Shady Business: How to Choose the Right White Paint
It might seem like an easy solution to paint your interior white, but selecting the right tone can be a challenge. Here's how to do it
Too cold, too creamy, too dirty? I know from experience the dilemmas around the right choice of white – but until I decorated a home I couldn’t believe it was possible to spend so much time thinking about one colour. In fact, it’s not even strictly speaking a colour. While black is the absence of colour, white is the combination of all the colours on the eye. White can seem blue, yellow, pink, cream, grey… There are literally hundreds of shades of white so how are we supposed to choose one when faced with so much choice?
And does it really matter? Well no, not compared to world peace, but if you’re seeking peace and harmony for your immediate surrounds, be aware that the colour we associate with peace can make a dark room seem darker, a cold room even chillier, a dingy room dirtier. To avoid making a mistake that could be costly and time-consuming to change, read our tips on choosing white paint.
And does it really matter? Well no, not compared to world peace, but if you’re seeking peace and harmony for your immediate surrounds, be aware that the colour we associate with peace can make a dark room seem darker, a cold room even chillier, a dingy room dirtier. To avoid making a mistake that could be costly and time-consuming to change, read our tips on choosing white paint.
What else is in the room?
“Whites can be dramatically affected by the colours or pieces in the room; blue/grey carpet can make the white walls seem to be a dirty blue/grey white, pink bed sheets make the white room seem to be a pink white,” says Paul Kowalczuk from Southern Sun Painting & Decorating in Sydney. “If you have kitchen cupboards that are an off-white and you paint the walls white, then this can make the cupboards look dirty.”
“Whites can be dramatically affected by the colours or pieces in the room; blue/grey carpet can make the white walls seem to be a dirty blue/grey white, pink bed sheets make the white room seem to be a pink white,” says Paul Kowalczuk from Southern Sun Painting & Decorating in Sydney. “If you have kitchen cupboards that are an off-white and you paint the walls white, then this can make the cupboards look dirty.”
Test it
“My suggestion to my clients when choosing colours is to paint a piece of cardboard. That way it can be moved around the room, against the floor and curtains,” says Kowalczuk. “Most importantly, during day and night light changes several times. During the night it can look great but during the middle of the day it can be too bright.”
“My suggestion to my clients when choosing colours is to paint a piece of cardboard. That way it can be moved around the room, against the floor and curtains,” says Kowalczuk. “Most importantly, during day and night light changes several times. During the night it can look great but during the middle of the day it can be too bright.”
Consider the era
For a house of a certain period, a brighter white might be just right. Some traditional homes will suit warmer shades of white.
For a house of a certain period, a brighter white might be just right. Some traditional homes will suit warmer shades of white.
Modern minimalistic homes with lots of natural light will often suit very cool whites.
Set the mood
According to interior decorator and colour consultant Jennifer French of Inside Out Colour and Design, all decorating should start with the mood and feel the homeowner wants to create. “A bright, clean white could make the space feel cold and sparse whereas a white with a hint of another colour, be it grey, pink, blue or green can soften a room and make it more cosy. Different decorating styles lend themselves to different shades of white, too.”
Jennifer also recommends viewing all colours in situ as the colour of the floor, large pieces of furnishings like bedspreads, window coverings and sofas as well as the light from outside will affect the white.
According to interior decorator and colour consultant Jennifer French of Inside Out Colour and Design, all decorating should start with the mood and feel the homeowner wants to create. “A bright, clean white could make the space feel cold and sparse whereas a white with a hint of another colour, be it grey, pink, blue or green can soften a room and make it more cosy. Different decorating styles lend themselves to different shades of white, too.”
Jennifer also recommends viewing all colours in situ as the colour of the floor, large pieces of furnishings like bedspreads, window coverings and sofas as well as the light from outside will affect the white.
White on white
“Remember, too, that all ‘whites’ look white in isolation,” says Jennifer. “It’s not until you put them next to a really white piece of paper that you can see what other tones are in the colour. Painting the timber trim in a home with a clean, pure white will give depth to the ‘white’ you choose for the wall colour.”
“Remember, too, that all ‘whites’ look white in isolation,” says Jennifer. “It’s not until you put them next to a really white piece of paper that you can see what other tones are in the colour. Painting the timber trim in a home with a clean, pure white will give depth to the ‘white’ you choose for the wall colour.”
Try it with black
Think of all the classic colour combinations involving white. Here is perhaps one of the most striking of them – black and white – used to dramatic effect in this room for a simple style statement.
Think of all the classic colour combinations involving white. Here is perhaps one of the most striking of them – black and white – used to dramatic effect in this room for a simple style statement.
White with wood
White and timber are another classic match for each other. An all-white room can be transformed – and enhanced – by a beautiful timber ceiling or floor. A white ceiling here could have created an overly stark look but the timber adds an inviting warmth for a bedroom.
White and timber are another classic match for each other. An all-white room can be transformed – and enhanced – by a beautiful timber ceiling or floor. A white ceiling here could have created an overly stark look but the timber adds an inviting warmth for a bedroom.
Contrast white with bright
Did someone say white was boring? Look how this clean and minimal laundry is given an injection of ‘wow’ with a bright yellow splashback and turquoise ceiling. It still looks like a fresh and functional laundry room but with a little extra zing.
Did someone say white was boring? Look how this clean and minimal laundry is given an injection of ‘wow’ with a bright yellow splashback and turquoise ceiling. It still looks like a fresh and functional laundry room but with a little extra zing.
Here, white and a delicious splash of bright orange are working well together. While the immediate colour around the orange looks like a cool white for a stark contrast, the warmer white walls of this church conversion are complementary to the orange colour.
Take a tour of this converted church
Take a tour of this converted church
A backdrop for art
There’s a good reason gallery walls are often painted white – they make for a strong background to hang artworks and make them stand out. In contrast, the white dog doesn’t stand a chance of being noticed.
There’s a good reason gallery walls are often painted white – they make for a strong background to hang artworks and make them stand out. In contrast, the white dog doesn’t stand a chance of being noticed.
It’s all in the name
The names of the colours themselves might help to conjure an image and indicate the type of white they are. It seems obvious that Porter’s Paints ‘Milk Paint’ will be a creamier white than the cooler-sounding Porters Paint’s ‘Snow White’; Taubmans ‘Moon Lily’ and Taubmans ‘Clotted Cream’ suggest the types of white they are; Dulux ‘Antique White USA’ and Resene ‘Alabaster’ sound like good choices for period decorating.
But, of course, the names are only a broad indicator; using swatches and sample pots to narrow down your choices is definitely a better idea. What Dulux call ‘White Swan’ might be something very different to what this image conjures for you. I was once advised to paint my whole house Dulux ‘China White’ and it’s remained a favourite white since, but I’m not sure if there isn’t something about the name I’m really attracted to.
The names of the colours themselves might help to conjure an image and indicate the type of white they are. It seems obvious that Porter’s Paints ‘Milk Paint’ will be a creamier white than the cooler-sounding Porters Paint’s ‘Snow White’; Taubmans ‘Moon Lily’ and Taubmans ‘Clotted Cream’ suggest the types of white they are; Dulux ‘Antique White USA’ and Resene ‘Alabaster’ sound like good choices for period decorating.
But, of course, the names are only a broad indicator; using swatches and sample pots to narrow down your choices is definitely a better idea. What Dulux call ‘White Swan’ might be something very different to what this image conjures for you. I was once advised to paint my whole house Dulux ‘China White’ and it’s remained a favourite white since, but I’m not sure if there isn’t something about the name I’m really attracted to.
Is it right for the room?
Think about where you are using white paint. All-white might suit one room in your home but not another. Bright, clean whites are a timeless and fresh choice for kitchens, and one bold hit of colour can easily be added in the simplest of ways – as in this kitchen with a red cast-iron pot, a spray of herbs, and a bowl of fruit.
More: Kitchen Inspiration: 13 Wonderfully White Kitchens
Think about where you are using white paint. All-white might suit one room in your home but not another. Bright, clean whites are a timeless and fresh choice for kitchens, and one bold hit of colour can easily be added in the simplest of ways – as in this kitchen with a red cast-iron pot, a spray of herbs, and a bowl of fruit.
More: Kitchen Inspiration: 13 Wonderfully White Kitchens
Get advice
Most paint companies have useful charts and tools on their websites which can help with your decision. Dulux’s Colour Wall helpfully assigns their whites into a table according to the type of white. New Zealand paint company Resene’s ColourMatch is an app you can download on your phone. Take a photo of something you like the colour of and it will match it to the nearest Resene shade.
But as useful as these are, there’s no substitute for the advice of a real live human being – if you’re struggling with choosing white paint, seek the advice of a colour consultant or designer if you can afford one. Otherwise, a good professional painter can offer advice on choosing colours. If DIYing, there are often very knowledgeable experts at your local hardware or paint centre, too.
TELL US
Do you have a favourite white? Or any tips for selecting white paint? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE ON PAINT COLOUR
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
Mood-Boosting Colours for Your Home
Most paint companies have useful charts and tools on their websites which can help with your decision. Dulux’s Colour Wall helpfully assigns their whites into a table according to the type of white. New Zealand paint company Resene’s ColourMatch is an app you can download on your phone. Take a photo of something you like the colour of and it will match it to the nearest Resene shade.
But as useful as these are, there’s no substitute for the advice of a real live human being – if you’re struggling with choosing white paint, seek the advice of a colour consultant or designer if you can afford one. Otherwise, a good professional painter can offer advice on choosing colours. If DIYing, there are often very knowledgeable experts at your local hardware or paint centre, too.
TELL US
Do you have a favourite white? Or any tips for selecting white paint? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE ON PAINT COLOUR
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
Mood-Boosting Colours for Your Home
White can look different according to how much natural light is available. If the room is positively drenched in light, like the space in this photograph, you can afford to use a cooler white without it looking cold or clinical. On the other hand, if a room doesn’t have much light, consider a warmer white. If it’s a really dark room, as logical as it may seem to paint it white to make it lighter, this may not be the case as the shade could make the room appear cold, so you may want to consider using a colour other than white.