10 Best White Paint Colors—According to Experts

Hannah Bruneman

One quick scroll through Pinterest is all you need to confirm that white paint colors are officially the latest interior trend. We know—white isn’t exactly as exciting as the 2019 color of the year, Living Coral, but hear us out.

White walls—even off-white paint colors—are a blank canvas. With white walls, you can incorporate as much color as you want through furniture and accessories. Purple velvet couch? No problem. Persian multi-colored rug? Bring it on. White walls allow you to easily change the mood and color of your space in just an afternoon.

Of course, you can’t just go to the paint store and ask for white. There are hundreds of white paint shades, all with different tints, brightness levels, and sheens. To help with the overwhelming decision, we asked a few color experts for their favorite shades of white and included a few of our own. Check out the 10 best white paint colors, below. 

Image courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Image courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Alabaster from Sherwin-Williams

“My favorite white is Alabaster SW 7008,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “It’s soft and creamy with a touch of yellow for warmth. Classic and timeless, Alabaster is perfect for creating a versatile foundation for other décor in the home.”

Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore
Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Moonlight White by Benjamin Moore

Livable whites can be hard to come by, but Moonlight White from Benjamin Moore gets it just right. Absent of visible green and blue hues, it doesn't give off a cool tone like so many modern white paint colors. It's warm, clean without being sterile, and reads well in all kinds of light. BHG executive editor Rachel DeSchepper painted her entire house in Moonlight White, which she describes as a not-too-cold, not-too-creamy white. 

Image courtesy of Valspar
Image courtesy of Valspar

Promenade from Valspar

“Valspar Promenade (7006-3) is a warm white, and like a hand-knit throw blanket, comforting, timeless, and relaxing,” says Sue Kim, senior color designer at Valspar Paint. “This peaceful white speaks to our desire for quiet in a noisy world. It's the perfect shade for a tranquil bedroom when layering on other whites in various textures.”

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball
Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Strong White by Farrow & Ball

If you’re going for a more modern look, stick with a gray-based white paint color. Strong White from Farrow & Ball belongs to their contemporary neutrals line and speaks well to velvety furniture and sleek lines. Use it with warm neutral tones for a cozy space that only off-white paint colors can achieve. 

Image courtesy of HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
Image courtesy of HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams

Pure White from HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams

Another favorite white paint color option is HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams Pure White (HGSW4006) from the Everyday Balance Color Collection of the Year. “Pure White is one of our most popular shades of white because it has the slightest touch of yellow to bring in warmth, while still maintaining its true white tone," says Ashley Banbury, senior designer of HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams. "Its possibilities are endless; it can be an overall room color or frame your favorite wall color when used on trim and doors. It pairs nicely with warm wood tones, gold accents, and soft colorful neutrals.” 

Image courtesy of Behr
Image courtesy of Behr

Polar Bear by Behr

One scroll through social media, and you'll know that bright white hues continue to be popular. However, Erika Woelfel, Behr’s leading color expert, says the company is seeing warmer whites, like Swiss Coffee and Antique White, emerge as favorite shades. Polar Bear continues to be Behr's most popular crisp white.

Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore
Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Navajo White by Benjamin Moore

When Benjamin Moore released its off-white color collection, we were instantly drawn to Navajo White. As its name suggests, the white paint color reflects the creamy whites often featured in southwestern designs. It’s warm enough to add a hint of color to your space but won’t overpower if you wish to paint an entire room—or home—in the shade.

Image courtesy of Krylon
Image courtesy of Krylon

Krylon Fusion All-In-One in Gloss White

"Krylon Fusion All-In-One in Gloss White is my go-to white shade,” says Rachel Skafidas, senior color designer at Krylon. “This crisp, bright gloss white pairs perfectly with on-trend grays, greens, and navys. Bringing in a neutral accent also helps these shades pop." As a bonus, Krylon Fusion All-In-One bonds to difficult surfaces like plastic, wicker, wood, metal and more. This all-in-one paint is perfect for projects like updating picture frames or reviving plastic outdoor furniture.

Image courtesy of Clare
Image courtesy of Clare

Whipped by Clare

Wood furnishings and natural accents bring out the warmth in this livable white paint color. Whipped by Clare promises a “soft, delicate feel,” which makes it perfect for all-white rooms, like a bathroom or kitchen with white cabinets. It's also one of the best white paint colors for trim and doors. Pair it with natural finishes for a crisp, clean look.

Image courtesy of PPG
Image courtesy of PPG

Pure White by PPG

Leanne Ford, interior designer on HGTV's Restored by the Fords, recently bought a house in Pittsburgh and painted the interior and exterior in PPG Timeless Pure White. Even the floors! "The perfect white really gives the attention to the architectural detail and pieces in a space and brightens everything up," she says. "I always recommend painting the exposed brick you just don’t know what to do with in your home this shade of white. It makes everything look and feel much crisper."