My Top White Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore

Which white paint color is best?

After four in-depth discussions with my client recently, we finally chose the perfect white paint for the lofty ceiling in his executive office. The challenge was to find a shade that harmonized with the warm Maple wood paneling, gray concrete floors, and bronze metal doors we had planned for his modern office. Taking into account the ceiling’s shadows, varying heights, and the bright western sunlight, we ultimately selected Benjamin Moore’s China White.

This recent design challenge got me reflecting on how even the subtlest shift in white paint can transform a space and set the mood. That said, I wanted to share a few of my go-to white paint colors that I find myself returning to time and again when designing for clients. While I do appreciate and frequently use a variety of other paint brands and shades, these favorites all happen to be from Benjamin Moore’s white paint collection.

My top 5 Benjamin Moore white paint colors

A Crisp White Paint Color – Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore, OC-65

My current go-to crisp white paint is Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace. It reads as bright and clean on the wall, always lending a modern edge to the space. Despite its clarity, it has just enough warmth to avoid feeling too stark or cool. I’ve successfully used this versatile color in modern, traditional, and transitional rooms.

In this Dallas historic home kitchen renovation, we used Chantilly Lace to give the white paneled space a clean bright appeal. This kitchen remodel was part of an overall home gut renovation. We wanted to balance the traditional elements like the millwork style and zinc lanterns with fresh details. The white paint color makes this remodeled space updated, giving this classic kitchen a modern vibe.

When we renovated this Connecticut country home, we wanted to give this great room a new look–updated, casual and eclectic. Some might call it a modern farmhouse feel. In any case, we needed a paint color that bridged the modern and rustic feel. Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace was my choice here to resonate with the sunlight on the ceiling and contrast the beams, modern ceiling fixture, and cream draperies. The tone is crisp, but still ties to the warm elements in the room.

Taking it to an extreme, we used Chantilly Lace on the walls of this modern Teen bedroom in Dallas, Texas. Tied with the fresh white bedding, nickel metal hardware and turquoise blue accents, the white looks pristine and pure and definitely not creamy.

A Warm White Paint Color – Simply White by Benjamin Moore, OC-117

Simply White by Benjamin Moore is a warm, soft white with subtle yellow undertones. It’s bright and clean without feeling stark, offering a versatile and inviting backdrop that complements a wide range of styles and spaces. The warmth in this white makes it cozy and approachable, making it a popular choice for my design projects. Other Designers find it a go-to paint color as well as outlined in this Elle Décor article.

In this Miami Beach kitchen, the interior architecture is intentionally traditional.  When planning this new build, we wanted the space to be bright and enduring mixing in modern furnishings and light materials. Simply White was our choice to blend these elements together. The creamy tone aligns with the ivory linen draperies and gray and ecru checkerboard stone tile floor and is used on the walls as well as on the kitchen cabinetry. It’s a great modern traditional interior design mix.  

Similarly, this Santa Barbara style Spanish Mediterranean architecture needed a creamy, but light white to work with the other classic elements like the black iron, handmade terra cotta tile and rich Walnut antiques. My choice was Simply White. It feels grounded and true to the classic sensibilities of this residential estate. 

In this more modern interior, Simply White works equally well.  This primary bedroom suite has clean lines, modern furnishings in rich tones of Walnut wood, brown mohair and saddle leather.  The bedroom blends masculine, tailored elements.  We wanted the white to be inviting and warm to compliment the subtle elegance of this primary suite.  Simply White by Benjamin Moore was our choice.  

A Creamy White Paint Color – Floral White by Benjamin Moore, OC – 29

Benjamin Moore’s Floral White is a warm, creamy off-white with subtle khaki gray-green undertones, giving it a soothing and elegant quality. Its soft, creamy base creates a serene atmosphere.  I love using this white when you what to ensure the room has pigment on the walls, but still want to keep it light and neutral.  It’s a perfect shade for formal interior spaces.  

Floral White reflects light beautifully, helping to brighten up spaces and make them feel airy and spacious. I have used this color a few times in a high gloss finish. The reflective quality looks great in this dining space. 

Similarly, on this stately living room’s millwork and its fluted columns, Floral White is a great color choice. The shade creates a warm, welcoming mood, making it ideal for spaces where comfort and relaxation are key. 

In this formal living Room at the Connecticut Governor’s mansion renovation, I chose Floral White on the walls.  The color was the right, elegant and dignified choice to work with the antiques in the space. I chose to add small paint details like the chocolate brown line around the doorways and the gray accent line at the ceiling crown to coordinate with the creamy white color.   

A Contemporary White Paint Color – China White by Benjamin Moore, OC-141

When I think of a contemporary white, I think of China White.  It has a cool gray undertone and always seems to read “modern” to me.  I use it a lot in my designs, and I find it is very versatile and looks great in rooms that are both modern and traditional.  

Here, we used China White in this Tribeca, New York dining space. It contrasts the rich brown and mahogany tones in the 20^th century modern furniture.  I find it creates a great, neutral backdrop to sleek interiors. 

In this Connecticut Living Room space, we used China white again.  The room is overall more classic, but the cool, gray tone works great with the neutral palate and contrasts the red tone in the room.  It give a the casual weekend home a bit of urban sophistication.

With the blush tones and creams in this guest bedroom suite, I chose China White for the walls. With this more feminine feeling, I still wanted to keep the modern vibe that continues throughout the house.  China White was the right chose to be inviting, but still contemporary.  

A Rich White Paint Color – Bone White by Benjamin Moore, OC-143

 Bone White is an off-white shade with beige undertones, giving it a warm and subtle appearance. It’s slightly richer and more golden than Floral White, making it feel more grounded and earthy. The beige undertones add warmth to the color, making it a great choice for creating an inviting atmosphere in a room. 

In this formal living room of a Greenwich, Connecticut estate we incorporated several Vladimir Kagan and classic modern furniture pieces in neutral fabrics.  The house has a consistent gray painted millwork color throughout with Mahogany stained interior doors. The color choice of Bone White was an intentional decision to compliment the gray millwork trim and balance the other gray tones in the furniture.  We wanted the room to be modern, but also comforting.

Similarly, in this paneled primary suite, we chose Bone White to have an intentional buff color on the walls to work with the cream and brown masculine hues of the room. Bone White has a classic, timeless quality that ensures it won’t easily go out of style. It serves as an excellent neutral backdrop that allows the traditional design elements like the leather trimmed bedding and Ansel Adams photography in this space to stand out. 

I hope my explanation and outline of my favorite white paint colors helps you with your interior inspiration and home renovation project!  As an interior designer, I definitely have my go to paint colors and clearly other designers agree as outlined in this Veranda article about the 40 Best white paint colors, according to Designers. I was told once by a client to just paint the wall “white”.  But as you can see, there is a lot of consideration and choices when selecting the perfect shade of white.   Check out my other blog article on My Favorite Blue Hues to learn more about paint colors I love.

I’m beginning to share curated product selections here on the blog. The items below capture the spirit of my favorite white paint colors – they are timeless and fresh.

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