Looking for the best white paint colors for interior spaces? You’ve arrived at the right post. These colors work well on walls, trim and moldings, too.
WOW.
Just WOW.
I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this to you today, but you are seriously AMAZING.
I can’t thank you enough for the thoughtful, kind, introspective insights into my rug decision. Over 200 of you took the time to leave the sweetest comments and I so appreciate you. In rug decision news, the new rug won the debate hands down (which TOTALLY surprised me).
For now, I’m moving the old rug to the study and reworking some things in there to make it fit in along with some new chairs and maybe even wallpaper (so stay tuned for that). Both rugs will co-exist in harmony in the house and they may travel from room to room depending on the season or if the striped chairs miss their friend.
But in much more important news?
I found a new white paint that I’m in LOVE WITH and I had to share.
So to start 2023 on the right foot, I put together a list of my favorite white paints and where I’ve used them in my home and other places.
Here’s my list of the best white paint colors for 2023.
Have you noticed the trend toward white rooms that started last year?
They are everywhere.
I think right when this new century turned 22 everyone packed up all their gray paint and khaki paint and greige paint and beige paint.
And painted all their rooms white.
Just between us (and I never thought I’d say this), but I’m with them.
There’s just something clean and crisp and wonderful about a white room. It’s a blank canvas waiting to be filled with color and pattern and texture with curtains and linens and pillows and rugs and accessories.
For example, let’s dissect this room.
If we were in aisle 5 at Walmart and I showed you this picture on my phone would you say:
A. This room doesn’t have any color.
B. Look at that bland and boring room.
C. Can you please add a little more pattern to this room?
D. None of the above.
Chances are you’d answer D and tell me the room was full of pattern and color.
AND THE WALLS ARE PAINTED WHITE.
That’s because when you paint your walls a brilliant, clean, crisp, clear white like Extra White SW 7006, it gives your eye a place to rest and you can fill the rest of the room up with color.
So if you are like me and you are looking for a crisp, white option for summer?
I got you.
Here are 6 of my favorite white paint colors.
1. Extra White SW 7006
This is my go-to white.
It’s actually the perfect white without any undertones.
If you are looking for a white without blue or gray or cream undertones? This is the paint for you.
This is actually the color of the moldings in my house, too.
Yep.
In this room, the walls and the moldings are the same color.
And it makes the room feel so fresh.
I love this color so much.
This is actually the white that I chose for the outside of the house.
It’s really held up and I love it with the black gutters and shutters and front door.
(total aside: a great black paint color is Tricorn Black SW 6258.
2. Shoji White SW 7042
I adjusted the white paint color in the room I designed for my mother because it gets SO MUCH natural light.
It needs a slight undertone to give it some personality.
Enter Shoji White SW 7042.
It reminds me of the shells on Cape Cod. There’s the tiniest pink of pink undertones with a creamy white that feels so fresh and crisp.
The paneled wall in here is painted Urbane Bronze SW 7048, so it adds another layer of color against the white walls.
3. Alabaster SW 7008
Our bedroom is painted Alabaster SW 7008.
This was Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year several years ago and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since.
It has gray undertones and has a slight greige tone to it.
Again, the molding in here is Extra White SW 7006 to make Alabaster pop.
4. Oyster White SW 7637
This is the white I used on the walls in my sister-in-law’s office makeover.
It is the prettiest white with a hint of khaki and a tiny bit of green.
It paired so well with Sea Serpent SW 7615 because they both have a cool undertone.
You can see the entire before and after office makeover here.
5. Toque White SW 7003
This is such a warm white and the PERFECT white to pair with neutral textures and colors.
If you like modern farmhouse?
This is the white paint for you.
It’s the perfect white wall color to layer in with creams and khakis.
6. Pure White SW 7005
And now for my new favorite white.
Remember this room that I painted with its disappearing curtains?
I was going to go with Extra White SW 7006, but instead? I decided on Pure White SW 7005. It’s just like Extra White but with the slightest bit of warmth to it that makes such a subtle difference and adds a little more depth to the space.
I love how it balances out the stripes Redend Point SW 9081.
One more word about white paint colors before we go.
You may have read this post and thought the same thing over and over again with every white color I’ve shown you how similar they look. It’s true. But even the subtlest change in the tint of the white can make such a difference in a room. When you are looking at white paint colors on two (or three different) strips of paint chips, many times the colors will appear to be the same.
THEY ARE NOT!
Do not be fooled.
Each strip of white paint color chips is tinted in a slightly different direction.
To see the true color tint, look at the darkest color on the strip.
This color has the most color saturation and you can see the true base color much more easily.
This will help you pick the perfect paint color.
Just remember, the bottom of the paint strip is your best friend.
You GOT THIS FRIEND.
Happy painting. 🙂
Good morning Karianne!!! My home does not have much natural light. Would the pure white work, or do you have another suggestion? Thank you for your time!!! Kathy
I built my home 4 years ago. I watched too much HGTV and I went all modern farmhouse when we moved in. Painted my new white walls Gray and beige but seriously it ended up not being me. Well 6 months in, my late husband walked in as I had gone and bought two gallons of Chantilly lace and was painting again. Lol. He said "what are you doing"? I told him I was making my house happy again.Now almost every room has been returned to its white glory (different shades of white). I love each of them. I love white paint stories so no boredom here. All those shades are beautiful and some are in my rooms helping my home be happy. Have a great Friday. Yay to the new rug.
Did I miss what your sister got you? Love all the whites! Thinking of going that direction in my bedroom.
Hi Karianne, Great post! I don’t know how I missed the original article about the re-do of your Mom’s “Quite Place” but I wanted to tell you it is amazing! The accent wall, that rug, the thrifted pieces! Absolutely beautiful! I hope your Mom is doing well. Have a great weekend!
I only buy SW paint. It’s excellent quality and has never disappointed. Toque is the new color of my living room. It’s just lovely.
I agree. I knew better and still bought the wrong white paint to go everywhere in my very high ceilinged home - halls, loft, living room - and I absolutely freaked out. Lived with it a few years now and have decided it was a happy accident because it works best with my neutrals - it was too warm for me initially but now I kinda love it. But my daughter (graduated from a private art school) told me and I didn't listen. Should have, but now glad I didn't.) But whites? Don't Be Fooled is VERY good advice. Cause the wrong white is probable. Your whites advice is appreciated.
KariAnne, Great information
Great white colors and I like SW Snowbound too!
Yes I like the white. Every magazine I looked at had gray. Not for me to depressing. In this New Year Scobbee ( 6 ) and Merlin ( 12 ) says more pictures of Buddy please. They love him ! And I do too ,
Thank you for this post. When I remodeled my house several years ago I went with the SW greige walls(various shades) and have been so happy with it. Relaxing, no drama, etc. But the rooms are looking a bit tired, and like you, I'm thinking I may need a refresh. It will take a lot for me to be brave and go white, but I really like the look. Thanks for the color suggestions. I have always used SW paint. And I LOVE the new rug too. Happy Weekend!
I, too, did not receive what your sister got you for Christmas!!!
Thanks for the white paints. I’ve always liked white too. So, with these different shades of white throughout your house, when you’re doing a little DIY on a piece of furniture that you’ve rescued and decided to paint white, which white do you use for your furniture? It always looks like your white painted furniture is all the same shade of white, are they? And how do you get the same shade of white or cream in your different chairs and couches?
I'm getting ready to have my living, dining, hall and bedroom painted. I chose white, all SW brand. Heres my problem... I have very little natural light in my living and dining area as I have one large window facing north. Which shade of white do you recomend? Thanks for this post, it comes at a most opportune time!
I have always had trouble choosing the perfect white until I got a Sherwin Williams color fan. I discovered Pure White and it has been my favorite for a few years now!! Thank you for confirming my color choice! Your posts have such good info! Thank you!
Paint colors stress me out. The changing light in rooms can have a huge impact on how the room looks at different times of day. Maybe you should offer an in-person consultation for those of us who struggle with this, hahaha.
I am so thankful you posted this today. I was ready to head to Sherwin-Williams for paint today, and did not get the white I had thought I would get. Instead it is SW 7005 Pure White that I came home with. My other white had a tinge of yellow, that I did not want. Thank you!!
How did you know I hired a painter today??? Now for the paint color. The whites you chose are beautiful but I'm more of a soft creamy close to white pale beige girl. Going to look at the paint choices and see who gets my attention! Now to pare everything down to the minimalist I am not! Ha!! Thanks always for sharing your great ideas!! Your home inside and out is just beautiful!
Extra White and Tricorn Black have been my go to colors! A true white and a true black. Love them.
Thank you for the true tint tip. I had never heard this and it would have saved me from repainting several times :)
I love white on walls! We used Alabaster for all our walls and Pure White for all the trim. It gives a bit of contrast and looks amazing as a backdrop to our antiques and neutral furniture. Great post!