The 13 Best Off-White Exterior Paint Colors
While white exteriors were super popular, more homeowners are seeking softer, gentler palettes for their homes. And the best way to do this is with well-chosen, off-white paint color.
But between exposures, undertones, exterior finishes, and personal tastes, it can be hard to find that perfect off-white…that’s not white – one that adds interest to your home without overwhelming it. One that complements your exterior finishes without competing with them.
To help you on your colorful journey, we’re looking at some of my favorite off-white exterior paint colors. There’s no guarantee they’ll work with your combination of finishes, which is why sampling and comparing a range is important, but they’re a great place to start.
THE BEST PAINT COLOR DEPTH (LRV) FOR AN EXTERIOR
While the best depth is the one that suits your home’s finishes (not all homes suit off-white or light colors), for our purpose, we’re looking at colors with LRVs between…
- 70 and 77
However, if you end up needing a color that holds up better in your natural light or adds a bit more contrast with your trims, I have another blog post with slightly darker colors. You’ll find a link at the bottom. Those will have LRVs between…
- 40 and 68
While there are other off-whites above 77, either a) I don’t like their undertones for the average exterior, or b) they’re too high in the range and can look too bright for what we’re trying to do.
If you don’t know what LRV is – THREE SLAPS WITH A WET NOODLE. Just joking, read this.
But first (actually, no, don’t use your butt first, use your brain), let’s talk about exposure.
HOW DOES EXPOSURE AFFECT EXTERIOR COLORS?
As indecent as it is, exposure plays a huge part in how your exterior’s paint colors can look.
Not only that, exterior colors can look 1 to 2 tones lighter than expected. Undertones and colors can also look a bit stronger.
This is why sampling and comparing 4-6 similar shades is one of the most important parts of your paint pickin’ process.
Anyway.
NORTH-FACING HOME
Exteriors that face north might get a lot of ‘natural light’, but they don’t receive direct sunlight on exterior surfaces.
North-facing light can enhance cool colors or undertones and slightly muted warmer colors.
The Best Paint Colors for North-Facing Rooms
EAST-FACING HOME
Eastern exposures get a nice warm light in the morning, which makes colors look more washed out at noon, fall flat, and look a bit drab and cool in the afternoon. This afternoon light can enhance some cool undertones and mute warm undertones.
Now, check out this beautiful home in the sun…
The Best Paint Colors for East-Facing Rooms
SOUTH-FACING HOME
Southern exposure is the most balanced of the bunch, although in comparison, it can SEEM warmer. It can wash out colors at noon, but the rest of the time, colors often look their truest, if not a bit warmer than expected.
The Best Paint Colors for South-Facing Rooms
WEST-FACING HOME
West-facing light is the opposite of eastern light, so it’s flat, drab, and a bit cool in the morning, but it jacks up in the afternoon. Morning western light can make cool colors look stronger and warm shades a bit muted. As the afternoon progresses, the western sun gets warmer and redder, absolutely murdering many well-intentioned paint colors. Short of turning your home around, it’s gonna happen.
For most homes, the front of your home’s exposure is the dominant one.
LASTLY, we have one more important topic – trim.
THE BEST TRIM DEPTHS FOR OFF-WHITE EXTERIOR COLORS
It’s easy to get caught-up in our main house color, while our trim waits patiently to the side. However, it plays a huge part when coordinating your ENTIRE exterior palette.
IF YOU HAVE TRUE WHITE TRIM
If you have trim that’s a super bright white, it will contrast more with your off-white or light house color, making your house color ‘show up’ at the party a bit more. For many, this is the ideal approach.
When this next homeowner painted her home with the color palette she chose (from my Consulting), she painted the trim to match the stucco. While this can work, not every home suits it…
It didn’t look bad at all, but it didn’t show off her home to its best. I advised her to paint her trims white (as suggested originally), to match the fascia…
Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference (and I am a little thing…)
WHITE TRIM THAT’S NOT BRIGHT
Many of the popular exterior trim colors aren’t ‘that white’; they’re on the lower end of the white range (around 82-86, whereas whites run approx. 82-94). These ‘softer warm whites’ offer a gentler contrast with off-white or light house colors.
OFF-WHITE TRIM & EXTERIOR COLORS
Be careful, as not many off-whites go well together. While you might fit in a light color with your off-white trim, the contrast will be low. Undertones EASILY clash, so be careful.
While this next home had non-white trim, it clashed hard with their stucco color…
After, while the image isn’t super clear, this home looks way more balanced and updated (below. I’m grateful for the images my clients send me!
TRIM THAT’S DARKER THAN THE HOUSE COLOR
If you’re creating a new exterior palette and plan on painting your trim darker than your siding or stucco, that’s cool beans with me. Make sure the undertones jibe. Also, some of the gentler off-whites can look a bit more like white than off-white in brighter light (this is even more likely when they don’t have white trim to contrast with).
Now, without further adooooo, let’s find the huuuuue for yooooou.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EGRET WHITE 7570
Egret White is badass and beautiful. With its LRV of 70. While the off-white world starts closer to 74, because exterior colors can look 1-2 tones lighter than expected, it’s a great choice, winking discreetly at the off-white world.
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
Never, ever choose a paint color without comparing it to similar shades. You never know what a small change in temperature, undertones, or depth can do for your home!
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, which is a bit lighter (it’s #2, so you’ll see it shortly)
- Sherwin Williams City Loft is gorgeous and great when you need just a bit more undertone
- Sherwin-Williams Modern Gray (#13, so you’ll see it shortly) is similar, but offers a slightly calmer, warmer, more grounded approach.
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Egret White
2. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY 1548
Classic Gray is a gorgeous, warm, off-white gray-taupe exterior paint color. That’s a lot of words. It’s warm. It’s off-white, between the gray and taupe worlds, often leaning into its warmth (taupe) on the exterior.
As for depth, Classic Gray’s LRV is 73.67, making it an off-white.
COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray | Sherwin Williams White Snow trim
99.5% of the photos in my blog are of REAL HOMES from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends. While not always magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas and proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.
3. BENJAMIN MOORE PALE OAK OC-20
Pale Oak is a popular taupe exterior paint color. While some fear its pink undertone, many are pleasantly surprised at how well it suits their exterior finishes.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Pale Oak…
COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist offers a touch more gray, depth, and undertone
- Sherwin Williams City Loft is gorgeous and subtle
- Sherwin Williams Egret White (#1 above), absolutely
Colors like those will give you a look similar to these…
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AESTHETIC WHITE 7035
I love Aesthetic White on interior walls (I just painted many of my rooms this color), and it’s just as gorgeous on exteriors.
Aesthetic White is like a beige with a TON of gray. While this can show up more on the interior, it tends to lean into its warmth on exteriors. As for depth, its LRV is 73, which puts it between off-white and light.
My next Online Color client hired me after they chose their own colors and weren’t happy…
However, they wanted to keep the gray color and the trim. They wanted me to fix the dark brown shakes. And what do you know, a darkened Aesthetic White did the trick…
The Best White Exterior Trim Colors
This next image shows samples of Aesthetic White (#2) and Accessible Beige (#1), which we’ll be looking at shortly…
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White
While you’ll see colors to sample and compare throughout, I highly suggest checking out my CURATED, Warm Off-White Color Bundle, which contains many of the colors mentioned here, along with a few more – stop guessing & start sampling!
5. BENJAMIN MOORE BALLET WHITE OC-9
Ballet White is a classic. This off-white (almost light) cream has a ton of gray calming it, leaving you with a pretty, classic type of warmth. However, if you’re super sensitive to cream (yellow), sample carefully and always compare it to similar shades – who knows what you and your home will fall in love with!
This next mid-century, split-level home looked drab and dated in its pinkish brick…
After, it’s timeless and classic, clad in Ballet White…
COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Ballet White
On this next gorgeous Colonial-style home, note how they used Ballet White on the siding and trim for a more seamless look…
The Best Paint Colors for Shutters & Brick Exterior
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
Ballet White is gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do a little tweakin’ (which is different from a little twerkin’).
- Sherwin Williams Shoji White and White Duck are great alternatives (they’re coming up next!)
- I might also sample at Edgecomb Gray (coming up), which offers a bit more depth and a touch less warmth.
Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting.
6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SHOJI WHITE 7042
Shoji White is madly popular in interiors right now, and I bet many homeowners will choose it for their exteriors as a result. Which is great, by the way.
Here’s Shoji White on the trims and beams with a gorgeous green siding color…
Shoji White is an off-white paint color with a creamy vibe tempered by a bit of taupe.
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Shoji White
Your home’s brick, stone, roof, and even the driveway or pathway play a part in choosing your best paint color. Be sure to LISTEN to your home and the colors it leans into!
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
As for colors to compare with Shoji White (you should ALWAYS compare other shades), check out…
- Benjamin Moore Ballet White (#5)
- Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White (#4)
- Sherwin Williams White Duck – up next!
7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS WHITE DUCK 7010
White Duck is the kissin’ cousin to Shoji White (I don’t recommend kissing your cousin, but you should sample both of these). It has that same creamish base, but rather than taupe, it can pick up a slightly gray-greige. That said, on exteriors, it’s a great way to get a creamy look without an overbearing yellow.
Check out this next little gem…
And after…
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams White Duck
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
Never choose a paint color without comparing it to similar shades. Often, a small tweak in undertones, depth, or temperature makes one a better choice than the other!
- Sherwin Williams Shoji White fo sho (#6 above)
- Benjamin Moore Ballet White (#5)
- Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White (#4)
Again, you can get these samples and more in this CURATED Peel & Stick COLOR BUNDLE.
8. BENJAMIN MOORE SEA PEARL OC-19
While I don’t always trust Sea Pearl as it can be a bit unpredictable, daaaang, it sure can look gorgeous on an exterior.
The Best Front Door Paint Colors
While Sea Pearl often picks up a vague taupe-pink undertone, it can also lean much warmer and cream-tan in direct sunshine. Its LRV is 76.53, which is about as light as I’d go.
SERIOUSLY, look at the difference between the previous home and this next home – OH, the glory of sunshine!
The Best Off-White Paint Colors
Here’s a different CURATED Taupe Color Bundle to explore, full of gorgeous, subtle taupes – stop guessing & start sampling!
9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PACER WHITE 6098
Pacer White is an interesting blend of warm neutrals. Slightly beige, a bit of taupe, but all wrapped up in a muted base, so it’s not super colorful.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Pacer White…
With an LRV of 73, Pacer White is the perfect off-white for some of those trickier exterior finishes (that need a touch of pink).
The Best Modern, Beige & Tan Paint Colors
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
While Pacer White might be close to what you need, a small adjustment could make all the difference. Check out these alternatives…
- Sherwin Williams Reliable White is gorgeous
- Sherwin Williams Kestrel White offers a bit more taupe and a slightly more grounded look
- For more brightness and less gray, Benjamin Moore Maritime White is beautiful
- If you find yourself craving a bit more cream, Benjamin Moore Ballet White (#5) will swing things for you
Here’s Ballet White. Comparing it to a white paper helps you better understand its overall intentions…
10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PEARLY WHITE 7009
If you want a ‘lighter, almost white home look’ without entering the white world, Pearly White is a gorgeous option.
This soft, off-white paint color has a creamy backdrop, but unlike traditional creams, it’s not remotely obnoxious or overly yellow thanks to a gray undercurrent. However, it IS cream, so it does have a yellow base (you can’t get cream without yellow!).
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Pearly White
With its LRV of 77, Pearly White is like a glorified, soft, creamy white, but with a lower degree of light reflectance.
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
If Pearly White is more what you’re looking for, here are some alternatives…
- The previously discussed Shoji White and White Duck (#6 and #7)
- Sherwin Williams Creamy (although it’s lighter)
- Benjamin Moore Dove Wing (#12 below))
- Sherwin Williams Natural Choice (SW site)
Here’s another look at White Duck…
For more exterior fun, check out my round-up style blog posts: The Best Front Door & Shutter Colors and The Best Exterior Trim, Soffit, & Garage Door Colors
11. BENJAMIN MOORE SAIL CLOTH
While Sail Cloth doesn’t get used nearly enough, it’s a great choice for those who want to politely wink at the traditional cream world with a touch of beige to hold things back (from leaning more yellow).
While we didn’t choose Sail Cloth for the stucco on this next home, it’s easy to see how gorgeous it is on the shutters and trims (it’s like I know what I’m doing, or something).
Sail Cloth has an LRV of 71.54, so it has a bit more depth than many of the previous colors.
And there are some fabulous colors to compare and sample with Sail Cloth, to see if a tweak makes things even better…
- Benjamin Moore Ballet White (#5 above) is similar, but doesn’t have the same touch of beige.
- If you find it a bit too creamy, Sherwin Williams Moderate White offers a bit more beige (orange)
- Benjamin Moore Maritime White is a great comparison for Sail Cloth
12. BENJAMIN MOORE DOVE WING OC-18
Dove Wing is by far one of the gentler shades on this page. Just a few steps away from white Dove Wing has a soft, creamy warmth.
While this next image isn’t Dove Wing, it has a similar softness with a bit less warmth…
The Best Front Door Paint Colors (I’m obsessed with the green-gray we chose!)
With an LRV of 77.52, Dove Wing is also a great choice if you want to paint your siding/stucco and trim the same color.
COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE
- Sherwin Williams Pearly White is a non-negotiable – you have to compare these two (#10). And yes, I am a bossy lil’ thing.
- If you’re curious…check out Benjamin Moore White Dove, which bumps you up to the soft white world.
- Even thought their LRVs are a bit lower, compare Dove Wing with Sherwin Williams White Duck and Shoji White (#6 and #7)
The Best White Exterior Paint Color
13. SHERWIN WILLIAMS MODERN GRAY 7632
As mentioned waaaay back, Modern Gray is a beautiful, grounded exterior house color. With a beige-taupe blend, it offers warmth without leaning too hard into beige or tan.
Modern Gray really is a modern approach to gray… because it’s not gray.
While the difference between Egret White and Modern Gray might seem subtle, trust the lil’ Ginger, that shift can make all the difference on your home’s exterior…
REVIEWS: SW Comfort Gray | SW Requisite Gray | SW Versatile Gray
I threw Modern Gray in last because, unlike the others, it has a lower LRV of 62. This means it’s in the light world.
COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Modern Gray
If you like Modern Gray’s depth, looks… well, do I have a surprise for you…
SLIGHTLY DARKER, BUT STILL ‘LIGHT’ EXTERIOR COLORS
- Are the above colors contrasting with your white trim as you hoped?
- Do you need a color that stands up to direct sun a bit better?
The Best Light Exterior Paint Colors
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Even if you found your perfect paint color, you might learn something new with these questions and answers…
WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR OFF-WHITE EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
Strangely enough, Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl is a top choice with homeowners. Personally, I don’t always trust its undertones, but for some reason, y’all love it!
I’m more likely to recommend a color like Sherwin Williams Egret White or Shoji White.
WHAT OFF-WHITE EXTERIOR COLORS DON’T LOOK YELLOW
As far as neutrals go, the closer you are to gray, the less chance you have of yellow. However, not everyone wants a gray home.
I recommend starting with off-white and light taupe paint colors, as their undertones offer warmth, but avoid cream (knowing your exposure can do wild things to well-intentioned colors).
QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)
- The best off-white exterior paint colors have LRVs between approximately 70 and 77.
- Compare a range of samples to your stone, brick, roof, windows, and landscaping to see which coordinates.
READ MORE
The Best White Exterior Trim Colors
How to Choose An Exterior Paint Color: 5 Steps
How Exposures Affect Exterior Paint Colors
The Best Colors for Gutters & Soffits
What Color Should Your Garage Door Be?
Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting.
