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Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130 or CC-40: Paint Color Review

Posted on April 22, 2020 by KylieMawdsley

Benjamin Moore Cloud White: LRV, Undertones and a Little More…

When it comes to white paint colors, you’d be hard-pressed to find one that’s more talked about than Benjamin Moore Cloud White. It’s not just the versatility of this white that keeps it top of mind, it’s the fact that it’s been kickin’ for a looooong time in the wild world of white, and there are good reasons for that, so let’s jump in…

What type of paint color is Benjamin Moore Cloud White? Is it warm or cool?

Cloud White is a WARM white paint color. It’s one of the most popular whites because it sits in a great place between ones that are a bit TOO warm, with more yellow in them and whites that are more crisp and clean. But regardless, it’s important to pick the white paint color that best suits the particular finishes in your home.

Cloud White with Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

If you have north-facing or afternoon eastern light, you may find that Cloud White is a nice soft way to balance out that cooler, flatter light. If you have south-facing light or afternoon western light, Cloud White will look that bit warmer.

What’s the LRV of Cloud White?

Cloud White has an LRV of 87 (although the fan deck claims it’s 85), so it’s definitely getting up there. It’s not quite as white as Benjamin Moore Simply White but it’s whiter than one of my FAVE go-to white paint colors, Benjamin Moore White Dove.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

What are the undertones of Cloud White? Will it look yellow or green?

The undertones of Cloud White are very soft with a subtle focus on yellow (which is what makes it a WARM white) and a neutral base tucked in there to slow things down.

So, to answer your question, yes, Cloud White CAN look yellow if you compare it to a clean or cool white (ie: white appliances). If you have south-facing light, you’ll also find Cloud White leaning even more into its warmth courtesy of that lovely southern sunshine. However, in a north-facing room, the warmth of Cloud White can help to balance off some of the gray light coming in the windows.

Cloud White doesn’t look green and generally only picks it up when it’s being reflected from the outside (grass/trees – which is what any white will do). Check out Cloud White as it looks DIRECTLY to the left of the window in this next photo…that’s the exterior color reflecting in.

What’s the best way to sample Cloud White?

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE.

However, whereas I usually put white paper around my off-white and darker samples, when it comes to white paint samples, I only compare them to ‘paper-white’ for a quick second. Paper-white will ENHANCE and over-expose the look of Cloud White, bringing out its warm undertones – the same undertones that can settle back on a larger scale, when NOT compared to a cleaner white.

Judge Cloud White on its own merits, not how it compares to a clean or cool white.

See the full Cloud White kitchen makeover HERE

If I’m painting my walls Cloud White, which white paint color is best for my trim or cabinets?

If I’m painting my walls Cloud White, you can BET I’m going to paint my trims and cabinets Cloud White as well. Why? Well, I love the passive warmth of Cloud White – emphasis on passive. The thing is, if you partner it with a cleaner white, it can ‘showcase’ the warmth of Cloud White more, making it look that bit more yellow. I would rather let the shift in paint sheen do the magical work for, rather than messing with whites and undertones.

Cloud White cabinets, darkened by 25%

What Sherwin Williams paint colors are the same as or similar to Cloud White?

You won’t find an exact match for ANY color between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, there are some with similar intentions, but different approaches…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Sherwin Williams Pure White

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (ie: getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

Is Cloud White the most popular white?

While it’s not the best in MY books, it’s definitely right up there in the top five. When it comes to whites, unless the products in a space NEED more warmth, I’m more inclined towards a more muted white, along the lines of Benjamin Moore White Dove or even Sherwin Williams Pure White.

Not sure if Cloud White is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

THE 8 BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FROM BENJAMIN MOORE

MORE WHITE PAINT COLORS…

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

Comments

Amy
October 21, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Kylie,
Would you pair Benjamin Moore cloud white walls with Sherwin Williams extra white trim and kitchen cabinets?
My countertops are tan/beige laminate, looks like soap stone.
A post about white trim and wall colors to pair up would be popular I think, if you are looking for ideas.
Thanks!

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  October 21, 2020 at 6:02 pm
  
  Hi Amy! Nope, Extra White is tooo cool for the yellow warmth of Cloud White. With Cloud White walls (or any white walls) I’m USUALLY inclined towards Cloud White trim, letting the shift in SHEEN do the work for me. Whites are SO fussy with their undertones and they so easily upset each other. Whites just don’t have as much colourant in them as darker colours and aren’t as flexible with each other. I’ve partnered BM White Dove with BM Oxford White before, but White Dove is a bit more muted/less yellow. You could TRY, but for me – I like to keep my whites consistent :).
  
  Reply
Rhonda Bartliff
November 24, 2020 at 1:02 pm

Hi Kylie, I have cloud white trim and golden oak floors, I am looking for an equally light paint colour for the walls. I am considering pale oak but after watching your review I am worried about pink coming through. What are you thoughts? Thanks

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  November 24, 2020 at 8:35 pm
  
  Oooo yes, I would worry about Pale Oak and Cloud White as the yellow in Cloud White and the purple/pink of Pale Oak could sit a bit funny together – Cloud White can be a bit finicky that way!
  
  Reply
Nicky Cameron
December 11, 2020 at 7:57 pm

Is Cloud White CC-40 the same as Cloud White OC- 130?

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  December 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm
  
  You betcha! Drives me CRAZY when they change the numbers! Any variation you MAY see is only in the printing process, not in the actual colour :).
  
  Reply
Sharon Fogler
December 18, 2020 at 9:32 am

I’m so confused!!!! We are having our kitchen cabinets repainted. The wall color is amazing gray and the floors are a light coffee colored wood. The kitchen faces southwest. Do I want a cool white for cabinets or warm white? If I wanted a different colored island could I use a dark gray? Thanks so much!!!

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  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  December 18, 2020 at 3:45 pm
  
  Hi Sharon! it depends a LOT on the countertops/backsplash, but from what I read there, I would go for a slightly warm white (ie: SW Pure White/BM White Dove, that type of white). And yes, you can do a dark gray island and will want to base that on your countertop. If you choose a warm gray though it would need a green undertone to humour Amazing Gray. If you choose a cooler gray, you can do a blue-purple undertone as it would ACCENT Amazing Gray. 🙂
  
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Jane
March 4, 2021 at 4:55 pm

Would you do a Pure White Sherwin Williams trim and cabinets with White dove walls? It is a very open concept house that lends itself to one wall color throughout.
Thank you for all of your invaluable information and insight.

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  March 4, 2021 at 5:14 pm
  
  Hi Jane! Nope, they’re just too similar, while having different warmths – I think it could be an awkward combo…
  
  Reply
Kelli Thomas
March 9, 2021 at 12:07 pm

Is Simply White a good choice for a kitchen that faces West (windows look out West)? Thank you! 🦢☁️❄️🕊

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  March 9, 2021 at 4:01 pm
  
  Could be beautiful as long as you know it will look that bit warmer in the afternoon light 😉
  
  Reply
Darina Mishkova
May 10, 2021 at 1:19 pm

Hi Kylie,
I read all your articles about white colors and decided to paint the walls our recently remodeled Robin’s Nest BM 618 25% lighter kitchen, with Cloud White. Considering your advise I chose the same color for the ceiling and 50% lighter for all trims and floors in the house. My painters firmly convinced me the ceiling should be whiter, so I agreed and ordered Chantilly Lace. Did I make a mistake?

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  May 10, 2021 at 7:17 pm
  
  Hi Darina!
  
  So, you’ve got Robins Nest in the kitchen with Cloud White, but 50% lighter Cloud White for the ceilings, is that right? So, I’m not sure they CAN make Cloud White 50% lighter. Being a white, it can only be lightened so much before it loses it’s undertone blend and it either just gets whiter or could get more YELLOW. Don’t you worry about those painters too much, YOU DO DO.
  
  But, if it’s okay and you haven’t started painting…what about doing Chantilly Lace everywhere. Or, as a happy medium, BM Simply White. I say this ONLY because Cloud White is a bit more of a muted white, whereas Robins Nest is so fresh and clean. It would REACT with the yellow in Simply White, the same way it would with Cloud White, but at least they’d both be ‘cleaner’ colours. I know Chantilly Lace can be a bit white for some people and of course, a lot depends on your countertop/backsplash. HOWEVER, my inclination is to stay CONSISTENT with white. If you’ve already got the Cloud White going, I might suggest just 25% lighter on the ceiling/trims ;).
  
  Reply
Janet Hazlett
January 14, 2022 at 6:04 am

Hi Kylie, I have Cloud white all throughout my house ( trim and doors) My question is I am putting in new laminate counters In my kitchen Calcutta marble – the background is more creamy than blue white. And my cabinets are hickory but not rustic more blended. Unfortunately, they have a slight orange look to them and I was wondering if I should paint the walls surrounding the cabinets Cloud white also. Would that bring out too much yellow? Our kitchen gets an easterly morning sun and after that it may get a south reflection later in the day

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  January 14, 2022 at 2:02 pm
  
  Hi Janet, I worry that Calcutta Marble laminate could make Cloud White look more yellow in comparison, as CW does HAVE more yellow in it. I wouldn’t recommend doing the walls in it.
  
  Reply
Nancy
January 16, 2022 at 8:08 pm

Hi Kylie,
I have a lot of trim in my home and I have done it all in Cloud White (ceiling trim as well as window and floor trim), when I did it that seemed to be the in color. I had it paired with Natural Linen walls and it does look very nice but it’s time to change it up as I am finding that too peachy. I would like to paint the walls just a bit darker than the cloud white but don’t want it too yellow either. I did try white dove but found it in my home a bit grey, any suggestions?

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  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  January 17, 2022 at 7:49 am
  
  Hi Nancy! Have you thought about asking the paint store to darken Cloud White by 50% for you?
  
  Reply
  1. Nancy
    January 17, 2022 at 8:21 am
    
    Yes I did think about that but wasn’t sure, I needed some reinforcement to help me make that decision. Thank you for your reply I will test that out today.
    
    Reply
Darby
February 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm

Can you pair Cloud white trim with Collingwood walls? I would like to put Collingwood all through our main level if it will work with Cloud white. In the living room there is chocolate brown furniture. In the dining room there is wood furniture, again brown. In the family room there is black leather and an accent chair in black and browns. Also the carpet is black, gray, brown and beige. There is charcoal gray slate around the fireplace with built-ins painted Cloud white. I don’t want to change the built-ins colour but I’m looking for a wall colour in the gray/taupe family, Greig maybe. Also the kitchen cabinets are Windswept with brown, black, gray and cream quartz countertops. Help I need a wall colour and am hoping Collingwood is it.

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  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  February 15, 2022 at 9:18 am
  
  While Collingwood would prefer a LESS yellow-white, it’s ‘do-able’ :).
  
  Reply
  1. Darby
    March 31, 2022 at 6:04 am
    
    As it turns out, I don’t like Collingwood with Cloud White. It seems to bring out the purple undertones in Collingwood. I’m liking for a different wall colour now. I’m thinking of Silent Smoke by Dulux but it might me a bit light. Whiskers is next on the paint card but I don’t know if it is just a darker version of Silent Smoke or not. Help I need a wall colour that works with Cloud White.
    
    Reply
Alicia
February 10, 2022 at 9:25 pm

Hi there.
I have A LOT of decorative moulding and chair rail in bright white trim color. The floor is an orangey oak wood and same for dining table and server. How do you think BM cloud white would look in this scenario? Room is south facing and gets lots of light. Kitchen adjacent has light cabinets that are light yellow.
I was thinking very white trim needs some contrast and overall room can handle yellow/warmer undertones.
Thank you!
Alicia

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Courtney
March 13, 2022 at 3:45 pm

Hi Kylie!

How about BM cloud white walls with SW pure white trim? We have pure white trim in our house and are looking for a color similar to cloud white, if not cloud white.

Thank you!
Courtney

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  March 14, 2022 at 2:14 pm
  
  I definitely wouldn’t. Cloud White is warmer than Pure White AND warmer – double-whammy!
  
  Reply
2. JR
  November 3, 2022 at 6:17 pm
  
  Hi Courtney, it’s been a few months. Did you find a color similar to cloud white to go with your pure white trim?
  
  Thanks!
  
  Reply
Judy
March 29, 2022 at 9:49 am

Hi Kylie,

I’m in the process of getting new kitchen cupboards built and I’m unsure if BM Cloud White would be the best colour for my kitchen. My island will be a sage green colour with a white oak Caribou countertop. My appliances are stainless steel and my farm house sink is Silestone in Cinder (dark grey). The floors are laminate in a medium brown colour (pine looking). My quartz countertop is white with grey veining but not a stark white. When I put the BM Cloud White against it they complement each other. My other colour choice was BM Distant Grey which looks brighter then Cloud White. I’m concerned that the colours in my home might make Cloud White look really yellow which is something I’m trying to stay away from. Any advice for me?

Much appreciated!
Judy

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Kenley
February 11, 2023 at 12:16 pm

My kitchen cabinets are cloud white (inherited), and I am painting the walls and trim the same colour different sheens, can I use White Dove on the ceiling, or should I stick with Cloud White? Thank you!

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  February 11, 2023 at 6:44 pm
  
  If it were me, I’d stick with Cloud White, or at the most, have them lighten it by 25% :).
  
  Reply
Lynn
June 3, 2023 at 12:10 pm

Hey Kylie,

I love the idea of walls,trim and doors all the same color white but what about ceilings? I’m tossing around painting everything cloud white or simply white but my ceiling is textured 9.5 feet high throughput my 1250 sq condo and painted a brighter white. My Painter doesn’t seem interested in painting the ceilings and as it is, it’s costing me $4200 to have just the walls, doors, and trim painted (no ceiling). What’s your thoughts on keeping the different color white ceiling?

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  June 3, 2023 at 1:12 pm
  
  Hi Lynn! If you keep the ceiling white, it COULD make your walls look more yellow just ‘in comparison’. It’s ideal if the ceiling is the same. Or at the most, try a lightened version of the wall color on the ceiling, but you’d at least have some warmth.
  
  Reply
Lynn
June 3, 2023 at 12:13 pm

Hi Kylie, me again. Does a room look bigger with contrasting whites for walls, trim, and doors or does the room look bigger by using the same white but different sheens on walls, trim, and doors?

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1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  June 3, 2023 at 1:11 pm
  
  Hi Lynn, there’s rarely any reason for using contrasting whites and I recommend doing the same white and shifting sheens. Any shift in color can make a room look a bit smaller (but really, is pretty negligble when it comes to whites as they’re SO light) 🙂
  
  Reply