Posted on August 27, 2021 by KylieMawdsley
The Best Off-White Beige: Moderate White
While beige has had a bad rap for the last 10 years, it’s comin’ BACK baby. I mean, maybe not TOMORROW, but in the next few years, we’ll be seeing a shift from the cool end of things into the warmer end with colors like Benjamin Moore Maritime White, Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White and, of course, Moderate White. So today, we’re going to take a closer look at Moderate White to see what it’s all about…
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In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!
What type of paint color is Moderate White? Is it beige or cream?
Because of its placement in the fan deck, many think that Moderate White is a cream paint color, but it’s not. Cream paint colors focus on a YELLOW undertone, whereas beige paint colors focus on an ORANGE undertone. This undertone is what makes Moderate White a beige. However, an orange undertone isn’t ALL that Moderate White has to offer.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
What’s the LRV of Moderate White?
The LRV of Moderate White is 74, making it an off-white. However, it doesn’t go very FAR into the off-white range as it has a bit more depth than average.
With an LRV of 74, Moderate White WILL wash out in a bright room, but as will any color with a moderately high LRV (ie. 55 or higher) – nature of the beast! And while some off-whites can fall a bit dingy or dirty looking in a darker room, because Moderate White has a BIT more chroma (color) to it, it can handle low light a bit better than some others.
While I realize this next photo is no screamin’ glory, it’s a great example of how Moderate White can be a GREAT choice with outdated beige tile. Remember, I rely 100% on my E-design client’s photos, so I’m grateful to see these colors in action no matter what!
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
What are the undertones of Moderate White?
Moderate White centers on an orange undertone. But not ALL oranges are created equal – some can lean orange-yellow, others, orange-pink. Moderate White is great as it’s quite flexible towards BOTH; one of the many reasons why I LOVE IT.
If you’re sensitive to orange undertones, Moderate White might make you a wee bit twitchy. HOWEVER, it’s important to remember that it’s not ALL about you. Regardless of whether it’s mad love or not, Moderate White is often an AWESOME choice for homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s as it suits many of the tiles and countertops from these eras.
Which paint color is similar to Moderate White?
When it comes to choosing the best paint color for your home, it’s SO important to COMPARE. It’s via comparison that you see shifts in undertones, LRVs and temperatures! And just because you’re focusing on one color, doesn’t mean there isn’t one that’s even BETTER (the same can be said about husbands – wink wink).
Moderate White with beige tiles with a painted wood vanity
- Benjamin Moore Maritime White
- Sherwin Williams Divine White (which comes off just a TOUCH more colorful)
- Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White
What’s the best way to sample Moderate White?
Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!
Learn all about Samplize HERE
What’s the best white trim color to go with Moderate White walls?
Moderate White is a FUSSY one. Most warm whites have a yellow undertone, and this yellow can clash with the orange of Moderate White. For this reason, I usually recommend the following:
1. Keep things simple and go for a white like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.
2. Ask the paint store to lighten Moderate White by 50% and 75% – make sure you still like the undertones/general look as it can shift
Which paint colors go with Moderate White?
- Moderate White is okay with most grays that have a lower LRV than it (but no icy cold grays)
- Moderate White likes other warm colors with the SAME undertone profile (orange-pink)
- Moderate White looks beautiful with most neutrals with green undertones as well as blue-green blends
The 9 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams DESIGNER COLLECTION
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
Is Moderate White a good color for the exterior of my home?
Moderate White can be an excellent exterior color, especially for those in the states with terra cotta tile-style roofs and warm stone driveways. However, in grayer climates, many find Moderate White to be a bit too washed-out for the main body of their home (particularly south-facing homes). However, it can be an excellent exterior trim color, so long as the undertones suit your stone, brick and roof.
While this next home and its stone driveway can HANDLE more pink, not everyone is as inclined. Moderate White is a great happy medium with its subtle warmth…
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
Not sure if Moderate White is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White
Sherwin Williams White Duck Paint Color Review
The Best Warm Paint Colors That AREN’T BEIGE!
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Creamy
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
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Hi Kylie,
I’m thinking of a color palette with Balboa Mist (kitchen walls), Cyberspace (kitchen island), Natural Linen (living room), Moderate White (bedroom). The colors would be in adjacent rooms in that order. Based on all of your posts and videos on these colors, I believe they will suit the products and exposures in each room. Just wanting to check with the flow from room to room. Any thoughts?
Thank you, as always!! You are helping me so much!!
I recently renovated my bedroom. My husband doesn’t like any of the cool, gray colors and wanted something warmer. I didn’t want tan. We decided on an off-white. I have a huge statement piece headboard that I wanted to show off.
After painting my walls, I was so upset to see that it looked like a pale, yellow nursery. I somehow stumbled across your site and tried the Moderate White. It looks sooo good! I wish I could share a picture. Now, as I move through the rest of my house to repaint, I check your site to get your opinions and recommendations on all of my considerations. Thank you for your expertise!
Author
I love to hear this, thank you, Starla! I mean, not about the previous pale yellow nursery, but I’m GLAD you found a colour you love with Moderate White 🙂
Hi! I love your insights! I’m considering moderate white in my open plan, east facing kitchen and family room walls with snowbound cabinets (and maybe snowbound trim in the FR). I’m hoping their similar undertones are complimentary and will bring a little warmth, especially to the FR, but still stay fresh and modern. Am I understanding these colors correctly in your opinion?
Thanks for your posts!
Author
Hi Jenny! Nope, Moderate White has toooo much orange in it for the more violet tones in Snowbound – I would stay far, far away from these 2.
Ah, good to know. Thank you!
Would you have another favorite white/off white whose undertones wouldn’t clash?
Hi Kylie,
I’m choosing to paint all my interior walls SW Moderate White at 75%. Do you think BM Chantilly Lace will work for trim and doors? I know you suggest Chantilly lace for Moderate White at 100%. Thanks for your advice.
Author
Hi Lynn! While I haven’t done this combo myself, it should be good!
Hi Kylie, we moved into a home with Moderate White at 50% on the fireplace, all the trim work, and the shutters, so it’s a little tricky to change that color (or more expensive I should say). The walls are all Macadamia and I don’t love it. I would like to go with a warm white. I like Alabaster, would that pair well with the MW at 50%? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Author
Hey Kristi, I definitely wouldn’t partner Alabaster with this. Sometimes the color we HAVE dictates everything – if it were me, I would keep going with Moderate White at 50% lighter or try it 25% lighter for a bit more depth on the walls (or regular strength). If you mix and match whites/off-whites it can get pretty messy!
Thank you so much for your feedback!
Hi Kylie!
Your videos and blog have been so educational for me! My trim is BM simply white and I don’t have energy to change that. Products are definitely warm. Would Moderate White on the walls work with this? Or would something like BM Timid White, Navajo White, or SW Aged White / Pacer White be better?
All the trim and cabinets (except kitchen ones) are painted moderate white. My walls/ceilings are basket beige and macadamia (bedrooms). I am wanting to change the wall/ceiling color but leave the trim just because the amount of it. What color could I use? Would I just paint it all moderate white? TYIA
Kylie,
This information on moderate white is excellent! Our entire interior of our home is painted moderate white (open plan) and we love it. We have white oak floors. We are renovating our kitchen and would like to do the cabinets in a warm neutral. What do you recommend? I think we will do some navy blue accents/green/furniture – what colour of cabinets would look best with the moderate white? (not white, something warmer and uplifting – not cool). Thanks for any insights you have!
Shannon
Author
Oooo Shannon, that’s a tough one as your countertops and backsplash matter JUST AS MUCH) if not a bit more than your wall color. Why? Well, of the 3 surfaces, even though you probably don’t want to paint your walls, the wall color is ‘usually’ the most changeable. Plus, the cabinet color is so directly related to its surrounding finishes and if you clash with the backsplash/countertop, it won’t matter how well it works with Moderate White! If you want specific help, so that I can see your finishes, I do have consulting packages! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/hire-kylie/#packages