Choosing the ideal color story for any room already feels like a daunting task, but trying to pick the best white paint color for your home feels downright impossible. The arguably nuanced color remains an indispensable decorating tool for its versatility. Whether it be used as a warm backdrop in a serene bedroom, lacquered onto the ceiling for a glamorous effect, or deployed as a crisp trim color, the possibilities are endless.

However, one can’t help but beg the question: How can one color have so many shades and variations? It’s never just white—it’s off-white, eggshell—the list goes on and on. Lucky for us, many of the country's best interior designers have already done the legwork, narrowing down the hundreds of options to a small list of their reliable go-to hues.

“Paint colors! There are so many to choose from, with more than 900 shades of white alone," says Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio. "Finding the perfect shade is never easy, but after much research and experimenting, viewing endless samples on the wall, and often mixing colors to find the perfect hue, I have developed my favorites for each occasion."

Discover Romanek's favorite white paint color—along with 39 other designer favorites—for a refreshing take on the classic. You'll be amazed by how it transforms any room.

The Best White Paint Colors, According to Designers

1. Swiss Coffee; Benjamin Moore

swiss chocolate benjamin moore
Courtesy


"Our go-to white paint is Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. It’s what I call a 'chameleon white.' It works well paired with cool and warm whites against it." –Andrea Monath Schumacher of Andrea Schumacher Interiors

2. Strong White; Farrow & Ball

white paint
Megan Tatem

"I love Strong White by Farrow & Ball because it provides a beautiful highlight to moldings and architecture. The color gives the appearance and feel of what clean plaster should be: not too white with just a touch of grey. It's the one white paint that I find myself going back to over and over again." –Doniphan Moore of Doniphan Moore Interiors

"My current favorite white is Strong White from Farrow & Ball. I love the way it creates definition against clean, white woodwork and is just a quiet wash of soft wet clay on your walls. It's a non-color that is perfectly fine to carry right throughout your house. I'm a fan of the quiet room perimeter because it allows you to add the layers of color and pattern without the walls dominating the look of the space. Strong White is also a perfect foil for your paintings, prints, or plates." –Mally Skok

3. Acadia White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore


“Acadia White from Benjamin Moore is our favorite white. It’s warm without feeling yellow or pink; it’s deep enough to not be glare-y; it’s neutral enough to work with a wide array of palettes. It has worked for us through thick and thin.” –Jeffry Weisman

This off-white paint color is both sophisticated and versatile. It's a calming shade for those who don't want something as starkly bright as a more traditional white wall color and serves as a lovely backdrop for wall art and decor.

4. White Dove; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

“Our go-to for a crisp and balanced white is White Dove by Benjamin Moore. It can be a nice, clean backdrop to traditional settings without that ‘sheet of paper’ glare. And it can also add warmth to a serene, modern space.” –Fran Keenan

"My go-to white paint color is Benjamin Moore's White Dove. It is a beautiful, soft white with the perfect amount of depth and warmth without reading gray or yellow. I find it to be incredibly versatile and have yet to find a space where it did not work." –Paloma Contreras

This designer-favorite white is a classic, softly shaded hue. It adds luminosity and vibrance to any room and is a popular choice for painting moldings and trim.

5. Not Totally White; Paper and Paints

not totally white papers and paints
PAPERS AND PAINTS

“My absolute favorite color white is called Not Totally White by Paper and Paints. I think it is magic, and I use it often all over the world. It makes rooms both bright and warm.” –Philip Vergeylen

6. Extra White; Sherwin Williams

 
Ben Goldstein/Studio D

“I am always drawn to what is light and bright, especially in living spaces, where we spend the most time. The right white paint in a living room can make all the difference. We always test at least three different whites in the actual space and look at it at different times of the day. I know I’ve found a winner when I like how the white paint looks even on an overcast day. I love to use Sherwin Williams's Extra White on walls and trim for a clean, crisp white." –Lauren Lowe

7. Atrium White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

“We love to use several different whites and off-whites—never pure white because it has a bluish cast. White Dove from Benjamin Moore is the whitest of the whites we typically use. When we want a warmer white, I like Atrium White by Benjamin Moore." –Jan Showers

8. Simply White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

"My favorite white is Benjamin Moore's Simply White. It is the whitest of whites and just as fresh and happy as they make them. I love to dunk a whole room in this glossy color from head to toe." –Miles Redd

Benjamin Moore’s Simply White is one of the most versatile options out there. This neutral shade has a well-balanced undertone that doesn’t lean too warm or cool, so it’s not only great for your walls, but also a perfect choice for trims, cabinets, and even your ceiling.

9. Decorator's White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

"My favorite white is still Decorator's White from Benjamin Moore. This color, a longtime classic, works so well whether in a contemporary room or a period one. I often use the color for trim in satin or semigloss, as well as flat on entire room walls and ceilings. The color is bright and still warm, yet without yellow. It’s my go-to, plain and simple." –Martyn Lawrence Bullard

"I love Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White. It is bright, clean refreshing—everything I want in a white paint." —Brigette Romanek

"My go-to white for all of our projects no matter what locale is Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White. It reads like a true white, be it wall or accent, and plays well with other colors, but in reality is quite a bit softer. I find many other whites to be sterile and cold." –Joe Berkowitz

10. All White; Farrow & Ball

 
Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"Farrow & Ball’s All White is pure, fresh, and versatile enough to work in any space. It's a perfectly balanced white with just the right amount of softness and depth. It's my tried and true!" –Meridith Baer

11. High Reflective White; Sherwin-Williams

white paint colors   white paint
Megan Tatem

This is one of the purest whites around. So white, in fact, that it may even make your marble countertops seem cream. This a great option for modern spaces and when you want to showcase that gallery wall without distraction.

12. Cloud White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

"Cloud White CC-40 by Benjamin Moore is my favorite go-to white. I use it for both contemporary and traditional spaces because it has a nice clean crispness, but also adds a hint of warmth.” –Philip Mitchell

“One of my favorite white paint colors is Benjamin Moore Cloud White. I’ve used it again and again, including in my own home. It makes the perfect calming foundation that allows warmer tones and textures to take center stage.” –Marie Flanigan

13. Spooled White; Dunn-Edwards

white paint colors   white paint
Megan Tatem

Leaning toward the warmer side, Spooled White by Dunn Edwards Paints pairs perfectly with rustic floors and interiors with lots of wood grain.

14. Chantilly Lace; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

“The most universal paint color I've used is Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore. I find myself going back to it again and again in order to create a bright white space that is warm and welcoming rather than sterile and cold. In a sea of whites, this is my tried and true.” –Nicole Davis

15. Slipper Satin; Farrow & Ball

best white paint colors
Fabric & Papers

Inspired by the delicate shade of pink used in traditional ballet slippers, Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball is a gorgeous off-white. Kate Forman, a former interiors-expert-turned-textile-designer says, "This is the softest off-white of my favorites; a pale, chalky white is stunning in big, light rooms."

16. Timid White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

"Whites are super tricky, as they reflect light from all nearby sources. The luscious green vegetation outside your window, the warm glow of natural cork flooring, the soft floral hues of dusky pink satin drapery...all those tones will affect how you perceive a painted white surface. We love working with Benjamin Moore’s OC-39 Timid White. This white is warm, inviting, honey-dusted, and reserved. Timid White tends to commingle beautifully with the subtleties of chromatic adjacencies yet has enough of its own inherent color to hold its own amongst them." –Greg Roth

17. Blackened; Farrow & Ball

white paint colors   white paint
Megan Tatem

One of Farrow & Ball's coolest whites, Blackened, has the smallest touch of gray. This type of gray pigment has provenance originally made from "lamp black," the smoke of burning oil lamps. This color is soft and airy, adding depth to a room while still feeling like a "white room."

18. Greek Villa; Sherwin-Williams

white paint
Megan Tatem

Greek Villa has the perfect temperature. It has just enough warmth to create an inviting space, but is also balanced by a slight blue undertone that keeps it feeling light.

19. Oyster; Domingue Architectural Finishes

white paint
Megan Tatem

"Domingue Architectural Finishes Mineral Paint in Oyster is always soothing and statement-making. With a subtle gray undertone, Oyster always makes a room feel more spacious and particularly sophisticated." –Ruth Gay

20. Super White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

Looking for a very crisp, true-to-white white? Super White is the one to try. It's bright, clean, and one of the closest to pure white available.

21. Strong White; Farrow & Ball

white paint
Megan Tatem

"My current favorite white is Strong White from Farrow & Ball. I love the way it creates definition against clean, white woodwork and is just a quiet wash of soft wet clay on your walls. It's a non-color that is perfectly fine to carry right throughout your house. I'm a fan of the quiet room perimeter because it allows you to add the layers of color and pattern without the walls dominating the look of the space. Strong White is also a perfect foil for your paintings, prints, or plates." -Mally Skok

22. Joa's White; Farrow & Ball

white paint
Megan Tatem

Leaning more toward a neutral taupe than to a white, Joa's White has a warm red undertone that makes it a fresh and sophisticated almost-white. It pairs beautifully with rustic elements like limestone, linen, and leather.

23. WC-O5; Fine Paints of Europe

white paints
Megan Tatem

A pigment-based paint company like Farrow & Ball, Fine Paints of Europe achieves a great depth of color and strive for more environmentally friendly paint options. This is a great option to test out in a room that does not get a lot of natural light. WC-05 has a creamier foundation that makes a room feel bright but not yellowed.

"In my own home, I painted my kitchen cabinets in a Fine Paints of Europe white. It's held up beautifully." –Meg Braff

24. Ivory White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint
Benjamin Moore

"It’s been my favorite color from before I was a designer. It’s creamy but not too creamy. Soft white without being too anything—gray, pink, yellow." –Katie Ridder

25. Cornforth White; Farrow & Ball

clx
Ben Goldstein/Studio D

Renee DiSanto of Park & Oak Interior Design says Cornforth White is a “mid-toned color, neither too cool or too warm, and extremely versatile. It really looks wonderful in any light.” It has proven to be a tried-and-true favorite of her clients. This white tends to sway between white and lightly gray depending on the light, with subtle lavender undertones.

26. Linen White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

"My go-to white is Benjamin Moore Linen White. SummerHouse is painted Linen White, and our customers always ask what the wall color is. It is an ivory with not too much yellow in it. It is fresh and light and simply beautiful." –Lisa Palmer

27. Pearl White; Pratt & Lambert

best white paint colors
Veranda Magazine

"My designs are contemporary and neutral, so I tend to favor tones of white that will add more approachability to a space. One of my favorites recently has been Pratt & Lambert's Pearl White, which I used in my latest project redesigning one of the newest model units in The Ritz-Carlton Residences, North Hills. It's a warmer and more inviting shade that blends very naturally yet still keeps things elevated." –Ryan Korban

28. Extra White; Sherwin-Williams

 
Ben Goldstein/Studio D

“Our go-to white is Sherwin Williams Extra White SW7006 because it has the palest hint of gray, which provides a crisp backdrop to every style and palette of artwork and furniture we’ve used, while allowing adjacent paint colors to take center stage.” –Jean Liu

29. Ethereal White; Sherwin Williams

 
Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"In a world of white paint options, my favorite go-to is SW Ethereal White. It lives up to its name, as it imbues a room with serenity and relaxed elegance. Another perk is that it pairs well with a wide spectrum of colors from neutrals to deep hues like navy and charcoal. I often use it in beach homes where there is strong natural light." —Shirlene Brooks

30. Timeless; Clare

best white paint colors
Clare

"[Timeless is] the perfect off-white with creamy undertones. This inviting shade envelops your space in warmth and reflects light beautifully." –Nicole Gibbons

31. Vellum; C2 Paint

best white paint colors
C2

This white is perfect for the natural light aficionados and gardeners who like to admire their handiwork from inside. Vellum has a slightly orange undertone, which neutralizes the green in the light that streams in from your forest-filled window view. It's functional and luminous.

32. Oxford White; Benjamin Moore

best white paint colors
Benjamin Moore

Not too creamy, not too stark, this is the Goldilocks of white paint colors. Just right! This crisp, clean color pairs well with warm and cool neutrals, offering a hint of gray that would please both a modern or classic aesthetic.

33. Wind's Breath; Benjamin Moore

benjamin moore wind's breath paint
Benjamin Moore

"I use Benjamin Moore's Wind's Breath when I need a gentle off-white that is warm and doesn't have too much of a yellow undertone. For a recent living room, I paired it with trim in Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace and it added a touch of warmth and interest to the space." –Young Huh

34. Coconut Oil; Portola Paints & Glazes

portola paints coconut oil
Portola Paints & Glazes

Coconut Oil by California-based paint-makers Portola Paints & Glazes is a clean, crisp white. A go-anywhere color, this soothing shade works well in both traditional or contemporary settings.

35. Seapearl; Benjamin Moore

benjamin moore sea pearl
Benjamin Moore

"I used Benjamin Moore's Seapearl for a white that feels neutral. While the color reads like a gray on the paint deck, I have been pleasantly surprised by the paint on the wall. It doesn't feel too stark in the day and keeps its warm at night without turning foggy." –Gray Walker

"I love using Benjamin Moore's Seapearl. It's a fresh white which has enough gray in it to keep it from looking stark." –Ashley Whittaker

36. Pointing; Farrow & Ball

farrow and ball pointing paint
Farrow & Ball

Named for lime pointing in traditional brickwork, Pointing by Farrow & Ball has red undertones that makes it a flattering shade of white and creates a warmth in any room. It works well with dusty pinks and reds work.

37. Mascarpone; Benjamin Moore

benjamin moore mascarpone
Benjamin Moore

A creamy, buttery white, Benjamin Moore's Mascarpone features subtle touches of yellow. This warm-feeling off-white is ideal for north-facing rooms to counter the cooler shades of light.

38. Snowbound; Sherwin-Williams

sherwin williams snowbound paint
Sherwin-Williams

"Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams has a more beige undertone. It complements and pairs well with both warm and cool colors. I've mixed it with both vibrant reds and also a variety of blues and I've found that it has been popular for my clients with more modern aesthetics." –Sara Hillery

39. Wimbourne White; Farrow & Ball

farrow and ball wimborne white
Farrow & Ball

One of Farrow & Ball's classic whites, Wimbourne White is a just-off white that contains a bit of yellow pigment in it to add softness. It's a cozy shade that pairs beautifully with both cool and warm tones alike.

40. Salt; Farrow & Ball

farrow and ball salt paint
Farrow and Ball

From Kelly Wearstler's Farrow & Ball's California Collection, Salt is a bright, crisp white that's equal parts sophisticated and cool.

Headshot of Dayle Wood
Dayle Wood
Style and Market Editor
I’m an Associate Market Editor at the Hearst Design Group and a decorating fanatic. I love ticking stripes, trompe l’oeil, and embroidered linens, and I collect Wedgwood’s black basalt obsessively!