Our Review of White Dove Paint by Benjamin Moore
By: Tessa
There’s such a thing as having too many options to choose from when it comes to selecting the right white paint for your home’s exterior. White Dove by Benjamin Moore is a white paint color that always makes our short list of . So if looking at paint sample cards and comparing swatches on siding has got you feeling weary and overwhelmed, take it from us as to why White Dove is a safe choice for nearly any home. We’ll discuss the undertones found in it, what colors it complements, and other off-white paint options.
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White Dove is Neutral, Luminous, and Light
White Dove is one of Benjamin Moore’s top-selling paint colors, and for good reason. We believe this color is fittingly named after a dove, as this bird is a symbol of peace. Respectively, White Dove is a neutral, peaceful white. Of course, the word neutral can mean avoiding conflict, but in the color world, it means not leaning too warm or too cold. The undertones in White Dove do read as slightly warm, but not as warm as similar choices like Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore.
For this reason, White Dove won’t look too yellow or too gray, meaning you can pair it with pretty much any other colors you want. So feel free to go bold with a forest green, navy blue, or terra cotta painted door if you choose this white paint.
Its Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is 85.38, so we consider it an off-white. On the LRV scale, 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. A word to the wise on LRV: If you’re leaning towards a paint color for your exterior redesign with an LRV close to 100, proceeded with caution. While pure white paints can look lovely indoors with diffused lighting, they can come off as nearly blinding on extra sunny days. We suggest Benjamin Moore Simply White with an LRV of 91.7 for a true white paint that is a bit understated.
White Dove Paint Applications
Just like sparkling wines complement both sweet and savory dishes, White Dove pairs well with nearly anything. Although we’re not ones to follow antiquated fashion rules like ‘No white after Labor Day’ or ‘No pairing navy with black,’ we love how White Dove doesn’t break any rules. It looks just as stunning with a gray roof as it would with a brown roof.
Interior designers often reach for White Dove for painting crown molding or baseboards. Similarly, we think it makes a great option for window and door trims. And as you could probably guess from the theme of this post, this off-white works well on nearly any style of home, including modern farmhouses, craftsman-style bungalows, and midcentury charmers.
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.
Other Off-White Options by Benjamin Moore to Consider
While White Dove’s neutrality makes it a safe choice, perhaps you want something with stronger undertones. Here, we offer other off-white options that lean more warm or cool.
Swiss Coffee: Creamy and Warm
If crisp and clean aren’t necessarily the words you’d want to use to describe your ideal paint, go for a white that clearly reads as warm. Although Swiss Coffee is certainly a warm paint color, contrary to its name, it doesn’t look as brown as a cup of coffee. Instead, think of coffee creamer. Painting your home’s exterior this color can make it look cozy and inviting.
Seapearl: Cool and Clean
Is your favorite color blue or orange? If you find yourself reaching for cooler colors in your design or even wardrobe choices, you might like an off-white with cool, gray undertones. If so, Seapearl is a great option. We love pairing this white with gray or black accents.
Olympic Mountains: Traditional and Tasteful
If you want your home to look timeless, stick with a color that doesn’t favor fast trends. Olympic Mountains has an LRV of 71.6, making it one of the most beige off-whites that we recommend for our clients. However, the subtle gray undertones help offset the beige and make it look just a bit more modern than true beige. If you live in a sunny climate, this color could be an ideal choice for your home, because it won’t ever look too bright or harsh in the sun.
The Bottom Line on White Dove Paint by Benjamin Moore
We include White Dove paint by Benjamin Moore on our list of favorite off-white paints. It doesn’t make a big statement like stark white paint, but instead, it provides a soft glow for your home. And isn’t that all we really want from a neutral color? We’re in love for sure.
In a world with countless options to choose from, we are here to offer an expert opinion on which white paint would look the best on your home. Learn more about our brick&batten virtual exterior design service, and get started on making your exterior home design a reality today.
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