Choosing the right white can be really daunting – just because there are literally 100s of choices! This is not something that you generally find out until the first time you have to choose one. The walls of endless swatches at your hardware store will no longer be something you can just walk past in blissful ignorance!
In my earlier career I worked for a textile manufacturer serving large scale international brands, and I spent many an hour in the dye laboratory making lab dip decisions for international clients (big $ and big responsibility)! So I’ve done the hard yards on colour. Here are my top tips for choosing the right white, and 5 of my go-to white paint colours:
Understand the difference between ‘cool’ and ‘warm’
Every colour will lean either towards the ‘cool’ or ‘warm’ side of the spectrum. For example with green, we know that is created by mixing yellow and blue together. A ‘cool’ green will have more blue, and a ‘warm’ green will have more yellow. The same applies to white paint colours (although it is much more subtle). Whites can have ‘red’, ‘yellow’, or ‘blue’ undertones – and it is the undertone that will determine how well your white will go with the rest of your space.
Pay attention to the other colours used in your space
Now that you understand the difference between warm and cool tones – go back and observe the other elements in the space you are painting. Is the flooring a warm or cool toned colour? What other key elements are there in the space that influence the undertones? You’ll want to pick a white that has similar undertones so that you don’t create a clash.
Consider the level of light
Think about the level of natural light in your space – is it really well lit and bright? Or is it a darker space with lower natural light? Very bright spaces tend to suit whites that are slightly muted (so have a very slight beige or grey tint) otherwise they can appear a bit too bright. However darker or poorly lit spaces can benefit from brighter/cleaner shades, depending on the mood you want to create.
Think about the mood or feel you want to create
Taking into account all the above – there is also the ‘mood’ or ‘feeling’ you want the space to have. If you want the space to feel bright, open, and uplifting then a clean, bright, slightly warm white is a good idea. If you’re in a warm climate and looking for the space to feel open, but also cooler then a bright, but slightly cool white will achieve this. But if you’re aiming for a cozy, intimate, or more moody feeling then a warm, but much more muted (i.e. tinted darker) white could be the better direction.
Test in the space before committing
Every space is different – so it’s well worth the time to do some test swatches first. Narrow down to your top 3 choices and then order A4 drawdown cards, or test pots and apply them within the space. Take at least 24 hours to observe the shades in the room at different times of the day/night, and how they appear under artificial lighting (you will be surprised how much they change)! Most paint brands make sourcing samples and test pots super easy online or in store.
Bonus tip
When using whites on your interior walls – paint your doors and trim in the same colour so you don’t risk the contrast effecting the way your eye sees the colour. (if you contrast a cool white trim against a warm white wall – the wall is likely to appear much more yellow/red than you expected).
Here are my top 5 go-to white paint shades:
- Dulux Southern Alps (Vivid White in AU). The cleanest white I know (actually used as Dulux’s base colour in NZ). Fresh, bright and pure! I often spec this for cabinetry.
- Dulux Cardrona (Natural White in AU). A soft, warm, slightly muted white. It is warm with a slight beige tint – which makes it good for pairing with other neutrals. I have also ordered this at half strength and it is a little lighter and cleaner which makes it a good allrounder and doesn’t cast too warm or too cool.
- Dulux Mt Aspiring 1/4 (Snowy Mountains 1/4 in AU). This is a relatively crisp white, but does have a subtle warm undertone and a very slight tint – so it’s not a blinding white. It works well in both interiors and exteriors but I often spec it for exteriors if the client is going for that traditional white weatherboards look.
- Dulux Okarito (Lexicon 1/4 in AU). This is a cool, crisp white. Casts a grey/blue undertone. Good for contemporary or masculine schemes. Best paired with cool greys and muted tones.
- Dulux Hakataramea (White on White in AU). Another cool white with more definite blue/grey undertones. In a well lit space it will read quite crisp, cool, and pared back. In darker rooms it will look more grey. Make sure to match this with other cool tones.
