Interior Designers Have Spoken and These Are the Best White Paints

By

Megan Beauchamp

Updated on Sep 17, 2021

Best white paint colors — Tessa Neustadt ; DESIGN: Stefani Stein

Between slight variations in undertones and the need to take natural light into consideration, selecting the best white paint presents a particularly daunting challenge. The stakes are surprisingly high—after all, the wrong shade can make your space look as startlingly bright as a hospital hallway, but the right one can turn your house into a bright and happy home.

Because the right color can transform your home, we asked some of our favorite interior designers to reveal the best white paint colors they turn to—and we're taking note of these pros' picks. Ranging from clean and crisp to warm and welcoming, we're narrowing the selection of seemingly endless swatches down to 25 of the best go-to whites.

Color Family: No color family
Complementary Colors: No complementary colors
Pairs Well With: All colors
Mood: Bright, clean, energizing
Where to Use: Great for walls and trim

Here are the best white paint colors interior designers always use.

01 of 25

Benjamin Moore Simply White

dining room — Amy Bartlam ; DESIGN: Katie Hodges Designs

Interior designer Katie Hodges of Katie Hodges Design swears by Benjamin Moore Simply White as her go-to white paint. "It's clean and crisp, without feeling sterile," she says. "My favorite white of all time—it never disappoints!"

Benjamin Moore Simply White $45.00

02 of 25

Benjamin Moore White Diamond

living room — Zeke Ruelas Photography ; DESIGN: Emily Henderson

Cool whites are great for those who gravitate towards blue colors. "My old living living room was painted this super-cool white, and I loved it for the space," says Emily Henderson of her choice for the best white paint. "I loved it because generally, I'm more attracted to cool tones rather than warm tones, and if you put it up to a true white, it looked a little blue, but in person, it just looked really white," she explains. "So if you are looking for the perfect cool white, then this is a great option for you as it doesn't have any yellow or cream tones in it."

Benjamin Moore White Diamond $45.00

03 of 25

Portola Paints & Glazes White Cliffs

living room — Tessa Neustadt ; DESIGN: Stefani Stein

If you're looking for a warmer white, try this pick from Portola Paints & Glazes. "My favorite white paint is White Cliffs by Portola Paints & Glazes," divulges designer Stefani Stein. "It is bright and crisp with the just the slightest touch of warmth."

Portola Paints & Glazes White Cliffs $10.00

04 of 25

Dunn-Edwards Precious Pearls

white paint — Christopher Dibble Photography ; DESIGN: Nate Berkus

When choosing the best white paint for a space, Nate Berkus wants a paint that feels like a clean slate. "I love working with this shade of white. It works so well as a backdrop in almost any room," says Berkus. "It's not distracting—it's the opposite," he explains. "It immediately makes a room feel calm and will pair beautifully with whatever furniture and objects you choose to live with."

Dunn-Edwards Precious Pearls $47.00

05 of 25

Behr Snow Fall

Best Behr white paint colors — Sarah Sherman Samuel

This paint is the perfect mix of light and dark. "What I look for in a good white is its neutrality, and not too bright but not too dark," explains Los Angeles–based interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel. "I found my soulmate in Snow Fall by Behr."

Behr Snow Fall $30.00

06 of 25

Benjamin Moore Super White

Benjamin Moore white paint — Claire Esparros ; DESIGN: Tali Roth Designs

When we asked Tali Roth of Tali Roth Designs to reveal her choice for the best white paint, she immediately responded with Benjamin Moore Super White. "This is what I use when I want a gallery white with absolutely no other present pigmentation," she says. "It's the purest white you can get and immediately brightens up any space," she explains. "It's definitely not the white for all spaces, but in the right space, it looks absolutely brilliant!"

Benjamin Moore Super White $45.00

Choose this white to brighten up and bounce light around a room without it starting to feel too modern or cold.

07 of 25

Benjamin Moore White Dove

Benjamin Moore White Dove paint — D. Gilbert Photography ; DESIGN: DISC Interiors

Who says white paint can't be interesting? "We used White Dove by Benjamin Moore for this room," explains David John Dick of DISC Interiors. "It's a paint we love for its depth and ability to create warm spaces, and it pairs so beautifully with oak floors," he explains. "It's one of our favorite whites to use for larger spaces such as living rooms and kitchens."

Benjamin Moore White Dove $45.00

08 of 25

Benjamin Moore Winter White

Benjamin Moore Winter White — Amy Bartlam ; DESIGN: Natalie Myers

When repainting contemporary homes, this color is for you. "I go back to Benjamin Moore Winter White again and again," confesses Los Angeles–based interior designer Natalie Myers. "It's a crisp, cool white that lets colors really jump and grays stay true to their base. No buttery, creamy undertones," she explains. "Keep in mind that it is more appropriate for modern interiors with clean lines. I used it on this midcentury modern project in Pacific Palisades."

Benjamin Moore Winter White $45.00

09 of 25

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee — Kate Osborne ; DESIGN: Studio McGee

This paint is the perfect mix of bright without giving off scary hospital vibes. "While there are so many good white paints, I think Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is one of my go-tos," reveals Shea McGee of Studio McGee. "There are some really great bright whites that go well in modern settings and warm whites that are perfect for traditional spaces, but Swiss Coffee is somewhere in between. I like that it can pair across all design styles."

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee $45.00

10 of 25

Benjamin Moore White Opulence

Benjamin Moore White Opulence — Lincoln Barbour ; DESIGN: JHID

For anyone who isn't over millennial pink, this paint gives just a hint of the shade in a grown-up way. "We love Benjamin Moore's White Opulence OC-69," recommends Jessica Helgerson of JHID. "It's a bright, fresh white with just a touch of pink that is barely visible but really gives it a pretty soft warmth and keeps it from feeling too harsh."

Benjamin Moore White Opulence $45.00

11 of 25

Farrow & Ball Ammonite

Farrow & Ball Ammonite — Tessa Neustadt ; DESIGN: Alexander Design

Choose a warmer white if you don't want your room to veer on the side of stark. "Some of my favorite whites include White Dove by Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball All White, and Farrow & Ball Ammonite, which has a subtle gray undertone," offers Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design. "Any of these create a softer palette instead of a strict white tone, which can read a little harsh," she explains. "I love neutrals and mostly white interiors and add wood pieces, hints of leather, and fabrics with depth to add texture and warmth."

Farrow & Ball Ammonite $110.00

12 of 25

PPG Pure White

PPG Pure White — Courtesy of PPG

This paint is perfect for those who want light and bright. "My new go-to is Pure White by PPG," confesses interior designer Leanne Ford. "It's perfect! Crisp, modern, bright, and has no tint to it whatsoever. I just did my entire house in it, walls, ceilings, wood floors! Inside and out! It's like walking into heaven."

PPG Pure White $39.00

13 of 25

Clare Whipped

Clare Whipped — Courtesy of Clare

"I love a good warm white paint color. I love whites that have depth and dimension and don't feel too sterile," says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of the direct-to-consumer paint brand Clare. "Whipped from Clare is the perfect warm white that's soft, delicate, and versatile enough to work in any space." Plus, Clare delivers everything you need to paint a home (including brushes, rollers, trays, and drop cloths) directly to you.

Clare Whipped $54.00

14 of 25

Farrow & Ball Strong White

Farrow & Ball Strong White — Courtesy of Dekar Design

White paints can have depth, too. "We use Strong White from Farrow & Ball because it literally is the most neutral white, but has a milk quality to it," share Caroline Grant and Dolores Suarez of Dekar Design. "It does not have pink or yellow undertones but has a softness that is needed in a true white. When people think of white, they think that sterile hospital white, but Strong White is one that is soft and has depth."

Farrow & Ball Strong White $110.00

15 of 25

Benjamin Moore China White

Benjamin Moore best white paint — Bess Friday Photography ; DESIGN: Catherine Kwong

This warm white by Benjamin Moore is failsafe. My last apartment let in a tremendous amount of natural light, and the space itself had a lot of angles that really reflected all of the sunlight streaming in," explains designer Catherine Kwong. "When I was renovating, I compared over 30 different paint brush-outs on site and definitively decided on Benjamin Moore China White."

Benjamin Moore - China White

Benjamin Moore China White $45.00

16 of 25

Benjamin Moore Marscapone

Benjamine Moore - Marscapone — Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Artificial lighting (particularly in rooms with little natural light) can sway how a white paint looks on your walls. "When you turn on electrical lights in the evening, it can greatly affect how your chosen hue appears," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. This shade has yellow undertones, so to adjust the glow, experiment with swapping out cool and warm-colored lightbulbs.

paint

Benjamin Moore Marscapone $45.00

17 of 25

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

Benjamin Moore - Chantilly Lace — Sarah Fultz Interiors

Struggling to figure out the right white hue for your space? Consider the tone of furniture in it. A crisp, clean white, like Chantilly lace, works well with cool jewel tones. A warmer white might be a better fit for a room with lots of earth tones.

Benjamin Moore - Chantilly Lace

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace $45.00

18 of 25

Farrow & Ball All White

Farrow & Ball - All White — Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

In searching for a white paint, you'll quickly find that undertones (cool vs. warm) make a huge difference. If you want something totally neutral, however, opt for Farrow & Ball's All White. With neither blue nor yellow undertones, this true white can fit with almost any décor style.

Farrow & Ball - All White

Farrow & Ball All White $110.00

19 of 25

Behr Looking Glass

paint — Nicole Holst for Stylizmo

A white with gray undertones is ideal for spaces with natural light. This Behr hue feels cozy and intimate in a dining room.

Behr - Looking Glass

Behr Looking Glass $45.00

20 of 25

Sherwin-Williams Westhighland White

Sherwin Williams - Westhighland White — Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

When decorating with a warm white, like Sherwin-Williams Westhighland White, opt for rich wood tones. The combination, like in this bedroom pictured, is intimate and homey.

paint

Sherwin-Williams Westhighland White $45.00

21 of 25

Benjamin Moore Acadia White

neutral, room, interior design — @amesinteriors

Working with a low-light space? To brighten up a dark room, choose a white with a deep pigmentation. This shade by Benjamin Moore is off-white, offering a bit more pigment.

Benjamin Moore - Acadia White

Benjamin Moore Acadia White $11.00

22 of 25

Sherwin-Williams Extra White

Sherwin-Williams Extra White — Nichole Loiacono Design

Sherwin-Williams Extra White is great for rooms that already get a lot of warmth from the sun. It's a cool white, so it won't look yellow when the sun hits it.

Sherwin-Williams - Extra White

Sherwin-Williams Extra White $29.00

23 of 25

Farrow & Ball Wimborne White

bathroom paint colors for small bathrooms — Zeke Ruelas ; DESIGN: Brady Tolbert

Don't want your white to read cold and stark? Opt for Farrow & Ball Wimborne White. "In my vintage bathroom, I knew I needed something that wasn't going to make the space feel smaller (like a bold color) yet something that still would keep it feeling open and bright, which is why this color was perfect for the space," explains Brady Tolbert. "It's a slightly off-white tone that still feels clean enough to read as white but not so stark that it goes cold and modern."

paint

Farrow & Ball Wimborne White $110.00

24 of 25

Benjamin Moore Cloud White

White Living Room Paint — Elizabeth Roberts

This off-white paint color is soft, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere. This makes it perfect for dining, bed, and living rooms.

paint

Benjamin Moore Cloud White $45.00

25 of 25

Benjamin Moore Decorator's White

White Living Room Paint — Studio McGee

Small rooms will look lighter and more airy with cool white paint and large windows, which both make the space appear large. This shade by Benjamin Moore is a failsafe option if you're searching for a cool white.

paint

Benjamin Moore Decorator's White $45.00

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