The Best White Paint Colors - Benjamin Moore

If I had a nickel for every time we are asked, “What is the best white paint color?” I’d be rolling in the dough!

White seems like it would be the easiest color to pick but all it takes is one trip to the paint store to realize how many bazillion shades of white there are! Once you start comparing the whites to one another, you start to realize that some whites have a blue tint to them and others have a yellow tint to them.

Even as a design professional, it is easy to get overwhelmed. I recently completed Maria Killam’s True Colour Expert Certification Course and am now armed with so much more knowledge about paint.

A few of our favorite whites – although some have a blue undertone and others have a yellow undertone.

You may also notice that some whites are darker than others. The way to measure this is called a color’s Light Reflectance Value (LRV). This refers to how light or how dark a color is from a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white). The higher the number, the lighter it is.

I know what you’re thinking… why does this matter?? Just tell me the colors already!

Well, knowing the LRV of a color is very important because it can help make decisions easier for you when picking out colors. You won’t want to do a color with a low LRV in a dark room.

Dark color (Low LRV) + Dark Room – Natural or Artificial Light = Sad Room 🙁

LRV is important to be aware of but it will not “save” a dark color in a dark room if you do not have natural or artificial light. Just something to keep in mind.

OK, I’ll save the LRV talk for a lengthier post about paint.

For now – let’s get back to the white colors!

(Before you get too far – be sure to check out our Sherwin Williams favorites here!)

Here’s our list of the Best White Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore:

I’ll focus on our very top three choices and why they work so well.

Our Top Three White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore:

• Simply White
• Chantilly Lace
• Cloud White

Let’s start with Benjamin Moore – “Simply White”

This really is one of our favorites! We have used this numerous times for ceilings, millwork, cabinetry or as our main white wall color.

You can see here how beautiful it looks on millwork for this custom wainscot paneling we did:

Why it works:

Simply White – OC 117 – (LRV 91.7)

Simply White has a slightly warm undertone to it, making it a white that plays well in the sandbox. But, it is not ideal when paired with cooler finishes, such as carrara marble. That’s where our next pick comes into play.

Next Up: Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”

This is a fan favorite for cabinetry, ceilings and millwork.

We used Chantilly Lace in this kitchen remodel project as the color for the cabinetry and ceilings:

(This project also features cabinetry from one of our lines! To learn more about them, click here.)

Why it works:

Chantilly Lace – OC 65 – (LRV – 92.2)

Chantilly Lace is what I call a “control white.” It’s the white you can use to compare other white paint colors against it, because it is a true “white.” It’s been one of our staples for cabinetry, ceilings, millwork etc.

Lastly, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove:

This is a classic warm white with a beige undertone. It’s a beautiful color for walls that get a nice dose of natural light.

White Dove made for a beautiful backdrop in this Primary bath we completed a couple years ago:

Why it works:

White Dove – OC -17 – (LRV 85.38)

It’s a warm white without getting too dark or too creamy. If you’re looking for a subtle white with a beige undertone, this is the perfect one!

Have you tried any of these? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re looking for additional help selecting the right paint color, contact us to get a paint consultation scheduled!