Three favorite white paint colors

If you have decided to paint your walls white, you will soon learn that choosing a white paint is challenging. Just search “perfect white paint” and you will be overloaded with information about undertones, lighting, coordinating trim colors, etc. You can end up fretting and spending more than you need to on sample cans. Ask for advice at your local paint store (preferably a dedicated paint store, not a big box store), and pick no more that three to try on your walls. Try Samplize for peel and stick samples. Take a look at the results under normal lighting conditions during the day and evening before making your final choice. You may even decide against white, and opt for pale neutral instead. Dark rooms with little natural light actually look brighter and more welcoming with a little color on the walls.

If you do go for white, here are three favorites to try.

Sherwin Williams Half Shell

Living room painted Sherwin Williams Half Shell, which has peach undertones.

Benjamin Moore Atrium White

This is the main living area of my home, painted in Atrium White. This color has pink undertones which work very well with wood, like my living room ceiling, and travertine tiles, like my floor.

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

A bedroom painted Alabaster, a creamy off-white by Sherwin Williams. By the way, this is a great example of how your bedroom should be prepared for showings. No clutter, neatly made bed, drapes open.

If I have scared you away from white, try pale beige like one of these. A pale beige is a great option if you want to freshen up your walls without clashing with warm finishes like paneling or wood cabinets. White can be too stark if there isn’t a lot of natural light in the room, so your darker finishes may end up looking dingy instead of warm and wonderful.