Finding the best white paint colors for walls is a daunting task. Especially because they all look the same. Today I’m breaking down how to pick the perfect white interior paint colors, the shades of cool and warm white paint colors I’ve used and loved, and the most popular white shades by brand (including Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams) for 2025 to help make your decision easier. Let’s dig in!
Before you grab just any old can of white paint for your walls, a word of caution.
White paint is finicky.
I once spent a week painting our Texas home Marshmallow by Sherwin-Williams based on a recommendation form a blogger I trust, only to watch over the next week as our walls turned pink (PINK!) at certain times of day. I was devastated and frustrated that I didn’t know better.
The hard truth is that all white paint colors are NOT made the same, and their differences are important.
Since then I’ve learned a few tricks to narrow down the right white paint color. And it totally depends on the room, the lighting, and your style.
It’s surprisingly complicated, but I’m determined to pull back the curtain and bring you in on some design tricks to make it easier to find your perfect white shade and nail your design goals for your home.
Pay Attention to Undertones
White interior paint colors carry sneaky undertones of red, yellow, blue, or green.
Those undertones might not show up right away, but once the sun shifts or the lamps turn on at night, suddenly your “bright white” walls look pink, green, blue or yellow.
These undertones are almost impossible to avoid.
The key is to decide what you’re looking for.
Do you want a pure white? Something soft and warm? Or do you love a crisp, cool white?
Knowing what undertones you don’t want is just as helpful as knowing what you do. For me, red undertones are a hard no, so I always lean toward whites with hints of blue, green, or even yellow.
There are lots of factors that dramatically affect how a white paint will look in your home.
The amount of natural light the room receives, your light fixtures (color of the bulbs, brightness, color of the fixture itself), the colors of your decor and furniture, and your flooring and trim are a few.
The best way to find those sneaky undertones and to see how they’ll do in your specific room is to test it.
Skip the tiny paint sample pots (they’re rarely accurate) and use Samplize instead. (Not an ad, I just love them)
Their peel-and-stick samples are painted with two coats of real paint and the color is so accurate. The peel-and-stick sheet can be moved around your space to see how the shade reacts in different lighting.
Plus they overnight ship so it’s great for last minute painting projects while you still have that motivation high.
Cool vs. Warm White Paint Colors for Walls
Another major consideration when choosing a white paint color is warmth.
Cool whites are bright, clean, and crisp. They bring an energizing, fresh feel to a room.
Warm whites are soft, cozy, and inviting. They make a space feel relaxed and lived-in.
Think of it this way:
- Cool whites pair beautifully with contemporary, modern, and minimal spaces. They work great in many different settings, but I particularly love them for spaces with lots of natural light.
- Warm whites are great for a more lived-in look because they are soft and inviting, like a little hug on the walls.
But be careful…
Cool whites can become too starchy and too high contrast. You don’t want the room to feel like a hospital or a rental home. If you want to incorporate cool white paint color, make sure you add color and warmth throughout other elements in the space and opt for a matte paint sheen.
On the other hand, warm whites can easily look dingy or dirty. If you have other white elements in the room, like a white bookcase or white picture frames, they might compete and your eye could see one of them as more yellow, making it look bad.
After testing and trying different white paint shades in my own home, I’ve learned that cool whites and warm whites each have their place throughout a home.
When you’re choosing white paint, think about about the feeling you want to create in the space. Then pair it with the right elements to compliment it.
My Favorite White Paint Colors for Walls
My personal favorite white paint color for walls is White Dove by Benjamin Moore. In my opinion, it stands out as one of the best creamy whites. It’s slightly warm but carries undertones of green and gray. So far I’ve found it looks good in lots of natural light and in darker spaces too. Our living room doesn’t get a lot of light and our white walls still look cheery and fresh.
In our old primary bathroom at the Texas house, I paired our dark green shiplap walls with Simply White by Benjamin Moore. If you want a brighter, cooler white, I loved it! Again, no yellow undertones. But definitely an energizing white, and I’m glad I paired it with a rich color. It looked great with all our bright white tile too.
I’ve also used Ultra Pure White for board and batten trim in our old entryway and loved the bright contrast with our warm white walls.
The Most Popular White Paint Colors for Walls by Brand
I pulled together the top paint brand’s most popular white paint colors for walls right now. Just remember, what works in one person’s home may not work in yours! Use these as a starting point and make sure you order samples and test it on your actual walls before you commit.
Most Popular Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors
Most Popular Sherwin-Williams White Paint Colors
Most Popular Behr White Paint Colors
Most Popular Valspar White Paint Colors
No matter the brand, whether you’re looking at Behr, Valspar, Sherwin-Williams, or Benjamin Moore, the best white paint for walls always comes down to your lighting and style.
The Best White Paint Colors For Walls: Summary
- Pay attention to undertones.
- Opt for cool or warm tones depending on your goals.
- I recommend White Dove by Benjamin Moore for a warm white paint color or Simply White by Benjamin Moore for a cool white paint color
- When choosing white paint colors, try starting with top brand’s most popular paint colors and get samples to see how they work in your unique space.
Choosing white paint can feel overwhelming, but the process gets easier when you understand undertones, lighting, and how different shades behave in your home.
For soft, cozy spaces, warm white paint colors and the best creamy whites are timeless favorites. If you love a bright, fresh look, cool white interior paint colors bring a crisp feel.
I hope this guides you in the right direction for the best white paint colors for walls in your own home!
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- The Best Green Paint Colors For 2025
- Painting A Stone Fireplace: Design Rules To Know
- Painted Bathroom Cabinets Before And After
What white paint colors have you tried and loved??
