7 Interior Designers Share the Warm White Paint Colors They Swear By

Despite the rising popularity of pewter green hues and sophisticated gray tones, white is a classic color we'll never tire of. (Case in point: This light-filled, all-white midcentury oasis which made our editors' jaws drop.) But don't just take our word for it, the timeless, versatile, unfailingly chic neutral is a favorite of leading interior designers likes of Leanne Ford, Amber Lewis, and Emily Henderson.

That said, selecting a shade of white paint isn't quite as straightforward as it might sound. As anyone who's wandered down the paint aisle at Home Depot can attest, there are hundreds of subtly different swatches of the hue to navigate. So, which white paint is the right one? The answer, of course, comes down to personal preference, but as a general rule of thumb, a warm white paint color, which mimics the sun's glow with red and yellow undertones, is ideal for any space lacking in natural light.

To find out which swatches we should get our hands on before committing to a shade, we went straight to the source—interior designers. Ahead are the warm white paint colors the pros swear by. (And, spoiler alert: There was a clear favorite, endorsed by 4/7 designers. Oh, and every single white paint color is from Benjamin Moore).

The Interior Designer: Emily Henderson

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove

Why She Loves It: This shade "is a very good white if you are looking for something with a little bit of warmth. It helps to make a room to feel more traditional/cozy rather than going to bright white and modern."

The Interior Designer: Catherine Kwong

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore China White

Why She Loves It: "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. When I was renovating, I compared over 30 different paint brush-outs on site and definitively decided on Benjamin Moore China White. It looked great on every surface, and maintained a nice, clean tone, even with the warm tones of the sunlight."

The Interior Designer: Katie Hodges

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Why She Loves It: "This is my all-time favorite, most versatile white paint color. It's warm, soft, and picks up light and shadows beautifully." 

The Interior Designer: Liz Lipkin

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove

Why She Loves It: "It's a soft, creamy white and my go-to for spaces that call for a truly neutral white that isn't too stark. It's warm without appearing yellow."

The Interior Designer: Nicole Newkirk

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove

Why She Loves It: "This is my go-to paint color because of its versatility and can add warmth to any space."

The Interior Designer: Shea McGee of Studio McGee

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Why She Loves It: "It's clean but doesn't feel stark, like the something you might find in ultra-modern spaces or a gallery wall. We love that it's warm but without any yellow undertones—perfect for traditional spaces."

The Interior Designer: Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors

The Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove

Why She Loves It: "This is one of my go-tos and favorite warmer whites that looks great in a room with lots of natural light throughout the day."