If there’s one fundamental truth about design and decor, it’s that there’s wayyyyy too many white paint colors and they are somehow all completely different. Benjamin Moore ALONE has 172 white shades. 172!!!

Before my homeowner days, I used to think it was pretty simple to pick a white paint color. You go to the store and ask for white. Ha! Cue the “cerulean belt” monologue from the Devil Wears Prada.

Why White Paint Is Trickier Than You Think

White paint colors are chameleons – they transform throughout the day, playing with natural light and the other colors in the room in ways that can make your carefully chosen “perfect white” look completely different from what you imagined. For instance, when we renovated our bathroom last year, I decided to stick with the creamy color that was throughout the rest of our house. Thought it’s called Classic Gray, it has a light, creamy tone in natural light that looks beautiful.

However, when paired with the green tile we chose for the shower, and the black and white tile on the floor, plus the fact that the room doesn’t get a ton of natural light, it became cold and sterile – not at all what I was going for.

How to Find Your Perfect White

Here’s my tried-and-true process for choosing the right white paint:

Consider Your Light First

Take a good look at your space’s natural light. North-facing rooms tend to bring out gray and blue undertones, while south-facing rooms emphasize yellow ones.

Test, Test, and Test Again

I always recommend painting large swatches (at least 2×2 feet) on different walls in your space. Watch how they change from morning to evening – you might be surprised! You can even paint swatches onto spare plywood or balsa wood to move them around your house throughout the day.

Understanding Undertones

The secret to white paint lies in its undertones. Some whites lean warm (with yellow, red, or brown undertones), while others are cool (with blue, green, or gray undertones). The trick is matching these undertones with your existing decor, or choose a color that will make your statement pieces pop.

My Go-To White Paint Tips

After years of trial and error (and more than a few paint-splattered weekends), here are my favorite pro tips:

• Always view your white paint samples against a true white piece of paper – it’s amazing how this simple trick reveals those subtle undertones
• Consider your home’s architectural style – modern homes often sing with crisp, clean whites, while historic homes tend to glow with warmer, softer whites
• Don’t forget about your trim! I learned the hard way that choosing different whites for walls and trim requires careful consideration of undertones. Typically speaking, if you go with white trim, I would choose the most “true” white possible. All of the trim in my home is “Simply White” by Sherwin Williams in a semi-gloss finish. It blends seamlessly with whatever color goes on the walls!

Remember, there’s no such thing as a universally perfect white – it’s all about finding the perfect white for your space and style. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Even us “pros” sometimes need to paint a room twice (or three times… but who’s counting?) to get it just right.