Written by Catherine Seagrave

White paint is the timeless, classic choice for your home, but choosing the right shade can be tricky!

With so many shades to choose from, where do you start? And how do you make sure you don’t end up with a cold, characterless white box? It’s a question we often get asked - “What is the best white paint colour to use?” - and so we have put together our tried and tested favourites, along with some do’s and don’ts to help you get it right!

The single most important thing to consider when choosing a shade of white for your room is the light. It has a huge effect on the mood and feel of a white room, so make sure you know which way your window faces. The quality of the light will mean you read the undertones in the white completely differently - what appears cold and bland in some lights, can be crisp and modern in another. 

North facing rooms get no direct sunlight and have low levels of grey light which can make white paint appear flat and chilly, amplifying any cool undertones. To counteract this you are best to opt for warm whites with a red or yellow undertone like Farrow & Ball’s Dimity, or Little Greene’s Slaked Lime. They will warm the room, and balance the natural light, creating a welcoming cosy atmosphere.

If you are lucky enough to have a south facing room, you can use pretty much any white shade. However you may want to err away from anything too cream based, as it may feel yellow in the warmth of the sun.

Cooler whites like Farrow & Ball Ammonite can give a clean modern feel to your room, and work well in open plan kitchen areas. If you like a more traditional, softer feel, a warmer white like Coat Paint Pampas would be right for you. 

The best tip we can give you is to try the colour in your space before you commit! Use the tester pot to paint large pieces of lining paper and move them around the room at different times of the day to see how the light reacts to the colour. And don’t forget to check it out with the yellow tones of artificial electric light - it can look completely different again at night.

So here are our eight top white paints, that we like to recommend, and that all have something special to offer. Ranging from an almost pure white, through to a soft grey, a creamy hue and a light taupe, there is something here for everyone.

Are you thinking of using wallpaper in your home? Read our blog - How to choose wallpaper - and how to avoid mistakes!

Fired Earth, Silica White - The colour of pure flaked quartz crystals, this subtle off white is soft and smooth. Silica White helps to enlarge a space and as it’s an almost pure white with minimal undertones, this is the perfect white for you if you’re looking to add brighter colours to the room. One for the art lovers, this will set off your colourful artwork beautifully!

Little Greene, Shallows 223 - The deftest touch of pigment gives this white a cool understated depth. This modern, very pale grey reflects light well but is better suited to bright south facing rooms to stop it feeling cold. It looks great paired with stronger greys and used in large open plan spaces.

Farrow & Ball, Slipper Satin 2004 - A chalky off white, Slipper Satin takes its name from the delicate colour of silk used in traditional ballet slippers. It often reads as a pale grey chalk which makes it a great neutral on your walls. In other lights it can feel more of a creamy white. It’s uplifting warmth is perfect for a north-facing room as it has no blue undertones but it is equally without the more yellow undertones of some creams. A beautiful complex white that we love.

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Slipper Satin @the_acacia_diaries

Slipper Satin @the18thhomeonthestreet

Little Greene, Slaked Lime 105  - A pure neutral white, made with a combination of mineral pigments to give a soft appearance with a discernible warmth. An excellent all round white for a modern white look with an underlying hint of warmth - this is our number favourite paint colour and we can’t get enough of it!!  

Farrow & Ball, Ammonite 274 - A naturally understated grey, it is neither too warm nor too cool. Its subtle grey tone creates a hushed and calming feel in homes both old and new. A white that works in pretty much every space, it won’t feel too cold in a north facing room, and will feel light and airy in a sunny space.

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Farrow & Ball, Dimity 2008 - A very pale taupe, Dimity is named after a lightweight cotton fabric. A red based neutral, this pale and subdued taupe is brimming with warmth and an unmatchable depth. It can appear a very soft pink in naturally lit spaces and can be an ideal gentle and enveloping pink for bedrooms. We loved using it recently in a small teenages bedroom with colour blocking in Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster to enhance the warm rich tones.

Dimity @therenovationgame_

Coat Paints, Pampas - A friendly off white, with warm creamy tones making it smooth and welcoming. It works well with true whites to enhance the rich undertones, and it pairs beautifully with natural finishes like oak, rattan and leather.

Pampas @two.men.and.a.semi

Pampas @coatpaints

Dulux, Egyptian Cotton - Not quite beige, not quite grey, this white is both crisp and cosy. We love the warmness it offers and recently used it in one of our projects with a monochrome black and white wallpaper.

Have a chat with us and find out how we can help you. Book a discovery call with us today!

Egyptian Cotton @at_the_merrells

Egyptian Cotton @no.sixty.eight

If you have any questions about using white in your home, get in touch! We’d love to hear from you, and can offer you personalised help and advice.