We all know the crisp feeling that comes with bright morning sunshine bouncing off a white wall.

But you might not know that there’s a whole world of whites out there waiting to be discovered. From eggshell to ecru, the vast array of white paint options available can be overwhelming to say the least, but after working in construction and design for over 10 years, I know my way around a paint aisle.

So, I figured I’d give you some tips on painting with white.

Here are a few of the most common white paints you’ll come across, what each shade pairs well with and some examples from Benjamin Moore:

You’ll know a warm white the moment you see it brightening up a room. Often with subtle yellow undertones, some may consider a warm white to be beige-adjacent. Pair accent colours like green, burnt orange, gold and bold red with your warm white walls to really make the space shine. Also note that warmer wood tones like walnut, white oak, cherry and maple, perfectly complement warm white—an easy way to establish harmony between your flooring or cabinetry and your walls.

If you’re looking for just a hint of yellow undertones, try Simply White OC-117, one of my absolute favourites. Or, if you’re interested in an even warmer shade, Cloud White OC-130 has heavy yellow undertones that really play up natural light.

Opposite to warm white, cool white has grey or blue undertones and works really well in spaces filled to the brim with neutrals, blues or purples. I love the way a cool white works in a bedroom, as it adds a clean and tranquil feel to a space that’s reserved for resting.

Check out Decorator’s White OC-149 for more grey and purple undertones.

It can sometimes sound a little scary, going for something as stark as pure white, but there’s definitely a time and place. If you plan on hanging lots of artwork in a room, pure white allows the colours and textures of any piece to really shine. You may also want to choose a pure white for trims and cabinets because the lack of undertones means it won’t clash with your walls or décor.

Chantilly Lace OC-65 is another favourite of mine and is always my go-to pure white paint. With both warm and cool undertones, it’s an incredibly versatile option.

The best way to know that a white is right for your space is to grab a few sample cans and try a little test run. Paint different blocks in different spots and see how the undertones pick up the lighting in the room. You’ll be surprised to see how different each one really is.

Decorating isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s incredibly rewarding and can really make a space feel like home. One of my favourite parts of working as a Realtor is getting to help my clients bring their spaces to life and watching them turn their new dwellings into homes of their own. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat décor or about your next adventure in real estate. If you’re just looking for a bit of inspiration, I love posting decorating tips, tricks and trends on my Instagram and am always excited to hear about your ideas.

Happy painting!

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