As someone who loves all things interiors + design, I’ve learned a few things along the way. One of those things is which white paint works “the best,” in most circumstances.
Whereas a white color might work well for your white ceiling, the same white color might not work great on your kitchen cabinets. Your white paint color – especially for walls is a choice that you just don’t want to mix up.
See what I did there? It impacts the entire feel of your home. It’s funny though because I see a lot of people who don’t place as much importance on this decision as they should. But don’t worry, I did the research and painted all the test swatches for ya.
The best tried-and-true white paint in my opinion is Chantilly Lace White by Benjamin Moore. I have used it on every single wall, time, and ceiling in my home – and I simply love it! I know you will too.
Finding the Perfect Shade
Varying shades of white will always be essential in any home regardless of your personal aesthetic and taste.
However, when it comes to a classic, pure, and clean shade, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace will forever be the go-to. Why? Because it’s a universal white with no undertones so you know exactly what you’re going to get: a bright space that feels clean and inviting rather than sterile and cold.
The name itself evokes certain emotions of coziness and familiarity along with images of silk so refined and delicate, as if from a long-forgotten memory that you can’t quite place.
Oftentimes when we use white paint, you don’t really see the underlying tones until the entire room is finished and then realize that the walls are using either too warm whites or too cool of a paint choice.
When you stick to a shade that looks pure and to the point, it’s really assuring as you move into the styling phase because you know exactly what you are going to get. In the end, you are able to place any object against it and it will pop naturally and not accidentally go orange or blue.
I love this because it makes planning a space much easier. Plus the pure white is just intoxicating to look at – trust me.
The Most Beautiful White for Any Design Color Scheme
Chantilly Lace is perfect for walls, ceilings, and trim as long as you’re strategic and smart about which finish you use in which location. Here’s the finish I used for each location:
- Walls – Matte
- Trim – Eggshell
- Ceilings – Matte
- Bathroom Walls – Eggshell
If you have a more traditional home with high ceilings and windows, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace is also a great choice to use to paint over your doors. This will make your home appear brighter and crisp, which works well as a solid foundation for any design aesthetic.
The Perfect Choice for Your Color Palette
Of course, there are plenty of other white shades available on the market, so it really depends on what you’re planning to paint and what vibe you are going for. When checking out other available shades, use Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace as a base color to compare other shades with.
Since Chantilly Lace is a true white with no underlying tones, you’ll be able to see even the most subtle differences between other white hues. Check it out for yourself against others – it might shock you.
Pro tip: A white paint job can be a little bit of a pain in terms of achieving an even finish. It’s best if you use a primer first before going over it with the actual paint.
Consider Your Lighting Situations
Although Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace is my favorite white paint, you might decide to use something else. If so, it’s important to consider your specific lighting situation when selecting white paint.
While each of your rooms will likely use artificial light at one point or another, this isn’t the only light color you need to consider. The light color from outside is also important, especially in larger spaces with lots of external light.
- If you have a north-facing room, you’ll want a warmer white. This will balance out the cold blues and grays often present in a north-facing room.
- In a south-facing room, a cool white is usually best. This should balance out the warm light often found in a south-facing room.
- For east-facing rooms and west-facing rooms, the lighting changes over the course of the day. You’ll want to observe the light throughout the day: is it primarily cold or warm light? With that in mind, make your shade selection, but don’t forget that west-facing rooms often have more yellow undertones towards the end of the day!
FAQ
How do I make my white walls not boring?
White paint colors may be some of the favorite paint colors, but by themselves, they don’t make for a very exciting design color scheme. If you’re looking for a way to spice up traditional spaces with large white walls, then you’ll need to start with an accent color.
You can choose a different ceiling color if you have white walls. However, you can also opt for using colors for trim instead, rather than covering an entire surface.
The best color for trim is a matter of opinion, but you can probably find a great trim color in this short list of popular paint colors that pair well with white: black, green, blue, grey, or off-white.
What is the most popular interior white?
Although I love Chantilly Lace’s appearance, Benjamin Moore Chantilly isn’t the most popular choice for interior white. It’s hard to tell which one was won for sure, but Sherwin Williams Creamy, Valspar Promenade, and Benjamin Moore’s White Dove were all common favorites.
If you want to see the difference in person, just head to your nearest paint store and get some stick paint samples!
Are white walls in style for 2022?
White was a popular wall color in 2022, and I expect that will prove true in 2023 as well. Although there were many different design styles last year, many of the favorite whites of the year were creamier whites that worked well with natural light.
What colour is timeless white?
Timeless White is a popular white paint by Dulux. A bit darker than perfect white and other popular shades of bright white, “Timeless White” is a creamy white that enhances natural daylight. For this reason, it’s an excellent option in rooms with lots of natural lighting!
Should white walls be flat or satin?
Well, the first thing you should take into consideration is the surface texture of your painting project. It may be a blank canvas, but is it a perfectly smooth one or slightly bumpy one?
The problem with satin white paint shades is that they reflect lots of light, but this high percentage of light reflected highlights any imperfections on your white walls (even with natural light sources!).
Also, when painting your walls white, you may want to avoid matching the finish of your white ceiling, white cabinets, or other white surfaces. White may be a versatile color, but some variety is important: don’t match every surface in both shade and finish!
Before committing to a specific wall color, I recommend getting a paint sample for each shade. See how they look on a similar surface, compare how they each will look with your choice for trims, then pick the perfect paint color (and finish) from there!
A Quick Recap
As much as I gravitate towards darker colors most of the time, there’s no denying that white will always be a timeless, classic choice for any home. Nothing beats that crisp clean look, right?
Just wait till you place a vintage rug or ancient candlestick in front of this paint color. It will shine like never before. That’s a fact.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace will always and forever be a favorite of mine, and it’s really not surprising that it ranks high on most interior designers’ lists of top white paint colors.
So go for it – give it a try. Think of this paint color as ya loyal friend in your design journey – uncomplicated, gorgeous, simple, and something you can always rely on to go back to no matter what.
Have you tried this tried-and-tested shade in your home yet? What other shades would you consider a “classic” and what’s your personal favorite? I’d love to know! Xox
