Painting Your Home? 6 Show Stopping Whites That Deliver

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A question we get asked time and time again is, “What color white is that?”  Most people need help finding the correct white that becomes the perfect backdrop for a manicured green yard or aged copper lighting. Architectural details take center stage when your white home exterior paint is the correct shade.  Therefore, we have selected 6 show stopping whites that deliver every time!

There are a trillion whites to choose from and you want to make sure you get it right! Whites vary so much depending on the landscape, time of day, undertones, what they’re paired with, and the colors they reflect around the house. That said, whites aren’t as simple and neutral as they appear.

Let’s talk warm and cool…

Warm whites have an off white tone, more cream or ivory looking.  Warm whites pair well with wood and stone. Cool whites have a more blue or gray undertone.  Cool whites are used more often on contemporary homes.  Helpful to know on home exteriors… you don’t mix cool and warm paint colors.  Once you figure out your fixed elements, what’s permanently around and not being painted, you may decide if you need a warm or cool white.  

Not in any particular order… these rank as our top contenders for SHOW STOPPING WHITES:

NAVAJO WHITE:

Navajo White by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful contender when considering painting your house white. “Think melted vanilla ice cream. Its cream undertone makes it the perfect white for a country house and warm, naturally-lit spaces. You can do a whole room in Navajo White and it stands alone and gives it a soul.” – Alexandra Champalimaud

SEAPEARL:

Seapearl by Benjamin Moore has been a brick&batten favorite! If you forget everything you know about whites, don’t forget Seapearl.  It is a go to color with a hint of gray that delivers time and time again. 

WHITE DOVE:

White Dove by Benjamin Moore is number 3 on our list of show stopping whites.  It delivers as a crisp white without being too cool.  With a higher reflective value, White Dove is known to do best in urban locations or those with more an overcast sky.

OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS:

Olympic Mountains by Benjamin Moore is a brighter beige with some gray undertones. It’s light, warm, and fresh and because of this could be used on your whole house, inside and outside.

We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.

SWISS COFFEE:

Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore is considered a neutral shade. It puts off a tranquil vibe that makes it easy to use in a variety of situations and house styles.

ALABASTER:

Alabaster by Sherwin Williams was a 2016 color of the year, and we can see why it’s still being used almost 3 years later. It has a warmer undertone… not to be confused with Alabaster by Benjamin Moore, with a slightly pink undertone. On a home’s exterior it may appear brighter, making it the perfect choice for a farmhouse look.

So, when asked, “What color white is that?” we have our favorites. Depending on your fixed elements, these whites deliver time and time again, creating a timeless home exterior. Remember, it’s just as easy to paint your house the right color as the wrong color. Reach out to brick&batten for a virtual exterior house design and see before you commit. Get started here.

Author

Cassie co-founded brick&batten in 2017 with her sister, Alli, but her love of home design was born years earlier. Cassie’s passion for design can be traced back to her childhood, when she’d accompany her parents on road trips through small towns in search of inspiration for properties they would buy, fix up, and sell. Prior to launching brick&batten, Cassie worked as a fourth grade teacher, but her love of design, architecture, home renovation, and open houses inspired her to pursue a new career. When writing for brick&batten, Cassie aims to empower homeowners to make the best informed decisions for their property. She knows from experience how challenging home renovation can be, and when she writes, she puts herself in the shoes of every homeowner with similar frustrations. Cassie currently lives in Florida with her four children, an old dog, and her loving husband. When she’s not working, Cassie is most likely checking out a nearby open house or traveling to learn about the latest house trends.