Eggshell white. Cool white. Off white. Warm white. Pure white. When it comes to painting your home, there are many shades of white that can leave you feeling flustered.
When it comes to choosing the right shade of white paint, you need to think of your home as a literal blank canvas. This versatile neutral shade can adapt to any kind of living room interior design and transform your space with a calming, peaceful vibe.
In this blog, we will deep-dive to understand the different shades of white you can opt for. Let’s jump right in.
1. Brilliant White for Your Bedroom to Give It an Open and Airy Feel
Most people use white paint to brighten up the space and add light as well as openness to it. However, owing to the versatile shades of white you are presented with today, you don’t need to go for a stark-blinding white to liven up the space.
Take a look at the image above. The shade of white paint chosen is not pure white. Instead, the natural sunlight streaming in on the walls makes this brilliant white shade a wise choice.
Pro tip: When selecting your ‘shade of white,’ look for the right undertone (read: shades such as icy blue, green, yellow, grey, etc.) that suits your home and don’t forget about the lighting of your room.
2. Experts Suggest Warm Shades of White for North-Facing Rooms
If you are looking at wall painting ideas for your bedroom design, you need to factor in the direction your room’s windows are facing–whether it’s north, south, east, or west. As per experts, if your room has red or yellow undertones, you should go for warm shades of white paint.
North-facing rooms are typically darker and prone to shadows as they do not get much direct sunlight. So, opting for warmer and softer yellow-based white will lift up the room and add a much-needed homely and relaxing vibe to it.
Pro tip: If you have a light-deprived entranceway, you can go for a warm white shade with pink undertones.
3. Go For Cool Shades of White for South-Facing Rooms
If you have a South-facing room and have abundant natural light bouncing off of your bedroom wall design (as shown above), you should have a natural preference for cool white shades that come with a hint of green, violet, blue, or black undertones.
This bedroom is well-lit naturally, and hence, cooler shades of white with dull undertones make aesthetic sense. By going for darker undertones, you can balance out the extra natural light your room receives and recreate a tranquil look.
Pro tip: The lighting your room receives has a direct impact on the shade of white that must go on the walls. And the lighting is dependent on the direction your room faces. So, when selecting the right shade of white, you need to remember these additional factors as well.
4. Ivory White Is a Great Choice for Your Living Room Walls and Ceiling
Here’s a secret: The white hues in your home will change drastically from room to room, depending on the light it receives. This is why doing a small patch test of the area is key.
In the image above, you can see how this ivory white (cream-white in layman’s terms) adds layers of softness to the area. The colour is easy on the eyes and can be thought of as the gentlest of yellow-white hues there ever was.
Pro tip: To ensure that you’re going ahead with the right kind of white shade, make sure to test the colour during the day (in natural light) and in the evening (with artificial light).
5. Oatmeal White Is a Soft Shade That Can Be Used in Your Living Room
Yes, there is such a thing as oatmeal white. Another warm shade of white on our list, oatmeal white, is basically a combination of grey, yellow, and white hues with a green undertone.
The image above is an example of a pale oatmeal white wall in a living room that doubles up as a statement-making wall.
Pro tip: Having your entire room painted in one single colour lacks imagination and is outright boring. If you want a two colour combination for your ceiling, woodwork, floorboard, or cornicing, you can pair it with neutral greige tones for a seamless, soft look and feel. Ensure that the ceiling is the brightest shade of white, with the rest of the areas being painted in slightly darker shades.
6. Paper White for Your Living Room’s Ceiling Is an Evergreen Choice
One of the most popular shades of white colour walls is paper white or pure white colour which is basically devoid of any kind of underlying pigment.
The ceiling in the image above is an example of a paper white shade. This type of shade is extremely effective in brightening up darker nooks and corners. So, you can make use of it in smaller rooms, which receive plenty of natural light or on your ceiling.
This shade is successful in reflecting back all the natural light it receives.
Pro tip: Pair this colour with deeper off-white tones, particularly if you are thinking of using white shades on woodwork and ceilings. This strategy will help create a fresh, contrasting, and calming look.
7. China White Is a Good Choice for Creating a Fusion of Modern Meets Traditional
When it comes to listing down the varied shades of white colours, leaving out the China white option is not possible.
This colour exudes an unparalleled sense of elegance and grace. It creates an open, welcoming, and calming vibe, particularly if you are thinking of bedroom paint ideas.
Plus, you can decorate the place any way you like–by placing monotone images, colourful paintings, jute hangings, and more.
Pro tip: When decorating the wall, think about how the room’s furniture and fabric will accentuate the wall. You can also create a mood board to understand how the wall paint will go with the other elements.
Conclusion
There you go. As you can see, when it comes to choosing the right white shade, there’s more effort involved than picking the right hue, especially given the variety of shades of white paint available. White, in any shape or form, can effectively capture light and illuminates the space it inhabits.
It is, without a doubt, a colour of absolute transparency and transcendence.
Whether you’re Googling bedroom paint ideas or looking to transform your living room, the right white hue can make all the difference. To make the most out of your white paint, try applying a primer and undercoat. This will help give the paint a more long-lasting finish and will also cover up any defects in place.
For more tips on how to choose the best shade of white, check out HomeLane.
FAQs
1. Does White Qualify as a Colour or a Shade?
Technically speaking, white does not qualify to be a colour; it is a shade (much like black). That said, many people do consider white to be a colour, as white light encompasses all hues that are present within the visible light spectrum.
Also, note that the white shade helps augment other colours, making it a versatile and neutral choice.
2. How Many Shades Does White Have?
White comprises many shades, such as cream, eggshell, off-white, ivory, vanilla, pure white, and more. Every shade of white essentially has an undertone of another colour (think: red/pink, blue, yellow, green/grey, etc.) that is almost undetectable. This makes each shade a little more nuanced and situational.
In fact, according to some experts, there are more than 150 shades of white! The best shade of white for you will depend on your home’s interiors and its intrinsic style.
3. How to Choose between the Different Shades of White Colour for Your Home?
When selecting the right shade of white for your home’s paint needs, factor in the following best practices:
- First things first, understand the undertone behind that particular shade of white.
- Consider the natural light as well as the direction of the space.
- Go for a white that can blend into the space.
- Make sure to analyze multiple white paint shades.
- Get a small area painted to see how the white shade is making you feel.
- As a thumb rule, always invest in high-quality paint.
4. What Shade of White Goes Well with Wood and Ceilings?
For ceilings, the Chantilly Lace shade is perfect as it is widely regarded as the ‘cleanest’ white shade. It does not have any warm or cool undertone. You can use this colour on your walls, ceiling, and trim. For wood, muted white tones work well, such as satinwood and eggshell finish, for instance.
