Which Two White Paint Colors Go Together?
WHICH DIFFERENT SHADES OF WHITE SUIT EACH OTHER?
When painting more than one surface white, such as trims, walls, and cabinets, it can be tempting to do ye ole mix n’ match. However, more so than other colors, white is tricky.
It’s easy to make a hot mess of it with whites, with their varying undertones, temperatures, and depths. This is why, with some exceptions, if you’re painting more than one surface white, you could/should use the same white on both (I’ve written a blog post on this, linked at the end of this one).
Why?
When painting something white, the goal is usually to have it look, well, white.
However, once you partner different shades, one will expose the undertones in another. So, while the SAME WHITE on walls and trims can look more or less white, if you put a brighter white on your trim only, your walls might look CREAM, DINGY, or GRAY in comparison.
Why?
You ask a lot of questions – I like that about you. Sometimes, a white paint color’s actual depth and undertones are only noticeable when compared to a DIFFERENT white.
Now, some people want this look, which is why I wrote this blog post. However, not everyone realizes what happens when you partner different shades of white together. If you want BOTH shades to look white, I highly suggest using the same color on ALL surfaces.
And yes, I love using ALL CAPS as I talk with emphasis in real life too.
Let the shift in sheen between surfaces do the work for you.
ALL of these white surfaces are White Dove
Before we dive in, did you know that there are 5 DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHITE? That’s right, five. And not all pair well together, so when making a color palette with two different whites, here are some tips and guidelines…
- For a more noticeable difference between your shades of white, aim for approximately 3+ LRV points between the two. Any less, and I wouldn’t bother (although you can). If you don’t know what LRV is, get ready to have your brain explode with excitement and awe after reading this.
- Pay attention to undertones. In particular, don’t pair a cool white with a warm white.
- TRUE whites are the most versatile – especially Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, although Sherwin Williams Extra White does the job here and there, as does White Snow.
Look at that pretty shift between the wall and the trim!
And most importantly…
The brighter white, the one with the higher LRV, should ALWAYS be on the trim (or cabinets). The darker shade of white needs to be the wall color.
Are there exceptions? Nope, not really, unless you want your cabinets or trims to look dingy or yellow compared to your walls. Check out this next photo as a GREAT example…
I could say more, but I’m pretty sure that image says it all.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EXTRA WHITE & ALABASTER
Oh, these two are in a PASSIONATE love affair. But there’s one very important detail in their relationship…Extra White MUST be the trim/cabinet color; Alabaster must be the wall color. You can’t reverse this, or you’ll end up with yellow trim/cabinets against your Extra White walls.
Extra White and Alabaster pair well together because, while Extra White as a wall color can be cool, as a trim or cabinet color (thanks to the formulation of these paints), it leans slightly warm. This bit of warmth coordinates with Alabaster and its soft, creamy white warmth quite well.
The Best Paint Colors with Dark Wood
In the above photo, notice how beautifully warm the walls look. This happens when you partner a warm white like Alabaster with a BRIGHTER white like Extra White. If you love Alabaster but don’t want it to look this creamy, it’s best to use it on the trims, doors, and walls as…
If it’s not being directly compared to a brighter white – it will act more like white.
Alabaster has an LRV of 82, so it’s on the very low end of the LRV range for the white group. Extra White has an LRV of 86, so you’ve got a nice 4-point spread there.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster: IMAGES, Info, & More
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Extra White
2. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE & OXFORD WHITE
This is another example of whites that go together. White Dove is a soft, warm white – not as creamy as Alabaster, but still a gentler approach than the brighter whites. Oxford White isn’t as soft as the usual bunch, but it doesn’t quite hit the bright end either, thanks to its LRV of 86. This offers a subtle shift from White Dove’s LRV of 83.
The Best Creamy White & Off-White Paint Colors
Oxford White does a good job of not overexposing White Dove’s warmth, and more so than the previous combo, the overall palette still reads like two (soft) shades of white. However, this can change a bit depending on the lighting (or lack of)…
I rely on my Online Color Consulting clients for their photos (AND LOVE THEM FOR DOING SO!), so I don’t always have the clearest or largest photos to work with. All the same, the above staircase shows White Dove leaning more into its creamy roots against the brighter Oxford White trim and railing.
This next photo gives a larger, decent shot of the White Dove and Oxford White palette in action…
Benjamin Moore White Dove: IMAGES, Info, & More
Benjamin Moore Oxford White: IMAGES, Info, & More
3. BENJAMIN MOORE CHANTILLY LACE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS GREEK VILLA
Chantilly Lace is amazing and goes with a wide range of white paint colors, as long as it’s the trim (or cabinets). In this example, Chantilly Lace is on the trim and built-ins, Greek Villa is on the walls…
To say I’m obsessed with the above living room would be an understatement. My client did so well with her furnishings and home decor – the accent colors are on point, and so are her colors!
Notice how warm and soft the Greek Villa walls look compared to the brighter white of the Chantilly Lace built-ins – Greek Villa ALMOST looks like a subtle shade of cream!
This is the contrast I’m talking about, whereas one white will expose the warmth and undertones in another.
Greek Villa has an LRV of 86 to Chantilly Lace’s 90, so there’s a decent spread there.
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa: IMAGES, Info, & More!
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER & PURE WHITE
While they barely make the cut, Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Pure White can look good together, as shown in this charming kitchen with beautiful wood cabinets…
You can see Alabaster’s creamy warmth on the walls, with Pure White’s slightly cleaner look on the trim and shiplap ceiling.
All the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas & proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.
Here’s another shot of Alabaster and Pure White together in a mudroom..
Why do they JUST barely work together? There are two reasons…
- Their LRVs are relatively close, with Alabaster at 82 and Pure White at 84, so there isn’t much difference in depth.
- Alabaster would prefer a white that’s a bit lighter and warmer than Pure White. Alternatively, Pure White would prefer a white with a touch less warmth.
But at the end of the day, they work!
Sherwin Williams Alabaster: IMAGES, Info, & More
Sherwin Williams Pure White: IMAGES, Info, & More
5. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE & SIMPLY WHITE
White Dove and Simply White can be gorgeous in a palette together, AS LONG AS Simply White is on the trim and cabinets and White Dove is on the walls. Again, the white with the higher LRV needs to be on trims/cabinets, or the flow will be off.
White Dove walls AND trim (Simply White isn’t shown here)
Simply White is a brighter shade of white with a yellow undertone. White Dove is a softer white with a yellow-creamy undertone. And while Simply White is a bit cleaner, it’s a pretty partner for White Dove walls to butt up to.
If you like this look, you might also check out Benjamin Moore Cloud White with Simply White.
Benjamin Moore Simply White: IMAGES, Info, & More
Benjamin Moore White Dove: IMAGES, Info, & More
6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GREEK VILLA & EXTRA WHITE
Greek Villa is a popular, soft, warm white, and found a great partner with Sherwin Williams Extra White.
Because you want the brighter of the two on the trims (or cabinets), Extra White goes on the trim, Greek Villa on the walls. While I’d prefer more of an LRV spread between two whites, for those of you who love varying shades of white, it’s worth a go.
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa: IMAGES, Info, & More
Sherwin Williams Extra White Color Review
WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TO GO WITH OTHER WHITES?
If you’re attempting a self-made combo, don’t go all willy-nilly, or you could have a hot mess on your hands. Start with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace as the white for your trims or cabinets. Sure, you can dabble with Sherwin Williams White Snow and Sherwin Williams Extra White, but I recommend starting your color journey with Chantilly Lace – and NOT just because she has a pretty face.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace: IMAGES, Info, & More
Chantilly Lace is a classic beauty
Now, I’m sure I’ll get comments about this white vs. that white. Here’s the thing: I happily offer TONS of free info in my blog. If that’s not enough for your needs, please consider hiring me via my Online Color Consulting!
And here’s that as-promised blog post on matching whites…
White Trims, Cabinets, & Walls: Do They Need to Match?
READ MORE
The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors
5 ALMOST Fool-Proof Shades of White
The 5 Types of White Paint Colors
The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
LET ME CHOOSE YOUR COLORS FOR YOU!
Check out my Online Color Consulting packages.
This post is incredibly helpful! 🙂
Are you still a fan of SW Pure White? Some of your posts make me think you changed your mind Amy
I LOVE PURE WHITE so much – it TOTALLy depends on the colors/finishes that are around it. It’s usually Pure White or BM White Dove for me 🙂
What type of white would you pair with BM edgecomb grey at 75% strength?
I’d check out Sherwin Williams Pure White or BM Chantilly Lace 🙂
What would you suggest if the trim and ceilings in a home is antique white. What color would you suggest for wall colors. Currently, it appears the walls appear to be a similar color (not sure what color) as well. I want to make changes, but not sure what to do….
Hi Elaina, I coudl go on and on, but this blog post will do it all for you! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-16-best-wall-colours-for-cream-cabinets-trim/
Have you ever tried BM Paper White pairing with SW Extra White?
Paper White test boards seem to enjoy Extra White’s cool vibe for a modern space. The 12 point LRV contrast has Paper White reading a super light gray. I’m leaning toward… Ceiling: Extra White -> Walls: Paper White -> Trim: Extra White
I’ve also considered Chantilly Lace for the trim but as you mentioned in caps, that will likely be too many whites. Unless it’s worth the risk to have Paper White really sand out against the trim. Any other white- barely there – grays that would work with Extra White?
So, the awesome thing about Paper White is that it has an LRV of 74, so it’s more of an off-white than a white, which makes it WAY EASIER to partner with white trim and ceilings! Now, the tricky thing with Extra White is that its formulation changes a bit between wall paint and trim paint. SOMETIMES, it look a touch warmer/softer on trims/cabinets because the BASE is warm (what’s in the paint can before they even make a color). Whereas the wall base doesn’t have that warmth. This makes it really hard to predict what it will do. I kept seeing this, and finally talked with an SW rep and they confirmed this inconsistency. PERSONALLY…I’d go for Chantilly Lace for predictability.
However, whether Extra White reads that touch cool or a tiny wink warm, it should still be SUPER pretty with Paper White. So if you’re okay with that, and you love it – you’re good to go!
For a new wall color with Extra White that’s similar? That’s tough. Paper White harbors blue-green undertones. To shift a touch more blue, SW Ice Cube is awesome. I have a dude client who did his whole home this (walls/trims/ceilings) and he LOVES IT! It kind of acts like white UNTIL you partner it with an ‘actual white’. Once it has a bright white trim, you see its COLOR. So you can either do Extra White trim or just or the same color everywhere.
Can you pair pure white trim and Greek villa on walls?
I personally wouldn’t, just because Greek Villa is cleaner/more yellow AND whiter than Pure White – Pure White could look off and dingy in comparison.
What would you pair SW pure white with if you wanted a bit of contrast? I do not want anything to look yellow.
Hi Kylie,
Thoughts on Distant Gray and Super White together? Distant Gray would be on the cabinets and super white would be on the walls.
I wouldn’t. They’re both in the white world and Distant Gray is more clean/crisp/blue than Super White. I would be more inclined to use Super White on both.
Hi Kylie,
Thoughts on Chantilly Lace for trim and cabinets with White Dove for walls. Considering Oyster Bay for a contrasting kitchen island.
Thank you!
You caaaan, but keep in mind that Chantilly Lace will make White Dove look that bit more yellow/cream in comparison.
Hello,
Thank you for all the great color education. My contractor mistakenly painted most of the house (including ceilings) White Dove instead of White Duck. If the ceilings were left as White Dove, would that go with walls re-done in White Duck?
Thank you again –
You betcha!
My walls and trim are SW Pure White. My trim looks more yellow. Have you noticed that with Pure White?
Amy, I just painted SW pure white on walls and trim and have the same issue. We used SW Emerald wall paint in a matte finish and the Emerald trim paint in Satin (trim doesn’t come in a matte finish). What products and sheen did you use?
I know the finish can change the appearance of the color, but this doesn’t look great.
We have a ton of natural light that comes in from multiple directions throughout our home (open concept, along with same rooms with different facing windows) so, we definitely had our challenges finding a color. Thats why in the end we chose pure white. Now we have a more yellowish trim than the walls.
Kylie, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!
Yeaaaaah, I’ve heard of this happening and it happened ONCE to me. Some paint lines seem to be pretty compatible, whereas others, even within the same BRAND can tweak a color a tiny bit i.e., from wall paint to trim paint. I had this happen with BM White Dove with the Regal matte and I think it was Advance satin. I tried it with ScuffX eggshell and the match was perfect.
Paint bases come with different ingredients (the can that’s sitting on the shelf, waiting to be ‘made into a color’). This means that sometimes, the bases have a subtle tweak to them that makes them react to colors differently. I WISH…the paint companies could fix/account for this, and with all the technology out there, they SHOULD be able to.
It’s not often, again, but it DOES happen. AND IT’S FRUSTRATING!
Thank you so much for responding! Over the last several months I’ve read your blog and enjoy reading it.
Thankfully we were only in the testing phase of the project.
In your experience, what line of paint in SW Pure White has worked best in your opinion? I’d love to keep a matte for walls and satin for trim if possible. I called SW and the base color is the same (extra white). Have you worked with Duration in matte (tends to have a bit more sheen than the normal matte finish) for walls and pair it with the SW Emerald trim or SW ProClassic trim paint in satin? I was also going to use Pure White for the ceiling.. .SW 400.
Open to all suggestions 😃 whether it be different SW lineup or color. Again, thank you!
Love your detailed reviews and tons of examples. I definitely want pure white walls but I’m leaning toward simply white for trim and doors. Having said that I’m also replacing some kitchen cabinets with home depot brand “white” that u don’t want to repaint for cost reasons. Am I better off trying to color match the cabinets for doors and trim and then adjust walls accordingly? Thanks so much!
DaveNate
Hey Dave! If it were me, I’d be trying to match the Home Depot white. It can be SO hard to mix and match whites. I’d love to tell you that one is a sure winner. I mean, off the top, Simply White is usually too yellow. Pure White is often a good partner to a wide range of whites, or BM Chantilly Lace if the cabinets are a bit brighter. BUT…one white so easily makes another look more yellow/dingy/violet/etc… in comparison. Looong story short, I’d stick with the HD white to play it safe.
My trim is decorators white in my home. I love it, don’t plan to change it.
I am considering painting our guest bedroom a white which is a departure from other rooms in our home (we have a combination of Stonington Grey, Coventry Grey, Soot, Gentlemen’s Grey and Hale Navy)- Yes I sill love Grey but it needs to be done right.
Would Paper White go with Decorator’s white- I have been struggling to find a white that works with decorator’s white.
Wellll, there’s a reason you’re struggling to find a coordinating white. Decorators White is quite a soft white with some gray-violet in it. The only white it will REALLY love on the walls is itself! There are ‘whiter whites’ (Chantilly Lace), but this can make your trim look more violet in comparison :).
My trim is antique white. The walls are a very similar color as well. I want to change the wall color, but not necessarily paint the trim. I would like a grey color, but struggle with what to pick. Would you suggest painting the trim white or sticking with the antique white?
Hi Kylie! Would you pair Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa on walls with High Reflective White for trim and cabinets? If not, is there a Sherwin-Williams white trim color you would recommend? Thanks!
WEllll, if it were me, I would stick with Greek Villa on the trims so that I kept it as white looking as possible. As soon as it’s partnered with a brighter white, it will look that bit more creamy-yellow 🙂
What are your thoughts on using the same white for both walls and trim? (Thinking of the Chantilly Lace)
Absolutely!
My walls are alabaster and I’m struggling to pick a white for the upper cabinets (I don’t want too white to avoid the sterile look) the lower cabinets will be maple with a very light stain.
Would Chantilly lace be okay?
It depends on teh look you want! If you want your walls to stay looking like a soft warm white, I recommend doing the cabinets Alabaster as well. Chantilly Lace is a pretty bright white that could work, but it will make Alabaster look that bit more ‘yellow-cream’ in comparison and your cabinets will look reasonably bright ‘white’. If you want a brighter look, you might check out SW White Snow too.
My kitchen with orange/yellow maple cabinets and maple floor has white dove walls and trim. It’s time for me to touch up the trim and I would prefer to use Sherwin Williams’ urethane paint to do so. Is there a SW white that goes with white dove? Thank you!
You know, it can be hard enough to touch up trim with the ACTUAL color (as paint changes over time), nevermind a new brand/color. I wouldn’t do it, or you could end up with a super blotchy look.
I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. When I said touch up I meant repaint the entire trim because it needs it. Thanks so much.
My kitchen cabinets uppers are high, reflective white, and lowers, similar to hale navy. I have a subway tile backsplash with an Ethereal Glow quartz countertop. Based on your guidance, I will paint the trim to match the cabinets.
My wall color dilemma is that the kitchen and family room have only a thigh high wall between them which I may remove. The family room has burgundy furniture, a river rock fireplace and navy, cream and burgundy rug.
With an eastern exposure, I considered Simply White but worried that HRW will make Simply white read too yellow. Cheviot and White Snow are considerations too. My painter wants to paint on Thursday. Any feedback is appreciated, and thank you!
Hi, Struggling to find a warm white for walls and ceiling for my whole home. My cabinets and trim will be a medium/ dark cherry stain. ( mission shade) I have a lot of natural light throughout home. I don’t care for grays or stark white at all. I would like a warm white for walls and something to coordinate for ceiling that is also warm but a little less warm than walls?Any thoughts for me? Or would you recommend using the same warm white shade for both? Any thoughts?
Hey Sara, I almost always recommend sticking with the same white for flow and consistency, definitely. I also love BM White Dove for a subtle muted warmth :).
Can you do pure white wall and trim/ ceiling / door with kitchen cab that are more of an extra white color ?
Oooo, I’d be careful, I would worry about Pure White looking a bit dingy/dirty in comparison 🙂