15 White Paint Color Ideas to Brighten Up a Space

If you have ever painted a room white, then you know that picking the right shade is not as easy as it seems. Like any other hue, white paint can look completely different depending on the room, with factors such as the room's orientation, natural and artificial lighting, and flooring, bringing out the undertones, or hints of various colors, in the paint. Some white paints are warm while others have cool or neutral undertones. Choosing a white paint that complements your space helps to create a light, spacious, serene, and clean feel in the room.

Color Family: White
Complementary Colors: N/A
Pairs Well With: White looks good with any other color
Mood: Light, bright, fresh, clean, crisp, calming
Where to Use: Living spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, cabinetry, trim, doors, ceilings, and exteriors

Here are 15 white paint color ideas, with tips on how to use them.

The 10 Best Paints for Interior Walls for 2023

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Sherwin-Williams Extra White

The Spruce

Don't be afraid of a pure white. Sherwin-Williams Extra White is a true white without any cool or warm undertones swaying it to one side of the spectrum. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a crisp, bright shade of white. It's fresh and clean, and when used behind a gallery wall, it provides the perfect backdrop to display your favorite pieces of art. It's also a great choice for cabinets and trim because it won't clash with conflicting undertones.
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Valspar Swiss Coffee

The Spruce

Valspar Swiss Coffee is a warm white that is perfect for living spaces and bedrooms. This color has a subtle yellow undertone that pairs well with other warm neutrals, such as beige or green. It also would look great with a wood floor that has a warm stain. It feels familiar and comforting, not sterile like some white paints can be.
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Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

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Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace is a consistent favorite among decorators because of its versatility and beauty. This is Benjamin Moore's truest white with gray and blue undertones. It feels clean and fresh on any wall but works particularly well in rooms without a lot of natural light, which can make it look especially stark. Consider Chantilly Lace in kitchens or dining rooms, and pair it with cool colors.

Tip

White paint can easily show any scuffs, smudges, and other marks. Make sure these spots are easy to wipe off by using a paint with a high sheen, such as semigloss or gloss, especially in high-traffic areas of your home.
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The Spruce Best Home First Frost

The Spruce

A warm white can be a great way to brighten up a space without making it feel sterile, especially if you live in a climate that doesn't get strong sunlight. The Spruce Best Home First Frost is a bright white that still has a warm undertone. It's a great paint for a living room with lots of reds, oranges, or yellows because it will reflect the hues without darkening the space.

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Behr Falling Snow

The Spruce

Another stunning cool white, Behr Falling Snow has blue and gray undertones. It pairs extremely well with neutrals and blue and purple accents. It's bright without being overpowering and gives a clean feel to any room. We particularly love it in bedrooms and entryways.
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Farrow & Ball All White No. 2005

The Spruce

Farrow & Ball's All White No. 2005 is a pure white that contains no pigments other than white. This means that it can work with either cool or warm colors. Pair it with bold shades, such as black or deep hunter green, to create a sophisticated, modern look. Or mix it with other light neutrals for a simple, relaxing space.
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Benjamin Moore Acadia White

The Spruce

If you are in the market for an off-white, Benjamin Moore Acadia White is a sophisticated and classic hue that blends well with an array of palettes. This ivory shade adds depth to a room but still feels clean and bright. Pair it with a bright white trim to add dimension to dining rooms and living spaces.
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Rust-Oleum Linen White

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Chalk paint offers an antiqued look, doesn't require a primer, and is perfect for furniture and accents. Rust-Oleum Linen White is a crisp white with subtle gray undertones. It works well for cabinetry, dressers, or other DIY projects. And it dries to a velvety matte finish that looks clean and elegant.

Tip

Before you select a white paint color, try a small sample in your space to see how it looks throughout the day. The color might appear very different in morning light versus in the afternoon or in artificial light.

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Magnolia Shiplap

The Spruce

Magnolia Shiplap is a crisp and clean white hue that feels just modern enough without being too stark or sterile. This cool shade is creamy and inviting, and it provides the perfect canvas for, yes, a modern farmhouse look. Pair it with earthy tones that complement the richness of its neutral color.
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Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

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Benjamin Moore Gray Owl could be considered gray, but it's light enough to fit into the white paint category. This cool gray/white is a modern shade with subtle blue undertones that pairs beautifully with bright white or light neutral accents. Gray Owl will especially draw out greens and blues in the rest of a room's decor and lend a sense of calm to bathrooms, bedrooms, and more.
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Farrow & Ball Pointing

The Spruce

Farrow & Ball fan favorite Pointing is named after the lime pointing, or mortar, used in traditional brickwork. It's a warm white with red undertones that keep it from going yellow in the light. A soft and delicate white, Pointing will work in a variety of settings where you want to keep it pale and neutral but want the extra depth and nuance that an off-white from this British paint paint company knows how to bring.
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Clare Whipped

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Whipped is a soft white that zero VOC paint company Clare recommends for north-facing rooms. This shade that is also available as an exterior paint color if you're looking for a creamy white to give your facade a refresh.

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Clare Snow Day

The Spruce

Snow Day from Clare is a cool white that mimics the effect of a blanket of freshly fallen powder, with a whisper of warmth to keep it from feeling sterile. Try it in a kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom for a fresh, clean feel.
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Farrow & Ball Blackened

The Spruce

Blackened from Farrow & Ball is a cool white with a hint of gray that got its name from the black oil lamp smoke pigment that was once used to color it. This popular and versatile shade works well with brighter true whites on trim or millwork, or can enhance the industrial feel of a kitchen with stainless steel appliances.
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Clare Fresh Kicks

The Spruce

Fresh Kicks by Clare is an untinted white without any undertones, making it fresh, clean, modern, and versatile. Use it for basements, bathrooms without natural light, or anywhere you want to create a bright, modern feel. Clare notes that this true white may need additional coats to get smooth coverage depending on the space.

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15 White Paint Color Ideas to Brighten Up a Space

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