Guide to White Paint Undertones: Choosing the Perfect Shade
When trying to figure out white paint undertones you will usually read words like cream, off white and ivory. This post is going to show you some differences and examples of paint colors included in each category.
The undertone of white paint is a preference for every person. We each see the colors differently and have a vision of what white paint works best in our home. The determining factor in the best white for you home depends on the rest of your decor.
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Why White Paint Isn’t Just “White”
Many people assume that choosing white paint is simple—just pick a white and go. However, white paint comes in a vast range of shades, each with subtle undertones that can dramatically affect the overall feel of a space. Some whites have warm, creamy hints, while others lean cool and crisp. Understanding these nuances is key to finding the right white for your home.
The below photo is from our bathroom remodel, I used Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White.
Whitest Paint Colors
Each paint brand has a white that is considered the brightest white they offer. As you can see from the listed LRV numbers below, BEHR has the lightest white of the three.
- BEHR Ultra Pure White (LRV 94)
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (LRV 93)
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (LRV 90.04)
A few years back when our kids were in college we took the time to completely paint the entire upstairs. We painted the walls, ceilings, and trim. I never got around to painting the doors. See more of the white bedroom makeover and white and mauve bathroom makeover.
I choose BEHR Ultra Pure White. I wanted a clean slate and to see it all fresh. That was a big mistake. It took 3-4 coats of paint. That is with a primer painted on first. White paint is so hard to cover. You can see through it so easily.
Then I continued to use ultra pure white downstairs because I felt like I had committed. Then I stopped. For me, it’s too white for others it’s perfect. Knowing what white undertone you like is super important.
Undertones of White Paint
- White: purest, bright shade
- Off White: slightly tinted white with subtle color
- Cream: strongest yellow undertone
- Ivory: softer yellow or beige
Among these colors of white there will be warm and cool versions too. Cream and Ivory are going to be on the warmer side while pure white will be cool, off whites can be both.
Warm and Cool Undertones
- red undertone
- orange undertone
- yellow undertone
- blue undertone
- green undertone
- purple undertone
The undertones in paint can become more pronounced based on other factors in the room. Whether you have little or lots of natural daylight, the type of light bulbs you use, and the stain color of the floor.
Importance of Undertones in Selecting the Right Shade
Undertones are the hidden hues within white paint that become more apparent depending on lighting and surrounding colors. A white with yellow or beige undertones can create a warm, inviting atmosphere, while a white with blue or gray undertones feels cool and modern. Choosing the wrong undertone can make a room feel too stark, dingy, or mismatched with your decor.
Paint colors are given an LRV (light reflective value) number with 100 being highest and whitest. As far as interior paint goes the LRV only goes to roughly 94. A 100 would basically be the white of this computer screen and you do not want that color on your walls.
For this article I will show examples from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and BEHR.
White Paint Color Comparisons
Cream
- BEHR: Swiss Coffee LRV 84
- SW: Dover White LRV 83
- BM: Timid White LRV 82.45
Off White
- BEHR: Frost LRV 87
- SW: Greek Villa LRV 84
- BM: White Dove 83.16
Ivory
- BEHR: Whisper White LRV 89
- SW: Whitetail LRV 86
- BM: Simply White 89.52
Factors That Influence How White Paint Looks in a Space
Several factors affect how white paint appears in your home:
- Natural Light: North-facing rooms tend to bring out cool tones, while south-facing rooms enhance warm undertones.
- Artificial Light: LED, incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs all alter how white paint is perceived. Warm bulbs enhance creamy whites, while cool bulbs intensify blue undertones.
- Surrounding Colors: Nearby furniture, flooring, and decor can either neutralize or amplify undertones.
- Sheen & Finish: The same white can look different in matte, satin, or gloss finishes due to how light reflects off the surface.
Don’t skip this step!
The number one way to guarantee you get a paint color that misses the mark, is to skip the sample step. Don’t make that mistake.
Be sure to sample your paint colors.
Learning how to paint a room myself has been a great blessing to me. I can affordably change a paint color whenever I feel like doing the work.