Our Review of Cloud White by Benjamin Moore

By:

Our show of love for white paint continues as we review another great choice for exteriors, Cloud White by Benjamin Moore. Reminiscent of vapor clouds, this white creates a calm retreat in many different settings. Our design experts at brick&batten love Cloud White for its versatility and warmth. Keep reading to be inspired and learn more about Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White.

With so many white paint colors to choose from, let us save you some time. Our designers at brick&batten are knowledgable, experienced, and happy to help! Not only will we recommend paint color(s) for your property, we also provide recommendations for windows, siding, lighting, and more! Learn more about what we do.

White mid century rancher with wood accents and black garage door

Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White: The Specs

Cloud White has an LRV of 87.35, which means it’s highly reflective for exteriors and is getting quite close to a pure white. However, it is still considered an “off-white” because of its yellow undertones. (Wondering what LRV is? Learn more here, including why LRV is so important to keep in mind when choosing the perfect paint color for your home.)

Although Cloud White does read creamy, its LRV is high enough that in shady areas it should still reflect enough light to be bright, without being too yellow or too stark.

Modern white traditional home with charcoal gray metal roof and black window panes

Recommended Applications for Cloud White

Like many other whites, Cloud White is versatile. We’ve designed all sorts of homes using this hue: cottages, traditional-style homes, mid-century modern ranchers, and more. Our designers at brick&batten believe Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White works as an accent color just as well as it does a main color, further widening the possibilities for its use.

White and blue-gray beach front multiple story home

Cloud White Paint Color Pairings

One of the best parts of Cloud White is that it complements many other colors. The above photo shows Cloud White with Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray on a fresh and inviting beach house. This color combo is perfect for coastal home retreats! Even as a warm white, Cloud White’s versatility can be paired with both cooler colors and warm tones — like the wood garage and entry doors here.

gray home with white trim and a peach-colored front door

The examples above and below show how Cloud White shines as an accent color. Above, Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray is used as the central color, with Cloud White on the trim and Sherwin Williams’ Peach Fuzz for a fun pop of color on the door. The outcome is full of charm, and the use of Cloud White around the door helps the coral color to stand out.

Don’t forget how important the front door is when it comes to first impressions! Check out this post on how you can create instant curb appeal with just a little bit of paint.

off white cottage with copper gutters and sandstone walkway

The central color (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore) on the beautiful Cape Cod above was brightened with the use of Cloud White on the portico. It’s a subtle contrast, but just enough to prevent the façade from feeling one-note.

slate blue split level home with wood accents and black garage door

Looking for something a little more moody? Cloud White can also be paired with striking dark colors like Benjamin Moore’s Deep River above. This color palette is perfect for a lake or mountain home. Here, Cloud White complements the deep tones among the trees and other natural surroundings. Add in wood accents, and you’ve got yourself a dream home!

Check out this earlier blog post for more dark exterior paint ideas.

modern white farmhouse with metal roof and large porch with wood columns

Pros & Cons of Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White

PROS:

  • Beautiful as a main or accent color
  • Its versatility lets it shine on many home styles
  • Pairs well with a variety of colors

CONS:

  • The high LRV may cause Cloud White to be too bright for some environments
  • The yellow undertones can be strong next to a stark white, so keep this in mind when choosing trim color
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.

Alternatives to Cloud White

There are hundreds of white paint colors to consider. If you’re looking to narrow those choices down, we’ve got you covered! Below we’ve included a few choices that are similar to Cloud White in regard to LRV and undertones. Either of these whites would be fabulous choices and offer the same versatility as Cloud White.

Benjamin Moore’s White Dove

A slightly warmer white paint with an LRV of 85.38, White Dove is a great choice for a trim and accent color or as the central color for a shaded home. Because its LRV is a couple points lower than Cloud White, it reads softer. However, White Dove’s reflective value is high enough that its use should be thoughtfully planned.

Modern white bungalow with wood stained front door and dark gray garage

Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster

If you happen to be looking for a white without yellow undertones, but still has a decently high LRV, try Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. Its LRV is 82, so although it doesn’t reflect light as much as Cloud White, it also doesn’t have the yellow undertones that could make it look buttery in the shade. Alabaster is known for its versatility. It’s extremely popular as an exterior color as well as for interiors.

The Bottom Line on Cloud White by Benjamin Moore

Cloud White by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful off-white with great versatility. It works well with just about all colors, including those in the black and blue families. Keeping in mind its yellow undertones and high LRV, this white may be an easy choice for your home’s exterior.

Our designers at brick&batten are experts at choosing the right color choices for your home and its environment. We take into account the amount of natural light your home gets, your desired style, fixed elements (i.e., those you don’t plan to change), and more to ensure the perfect hue for your home. With your answers to a few short questions, we can create an exterior design plan to transform your home! Let’s make your dream reality. Get started here.

Author

Originally from Tennessee, Ami currently lives in South Carolina, which has been home since leaving the military in 2016. Interior and exterior design has always intrigued Ami, especially the styles and characteristics seen in other countries as an avid traveler and photographer. She lives for the renewal of older or historic homes that maintain their character, and regularly creates her own mood boards and virtual designs for inspiration or to help others with their spaces. Having always had a passion for design and following their work for years prior, Ami was excited to be brought onto brick&batten’s team of writers. Her writing endeavors actually started in an academic/scientific setting, then in a regulatory aspect. Writing about paint colors, emerging or current trends in exterior design, and so much more revolving around something she’s always enjoyed was a fun and welcomed change!