The White Paint Design Choice That Will Add Cohesion To Your Home

Choosing white paint for your home's ceilings, trim, and other details may seem effortless, but it plays a more important role than you might think. According to Rebecca Constable, interior designer and founder of Rebecca Constable Design, there's an art to selecting white paint like a pro, and it's surprisingly logical. In an Instagram post, Constable explains that choosing one white paint shade for your entire home is the savvy trick to making it appear visually cohesive and intentionally curated. She says, "Having a single white that runs throughout your home will help create a flow and knit things together." The designer also points out that this will reduce wastefulness, as you won't be left with half-empty cans of various white paints at the end of your project. It will also make it easier to touch up the paint in the future, as you won't risk using the wrong shade of white.

It's important to note that Constable is not suggesting that you paint all of your walls white. Unless you're aiming for a chic refrigerator look, we strongly suggest that you add color to your living space. However, it's wise to be strategic when curating your color scheme, as the right white paint for your space will enhance and accentuate those wall colors through the details surrounding them. There's a lot you need to know about selecting the perfect white paint for your home, so let's dive in.

As you choose your main color palette, focus on shades that are within the same family. For example, warm tones such as orange and yellow or cool tones such as blue and lavender. Once you've established your color scheme, you can choose a white shade that contains undertones of those colors. Most shades of white lean more towards one undertone of yellow or blue, though some have other undertones or are neutral. The white color you choose will contribute to the overall atmosphere that you are evoking, be it energizing and welcoming or sophisticated and calm.

If you struggle to find a white shade that works, consider some tried-and-true best-sellers. For example, Cloud White OC-130 by Benjamin Moore is popular for its sunny yellow undertones and is one of the Property Brothers' favorite timeless paint colors. Another fan favorite is Pure White by Sherwin-Williams, which is HGTV's Jasmine Roth's favorite white paint shade because of its versatility and subtle warmth. If you need a shade with blue undertones, check out Extra White by Sherwin-Williams.

Once you've got your shortlist of candidates, the last step is to test, test, and test again. Seeing the color in photos or on the swatches at the store will only get you so far. The best way to know if a shade is right for your space is to test it on a wall and see how it interacts with the lighting, decor, and other colors in the space. You can do this by purchasing peel and stick paint samples in your chosen colors and comparing them on your wall.