Posted on April 2, 2023 by KylieMawdsley
White Duck: The best warm off-white a girl could ask for…
When it comes to paint colors that are neutral and versatile, Sherwin Williams White Duck is in my top five. Its unique blend of neutral undertones and just-right depth make it a great option for everything from walls and cabinets to exterior siding – and more!
I always refer to White Duck in my Online Paint Color Consulting.
Why?
It’s a great hybrid between the cool paint trends of the last five years and the warmer trends that we’re slowly dipping our toes into.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at this bad boy…
WHAT TYPE OF PAINT COLOR IS WHITE DUCK?
White Duck is a warm, neutral paint color that’s an AWESOME hybrid of cream, beige (tan), and gray.
The base of White Duck is cream (yellow). However, whereas traditional cream paint colors can be a bit obnoxious in their commitment to color, White Duck is HUGELY toned down with a healthy dollop of beige and gray.
If you have north-facing, afternoon eastern, or morning western light, you may find White Duck leans that bit neutral/muted while still holding tight to its cream base. However, if you have a south-facing light, White Duck will lean more into cream without going OVERLY yellow, thanks to its neutral backdrop.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
DOES WHITE DUCK LOOK LIKE A CREAM PAINT COLOR?
What you might REALLY be asking is, ‘Will White Duck look overly yellow?‘ Nope. While White Duck is a warm paint color with a creamy APPROACH, the beige and gray calm it down considerably, making it look FAR less like a traditional cream paint color!
If you love cream paint colors but DON’T love yellow (which every cream has), this could be a FABULOUS choice as the yellow is cut CONSIDERABLY back, even in those warmer exposures.
By the way, if you’re looking for a REAL cream with less of that neutral base, check out Sherwin Williams Creamy.
WHAT’S THE LRV OF WHITE DUCK?
White Duck’s LRV is 74, which parks at the bottom of the off-white range. White Duck will hold itself a BIT better in a bright room than an off-white with a HIGHER LRV, but it can still wash out (learn more HERE).
In a dark room, because it doesn’t have a high chroma (much color), White Duck can look a bit dingy (not like a fresh cream). You need adequate, good interior lighting to support it. Regardless, you MIGHT want to sample a warmer cream paint color or a brighter warm shade of white.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
WHAT ARE WHITE DUCK’S UNDERTONES?
While White Duck has a yellow foundation, it doesn’t have obvious yellow, orange, pink, or green undertones. Of these, it does cater to yellow, with a touch of orange buried deep inside (you won’t see it). If you’re hoping for a more muted tan or beige color, it could look a bit too creamy for you, but generally speaking, it’s not an overly yellow paint color.
SAMPLING WHITE DUCK WITH PEEL & STICK
I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. These peel & stick paint color samples are AFFORDABLE, FUN, and are made with each brand’s ACTUAL PAINT!
Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF WHITE DUCK HERE!
WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH WHITE DUCK?
White Duck has a WIDE range of whites that it loves. However, based on current trends, you can even consider painting your trim the same color as your walls. PERSONALLY< this is a trend I’d be careful with. Sure, I might paint White Duck on my walls, trims, and doors in ONE room, but I sure as heck wouldn’t commit in my entire home.
Why?
If I want to change wall colors down the road, White Duck will 100% hold me back – it’s not flexible like white paint colors.
As for whites that coordinate with White Duck…
- Sherwin Williams Pure White is nice for a slightly softer contrast between trims, cabinets, and walls.
- But you can easily go brighter with High Reflective White or Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace if you want more contrast between the wall and trim.
- While some like to partner White Duck with Sherwin Williams Alabaster, it’s ‘okay,’ but White Duck prefers whites with a bit less yellow.
White Duck on the walls
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
IS WHITE DUCK A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
White Duck can be a FANTASTIC exterior color for siding, brick, or other surfaces. It has passive warmth that will fall back in north or east-facing light but can lean creamier/warmer in south-facing or afternoon western light.
While white exteriors have had a moment – and it’s quickly passing, I’m seeing many more requests for warm off-whites in my Online Paint Color Consulting. While white is the perfect color for SOME homes, based on particular exterior features, a gentle off-white can be a more timeless color choice, especially for painted brick or stone…
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
Not to say off-white won’t fall out of style either; these things ebb and flow, but if you choose the RIGHT color for the RIGHT home, you’ll get a great lifetime out of it.
DID YOU KNOW? I have an AWESOME YouTube channel, full of color reviews, with dozens more waiting to be published – check it out HERE!
IS WHITE DUCK A GOOD CABINET COLOR?
It sure can be! Because White Duck is so muted, with a low chroma (not much undertone), it can be a great off-white paint color for cabinets, even nodding at the creamy white world (just a bit darker/less yellow).
As shown on these painted wood cabinets, White Duck is a great partner to the strong green in the backsplash and countertop…
A brighter white could’ve contrasted a bit too much with the green, whereas the more gentle approach of White brightens this kitchen while offering a more subtle contrast. It’s also GREAT with the wood floor.
REMEMBER, even if you’ve fallen in love with White Duck, make sure your backsplash (first) and countertop (second) suit a color like White Duck. Some kitchen finishes need more white, beige, gray, or even prefer to be left their natural or stained wood finish!
Should You Paint or Stain Your Wood Cabinets: A QUESTIONNAIRE
On the topic of wood, White Duck is gorgeous with various wood trims. In the right room, White Duck looks like a muted, creamy white without a REAL white (trim) to contrast with. Just ensure your room has enough light; as mentioned earlier, it can look dingy without enough natural light.
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO WHITE DUCK?
GOOD QUESTION! Every color has particular nuances, and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths. However, more so than many others, White Duck has some great comparables…
BENJAMIN MOORE BALLET WHITE VS. WHITE DUCK
Ballet White is similar to White Duck in its approach. However, it’s a bit darker (with an LRV of 71.97 to White Duck’s 74). Ballet White also has a bit more color and a slightly creamier look.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White with White Dove trim, front door, and wainscoting.
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Ballet White
SHERWIN WILLIAM SHOJI WHITE VS SW WHITE DUCK
Sherwin Williams Shoji White is White Duck’s closest match. If you want to stick with Sherwin Williams, but want to see a color that’s just a tiny bit more neutral, check it out. Personally, I always choose White Duck over Shoji White; as of the two, White Duck is LESS likely to grab green. While both have a yellow base, White Duck has a touch more orange in its backdrop.
BENJAMIN MOORE WINDS BREATH VS. WHITE DUCK
It’s fun to compare Winds Breath and White Duck. While they have similar INTENTIONS – both being subtle with undertone profiles that aren’t WILDLY different from each other, Winds Breath is darker than White Duck. In gaining this bit of depth, Winds Breath can look more grounded and calming (open to perception).
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Winds Breath
And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (i.e., getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.
Shown above, Benjamin Moore Ballet White
WHAT COLORS GO WITH WHITE DUCK IN A PALETTE?
Whether you’re looking for a paint color for an adjoining room, a feature wall, or smaller accents in your room (home decor and furnishings), White Duck has some great partners…
- Gray paint colors that are the same depth or darker, particularly ones with a blue or blue-green undertone. It doesn’t love a purple undertone quite as much, but it depends on which one you’re looking at.
- A ton of gorgeous greige paint colors, from the light range, right down to the SUPER darks!
- Blue-green blends, especially those with a good dose of gray in them.
- Navy blue and other dark accent colors, including medium and dark shades of green.
- White Duck favors shades of tan over beige (stronger orange undertones), as long as they’re a bit more muted, like Sherwin Williams Sandbar.
- While White Duck prefers warm shades of white, it can also handle brighter whites – it just doesn’t work with cool white paint colors.
READ MORE
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Ballet White
The 5 Best Off-White Paint Colors
The Best Warm Neutral Paint Colors that AREN’T BEIGE!
How to Create a Timeless Home – 4 PART SERIES
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED IN 2022, JUST FOR YOU!
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Hello
Your page Los saving me from a paint breakdown. I’m curious what trim color you would do with white duck ?
Author
With White Duck I do like the soft look of SW Pure White or the cleaner approach of SW High Reflective White 🙂
If I’m doing white duck exterior and dark gray shutters, what window trim would you recommend? Pure white or just use white duck as the trim and siding? (All wood siding, color oak style house.)
Author
Hi Renee, it depends on the window color! SW PUre White can look super pretty, whereas White Duck is a more seamless look. These can both read differen thought, depending on white, black, beige or brown windows!
OMG thank you so much!! We decided to just do white duck on all! We have white windows 🙂
Do you think Amazing Gray shutters would work? Worldly gray? Collonade? I like some contrast… not monotone. But not BLACK on WHITE feel either.
Hi! I know a million people have asked something similar but I’m still stuck. Our cabinets are being painted white duck. Love the color but want to bring out more of the cream but in this space it’s reading more gray (with just primed walls). Any suggestions for wall color that will bring out the cream? In the off white/warm range. Thanks so much!
Author
Oooo Kate, when it comes to White Duck, IT is often its own best wall partner (or a lighter or darker version of itself). Once you start mixing colors that are a similar depth, but different COLORS, they can really compete with each other. It would also GREATLY depend on the coutnertop, that this wall color works with the cabinets, countertop, and backsplash too! In otherwords, I don’t have a quick easy answer for you!
Ooh yeah I thought about doing the same color for the wall. I love the color! Maybe I’ll play around with it lightened a bit. Every sample I’ve tried so far just doesn’t look quite right except for the more pure whites, but I want something softer.
My countertops are Taj but a more gray and cream one. Not a lot of gold. And white oak island. Thanks for the advice!
What would you do for cabinets in the kitchen if you do white duck on the walls?
Author
Hi Terri, it’s definitely MORE about what your countertop/backsplash look like as that combo is the most important. Generally speaking though, I might look at SW Pure White :).
I am trying to decide between Ballet White and White Duck. Your reviews of both colors mention that they are very similar. However when asked about trim color pairings with each color, with Ballet White you recommend White Dove and with White Duck one of the colors you recommend is Simply White. Why do you not recommend White Dove with White Duck? Thank you!
Thank you for introducing me to white duck!! I had been struggling to decide between cabinet colors, and this is the perfect solution. Now I just need to pick a wall color! Your recommendation to pair SW Pure White with it is helpful, but I was hoping to do a slightly warmer white. Would BM White Dove or SW Alabaster be a nice complement to SW White Duck? Thank you in advance – you rock!!! Great name by the way. 😉
Author
KYLIE M! Well, at least we know there are THREE of us in the world! Sadly, Kylie Minogue gets most of the glory ;).
Now, I don’t dislike the idea of Alabaster, but PREFER the idea of White Dove as it’s just that bit more muted :). I hope that helps and i’d LOOOOOVE to see it all done!
Kylie I just love your post, you have helped tremendously. My painter only uses SW
I’m wanting to use White Duck or Oyster White for my cabinets and I know you like White Dove for wall but that’s not an option since I have to use SW. I’m trying to decide what wall color to use. My living room has both south facing and north facing windows. Should I just lighting the cabinet color to use on the walls. I feel like most of the off whites that I have tried are leaning gray. ☹️
haha I use Kylie Minogue as a reference when I try to get people to remember my name
And thank you!! Yes, it is a tough decision because our cabinet maker only uses SW and I was hoping to incorporate the wall color in our range hood. I will definitely share the final outcome (need to figure how to attach pictures first)!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Cheers!
BTW, the location is on the West coast of Florida, and primarily needs to look best during the winter season when the sun rises and sets South of due East.
Hi! I’m in love with Ballet White but my contractor uses SW. You compare these two — I live up north and get little natural light. You say this could look dingy, and I’ve read that elsewhere. Is the same true of Ballet White?
Author
Hi Sonya! If you are worried about Ballet White being a bit dingy, White Duck won’t be much better, as it’s slightly less warm. It’s LOVELY, but not a terribly clean colour. Have you looked at a colour like SW Creamy maybe???
What about pairing Greek Villa for trim and ceiling with
White duck for walls? It’s in the same color line. What are
Your thoughts on that?
Hi Kylie
I’m thinking of painting my bedroom furniture white duck and the walls evergreen fog, would these 2 colours pair well together?
Author
Hi Lori, I just might take a look at SW Aesthetic White instead, it’s just a bit more muted against the green ;).
Kylie,
I am really stuck. Our home has White Duck trim, doors, and ceilings. I want to paint the walls a bright fresh white or beige color that leans warm rather than cool. We have West- facing window… what do you recommend?
Author
Hiya! You might want to check out my most recent blog post on cream paint colours as White Duck will have similar tendencies, just with LESS yellow – so you’re lucky!
Hi Kylie!! Thank you so much for all of your awesome paint color reviews!! They have helped me out so much!! I have a chair rail in my kitchen and will be painting it (along with all of my trim) with Sherwin Williams Pure White. The wall above the chair rail will be White Duck. Which color would pair best on the wall under the chair rail – Sherwin Williams Pavillion Beige or Benjamin Moore Natural Linen?
Thank you!!
I am so glad I found your website. I am painting my exterior with White duck (SW) and I came across your blog! I love the blue green door in this article (the one with the two wagons in front of the door). Could you please tell me the color name and the company? Thank you so much.
Author
Hi Lakshmi, that’s BM Sioux Falls 🙂
Hey Kylie! We have a west facing home and are thinking of painting the brick. We really love white duck because it’s not stark white or too cool. Does the yellow become very strong in the afternoon sun? Is there a better white, in your opinion, for west facing exterior? Our roof is gray with a slightly green undertone… so there’s that. LOL.
Hi Kylie. I just painted my kitchen in White Duck from Sherwin Williams (not color matched) and it is looking a little purple!! My kitchen is even south facing!! I have not painted my trim yet which is quite yellow and my living room which is open to my kitchen is yellow (which I was planning on painting white duck as well). Could the yellow trim and yellow living room be causing it to look purple?!? We also only did one coat – the previous color was similar to Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream. Please help!!
Hello Kylie, We are building The Tyrell Place Plan by Frank Betz. The house is East facing. We are doing an all brick front with black exterior windows and gutters. The siding will be vinyl. Would we be able to use white vinyl siding and trim near roof? If not, what white would you suggest that is not yellow, I’m ok with bright but was thinking something else may look better overall. I love your blog and videos, thanks for all the info!
Hi Kylie,
Could you compare and contrast White Duck with Neutral Ground? I’m considering using one of those on interior doors with Creamy walls but want to make sure I understand the undertones before committing. Thanks!
Hi Kylie, would White Duck or shoji white go with a tile floor that is beige with a light pink beige? Before I knew I had a pink undertone to my tile floor I purchased a Quartz counter that is white with green gray veining. Would Maritime white, Shoji White, or white duck work with my pink undertone?]
Author
Oooo, ALL of those make me nervous. Maritime White will definitely be the closest (I mean, this is without seeing your countertop), but it might not have enough pink???
Could white duck pair with cream trim?
Our entire house’s trim is a cream that could lean yellow at times. I’m trying to avoid the room looking yellow though.
Author
Oooo, I don’t think so. I mean, it can depend on the cream, but my first thought is nope.
Hi Kylie!
I made the mistake of using SW Greek Villa trim throughout the house (it was before I discovered your blog I promise!). I’d hoped to use Shoji White on the walls. We get mostly East/West light and some Northern light. I’m worried Shoji White still appears a bit dark in our hallways and East facing living room (which get lots of ambient natural light) West facing study and dining rooms. I can’t tell if it just looks super dark because the walls are primed. Should I try White Duck or will that not pair well with the GV trim? Looking for a very soft greige feel. I tried Greek Villa on the walls too but that feels like a too bright white (maybe it’ll be better after it’s fully painted)
I have natural cherry kitchen cabinets (cherry wood with clear coat). Over the years the cabinets have turned a little more red than I wanted. It’s time to paint the walls, will SW White Duck help tone down the red in the cabinets? If not do you have any suggestions in a neutral paint color?
Dear Kylie,
Do you mind my asking–in the fourth room photograph in this post, the photograph of the kitchen with White Duck on the walls and with painted Shaker cabinets–what the cabinet paint color is? It looks wonderful, and I think the countertops in that kitchen are similar to the ones in the home we just purchased. Thank you!
Author
Ahhh, i THINK that might be the one with Edgecomb Gray cabinets?
Thank you for replying so quickly! I will look at Edgecomb Gray!
Nancy
Sea Salt and White Duck….nuff said.
Hi Kylie! Your blog is such a lifesaver. I’ve learned so much about paint from you. We have a colonial style house all wood- I want a white that doesn’t feel too modern because the house is so classic looking. But we have a big front yard and get snow all winter. Are there any creamy whites that don’t look terribly yellow?! Looking at white duck and shoji?!
We have a couple big trees and are planning to do gray shutters and blue green front door 🙂
Author
Oooo, both of these are OFF-WHITES, not whites. I mean, they’ll give you that gentle subdued look, but I don’t want you to think they’re white :). If you want white, you need an LRV of 82+ (something like BM White Dove). This being said, warm whites do have cream/yellow in them and you might be SAFER in these off-whites! Of the 2, I always do White Duck over Shoji as Shoji CAN flash a wink of green.
Can you use white duck on walls and white dove BM on trim and ceiling
Author
ABSOLUTELY!
Kylie,
Do you believe White Duck would look good with natural hickory floors and an earth colored (warm gray/rust browns) stacked stone fireplace? Thanks in advance for your response!
Author
Hey Wendy, it’s SO hard to say without seeing the room. I’d say that off the top of my head, I don’t see any red flags???
No red flags is good enough for me! 😉 I’m gonna go for it! Thank you!
Hi Kylie, Read all your posts. Bought all the off white samplize colors you recommended for painting my cabinets. Have Santa Cecelia granite (brown/ tan tones) and plan to install off white subway tile on backsplash. Have cherry cabinets and the wood is beautiful but heavy and serious in a kitchen. Want two tone look and want to lighten it with off white cabinets upper cabinets. So.. what color do you recommend of the following: white duck, creamy (too yellow), ballet white, Swiss coffee, Navajo white, alabaster, or white dove.
Kaylie,
I have north facing room, low light, oak floors with oak & brown furnishings wanted light & airy. thinking of White duck but would like your suggesttions
Author
Hmmmm, I’m not sure if White Duck will give you light and airy in this low-light room. You might want to raise your LRV and take some gray out :).
Hi Kylie, This is a silly question, but here goes. So I painted my interior white duck a couple of years ago and love it (found it here, thank you!). Now I want to paint the exterior some shade of white (spanish style, stucco home with grayish/brown/taupe color tile roof. Is there any advice on picking a white exterior color given the white duck interior?
Author
This isn’t a silly question at all! For your exterior, it’s MORE about what suits your exterior than your interior. Of course you want things to flow, but not at the cost of how the exterior looks. In general, I would say to lean into warmer whites vs gray or stark ones. Have you considered using White Duck?
That makes sense, thank you! And yes I have considered White Duck, but thought “wait, is that weird to paint the outside and inside the same color?” lol But now I feel like you have given me the, “OK” to consider that, so I shall! It’s a great color, so excited to see if that’s a good exterior option and what trim colors would work. Thanks again!