice as a white trim color for a whole house. While it can be beautiful on walls, it looks dirty as a trim color so I would steer clear!
Dover White pairs beautifully with earth tones, soft greens, blues, and rich browns, offering a flexible palette for design schemes. It also works well with bolder colors, providing a soft counterbalance to vibrant hues.
FAQ’s
Yes, you absolutely can mix warm and cool tones, but there’s a way to do it. Even if you have other cooler colors in the home, you can definitely still look toward these warm colors to paint your walls white!
Warm southern light, or warm eastern light in the morning will bring out the warmth in an off-white color, while cool light (north facing for example) will be balanced by the warm tones, stopping a room from feeling too cold and drab.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with warm white paint colors. Have you discovered a shade that transformed your space? Share in the comments or join our subscriber list for more color insights and tips.
