Benjamin Moore Cloud White: Undertones, Lighting, & More
By Kylie
September 22, 2023
When it comes to the most popular white paint colors, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that’s more talked about than Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White.
It’s not just the versatility on walls, cabinets, and exteriors 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 COLOR IS CLOUD WHITE – IS IT WARM OR COOL?
Cloud White is a grounded, creamy, WARM white paint color. While its softness and warmth could lead you to believe it’s an off-white, it’s not. In fact, 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, and whites that are more crisp and clean.
Regardless, it’s important to pick the white paint color that best suits the particular finishes in your home, whether you think it’s too creamy/white or not.
If you have north-facing or afternoon eastern light, you may find that Cloud White balances out that cooler, flatter light. If you have south-facing light or afternoon western light, it can look a bit warmer; be careful it doesn’t pick up more yellow than you planned.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
WHAT’S ITS LRV?
According to Benjamin Moore, Cloud White has an LRV (light reflectance value) of 85.05 (its old LRV was 87, but it’s been updated), so it’s 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.
With this depth of white, a white could normally look like a ‘normal shade of white’, but because of the degree of yellow-cream, it usually looks like a soft, warm white.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paint Colors with LRV
WHAT ARE CLOUD WHITE’S UNDERTONES?
The undertones of Cloud White are very soft, with a subtle focus on yellow (which is what makes it a WARM white). However, it doesn’t have a clear yellow look as a neutral base calms it down, making it popular for trims, walls, and cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Navajo White walls with Cloud White trim
Sherwin Williams Wool Skein walls with Cloud White moldings
The term ‘undertone’ is a slang way to describe the way a color leans or its natural bias.
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WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH IT?
If your walls are Cloud White, your best bet is to paint your trim and/or cabinets Cloud White too.
Why?
I love the passive warmth of Cloud White – emphasis on passive. The thing is, if you pair it with a different white on your trim or cabinets, this new white will likely showcase the warmth of Cloud White more, making it look more yellow. It’s really at its BEST when partnered with itself (or a non-white). I would rather let the shift in paint sheen do the magical work rather than mixing and matching whites.
The Best White Paint Color Combos
This next photo is a great example…
Notice the walls vs the trim and pantry door. Because the door is brighter and whiter than Cloud White, it makes it look more yellow in comparison. ‘In comparison’ is an important statement; if the door and trims were also Cloud White, it could look LESS yellow because it wouldn’t be directly compared to a brighter white.
Again, in this next photo, compare the brighter white ceiling to the Cloud White walls. And this isn’t to say it’s a BAD look, as both rooms look beautiful! It’s just an important detail if you’re worried about Cloud White being too yellow…
In this next home, because it’s not being directly compared to a brighter, cleaner white, it looks more muted and subtle…
My blog is 99.9% powered by my Online Paint Color Consulting clients and their photos – thank you for sending them in; you make my colorful world go round!
IS IT A GOOD WHITE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?
It depends. Cloud White is the perfect color for many laminate countertops from the 90s and early 2000s, as well as granite countertops. Most of the time, it’s a bit too yellow for marble and today’s most popular white quartz countertops.
In this next photo, you’ll see it on the trim and cabinets with Formica Soapstone, one of my UBER FAVE laminate countertops…
We saved a TON of money with laminate on the perimeter and quartz on the island only! See it all HERE
The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
WHAT SHERWIN WILLIAMS’ PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR?
There will never be a perfect match between brands, especially if you want to color match. Expect shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths. However, there are some shades of white with similar intentions, but different approaches…
- Sherwin Williams Alabaster is the most equivalent to Cloud White, although it’s not as white.
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Sherwin Williams Alabaster
IS CLOUD WHITE THE MOST POPULAR SHADE OF WHITE?
While it’s not the best in MY books, it’s definitely 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.
Benjamin Moore Cloud White with Ocean Air
PEOPLE ALSO ASK…
While these aren’t the most popular questions, they do pop up once in a while…
WILL CLOUD WHITE LOOK YELLOW OR GREEN?
Yes, Cloud White can look yellow when compared to a clean or cool white (e.g., white appliances). As mentioned earlier, it can look more yellow or creamy when paired with whiter cabinets or trim.
Another way to enhance the warmth of Cloud White (if you’re so inclined) is to partner it with a cooler color like Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. The cool blue-green hue of Sea Salt brings out the yellow in Cloud White a bit more than usual – great for a coastal look…
As for exposures, if you have south-facing light, Cloud White can lean even more into its warmth courtesy of that lovely southern sunshine (same with the afternoon western sun). However, in a north-facing room (or on eastern afternoons), the warmth of Cloud White can help balance out some of the flat, gray light.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
Regarding green undertones, Cloud White doesn’t look green, but if it does, it’s likely being reflected from the outside (grass/trees), which is what any white will do.
CLOUD WHITE vs. WHITE DOVE
Many people want to know if Cloud White is whiter than White Dove, and the answer is YES. While there isn’t a huge difference, Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05, while White Dove’s is 83.16. This difference makes it a touch brighter. As for undertones, White Dove comes across a bit more muted, while still being warm.
In the next photo, White Dove appears softer and more muted, whereas Cloud White appears brighter.
And while White Dove does look creamier in this image, don’t be fooled; Cloud White’s yellow undertone is definitely there (we’d see it more if the trim were a brighter white).
READ MORE
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing White Paint Colors
Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors
Sherwin Williams 4 Best 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,
UPDATED IN 2023 FOR PHOTOS & CONTENT
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Homeowner’s Guide: White Kitchen Cabinets
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Comments
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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!-
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 :).
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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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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!
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Is Cloud White CC-40 the same as Cloud White OC- 130?
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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 :).
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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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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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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.-
Hi Jane! Nope, they’re just too similar, while having different warmths – I think it could be an awkward combo…
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Is Simply White a good choice for a kitchen that faces West (windows look out West)? Thank you! 🦢☁️❄️🕊
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Could be beautiful as long as you know it will look that bit warmer in the afternoon light 😉
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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?-
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 ;).
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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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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.
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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?-
Hi Nancy! Have you thought about asking the paint store to darken Cloud White by 50% for you?
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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.
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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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While Collingwood would prefer a LESS yellow-white, it’s ‘do-able’ :).
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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.
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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 -
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-
I definitely wouldn’t. Cloud White is warmer than Pure White AND warmer – double-whammy!
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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!
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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 -
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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If it were me, I’d stick with Cloud White, or at the most, have them lighten it by 25% :).
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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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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.
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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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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) 🙂
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Hi Kylie! I’m absolutely in love with cloud white for my bedroom. Unfortunately, I have an adjoining bathroom that it doesnt work in. The bathroom is much more suited for white dove. I could paint everything white dove, but wondering what you would think of darkening cloud white for the walls and using white dove on trim and doors so I can marry the two spaces.
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Hi I hope you can help.
We have cloud white cabinets and a dark Caesarstone countertop (black-dark brown with bits of tan). We’d like a backsplash in between that will match them. White tile looks too white against the cloud white. What color do you recommend? Do we look for bone or gray? Thanks!-
Hey Adam! I wouldn’t do gray, as it could look too cool with the Cloud Whtie cabinets. I might lean into tan/bone/warmth more 🙂
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Hi! We’re going to paint our whole house Cloud White BM but we were wanting to paint the kitchen cabinets accessible beige by SW. would this look okay? We also have a board and batten in our entry way that we want to paint a neutral but not sure what color.. any suggestions that would go well with the cloud white? We don’t have much sunlight in the entry but it all goes into our living/kitchen area(open concept/smaller home).
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Oooo, I wouldn’t. Accessible Beige doesn’t have enough yellow/depth to humor a color like Cloud White! As for what’s best, you might lean into warm neutrals with less of a beige and more of a tan base. I can’t say for sure which would be best without seeing your finishes, as they will likely have their own needs! Maybe you’ll find one in here… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-new-era-of-beige-tan-paint-colours/
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Hi Kylie,
I’ve been following your post for a long time! You’re amazing. I’m hoping to try contrast trim in our new build home. I’ve chosen Cloud white for the ceilings and walls but I was thinking of a soft, warm greige for the doors and trim. I’ve thought about Baby Fawn/Edgecomb grey or Revere Pewter. Are there any other colours you could suggest for a contrast trim for Cloud White? Thank you SO much.-
Oooo, Erin, I’d be careful. Cloud White is beautiful, but it’s a yellow, creamy-based white and can react to many neutrals like this. I always think, ‘would I use it the opposite way, with Cloud White as the TRIM and one of these on the walls?’ Baby Fawn and Edgecomb Gray, nope. I would do Revere Pewter, but I might darken it by 25% and expect the walls to look that touch more yellow in comparison in some rooms :).
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