My Favorite White Paints (and why I love them)

White paint might seem like the easiest choice—but if you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of swatches at the paint store, you know it’s anything but. The right white can completely transform a space, whether you're going for warm and cozy or clean and modern. After years of choosing paint—from our old Brooklyn apartment to homes throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills for myself and clients—I’ve come to rely on a few classic whites that always deliver. These are the ones I keep coming back to—each with their own personality and purpose. (please note- colors on screens vary greatly so get your samples to play with!)

White Dove by Benjamin Moore

This is the white I reach for most often. White Dove is soft, warm, and incredibly versatile. It has just enough creamy undertone to keep it from feeling stark, but it still reads as a true white. I love using it on walls in older homes where I want to respect the original character but still bring in some freshness. It also plays well with vintage pieces and warmer wood tones.

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

Simply White is clean and bright, but not sterile. There’s a soft warmth in there that keeps it feeling approachable. It’s especially great in spaces that get a lot of natural light—it reflects beautifully and feels crisp without being too cool. One thing to note- if your home is surrounded by a lot of greenery (pines, large trees, etc), the paint will reflect a bit of green. I learned that from painting a lot of The Greene Pines Simply White!

Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore

Swiss Coffee is on the creamier side of white and feels incredibly inviting. It has subtle beige undertones that add warmth without turning yellow. I love it in bedrooms, living rooms, and anywhere I want a soft, cozy backdrop. It’s especially beautiful with natural materials like wood, linen, and stone. I recently used this in a clients single story home and the warmth it brought into the space was perfect. Swiss Coffee is really one of my favorites... I may be painting my entire living area in Kingston Swiss Coffee so stay tuned!

Linen White by Benjamin Moore

Linen White is one of those timeless, comforting whites that instantly adds warmth to a room. I like to think of it as the color of antique linen or aged parchment—it’s not for a bright, gallery-white look, but rather for spaces that want to feel lived-in, layered, and welcoming. It works beautifully in historic homes, cozy bedrooms, or any space that benefits from a bit of softness and warmth. I actually used Linen White as the base in my floor mural painted by Marcie Paper at the Kingston Design Connection Showhouse last fall.

Sand Dollar by Benjamin Moore

Sand Dollar is one of those in-between colors that reads like a warm, whispery white with a hint of blush. It has a soft, earthy undertone that gives it depth without feeling heavy. I used it in a client’s bedroom where we wanted something warmer than a stark white but more subtle than a true beige—it was perfect. It also worked beautifully in our tiny Brooklyn bathroom that housed our washer/dryer, shower/tub and littlest vanity for a family of 4! It kept the small space bright and airy.

Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams

Alabaster is a warm white that feels timeless and soft. It has a hint of beige and gray, which makes it extremely versatile. I’ve used it in both traditional and modern homes—it plays well with both cool and warm palettes. It was actually Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year back in 2016, and it still holds up well!

Tips for Choosing the Right White for Your Space:

• Always test it. Whites can shift dramatically depending on natural light, time of day, and what’s around them. I highly recommend getting large paint stickers from sites such as Samplize, stick those on the wall and live with them for a few days before making a final decision.

• Consider the undertones. Some whites lean warm (yellow, beige, red) while others lean cool (blue, gray). Think about what else is going on in the room—flooring, countertops, tile, fabric.

  
  

White might be the most underestimated paint color, but when you get it right, everything else in the space gets to shine and just POPS!

I'm always here to answer any questions! Send me an email to get the conversation started.

Follow me at @shanaluther and if you're a Pinterest fan, I'm always checking in there too!