The Best Warm White Paint Colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White
Check out my video at the end of the blog post…
Simply White is definitely one of the more popular whites on the market right now and there are MANY good reasons for that. But, hands-down, the BEST thing about Simply White is that it’s good for every surface in your home. Walls, trims, exterior, interior, cupboards, furniture, doors, ceilings – you name it, it’s got it covered.
In fact, I’ve had a lot of E-Design clients HOPING to use Simply White on their cabinets, walls or trim. And while it’s a beauty, it’s not as simple as it seems and there’s a LOT to consider if you’re thinking of using it in your own home…
BTW – please excuse the lack of photos. I am transitioning my blog to have ONLY photos that are of my E-design projects. However, the info is 100% valid, so please keep reading!
What type of paint colour is Simply White?
Simply White is a warm white – that’s that!
What’s the LRV of Simply White?
Oooo, she’s a bright one, coming in at a whopping 91.7. If you don’t know what LRV is, I highly recommend you read this – it could make your paint pickin’ a WHOLE lot easier!
What are the undertones of Simply White?
Now, this is where you need to be careful. Simply White might look pretty damn white, but it actually has a yellow undertone, a relatively clean one (not too much black/gray in it), which means it can show up to the party a bit more. That being said, overall, Simply White is QUITE white looking. You’d notice this undertone more if you partner it with clean or cool whites or products with those whites in them (ie: some marbles/subway tiles).
Read more: How to Choose the Best White Paint Colour for Your Project
Simply White in the Kitchen (cabinets)…
Simply White is a gorgeous white for kitchen cabinets. It’s fresh, but not stark white appearance is the perfect choice for a welcoming and bright kitchen! HOWEVER, if you’re a STICKLER for matchy-matchy whites, you might find it too warm for a traditional white/gray marble (countertop or backsplash) or white appliances.
Whereas Cloud White has a slightly neutral base to calm it down and White Dove is even MORE muted than Cloud White, Simply White is a great way to get a fresh white, but one that’s still warm.
Simply White on the Walls
Simply White is fantastic for walls in ANY exposure, it just depends on the look you are going for. The only time it won’t work well is if you don’t have great lighting in a north/east facing room and don’t have the interior lighting to make up for it. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of green outside your window (trees/grass), Simply White WILL pick up any reflection.
North & east-facing rooms
The warmth of Simply White can help balance out the cool gray-blue light coming in the windows.
South and west-facing rooms
The warmth of Simply White will be slightly enhanced in a south or west-facing room.
Read more: North, East, South, West: Which Paint Colour is the Best?
Simply White on Trim and Ceilings
When choosing the right white for trims and ceilings it can hard to figure out which one will be best for BOTH. Well, stop that smoke from coming out of yer’ ears and take a close look at Simply White as in the absence of a TRUE white, it acts like white – without looking stark or cold.
If you have Simply White on your trim and are wondering what white paint colour to use on your walls, I HIGHLY recommend…Simply White. When it comes to whites, I like to keep undertones consistent, so we don’t have to worry about a mix n’ match look.
If you’re planning on using Simply White on your walls and are wondering what white paint colour to use on your trims, I HIGHLY recommend, again, Simply White. Again, consistency is good and you can let the change in sheen between the two surfaces do the colour magic for you. If you want to show off the yellow in Simply White, you could consider Sherwin Williams High Reflective White on the trim, but personally, I wouldn’t mess around.
Simply White on Trims and Railings
Is it time to update those old oak railings? Or maybe your chipped and dirty white trim has seen better days? Either way, Simply White can add a breath of fresh air to the finer details in your home.
What to watch out for with Simply White…
- Simply White can fall flat in a low-light/low energy room as it really is a glorified white and is better suited to moderate to well-lit spaces
- While it does ‘suit’ warm and cool colours, blue/green/purple can very (very) subtly enhance the yellow undertone of this colour (super passive)
- It’s not great with pink tones
- It looks ‘okay’ with marble for a slightly softened look and works if you want the play of warm/cool, but personally, I prefer a cleaner white or gray
A bit more about Simply White
- It is warm white that will ‘act like white’ – just not as stark
- Compared to Cloud White it’s a bit more fresh, bright and clean looking
- It has a slightly warm yellow undertone vs plain white which can be a bit more stark
- Simply White is a FAB backdrop to artwork
Do you want to see Simply White in action? Check out my video explaining MORE about this great white paint colour!
Need help picking YOUR best white paint colour?
Check out my affordable E-Design and Color Consulting Services
Chat soon!
READ MORE
The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colours
Should You Paint Your Oak or Wood Cabinets? A Questionnaire
The 8 Best White Paint Colours from Benjamin Moore
4 Tips on How to Pick Your Room’s Best White Paint Colour
KYLIE M INTERIORS E-DESIGN, ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING, E-DECOR AND VIRTUAL COLOR CONSULTANT SPECIALIZING IN BENJAMIN MOORE AND SHERWIN WILLIAMS
Originally written in 2017, awesomely updated in 2019
Hi Kylie,
I chose Simply White to paint two bedrooms in my home last year (2014). I never imagined it would be chosen as the colour of the year, ever! I thought it was far too “safe” for that. lol
I have paint leftover so the pictures you included in your post and maybe whatever Benjamin Moore puts up on their site will give me ideas of where else I can use it. I was considering using it for kitchen cabinets but I have matte so that probably would be too dull.
Hi Lillea, I’m glad to hear you’ve loved Simply White as much as I do! And yes, its fab for cabinets, but you would likely want a different type of paint (a little hardier) as well as a different sheen level (like satin) for your cabinets – DO IT DO IT!!! 🙂
~Kylie
Thanks Kylie! I’m definitely tempted!
Soon I’ll be getting samples in the mail of Formica’s Soapstone Sequoia and Jet Sequoia, which I learned about on your site, to consider for the kitchen counter. I’m thinking that either might look good with Simply White cabinets. What do you think?
I live in BC so your resources can be particularly helpful because I’ll be able to find them. I’m on Pender Island.
For real? Seriously, are we cosmically attached or what? MY kitchen has Soapstone Sequoia countertops (and a Quartz island) which I put in about 6 months ago. To be honest with you, I’m enjoying the Soapstone Sequoia FAR more than the Quartz because I can have crumbs and food all over it and don’t see a thing, whereas my Quartz island shows EVERY LITTLE SPECK AND WIPE MARK!! So, you are definitely on the right track! When I paint my cabinets (hopefully Nov/Dec) I’ll be doing Cloud White I think – I like that it’s just a tiny bit more neutral and I like it with the Soapstone Sequoia – however I’m still thinking on it as Simply White is my 2nd choice. And yes, I’m on Vancouver Island in Nanaimo so we aren’t that far apart – small world! PS, keep in mind that the gray in Soapstone Sequoia is a taupe base gray, not a neutral or blue/green gray. This means it leans to the purple/beige side of gray (with cream veins) so its softer and warm than most grays….
Chat soon I’m sure!
~Kylie
For real. 🙂 Perhaps we are cosmically attached indeed, both on islands in beautiful BC. 🙂
When I saw Soapstone Sequoia in your post I liked it immediately. That doesn’t happen to me usually. I usually dislike more countertop options that I see than like, lol. So, as soon as I could, I ordered a sample and there was no charge for it to my surprise. I hope it gets here soon.
Thanks for the information on what kind of gray it is. I’ll bet that’s partly why I like it, but I know that seeing a sample will be a bit different than looking at pictures online.
Cloud White is really nice and I’ll likely consider it, too, particularly given that I don’t have the right type of paint with the Simply White I have left.
I hope you’ll have pictures of your kitchen up at some point! It sounds so nice. That’s too bad about the quartz island showing everything, though.
Thanks again!
~ Lillea
Hi Kylie!
Is simply white the best choice to pair with Revere Pewter, Edgecomb gray, Grant Beige etc, or is White Dove generally a better fit for the grays with the more green undertones?
Hi Rachel, the thing I love about Simply White is the ‘freshness’ of it. So compared to White Dove it will feel a bit more fresh/high contrast whereas White Dove is just a tiny bit softer. And while White Dove is a GREAT colour with Revere Pewter and what not, Simply White is a bit easier to work with when it comes time to incorporate ‘other’ whites in the space (décor/etc…) as it’s more of a ‘common’ fresh white. Hmmm. That’s just me typing my thoughts out loud…I think with RP and GB I would do Simply White and with Edgecomb I would do White Dove.
Thanks for asking!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
I will be painting my entire house simply white, but I’m debating what colour to do the ceiling and trim. I don’t want to do them all in simply white, as I’l like to have some contrast between whites. Is there another more stark white that you could suggest for the trim and ceiling?
Looking for your expertise!
Thanks!
Hi Asia, your best bet will likely be just ‘plain old white’! Now some BM’s say they can’t make plain white while others will. I just go to H.Depot and say ‘Hi, I’d like just plain white for my trim’ and they grab a can and shake it and you’re off and running! Because Simply White is so close to ‘white’ I think this will be your best bet for getting some contrast…
Hope that helps!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
We love Simply White and are planning to do our living room and maybe even ours halls, but we’re wondering what white you would recommend for trim and ceilings to match the Simply White? Our floors are a warm Oak.
Thanks, 🙂
A&G
Hi Ananda, when it comes to putting a white with Simply White, sometimes your best bet is just ‘plain old white’. Now some BM Stores have a problem doing this, while others don’t. I usually just go to H.Depot and ask for the Behr Ultra in plain old white. They shake it for me and I’m off and runnin’! Simply White is SO close to white, that they only way to really get contrast is by going a) lighter b) darker or c) coloured – I’m inclined to go lighter.
Hope that helps!
~Kylie
I am considering Simply White for my whole house. However, I was reading an article where somebody found that it made their walls look green. Have you found this at all? I have to pick the paint colour for our new build and it is stressing me out since this is being done before we actually live in it so I can’t stare at testers on the wall. I want a modern, scandinavian vibe to go with our wood floors, glossy white kitchen cabinetry and warm coloured stone in bathrooms. Gray Mist was initially recommended to me but I find that the colour chip is looking beigey/pink tones. So now I am second guessing that and staring at Simply White, Silver Satin, Halo, White Dove, Cloud White and Glacier White. I want that nice clean, modern vibe and worry that it will look green, yellow or pink if I pick the wrong one. Any advice for somebody slowly going crazy:)
Hi Vanessa! So, Simply White is not a green colour, HOWEVER, being a white/off-white it’s SUPER DUPER susceptible to reflection. This can be from your exposure, landscaping/trees/grass as well as your light bulbs! The cool thing about a colour like this is that YES, it will shift it’s look slightly from room to room, based on the exposure, furnishings, etc… but it is a great choice for a soft, slightly warm white backdrop. To be truthful, here’s no fighting it 🙂 I actually wrote an article about this, you should check it out. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/no-fail-neutrals-why-they-dont-exist/
BTW, I have Simply White in my daughters room and I swear it looks slightly different on every wall. She has a black feature wall (trust me, it’s cool) which casts a grayish light and green outside her window. In the evening, it’s just the interior lighting that changes things.
BTW, Gray Mist – not the look you are going for. Now I don’t give this much info away when it’s not my Online Consulting, but you hit me on a good topic. I just painted our living room SW Creamy and I’m MADLY in love with it. I darkened it 25% to get a bit more warmth, while still being an off-white. You could keep it as-is or even lighten it. It’s a beauty for a soft backdrop as long as you like a soft WARM backdrop. I wouldn’t do Glacier White. Cloud White, yup, that would be right up there as a good one.
I hope that helps! And you gave me the kick in the butt to get writing my article about lighting, thank you!
~Kylie
Using simply white right now Through out our house. First reno..eek. I am worried now about our white subway tile. Its going to next to a patterned counter..whutes/browns/coppers..which is fine. Just scared of the contrast??? Have you seen it in that combo?
Hi Mallalea! Yes, you would see a subtle shift from Simply White to a white subway tile – nothing drastic but a shift for sure. From the sounds of your countertop, Simply White is a nice choice so that it won’t be too stark with the warmer tones in it. White subway tile is NOTORIOUSLY hard to match up with other whites as it’s all about undertones. Sometimes it’s easier to pick a ‘light’ coloured backsplash (ie: light greige/beige/gray) rather than mixing the whites…just a thought 🙂
~Kylie
The color is great………the problem is It takes too many coats to cover evenly. I have been painting for many years and this was by far the worst paint I’ve ever purchased in terms of how many coats it took to look good. Had to do 3 coats in both the bathrooms and bedroom so I am now fed up with this color. It’s the paint and primer in one and even after 2 coats you can still see the beige previous paint color. I have never had to paint 3 coats before with any previous paint. The color is great……..just too much work.
Oh heck ya, I hear ya on that one! And don’t feel bad about your 3 coats, I had to do 6 in my daughters room – I was about to LOSE MY MIND (and even then, it’s questionable coverage)! The paint store (after the fact) said that adding 4 ounces of white to the can and doing 2 coats of quality primer prior to painting would have helped a lot. In general, whites can be tricky with regard to coverage. I had it colour matched into SW paint in the Opulence line. Next time I’m going to try it in BM Regal and see if I have better luck.
~Kylie
Hi Kylie! I’m thinking of painting my NW-facing loft in Simply White….its current gross yellowy-beige makes me want to curl in a ball and cry! In terms of darkness (tho not prettiness), the current color is somewhere along the same lines as Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige . Do you think the Benjamin Moore High Hiding Primer in white would cut out the beige so I could get away with just 2 coats of paint? I know it’s impossible to give a concrete answer, this is just my first time painting with “good” paint (aka not the cheapest thing at Canadian Tire) and I’m not sure if that’s a good primer to use — do you have any thoughts on it? Thanks!!
Hi Charlotte! If there’s ONE thing I know about white paint, it’s that it doesn’t cover well…at all. I did Simply White in my daughters room over a lighter blue/gray colour and 6 coats later I was losing my mind. My BEST advice is this…
#1 – ask them to add 4 ounces of white to the gallon. This white won’t affect the ‘colour’ but will give your paint more of a backbone so that it covers better
#2 – do a coat of primer
If I’d done that I’m SURE I would’ve saved myself a lot of grief – you live you learn!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
Hope you had a fantastic holiday! I wanted to give you an update since I ended up going with Simply White based on this post. Using two coats on BM primer did make a big difference, it looks great after two coats of paint. Gorgeous color, my place looks 1000000000x brighter and happier (and that’s before I’ve got my art up!)!! Of course, now my white trim stands out and needs to be painted, but whatever — I’m just happy the pinky beige of sadness is gone. Thanks for your awesome advice, I’ll definitely be checking in for e-consulting for some of the other rooms in my home!
Hi Kylie! I’ve really enjoyed your interesting tip and ideas columns. Great information! We’re building so impossible to test drive colors. I’m running blind! I’ve decided on Simply White for the cabinets, (kitchen, bath, laundry rooms) and of course that would include trims and moulding through out the house… However, I just re-watched your video on Simply White and caught that it will gray out in a North facing room. Now I’m second guessing my decision and wondering if a warmer white like Cloud White or SW Alabaster would be a better choice. The room is large, approximately 24 by 30. There is a large 12′ window on the North wall plus 2 small narrow west windows. All windows are in the dinning and seating area, not the kitchen area. The kitchen island is 16′ from all the windows. So it might be considered a windowless kitchen. So my concern is that Simply White might seem dingy. Would it be better to switching to a warmer white, like Cloud White or SW Alabaster? I’m perplexed… Any comments will be really appreciated! Thanks!!!
Hi Sheryl! You know, it will gray out a bit in the day via your northern exposure, but that same grayish will be thrown onto any lighter colour. I can’t say that Cloud White or Alabaster will be THAT much better. You’d almost have to add some considerable warmth, like SW Creamy. It still gets grayed out, but perhaps not as much. I have Simply White and Creamy in north facing spaces in my own home and while Simply White is a bit brighter looking, Creamy holds its warmth just a bit better….
Hi Kylie, Thank you! And thanks for the speedy reply too! I will check out SW Creamy! Maybe you can clear up a bit about Simply White for me… Would a North Facing kitchen like I’ve described, be considered a low light/low energy room (?) where Simply White can fall flat? It is because of the kitchen’s distance from the windows? Is that what the graying out refers to, falling flat? If so, why is Simply White considered a good choice for a North Room? And since all light colors will fall flat in northern exposures, would stained kitchen cabinets be a better choice? Thanks again.! And wishing you a “Happy New Year”! Sheryl
This was so helpful! I have tons of experiences just picking a color I like, putting it on the wall, and then spending the next two years hating it because of all the things you talk about in your posts- weird lighting, the sheen, how it changes in different conditions… all the things.
So. I have now decided that my strategy is to research the crap out of stuff online before I narrow down and choose. Which led me to you. You think about all the things I never do. Thank you for that.
I am painting a very large basement space with low natural light (two really small windows) and crappy artificial lighting (hoping to add pots but not just yet) and considering Simply White (along with White Dove, Steam, Decorators White so far… just got some samples). Given what you said about low light/low energy rooms, is this a bad choice? I’m also getting a little worried about whites because our drywall and texture isn’t the best and it might highlight that. Wanting a clean bright look. Thanks for thinking about all the things so I don’t have to!
Hi Courtney! Simply White could work well OR the softer look of White Dove, as long as your lighting is ‘half-decent’. As for textured walls, generally darker colours are better for camouflaging damage/texture, but that would kill the vibe you’re going for, so YOU’ll want to focus on SHEEN! The more sheen there is the more flaws you will see in the wall, so I’d recommend a high quality matte finish. 🙂
Finally figured out the colors for our new build: BM’s Shoreline, Pale Oak, Silver Mist, and SW Sea Salt.
Would the ceilings in Simply White work well? My only concern is the hallway area which can be a bit dark.
(Shoreline).
All of our trimwork is to be stained wood, medium color in tone. I do love this white!
Thanks for helping me decide on my paint colors….big moment.
Kylie – Would you please comment on Ben Moore Chantilly Lace, how does it compare to Simply White? Looking at the formulas, it seems Chantilly Lace should be more “white” then the warmer white of Simply White, but do yo have any experience with it? Any input would be appreciated as I am trying to determine which white to use in a summer home, both on walls and trim, and I am going for a clean white look, yet not stark. Thank you.
Hi Bridgette! Chantilly Lace is a popular one! It is a fresh white that is often see as the most ‘white looking white’, even though it can have a slightly cool cast to it. The difference is that Simply White has a slightly WARM cast to it. I actually just wrote a blog post that you might find helpful re: whites… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/4-steps-pick-the-right-white-for-your-trim-cabinets-or-walls/
Hi Kylie!
My entire house is painted in “Agreeable Gray” and I’ve been wanting to paint our Master Bedroom and Guest Room in a soft white color- would you recommend Simply White or White Dove for this? I’ve been scared to do it b/c I didn’t want to accidentally choose a white that was too stark or coo and/or wouldn’t compliment the Agreeable Gray…
Thanks so much!!
Annie
Hi Annie, White Dove could be pretty! I do have several articles on the Best White Paint Colours for both SW and BM. If those don’t help, I have an affordable and fun E-design service that I created for questions like yours! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi. I have painted my new build Simply White. Some of the cabinets and doors look very yellow. I know the oil based will yellow over time, but I haven’t even moved into the house yet. Do you have any advice about that? I tried to attach pictures. I love the color on the walls. Thank you.
Well, there is a difference in sheen, which could account for that difference. Walls are usually flat/matte/eggshell, whereas cabinets are often a satin or semi-gloss. Sheen can lighten/brighten AND enhance a colour, so it sounds to me like the undertones might have come up a bit more. The only other reason is if you had it matched into another brand…they match MIGHT not be bang-on?
Hi Kylie,
Thank you so much for your fabulous blog! OMG, I have learned so much and laughed a long the way. After 30 years we are finally redoing our kitchen and have decided to go with Simply White for our cabinet color, we live in Mukilteo WA and I didn’t want any grey undertones or a stark cold white since it is cold and grey here most of the year. I’m looking at Cambrian Black granite for our countertops, love the black/white contrast. Do you think the Simply White is a good choice with this granite?
Thank you so much!!
Mari
Hi Mari-Ann! Due to the number of emails I get every day, I have to pick ‘n choose which questions to answer, focusing first on the ones that have mass appeal! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look with my E-design. Otherwise, I’m just guessing as to the lighting in the room, exposure, flooring and all of the other things that matter when choosing a colour! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I hope to hear from you!
~Kylie
I love the simply white color!
I’m going to use it on my cabinets, and i was also going to use the same color on my walls.
Good idea, bad idea?
That’s a great idea Emily! This way you’ll see a wee subtle shift in the sheens – totally a good idea!
Hi Kylie, you’re site has been so helpful in a long and maddening process :-). After 14 colors on the walls, we’ve decided on Coventry Gray. Would you suggest Simply White or Dove Gray for woodwork? We’ve got a ton of natural light from West windows facing water, High South windows and a few North windows, so Coventry looks fairly mid to light. We have a lot of white woodwork to be repainted. The living area has mid/light laminate and new soft mineral blue/green velvet sofas. The new paint spans an open floor plan that includes a very big kitchen with cinnamon maple cabinets and gray/black granite with small splotches of Burgundy. For the trim/woodwork, would you suggest Simply White or White Dove? We like a fresh transitional feel, but welcoming and not stark or cold. Thanks so much!
Painting oak kitchen cabinets going to have them sprayed
Torn between white dove and simply white as I was advised to go with a white when painting oak cabinets
I don’t want a yellow at all but both colors look good on painted cabinets in pictures
??
Hi Kris! I would lean more into White Dove over Simply White just because the BOTH have warmth (yellow) in them, but White Dove is grounded with a neutral base. It can depend a lot on your countertop/backsplash/lighting as well, but of the 2, I’d hit White Dove AND I’d ask them to add 4-6 drops of white to each gallon, which just cleans it up a stitch AND improves coverage (and btw, you can paint oak cabinets any colour, but DARK colours can highlight the grain a bit more).
Hi Kylie,
You’re so amazing with understanding paint colors. I have a little more knowledgeable about paints now. I have a small single wide manufactured home. I’ve decided to go with ‘Simply White” on the walls. Since my house is so small, would you recommend I paint the cupboards and trim the same through the entire place or perhaps a different white for contrast. Would having contrast make my home appear smaller? Thanks so much.
Hi Diane, I’m SO glad you asked – YES! I wouldn’t switch up whites as you’ll find the undertones can react in weird ways. You’ll get a wee shift just from the change in sheens from ceiling (flat), walls (matte or eggshell), trim (satin) and cabinets (satin). 🙂
Hello Kylie, . I have a question please if you have the time….I am painting a guest room with Farrow and Ball Pink Ground. I have two whites for ceiling and trim to consider: Simply white by BM or Wimborne White by Farrow and Ball. It seems to me the Wimborne White goes better and its a little creamier and less pure white. The room faces north. I think one of your posts said pink is not great with Simply White…. can you tell me your opinion of the Wimborne White with the Pink Ground of course knowing that its only a guess and you are not in the room and so forth. It is more vanilla toned and it seems a bit better. Thank you so much. I am going for a calm and restful mood. Margaret
Hi Margaret! Ooo, I’m not as well-versed in F&B colours, but ‘generally speaking’ yellow and pink don’t love each other. I mean, there can be exceptions if it’s gone about in a gentle way, but it makes me darned nervous. I would say that if it’s less ‘yellow’ than Simply White – then that is a good thing, although the word Vanilla doesn’t leave me feeling hopeful on that…Looking at them both online, I DO like that they both seem that bit more muted and soft…